Alabama · Rock climbing · Leesburg · Near Albertville

The Islands

The IslandsPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
12 routes
5.8 – 5.12c
Sport · Trad
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Clear today

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 7 h ago

The Islands is a climbing area in northern Alabama, about 1.8 miles from the town of Mackey. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, so it works well as a base for exploring several areas close together. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Gadsden show October highs around 71°F with lows near 48°F, and April is similar at about 70°F by day and 48°F at night. That station sits roughly 500 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures here run a little cooler. Holiday Block, Pinnacle, Sand Rock and Boy Scout Wall all lie about 0.1 mile away. Sand Rock Bouldering is about 0.2 mile off. For a change of pace, Weiss Lake is about 9 miles away and offers fishing.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Noccalula Falls Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 15 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Jack's

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi · Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Albertville
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit The Islands

    Best months: March–June 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.

    1. Jan

      49° / 31°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 34°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 41°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 48°

      10 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 63°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 67°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 59°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 34°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gadsden 19 N, AL, 11 mi away at 1,152 ft. The station sits about 500 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.

Routes (12)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

The PinnaclePhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Pinnacle

Next door

Pinnacle, The in Alabama has 16 routes across 12 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

Sand RockPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sand Rock

Next door

Sand Rock in Alabama has 13 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering bouldering, sport, and trad.

Jaws Block/West Side RockPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Jaws Block/West Side Rock

Next door

Jaws Block/West Side Rock in Alabama has 10 climbing routes across 7 difficulty grades.

Boy Scout WallPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Boy Scout Wall

Next door

Boy Scout Wall in Alabama has 7 traditional climbing routes across 5 grades.

Sand Rock BoulderingPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sand Rock Bouldering

Next door

7 bouldering routes in Alabama spanning 5 grades.

The SandtrapPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Sandtrap

Next door

Sandtrap, The in Alabama has 5 traditional climbing routes across 5 difficulty grades.

GrottoPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Grotto

Next door

Grotto in Alabama has 13 routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

Sun WallPhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sun Wall

Next door

Sun Wall in Alabama has 54 climbing routes across 23 grades, offering sport, top-rope, and trad styles.

The HolePhoto: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Hole

Next door

The Hole in Alabama has 6 climbing routes across 5 grades, offering bouldering and sport climbing.

New Wall (AKA Kurt Russell Block)Photo: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

New Wall (AKA Kurt Russell Block)

Next door

New Wall (AKA Kurt Russell Block) in Alabama has 15 sport climbing routes with 13 difficulty grades.