BUCK MOUNTAIN hike, Lake George NY

August 03, 2023

Aug 2, 2023 (Wed) - BUCK MOUNTAIN hike from Pilot Knob. 15 cars in the parking area at 9:30 am, 20 when I finished (I have been here when there were 100 cars - a reason to do this hike midweek). Temp rising through the 50s & 60s, low humidity. The route starts wide & flat but gets steeper the further you go. The first couple of miles look like old woods roads, sometimes smooth, sometimes rough & rocky. At ~3 miles there is an open area with blueberries and good views of Crossett Pond (private; I had become curious about that area when camped at Inman Pond some time ago) & the southern end of Lake George. Good views W & N from the summit area (I could easily pick out Marcy, Haystack, Basin, Saddleback, & Gothics in the distance), a bit more civilization (like Bolton Landing) in view than I would like - had to bushwhack a little to get a view E to the Greens. More blueberry picking - they were mostly very small. A few families with kids on the trail. 6.8 miles, 2000' el gain, 4.7 hours.

"Wilderness Rescue: On Nov. 28, 2020 at 1:06 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch requesting assistance for a 57-year-old male hiker from Clifton Park with a possible leg fracture one mile from the summit of Buck Mountain. Forest Ranger Lt. Ganswindt and three Forest Rangers responded to assist. After locating the hiker, the Rangers splinted his injured leg and proceeded to carry him to a waiting ATV to drive him out of the woods. Once back at the trailhead, the hiker declined further medical assistance and the incident concluded at 5:14 p.m."

I know this 57-year-old hiker and know he read the article on Late-Fall Preparedness in the November issue of Adirondack Sports which stated "The leaves can also be slippery, especially when wet. Hiking poles are recommended for stability, plus they will help save your knees in the long term" but...

FYI, I've been using adjustable trekking poles bought at walmart.com for under $20 & they have been great so far."

April 13, 2019 - April 13 - BUCK MOUNTAIN hike, from Hogtown (no snow at 1,180')(Shelving Rock Special Management Area of Lake George WF). The trail soon passes campsite #10, then crosses several streams, some were ice. Above 2,000' the trail follows a brook in a small ravine - less sun gets in here & there was a fair amount of snow & ice - I had spikes with me but did not use them. No snow on the summit (2,335'). Had the summit to myself for a few minutes (11:15am) then others started arriving, matbe 20 folks in the next hour. Views across Lake George (saw 5 boats on the water) to ski trails on Gore + just about every other popular mountain in the Adks incl. Marcy. Could see VT from a ledge W of the summit. Temp rising thru the 60s on the way down & saw more people going up. 5 miles, 3.9 hours.

Checked out campsite #9 across from the trailhead - nice w/brooks on both sides, except outhouse is missing a roof.

There are 6 walk-in campsites on Shelving Rock Rd & 6 on Dacy Clearing Rd (closed for mud season) - it is about 100 yards from car to campsite.