Buck Mountain - Lake George, NY - 7/24/2011

It was a Sunday morning full of sunshine.  The weather forecast was for the upper 70's and sunny all day.  Leesa, Nick and I decided to climb Buck Mountain in Lake George from Pilot Knob.  Trailhead parking is just south of Pilot Knob, on CR32 (Pilot Knob Road).

Trailhead register

 We arrived at the trailhead about 9:15 AM and there were about 10 cars in the parking lot, on what promised to be a busy day.

Trailhead Info.

Elev. at Trailhead:  334'
Elev. at Summit:  2334'
Total Elev. Gain:  2000'
Dist. to Summit:  3.3 miles
Total Hike Dist.:  6.6 miles
Hiking Time to Summit:  1.5 hours
Total Hike Time:  3 hours

The trail is a well traveled trail, and is a jeep trail in the beginning.  The hike follows a stream bed for a ways , and the stream probably carries quite a bit of water in the spring and after periods of heavy rain.  On this day there wasn't much water flowing.

The first view isn't until 5 minutes from the summit, but what a view looking south towards Long Island, Assembly Point and Lake George village.

Looking South toward Long Island, Assembly Point and Lake George village

Once we got just this vantage point we were suddenly surrounded by blueberry bushes, and they were just right for eating.  We all had our fair share (as did everyone on the summit).  You could see all kinds of people foraging for berries.

Looking W towards Bolton Landing.  Dome Island just L of center.  The Sagamore Hotel is visible in the center.

Looking NW towards the Tongue Mtn ridge and the Narrows of Lake George

Another view looking NW

Our Group - Mike, Leesa and Nick - On the Summit

Adding one more rock to the cairn

After eating blueberries and enjoying the view, it was time to descend

Our route highlighted in blue

After an enjoyable time on the summit, we descended the same trail to the car.  We arrived back at the trailhead at about 1:30 PM and went in search of lunch.  All together we probably saw 100 people during the course of the hike.  The parking lot was filled to capacity when we left.
We'll have to do this hike again in the different seasons, since it is close to home, perhaps try the trail from the east starting at Hogtown.  A great hike was had by all.