The “Vista” Trail – The Ridge Trail off of Shelving Rock Mountain

Elevation: 1500 ft

Ascent: 1180 ft

Distance: 4.1 miles to third vista

Location: Shelving Rock Road west of Hogtown.

The majority of the hike is on what ADK’s “Adirondack Trails – Eastern Region” calls the Ridge trail (92).  Portions are on other trails in this network of trails north of Shelving Rock Mountain.  The trail starts part way along the Shelving Rock Mountain trail (90) 1.0 miles from the trailhead to the junction with the trail (91) that leads down to the Lake Side trail (93).  It then follows this connector trail for 0.3 miles to the start of the Ridge trail (92).  The Ridge trail is the link to three vista points, two of which lay on (or near) this trail and one which is just of off of the Red Rock Bay to Ridge trail (94). 

The first part of the hike on the Ridge trail is a pleasant walk in the woods which includes some switchbacks leading to the first vista which is reached 1.2 miles from the start of the Ridge trail (2.5 miles from the trailhead).  Shelving Rock Mountain is clearly visible from this vista as is a small portion of Lake George.  

The next objective is what is called the third vista (numbered them from one to three, south to north).  After about another easy half mile the trail comes to the junction with the Red Rock Bay to Ridge trail (94).  Continue on to vista #3 and then return to this trail which leads down to vista #2.  The trail north to the third vista climbs slowly another 300 feet onto a ridge which it crosses to the east side and descends for a short drop to reach another trail junction (88B) in about another half mile (1.0 miles from the first vista).  From this junction the trail climbs back over the ridge to the lake (west) side and begins to drop down and across the ridge. After another 0.6 miles (1.6 miles from the first vista) and a 300 foot descent is a sign pointing left over to vista #3 which is an opening in the woods at the top of the cliff a 100 yards from the trail.

Return to the trail junction of the trail (94) and descend some 450 to 500 ft over 0.9 miles to vista #2.  The route then descends the rest of the way to the Red Rock Bay portion of Lake George (1.4 miles from the junction with the Ridge trail) and takes the Lakeside trail (93) back to the connector trail (91) which leads back to the Shelving Rock Mountain trail.  Along this trail is Commission Point which is a NY State picnic area on the shore of Lake George.  The ascent to the Shelving Rock Mountain trail is about 500 feet over an additional mile after which it is an easy walk back down to the trailhead.  The total hike is just about 10 miles and with ups and downs ascends about 1800 feet in total.

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NOTE: For a more complete description of the trail, please see ADK's GUIDE to ADIRONDACK TRAILS - Eastern Region, pp 163-171.

Have a great hike!
Bob Goodwin