Short Loop Trail
At A Glance
1.4 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 1.94 
Steepness: Climbs Moderately
Tread Condition: Few Obstacles
Lowest Elevation: 4350 ft
Highest Elevation: 4630 ft
Climb Total: 280 ft
Blaze Color: Blue
Trail Number: 306
Description
Crosses the summit, which is exactly where you want to be when you visit Max Patch Mountain. Due to its central location, you can see just about everything from up here, from the Smokies, to Mount Mitchell, and halfway across Tennessee - which may be why this mountain is sometimes called "The Crown Jewel of the Appalachian Trail" (which crosses the mountain as well). Bring the kids, a kite, a picnic, a blanket, and spend some time up here! Follow the signs to follow the trail.
Intersecting Trails
This trail is located in the Max Patch Mountain & Harmon Den Area area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Max Patch Mountain & Harmon Den Area trails list page.
All Photos from the Trail
GPS Map
Map Information
Download GPS Data
Click on a route, trail, or point on the map and select the GPS Data tab to download its data.
Data Formats
KML (Google Earth)
KML is the main file type used by Google Earth. If you have Google Earth installed, clicking the KML link should open the trail or point directly in Google Earth for viewing. This is the native file format used by Google Earth, but many other map applications can use and understand KML as well, so if you're not sure which one to download, KML is a good bet.
GPX
The GPX format stands for GPS Exchange - a free, open, XML format for exchanging GPS and map data. GPX is compatible with Google Earth, many other mapping programs, and most GPS devices (such as Garmin). Load the file directly into your GPS to help find your way on your next trip!
GeoJSON
GeoJSON is a newer, lightweight data exchange format which can be used to quickly share map data and may have a smaller size than KML or GPX. Many professional mapping and GIS applications support the GeoJSON format.
About the Map
Copyright
Base Layers
Base layers provided by OpenStreetMap, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, and NC OneMap. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Base layers may not be available at all times due to system maintenance or outages.
WNCOutdoors Base Layer
The WNCOutdoors Base layer is provided by WNCOutdoors.info. It is licensed by Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.
Trail and Marker Overlays
Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from government agencies, and field observations. WNCOutdoors data is made freely available under the Open Database License - you are free to copy and use it for any purpose under the terms of that license (summary).
Tips
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- Scroll and zoom the map before printing, and that view will persist into the printed image.
- Click a trail for more details and to download it individually.
Trail Segments
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:
Max Patch Short Loop - Parking North
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.49 mi
Max Patch Short Loop - Parking South
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.44 mi
AT - Short Loop to Max Patch Summit
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.43 mi
AT - Max Patch Summit to Short Loop
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.14 mi
Total Calculated Length: 1.51 mi
This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.
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Average Rating: 2.1 (rated 73 times)
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