Alabama · Rock climbing · Grant · Near Albertville

Middle Bishop

32 routes
V1 – V10
Bouldering
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Middle Bishop is a bouldering area in northern Alabama, on land held by the Tennessee Valley Authority as Wheeler Reservoir Retained Land. It sits among a cluster of other climbing areas, including Arecibo Boulders, Found Boulder and Muscle Boulder, all within about a tenth of a mile. The bouldering here runs the full gamut of the V scale, from V1 to V10, with a median grade of V4+. That makes it a destination for climbers of all levels, with the easiest problems at the lower end and the hardest ones like "Nerds" and "Into the Sun" for those reaching the top of the scale. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 74°F with lows near 47°F, while May runs about 78°F by day and 56°F at night. The station sits a few hundred feet lower than the boulders, so temperatures up here run a little cooler. Thompson Loop and Honeycomb Trail are both hikes about 2.3 miles away, and Shoal Creek offers paddling roughly 6.5 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Georgia Mountain RV Resort

    Campground

    Campground · 6.7 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    SMPA Artist House

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Albertville
  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Middle Bishop

    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.

    1. Jan

      50° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 32°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 39°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      78° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 68°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 67°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 47°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 36°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Owens Cross Roads 3s, AL, 7.7 mi away at 590 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (32)