Mountain Mist Trail
Photo: dmtilley, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 2.9 mi
- round trip
- 1,096 ft
- climb
- 1,564 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Feb–May, Sep–Nov
- best months
Mountain Mist Trail is a 2.9-mile moderate hike in Monte Sano State Park in Alabama, managed by State Park and Recreation. The trail is an out-and-back with a total elevation gain of 217 feet, and the route reaches a high point of about 1,564 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, at about 0.13 miles in, with a grade of 12 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 74°F with lows near 47°F, and April highs around 71°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The trail starts close to several other routes. South Plateau Loop, Warpath Ridge Trail and the Bucca Family Bike Trail are all about 0.1 mile away, and Rocky Nightmare is about half a mile off.
Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Mountain Mist Trail
Best months: February–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
50° / 30°
11 wet
Feb
55° / 32°
11 wet
Mar
63° / 39°
11 wet
Apr
71° / 46°
10 wet
May
78° / 56°
10 wet
Jun
86° / 64°
10 wet
Jul
88° / 68°
11 wet
Aug
88° / 67°
9 wet
Sep
84° / 59°
7 wet
Oct
74° / 47°
8 wet
Nov
62° / 36°
9 wet
Dec
53° / 32°
12 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Owens Cross Roads 3s, AL, 12.3 mi away at 590 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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Route details
- Distance
- 2.9 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 1,096 ft
- Summit
- 1,654 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time
- About 1.5 hours
Other routes up Monte Sano Mountain
Questions about this route
How long is the Mountain Mist Trail on Monte Sano Mountain?
About 2.9 mi round trip.
How much elevation gain is on the Mountain Mist Trail?
About 1,096 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Mountain Mist Trail?
It is rated moderate.
How long does the Mountain Mist Trail take?
About 1.5 hours round trip.
How many routes go up Monte Sano Mountain?
3: Bucca Family Bike Trail, Mountain Mist Trail and South Plateau Loop.
Conditions and forecast on Monte Sano Mountain
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
