Black Mountain from Lake George

YOU WILL NEED A BOAT TO REACH THIS TRAILHEAD Black Mountain rises 2,300ft (700m) over the waters, attracting many travelers as the tallest mountain directly off of the 32-mile Lake George. Officially listed as 2,641', the summit of Black Mountain offers panoramic views of Northern Lake George. To the East, Sugarloaf Mountain and various forested hills dominate the landscape. A windmill, fire tower, and shelter render the summit of Black Mountain unique. Black Mountain is usually summited East to West. This route stretches from the East to the Northwest. This trailhead, being only accessible by the water, is considerably less trafficked and therefore offers a great deal of tranquility. The Section 2 trail rises 1,600' from the water through the Adirondack Wilderness, intersecting with the Black Mountain Ponds trail (Section 1) beneath the summit. From there, the trail steeply ascends 800' through brush, trees, and rocks to the summit of Black Mountain. The official summit of Black Mountain, marked by a USGS survey, is just South of the windmill. On the Northern part of the summit, picturesque views and ample picnic spots are available. Leave early if you want complete solitude, for the summit of Black Mountain is often crowded. When you begin your descent from the summit, you can either do a complete out-and-back (suggested route) or take the Section 3 Trail down for a loop. The Section 2 trail originates at Black Mountain Point, a small bay on the Eastern side of Lake George. This trail is only accessible by boat; there are ten docks available at the point. One must acquire a permit to dock. Permits are awarded from Glen Island, and the queue often fills up quickly. It is recommended to acquire a permit the [very] early morning of the hike. Additional information and hours are given in the "Facilities" tab.