The trailhead for Shelving Rock Mountain has enough room for about five cars but additional parking can be found on the road leading to it. Be sure to sign the log book and begin the hike by passing around the "stop" car barrier.

The trail starts off following a small stream (on your right) but you will soon veer off to the left at the first junction. The signs are easy to follow. After a little flat section, you'll then begin the zig-zag sections up the mountain. This will last for a good portion of the mountain and you know when you get closer to the top when you arrive a very small pond. Note the pond does dry up toward the end of Summer.

After the pond, you'll come to a second junction which heads down to Lake George and then off to Black Mountain. Keep left and you'll encounter another set of zig-zags. There is a small lookout on the right that has a vary narrowed view of Lake George.

After reaching the summit, you'll have a semi-blocked view of Lake George and the surrounding area. If you want to find the hidden overlook, follow the herd paths down the mountain. These paths ARE NOT marked and criss-cross over the top of the mountain. You'll have to explore. It's about 2/10s of a mile from the summit. When you arrive, you'll have a 180 degree view of Lake George from Buck Mountain on your left to the Tongue Mountain Range on your right. Bolton Landing and the Sagamore will be across Lake George.

To make a full day out of this trip, you can head over to Shelving Rock Waterfalls and Lake George for a quick swim.