Black Mountain Point Trail from Pike Brook Road

Black Mountain Point from Pike Brook is a 9.8-mile out-and-back through forest and pond country to a rocky stretch of Lake George shoreline. The published 4.9 miles is one way; the route returns along the same corridor. Allow about six to eight hours for the whole hike. Choose this for a substantial day on foot with a lakeside end point. It doesn't climb Black Mountain itself, and the summit hike and summit loop are separate routes.

Start at Pike Brook Road Parking Area. The shared approach begins with a steep stretch on a broad double-track, then eases beside a small brook. Around 0.6 mile in, it skirts a private inholding and clearing; keep to the marked public trail. At the main fork, follow the Millman Pond direction toward the Black Mountain Pond trail network. The other branch climbs toward Black Mountain's summit, so don't follow it if the lake is your goal. Those first trail signs matter because several hikes share this access.

The Millman Pond and Black Mountain Pond connections pass through wooded, uneven terrain. Expect rocky tread, small rises and several small stream crossings even though the overall route loses elevation toward the lake. At Black Mountain Pond, a rocky ledge opens a view across the evergreen-lined water, with an Adirondack lean-to nearby. This is the best place to pause before the long descent. For a photo, include the foreground rock with the pond so the view reads as a sheltered backcountry stop, not just another patch of water.

The final branch drops steeply through the woods to the lake. The full Pike Brook route loses about 1,240 feet on the way to shore, and you'll climb back up that same ground on the return. Black Mountain Point is a rocky shoreline destination; some visitors use it for swimming, and a picnic area is marked at the point. A historic photograph taken from here around 1900–1910 looks north over the same lake, a reminder that this has been a stopping place for a long time. A dock, toilet and drinking water aren't confirmed.

Treat the point as your turnaround, not a boat pickup: no boat connection is part of this route. There's no confirmed food or drinking-water stop along the way, so plan for the whole outing before leaving Pike Brook Road. The trailhead lot's capacity and toilet facilities aren't specified. Dogs are allowed on the state land; keep yours under control and leash it when other visitors approach. The shoreline route from Shelving Rock is a different approach and isn't included in this mileage.