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Shelving Rock Mountain – An Easy Hike to the Summit

On May 1 st 2006 Stuart Delman, Lily, and I explored Shelving Rock Falls, and the nearby Lake George shoreline.  It was an almost perfect spring day, and we were enjoying every minute of it. On the way back to our cars, we decided to climb Shelving Rock Mountain.

The mountain is one of the easiest climbs in the Adirondacks since it is up an old carriage road which maintains a gentle gradient all the way to the top.   There were a few major blow down trees across the path, but they were easy to get around.   You can park two or three cars at the trailhead, which is reached by leaving NY 149 on Buttermilk Falls Road and staying straight on the continuation of that road, no matter what it is called, past Hogtown to the Shelving Rock Road. The last part of the road is a good dirt/gravel road. Drive down the steep Shelving Rock Road to the trailhead not too far from the end of the road. There is a sign.

The 650 foot ascent over 1.7 miles took us less than an hour.   The view from the summit is somewhat restricted by small trees. But here is the trick!   Continue straight ahead over the summit slightly down to a small clearing.   The view south from there is a little better. Now look back to your right for a little herd path that heads on down the hill side toward the lake.   Follow this path, down, down, down maybe 60 or 80 foot descent until you are standing on the edge of a cliff, or as close as you are comfortable.   Stuart was amazed by how great a place this cliff top is.   The views here are truly fantastic! Hen & Chickens Island (pictured above) is seen directly below.

We ate lunch here and retreated to our cars and were back in “civilization” by 1:30 or 2PM. What a great morning!

NOTE: For a more complete description of the trail, please see ADK's GUIDE to ADIRONDACK TRAILS - Eastern Region, pp 196-198.

Have a great hike!
Bob Goodwin