Shades Mountain is a cuesta in Jefferson County, Alabama, forming a long ridge along the southern side of the Birmingham area and extending through parts of Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, and Mountain Brook. Its summit includes Bluff Park in Hoover, and the mountain is especially known for its exposed geology. At Moss Rock Preserve, the Shades Sandstone and the ridge’s structure are clearly visible in the landscape. Notable local features include Lovers Leap, a rock outcropping near Shades Crest Road and Brock Gap, and a rail cut blasted through the mountain. It remains a prominent regional landmark and a focus of preservation efforts.