"We started the hike at the trailhead located on Shelving Rock Road. Small parking area, but it was a weekday in October, so no other cars there! The hike was on a beautiful trail through an open forest with very modest ascent areas for the first approximately 1.5 miles. The trail then gets steep and rocky in many areas, but nothing too difficult. There were several water crossings along the way, but all were very easy to negotiate. The summit was reached at about 2.35 miles in from the car. Summit markers were found and there were great views of Lake George. You could even see the Sagamore Resort on the other side of the lake along with several islands. As you moved around the summit area there were a couple of more great lookout points. Trail was very well marked with blue trail discs. Round trip was 4.74 miles and took 2 hrs., 20 minutes of hiking time. We also spent about 20 minutes at the summit and had our lunch behind a large rock formation since the wind was pretty strong and again the temperature was in the low 40’s, so wind chill was very unpleasant! First mile back down required special attention to footing due to the steep terrain, loose rocks, wet tree roots and leaves." — TJandMS • Oct 15, 2024

"Last day of September turned out to be a beautiful blue bird day. Jen and Wyndham hadn’t yet been up Buck Mountain and it was as good a day as any for them to do it. We took the Shelving Rock Road trail and saw no one, yet the summit was another story and it was just too too too many people there for my liking. I enjoy the mountains for the quiet but could only hear noisy voices. Don’t get me started on the number of those wearing jeans. Some tinges of color can be seen and leaves starting to drop. Anyhow it was nice to be back atop Buck, one of the first mountains that got me into hiking. " — scottturner • Sep 30, 2023

"Beautiful cool start but warmed up in the afternoon on this gloomy hike working on the Lake George 12ster, Trails were clean and easy to read , summit views are great for that relax and chill with that special someone kinda day" — ramjet1963 • Jun 16, 2023

"Great weather and the trees are just barely beginning to turn their fall colors. This trail is awfully rocky, but then what north-east US trails aren't! Pretty steep in sections, but once at the top, the views of Lake George are awesome." — marc • Sep 16, 2022

"5.2 miles round trip & 1200 feet of elevation gain. Beautiful trail, but the last 3/4 mile is tough—lots of elevation, roots & loose rocks. Gorgeous views of Lake George at the summit!" — EmilyDoucet729 • Sep 3, 2022

"Tom, Black and I left the Pilot Knob Trailhead at 10:45 am at 3 degrees under blue skies and calm. Trail was well traveled with light snow and frozen. Pretty much a light incline all the way to the summit. Summited at 1 pm. Beautiful views at both the false summit as well as the true summit. Returned to car at 2:30." — garyogden • Jan 22, 2022

"Loved the trail. All different kinds of terrain which made for an interesting hike. Starts off moderate and gets pretty difficult for the last mile. Got destroyed by black flies at the top. Enjoyable hike overall" — andrewderby • Jun 4, 2020

"Cold, damp, and windy up top. Trail well-broken, used snowshoes, but spikes would have been fine. Only a few inches of snow. Uneventful 2hr 15min ascent over moderate incline, very few tricky spots. All water crossings were minimal." — ndru-virus • Jan 19, 2020

"Quick paced hike up to Buck Mountain. I passed a few people on my way up, but had the summit to myself. I sat up there for 30 minutes listening to the wind and watching the snow bands blow in over Lake George. " — Right-On • Jan 26, 2019

"Black Friday hike. Yes I was "opting outside", but also with the option to go shopping afterwards. Ha ha. It was quiet on trail, which was a sharp contrast to my earlier summer hike of Buck with throngs of people. This hike felt very long. Yes, I had shopping and turkey on my mind. See you again next year Buck mountain!" — bethmorgan • Nov 23, 2018