BC suggestions

[ADKventures]

With recent snowfalls and a holiday week approaching I'm hoping to go skiing but not wanting to deal with the crowds at resorts. Are there any BC options in the Lake George region that are easily accessible? Glades, slides or trails?

[alombard]

I've tried a few tours around Pilot Knob, Buck and Black Mountains....there are some good glades, the big problem is with the snow. That area does not get the snowfall that the high peaks gets. Everytime I have been in there, it is thin. You might want to wait until one more big dump before taking a day to go back in there.

[Pat T]

I hike a lot in the Lake George area but only in the summer/fall. A couple of trails come to mind as promising for x-country skiing. Note: snowmobiles are allowed in some of these areas. I have no idea how heavy the traffic is.

Pilot Knob Ridge -- the Nature Conservancy preserve on Pilot Knob Road. There are two trails to the overlook. At the fork, go left for the steep quick trail or right for the trail that leads to the old driveway. I would go right if on skis. Once you get to the overlook there is another trail that heads south along the ridge to a waterfall. There are old logging roads in the area and there might be snowmobiles (although they are officially banned on Conservancy property). There are some signs marking the Conservancy boundaries. The area is very pretty with open areas and small hardwoods.

The old road from Sly Pond Road to the Pilot Knob/Buck Mtn. parking lot -- this is a really pretty hike in summer especially with the side trip to Inman Pond. Trails are wide with lots of hardwoods and open forests. We bushwacked from this trail up to the true summit of Pilot Knob last summer. It was a great hike and much of it could be done on skis.

Black Mountain area -- from the Pike Brook Rd. trailhead you can access all the ponds and trails in the area south of Black Mountain. You could even ski all the way down to Lake George on an old carriage trail.

Post a TR if you go!

Pat T

[ADKventures]

Thanks for the suggestions! I live just south of Pilot Knob and we have about 12'' on the ground...not ideal by any means. But I'm gonna grab a pair of beater skis and try somethign next week regardless. I was thinking of a few spots; the pine forest off of west mtn rd, buck mtn, black mtn., french mtn, and prospect mtn down big hollow to the tunnels. With the weather report showing signs of significant snowfalls this week I'm hopeful that I can get one of them done...if so a TR will follow!