Starting at Elk Lake Trailhead, the RED trail finally brings you to the  summit of Dix Mt.

Click on a hyperlink below for a particular route to the Dix Range summits.  All are worthwhile.

Dix Mtn from the Elk Lake Trailhead  

This is  the DEC marked and maintained route from Elk Lake to the Mt. Dix summit.  This is the most often hiked route to the summit of Mt. Dix.  Hunters Pass, is along the route and is not to be missed. 

East Dix via The Great Slide on East Dix  

This route starts on Rte 73.  There is  no trailhead, no parking, no signs, strictly herd path; sometimes easy to follow, sometimes quite the opposite.  For experienced hikers with reliable compass and orienteering skills.

Macomb via The West Slide from Elk Lake Trailhead 

DEC marked and maintained to Slide Brook; thereafter herd path and slide climb to Macomb (moderate to difficult); maybe the fastest route to the Dixes) 

(Numbers in parentheses such as (ADK #123, McM #456) on these and all other pages of Adirondack Journey, refer to trail numbers assigned by the McMartin and ADK guidebooks, chosen for their quality and ubiquity)

 Dix Range Maps

The Dixes In A Nutshell (2004 Update):
If you have climbed one or more of the so-called "trailless" or "untrailed" Adirondack peaks you know that that those peaks are just about as "trailless" as Broadway.  All of the 46 have trails, but the so-called "untrailed peaks" differ by being  unmarked and such paths exist are not at all maintained by the state.  Their usefulness is therefore dependent on the amount of foot traffic they receive.  Therefore, some are in pretty good shape while others are very untrustworthy.   

Not so the Dixes!  The Dix Range offers a much different kind of experience than the other of the 46 High Peaks.  There are a number of ascents to the Dixes, but the DEC-maintained and marked trails all ascend only Dix Mtn.  No ascent of any of the other peaks of the Dix Range is marked or maintained and there is no marking or maintenance of any herd path between any two peaks of this range.  

Safety

Do not trust any herd path unless you've taken a compass bearing from your map and know it is going in the direction you wish to follow.  If you don't have map, a compass, and the skills to use them, you ought rethink your trip to the Dixes.  The Dixes can be a bushwhacker's paradise or your worst nightmare.

The Dixes should not be taken for granted nor compared to the other of the 46 peaks.  Routes should be planned carefully in advance and not deviated from.  This is especially true if you are planning to summit all 5 peaks on one ascent.  

One of the first and most important things to know about the Dix Range is that there are only 3 marked trails and these are all DEC-maintained trails from trailheads to Dix Mt.'s summit.  All other routes, including descents/ascents and the summit-to-summit routes, are unmarked and difficult to discern.  Hurricane Floyd forced hikers to find ways around blow-down and, thereby, brought about the creation of numerous new paths, most of which are false.     A compass and map is essential no matter what your skill level.  Extra food and water rations are also advised.

Marked Maintained Trails:

• The  yellow  trail ascends one of the Dix slides.  It starts at Dix's base at the RED trail and ends at the Beckhorn. 

• Starting at the Elk Lake Trailhead, the RED trail ascends Dix's NE slope to its summit.  This trail is the most often used approach to the Dix Range.

• The  BLUE  trail starts at Rte 73 near Chapel Pond and joins into the RED trail about 15-20 minutes below Dix's summit.

Path Conditions Summit-to-Summit:
The Dix Range is composed of Dix Mtn, Hough Peak, South Dix, East Dix (Grace Peak), and Macomb Mtn.  The connecting path is unmarked and always has been.  Nevertheless, until Hurricane Floyd it was a well defined herd path, not hard to follow.  Due to Hurricane Floyd's passage in 1999, however, much of the herd path was lost due to obstructions such as fallen trees that forced hikers to find new routes through.  Unfortunately, this has led to a large number of herd paths that go nowhere, go in circles, or take you where you don't want to go.  In 2002, it was helpful to mark off compass bearings on your map and rely on them as much or more than the "herd paths".   

Specifics on the Paths in the Dixes  

• The summit-to-summit herd paths are brushed-in from the summit of Dix over Hough to South Dix.  This will slow you down, lead you astray, and is tedious.   

• From Hough to South Dix be very careful of which path you follow.  Go slow and mind your compass bearings. 

• From South Dix to Macomb once again there are numerous diverging and converging herd paths.  In most cases, herd paths that split will soon reconnect.  Trust your compass only.  Ensure you stay on the ridgeline from peak-to-peak being wary of any significant downhill.

• At the foot of Hough and Macomb, particularly S of Lillian Brook, blow-down is  stacked 4-10 feet deep for about a half mile.  Much of it is nearly impenetrable.  Hikers are well advised to avoid herd paths leading up to (or down from) the South Dix - Macomb col in the vicinity of Lillian Brook until 2006 or later.  details   

• All DEC marked trails; i.e., those that ascend Dix, are in good-to-excellent condition.

All in all, the Dix Range is not for the inexperienced, physically unprepared, or unequipped hiker.  All of the other so-called untrailed peaks conform much more to the standard of the ATIS, ADK, or DEC maintained trails except that they lack trail markers and signs.  The Dixes, have not as yet seen this type improvement and, hopefully, they will not.  Herd paths are everywhere and they can get you turned around and lost.  But... if uncertainty and challenge add to the adventure, the tour of the 5 Dix Range peaks ranks very high.   

• You must have a compass and USGS map and know how to use them.

• Bring at least 100 oz. of water/person if it's a hot day.  A hydration unit would be preferable to a canteen inasmuch as frequent sipping is far more effective and long-lasting than a canteen.

• Be prepared for a storm.

• Have emergency shelter and sufficient food for overnight.

• Know the location of all trails descending from the Dix Range.

 
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This page was last updated on 09/11/06 08:28 PM