Noccalula Falls Campground
Campground
Campground · 15 mi from the trail
Alabama · Rock climbing · Leesburg · Near Albertville
Jaws Block/West Side Rock
Photo: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 10 routes
- 5.7 – 5.11a
- Trad · Sport · Top Rope
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Jaws Block/West Side Rock is a climbing area in Alabama, about 1.7 miles from the town of Mackey. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, including Boy Scout Wall, Sand Rock and The Pinnacle, all within about a tenth of a mile. The climbing here mixes trad and sport routes, with a top-rope option for Plate Roof. Ten routes are listed, ranging from 5.7 to 5.11a on the YDS scale. Jaws is a trad route at 5.9+, and Six Toes is a sport route at 5.10a. Plate Roof is the top-rope climb, and Heave Ho is the hardest at 5.11a. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Gadsden show April highs around 70°F and October highs around 71°F, with July peaking near 87°F. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the area, so temperatures on the rock run a little cooler.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Jack's
Restaurant
On your way back · 7 mi · Open after 6If it rains
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in AlbertvilleBest time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Jaws Block/West Side Rock
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.
Jan
49° / 31°
11 wet
Feb
54° / 34°
11 wet
Mar
61° / 41°
11 wet
Apr
70° / 48°
10 wet
May
77° / 55°
10 wet
Jun
84° / 63°
10 wet
Jul
87° / 67°
11 wet
Aug
86° / 66°
11 wet
Sep
81° / 59°
9 wet
Oct
71° / 48°
8 wet
Nov
61° / 38°
9 wet
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 (10)
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: 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.
Photo: 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.
Photo: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Sand Rock Bouldering
Next door
7 bouldering routes in Alabama spanning 5 grades.
Photo: 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.
Photo: 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.
Photo: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)The Islands
Next door
Islands, The is a climbing area in Alabama with 12 routes.
Photo: 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.
Photo: 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.
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.
Photo: swhitfield, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Turtle Rock
Next door
Turtle Rock in Alabama has 20 climbing routes across 12 grades, offering sport and traditional styles.
