The bald-rock summit of Buck Mountain offers, above all, a sense of serenity and peace. The cool breeze, the endless expanse of green, and the spectacular scenery all unite to give you a unique Adirondack experience.
Buck Mountain
The islands sparkle like jewels below. On a clear day, you can see the High Peaks of the Adirondacks. Boats (ranging from kayaks to paddle-wheelers) mingle below. Lake George and Bolton Landing are dollhouse villages that shimmer in the sun. Dome Island (a well-named wildlife sanctuary) lies almost directly to your northwest. (Barbara McMartin’s "50 Hikes in the Adirondacks" describes Buck Mountain as “a perfect introduction to the Adirondacks.”)
Buck is a moderate hike of three miles (one way), with a few challenging spots. Be sure to follow the yellow markers! Be especially careful not to take a right-hand turn early in the hike. Check out both Cat Mountain and Tongue Mountain for a more challenging hike if you prefer.
GETTING THERE FROM LAKE GEORGE
Head south on Routes 9/9N. Turn left at Route 9L. Follow this road, and drive slowly, for you don’t want to miss the magnificent beauty of the too-often-overlooked east side of Lake George. Relax until you pass Cleverdale Road on your left. Immediately after that, take a sharp left on Pilot Knob Road, and follow it to a well-marked parking lot to the trailhead. Buck is also accessible by boat from Pilot knob.
NOTE: Buck can also be reached from the Hogtown area (Town of Fort Ann), near the Shelving Rock and Sleeping Beauty trails. There are nine designated parking areas in the Shelving Rock Area, and parking is not allowed on the sides of Shelving Rock Road.
The Buck Mountain Hike is part of the Lake George 12ster, learn more about the hiking challenge here