Monte Sano

[melonhead]

Just heard of this place. I've never seen it discussed on alatrails before, I was just curious if anyone had been there, what was it like etc...

I happen to come across this guy, bamawester, that takes some amazing photos and some come from Monte Sano.

http://www.flickr.com/pho...391479503/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/pho...449364141/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/pho...387484806/in/photostream/

Would love to take a stroll through this area at some point in the future.

[weathermansam]

I live across town from the place, did a post earlier in the year about waterfalls up there http://www.alatrails.com/...dex.php/topic,2147.0.html .  The third photo link you posted, that falls is above the falls in the first link.  You need a good rain to get anything flowing up there.  The middle link you posted is upper caney creek falls in bankhead.  Here's my favorite two trips this year:
Natural Well Trail Photos
Dry Falls/ Neverseen Falls Loop

There's little I haven't seen up there, though I prefer the land trust trails to the state park.  Mckay Hollow  and the Stone Cuts are two places in the state park that are exceptions.  

Other places around here to check out are the Devil's Racetrack at Wade Mtn Preserve in North Huntsville.  It's a wildflower lover's dream.  There are good views from the Bill and Marion Certain Trail at Blevins Gap Preserve and Rainbow Mtn Preserve, 10 minutes from my house has several caves and a variety of wildflowers to boot, plus Balance Rock.  

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noticed some of those links are broken now, I'll get that fixed here in a bit. 

[ednotmilkman]

I notice that this thread is listed under Sipsey/Bankhead.  Is that because there was no other category that fits for trails inside AL state parks ?  Maybe the moderators should add another category for that.

Also, who has a clue what the term "child board" means here ?

[montysano]

I live 5 minutes from a Monte Sano Preserve trailhead, and it's certainly wonderful to live so close to a hiking area, although it's nothing like the Sipsey  The photos are a testament to Bamawester's skill.

I'm with weathermansam: the Stone Cuts in the park are worth checking out, as is O'Shaughnessy Point.  For the Land Trust, IMHO the whole Monte Sano Preserve is worth a walk, as is Devil's Racetrack.

Also near Huntsville: Stephens Gap, which is on private land but open to the public.

[melonhead]

Appreciate the feedback. I was very curious once I seen those photos and was taken aback, especially since I'd rarely seen stuff posted on here about Monte Sano. I posted in Sipsey/Bankhead just cause I didnt know where else to put it. Guess it should've been on the general page. Oh well.

Thanks for the links to pictures and stuff weatherman. Some neat areas that many people dont know about unless you're local.

[Joshua Szulecki]

BamaWester certainly does North Alabama justice.

[weathermansam]

Also near Huntsville: Stephens Gap, which is on private land but open to the public.

Not familiar with this one, though when I google it there's a pretty awesome looking cave there.  Are there any established trails or is the cave the main/only attraction?

[montysano]

Not familiar with this one, though when I google it there's a pretty awesome looking cave there.  Are there any established trails or is the cave the main/only attraction?

AFAIK, the cave is the main attraction, but it's pretty spectacular!  You don't have to do any real caving to see the main attraction.