Thompson Trace Trail
- 1.3 mi
- round trip
- 448 ft
- climb
- 801 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Feb–May, Sep–Dec
- best months
Thompson Trace Trail is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2.6 miles in Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Alabama, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail starts at roughly 578 feet and climbs to a high point of 801 feet, with a total elevation gain of 448 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes early, at about 0.08 miles in, with a grade of 15 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Pinson show October highs around 75°F with lows near 50°F, and April is similar at about 75°F by day and 48°F at night. Summer highs typically reach about 90°F. The hike takes about an hour. Turkey Creek Road and Highlands Trail both lie within a third of a mile, and the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve National Recreation Trail is about half a mile away. Paddlers can reach Turkey Creek, about 1.6 miles off.
Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Dec
Best time to visit Thompson Trace Trail
Best months: February–May and September–December. 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
54° / 31°
10 wet
Feb
58° / 34°
10 wet
Mar
67° / 41°
10 wet
Apr
75° / 48°
8 wet
May
82° / 56°
9 wet
Jun
88° / 65°
10 wet
Jul
90° / 68°
11 wet
Aug
90° / 68°
8 wet
Sep
85° / 61°
6 wet
Oct
75° / 50°
6 wet
Nov
64° / 39°
8 wet
Dec
56° / 34°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinson, AL, 1.1 mi away at 608 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
