Mountainside Trail
- 3.0 mi
- round trip
- 1,534 ft
- climb
- 1,754 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Feb–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
Mountainside Trail is a 6.1-mile out-and-back hike in Georgia, about 1.8 miles from the community of Pirkle Woods. The route rises from 1,381 feet to 1,754 feet, a total gain of 451 feet, and is rated moderate. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.2 miles in, where the grade reaches 19%. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cumming show October highs around 73°F with lows near 49°F, and April is similar at about 72°F by day and 46°F at night. That station sits roughly 600 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. Several other trails start close by. Ridgeline Trail is 0.4 miles away and Hilltop Trail is 0.5 miles away. Indian Seats Trail is about 1.2 miles off. For an overnight stay, Bald Ridge Creek campground is 4.4 miles away.
Best time to go · Feb–Jun, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Mountainside Trail
Best months: February–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
51° / 31°
11 wet
Feb
56° / 33°
11 wet
Mar
63° / 40°
11 wet
Apr
72° / 46°
10 wet
May
79° / 56°
10 wet
Jun
85° / 64°
11 wet
Jul
89° / 67°
11 wet
Aug
88° / 67°
10 wet
Sep
82° / 60°
8 wet
Oct
73° / 49°
8 wet
Nov
63° / 39°
8 wet
Dec
54° / 34°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cumming 2n, GA, 1.7 mi away at 1,140 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors