Lake George: Buck Mountain
Region: Lake George, Southern Adirondacks
October 24, 2021 | Fort Ann, NY
Note: there are two different ways to ascend Buck; the below write-up describes the route approaching from the north starting at Shelving Rock Road. (The southern approach starts at Pilot Knob Road, which has different directions.)
The background: I had completed a High Peak the day before and had tentative plans to tackle another 46er this particular day, but ultimately decided against it for a few (legitimate) reasons. Instead, some friends and I wanted to take advantage of the amazing fall weather predicted, so landed on hiking in one of our go-to areas - Lake George. It is always a good idea to hike here. We were unsure if we would hike nearby Sleeping Beauty or Buck, but ultimately decided on Buck, since I had never hiked it from this approach before.
I already completed the Lake George 12ster hiking challenge, so this was not my first time hiking Buck; however, I had approached it from the south (Pilot Knob Road) back in November 2018 (feels like a century ago now!)
You can learn more about the Lake George 12ster hikes here.
Getting to the Shelving Rock Road trailhead: this mountain sits on the eastern shores of Lake George, and is about a 30 minute drive from Lake George Village. It might not look far on a map, but the road to the trailhead takes some time to get to.
From Lake George Village: head south on route 9 and make a left onto route 149 (before the outlets.) Continue for about 6 miles, until you hit Buttermilk Falls Road – make a left here. (On this route you will also pass by gas stations, including a Stewart’s, and a Dunkin’ Donuts, should you need coffee, a restroom, fuel, food, etc.) The road will turn into Sly Pond Road, then Shelving Rock Road, which you will continue for about 9.5 miles, until you see the Hogtown parking area; you can park here and walk down the road (the one you were just driving on) 0.5 miles further, or better yet, pass Hogtown and drive until you see the sign for Buck Mountain (left hand side) and park directly at the trailhead - just note the parking area is very small.
You will not have cell service in the parking lot so plan ahead of time (you will most likely have service as you make your ascent.) If you are meeting others at the trailhead, make sure to define the parking area since you won’t have cell service to call them once here!
While there is no fee to park, you cannot park on the sides of Shelving Rock Road (there are signs indicating this, too) so be sure to park in designated areas. Be mindful of this and have a backup hike in mind should all the parking areas be full, especially on weekends during peak season.
The hike: 5 miles round trip out-and-back via Shelving Rock Road trailhead. Elevation gain approximately 2,300 feet.
This hike features a beautiful well-marked tree-covered trail and gentle, smaller stream crossings. I found this approach to be milder than from Pilot Knob Road (and it is slightly shorter.) You should have no difficulty following the maintained trail. There are no technical sections but you will pass through just a lil’ bit of mud (as to be expected up here!) After a gradual (but pretty) ascent for nearly 2.5 miles, you will come to the intersection of the southern trail where a sign on the right leads you to a fabulous view of the lake. You made it!
Buck’s summit provides lots of space for all hikers to soak in the queen Lake’s magic glow, and offers expansive views of the western shores of the lake and Bolton Landing, including the famous Sagamore resort and the Tongue Range. On a clear day, you can even see beyond into the ADK mountainous wilderness, although on this particular day, the pristine lake kept taking up most of my attention (and all the laughing and yoga poses we attempted at the summit…)
You will descend the same way you ascended; although no time is ever enough at this beauty!
This was an enjoyable and moderate way to approach Buck, and I will for sure be back again✨
An ideal day and what you can pair this hike with:
Feeling ambitious and eager to explore this area? Drive (or walk) down the road to add on 1 or 2 more of the LG 12 hikes: Sleeping Beauty and Erebus (read about them here)
Check out Shelving Rock Mountain further (driving distance) down the road - a mild, beautiful way to further explore the area.
Drive to Lake George village - wander around and/ or grab something to eat, soaking in the views of the Queen of Lakes.
Lake George is one of my favorite areas in the park &
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
