Shelving Rock Mountain to Black Mountain Point - Lake George, NY - 10/10/13

 Wednesday, October 10th, I took the day to take a last look at the leaves in the Lake George, NY area, before they tumble to the ground.  I drove to the trailhead for Shelving Rock Mountain on the east side of the lake.

 I've climbed Shelving Rock Mountain many times, but I've never taken the trail from the shoulder of Shelving Rock Mountain down to Lake George then along the lake north to Black Mountain Point.  That became my agenda for this day.  This post is more of a photo essay due to all the great pictures I got from the day.  The pictures can do the talking.

 It took 20 minutes to get to the shoulder of the mountain and then in another 20 minutes I was at the water's edge.  It turns out that the leaves were beautiful.  I really picked the right day for this trip.  The lake is so quiet this time of year; especially on a weekday.   This hike on a fall day really is the perfect place for a fall walk or a romantic stroll with your partner. 

Picnic pavilion at Commission Point

Docks at Commission Point

They'll need a replacement sign for this one...

Rev is debating...

Once you get to the water's edge, the trail is really the old carriage road from the Knapp estate days.  It is in great shape.  You can easily walk the length from Shelving Rock to Black Mountain Point in about one hour.

  

Tent platform on the tip of Red Rock

  

Some tent platforms are elevated

Just a perfect fall walk on the old carriage road 

Rev was continuously after chipmunks... to no avail

Picnic Pavilion just south of Black Mountain Point

We stopped at the dock below for lunch.  As we were leaving, I saw a sign that said dogs prohibited.  I was surprised.  I thought it only applied to the islands.  I'll have to check in see if dogs are allowed in areas such as Red Rock and Black Mountain Point after the camping season ends on Columbus Day. 

One of the docks at Black Mountain Point

Tie off for boats... Rev wasn't interested.  She headed for the dock

... waiting for me to give her some lunch

Pavilion at Black Mountain Point

a really large beehive!

On our way back, we bushwhacked up to Shelving Rock Mountain since the trail from the shore makes a wide loop before it connects with the mountain trail.  It was beautiful on top, as can be seen from the pictures below... and it was so quiet.  No boats were moving down on the lake below.  

The view south from the summit of Shelving Rock Mountain

Dome Island in the distance

Looking south from the ledge on Shelving Rock 

Montcalm Point and the Tongue Mountain Range

Queen of the hill

It was tough to turn around and head back to the car.  A great walk to soak in the Fall weather

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  12.5 miles

Hike Time:  4.75 hours, including stops

Total Vertical Gain:  ~1200'

My route (click image to enlarge)

The route as shown on (National Geographic map)