Pilot Knob Shoulder - 11/26/11

First things first.  Pilot Knob Shoulder is a fantastic hike.... much better than the summit itself (see yesterday's post ).  The hike is on the eastern side of Lake George.  Parking is on Pilot Knob Road, near the northern end (same parking lot as used for ascending Buck Mountain). 

The trail is actually an unofficial trail and is not shown on trail maps, although there were yellow blazes throughout the hike.  The trailhead is at the Pilot Knob parking lot.  The trail leads eastward and rises gradually on an old jeep road.  After a short distance, the Buck Mountain Trail branches off to the left travelling 3.1 miles to the summit of Buck Mountain.  Continuing on the jeep road a little further, a yellow blaze trail veers off to the right.  There are no signs, but this is the trail to Pilot Knob Shoulder.  If you were to continue on the jeep road, it would continue eastward past Inman Pond to Hogtown.

The yellow blaze trail rises quickly and continues up a steep ascent the entire way.  The trail winds through fantastic rock outcroppings and offers spectacular views at many locations.

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance: 3.75 miles
Hike Time:  3 hrs, 30 minutes
Total Vertical Gain:  1700'

Lindsay always attaches herself to a tree

The kids were home from school for the Thanksgiving weekend so they joined us for this hike.

Look at the size of these rocks!

Nick, Zack and Lindsay at one of the early viewpoints

Mike and Leesa

Zack doing a heel grab

Lindsay

Nick's heel grab

Mike's not so good version

Looking south to Long Island and Assembly Point

Looking north towards Dome Island and Tongue Mountain

Leesa

Zack, Nick and Lindsay

Lindsay enjoying the view

Snack time

Pilot Knob Shoulder with the actual summit in the background

Our trip on Google Earth

View Pilot Knob Shoulder 20111126.kml in a larger map

I think this trail is my new favorite trail in the Lake George Region.  The Tongue Mountain Range Trail is nice also, but it is a much longer trail.  This trail was 3.75 miles round trip, yet offered the same spectacular scenery and the trail was quite interesting.  Kids would love the rocks.

Be sure to try it out if you're looking for a hike in the Lake George area.   If you'd like to see more images from this trip, please see my Picasa web album.