Buck Mountain, Southern Approach

Store Is Open, visit the Gallery

Buck Mountain, Southern Approach

Sep 15 2010 5:05:00 pm EST

Topics: Adirondacks, Backpacking,

back>

Please note: this article is intended as a reference only. It is not a substitute for an updated guidebook and map. Also, travel in the wilderness requires experience and preparation that a guidebook can offer. Always check trail conditions on the DEC website to make sure the trail is open. The Adirondacks are prone to slides, flooding, and trail erosion.

Buck Mountain is a perennial favorite in the Adirondacks; a 3.3 mile hike with 2000ft elevation gain. It is a nice day hike with rewarding views of Lake George, as well as a glimpse of mosses, lichens, and dwarf trees associated with summit conditions. In this review, I cover the southern approach from Pilot Knob, right next to the eastern shore of Lake George.

Trailhead: From exit 20 on I-87, follow signs for NYS route 149 east. Take 149 east to the intersection of NY 9L. Take a left (north) on NY 9L. Drive 4.9 miles until you reach a sign for Pilot Knob on the right. Take a right on this road (Pilot Knob Rd), driving 3.5 miles until you see a DEC guideboard for ‘Buck Mountain Trailhead Parking.’ Taking a right, you’ll notice a large gravel parking lot with the trailhead clearly visible. I suggest the Guide to Adirondack Trails: Eastern Region (The Forest Preserve, Vol. 6) (The Forest Preserve Series, Vol 6) as a guidebook and/or National Geographic Illustrated Map, Lake George, Great Sacandaga Lake for a map. For Upstate New Yorkers, the nearest Barnes and Noble or Eastern Mountain Sports may stock these things. I also suggest bringing a GPS on your trip with appropriate map sets, as some of the roads and trails in the Adirondacks are confusing. Don’t count on cellphone reception.

I published an image gallery of my hike with prints for sale as a reference.

The southern approach to Buck Mountain begins at the Pilot Knob parking area. It is a wide trail with gentle elevation gain. At .2mi, a DEC guideboard marks a trail fork. To the right, a path with blue trail markers leads to Inman Pond, 3.7 miles away, and Lower Hogtown Parking 3.6 miles away. If you have time to burn, Inman Pond is a pleasing detour.

However, to continue to Buck Mountain, you must turn left, on the path with yellow trail markers. The trail is generally wide and easy, passing through forests of basswood, beech, birch, maple, oak, sumac, white pine, and large hanging ropes of grapevines. There are cobbled paths crossing small waterfalls and streams, but nothing technically difficult.

As the treeline clears near the summit, a short view of Lake George to the east, and a swath of mountainous area to the south is visible. However, the trail continues, occasionally marked by cairns (rock piles) and yellow lines of spray paint. Various detours snake out in swathes of bare rock, however, a little care and attention will keep a hiker on the main path.

At a small col, a guideboard indicates where the north trail links up with the south trail, as well as pointing to a summit rock where a broad view of Lake George can be enjoyed, with numerous bays and small islands.

A very large hotel can be observed on Green Island. The Sagamore is a Victorian era resort, restored in 1983. It is currently a luxury resort with spa, golf course, and overnight accommodations.

As a reminder, I published an image gallery of my hike with prints for sale as a reference.

Dates:

2011

2010

2008

2007