The 5 Dixes from Route 73 - Dix Wilderness - 6/20/16

The Dix Range is probably my favorite range in the Adirondacks.  I've climbed it numerous times from different routes.  On this summer soltice, I chose to do the five from Route 73 at the Boquet River; finishing at the Round Pond trailhead on Route 73. 

I knew it would be extremely hot, so I did my best to get an early start and I was on the Boquet herd path at 6:30.  I used the crossing at the 1/2 mile point today to put the river on my left.  The herd path was dry and in great condition.

The first 3.4 miles to the designated campsite went by in just over an hour.  There is a wonderful swimming hole just upstream from the campsite.

Large campsite at approximately 3.4 miles on the herd path.

Great waterhole.

I chose not to climb Grace via the slide today, although it was very dry.  I had my dog Rev with me and I wasn't sure how well she would do at the top of the slide.

  

The Great Slide on Grace.

I took the herd path all the way up to the col just west of Grace.  Temps were still reasonable and I was able to move quickly up to the summit.  I was on the summit of Grace in 2 hours and 20 minutes from Route 73.

  

Looking and South Dix and Macomb from Grace.

Macomb from Grace

While I love Grace Peak, and I had it to myself, I didn't linger.  I was hoping to get over to Dix before all the heat of the day arrived.  I passed over South Dix and on to Macomb where I took a short break for a drink for myself and Rev.  I was now 10 AM and I was pleased with my progress.

While I was on the summit, another hiker appeared from the Elk Lake herd path.  It was BogHollow from the ADK High Peaks forum.  It turned out he was also doing all 5 Dix peaks, but his start and finish was at Elk Lake.  We hiked together over to South Dix and parted ways; I was heading to Hough and he had to go to Grace Peak first. 

     

The rock outcrop west of South Dix

There are so many great viewpoints of Elk Lake from the Dix Range.

The toughest part of the hike was now ahead of me:  Pough, Hough, the Beckhorn and Dix.  I was now getting hot.  The summits were breezy and refreshing, but it was now getting hot in the woods.

I had brought quite a bit of water, but between Rev and I we were now consuming it rather quickly.

Classic view of the Beckhorn from Hough.

We summited Hough at 11 AM.  Hough was the peak where I finished the winter 46, and it holds a special place for me.  I was now down to 32 ounces of water and I knew the dog would need some of that.

Getting closer to the Beckhorn.

I had to slow down the pace since I now had to ration my water and I didn't want the dog or I to overheat.  We stopped 4 or 5 times on the way up the Beckhorn for a cool down break.

 

Looking back to the south.

I had to boost Rev just before the Beckhorn at the large split rock with the crack inbetween.  When we popped out on top of the Beckhorn, I kept us moving on over to Dix.  I was now 1:05PM.  I wanted to get us down to the slide as soon as possible to refill our water bottles.  We moved as best we could down the steep Dix Trail.

  

Dix from the Beckhorn.

The Great Range from Dix.

Now down the steep Dix Trail to the Round Pond Trailhead.

I finished off the last of our water just before we reached the slide and was glad that I could refill my water bottles at this point.  Rev heaed straight for a pool of water.  With the water worry behind us it was easy to power back up to full speed to finish the route.

Water at the slide!

Rev was grateful!

My wife Leesa was kind enough to pick up Rev and I at the Round Pond trrailhead so we wouldn't have a road walk on Route 73.

Another summer soltice hike complete.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  16 miles

Hike Time:  9 hours, 30 minutes

Total Vertical Gain:  ~5300'  

The route

The route on NG topo

Grace & Carson (East Dix and South Dix) Mountains from Route 73 - 1/10/14

This route to Grace and Carson (East Dix & South Dix) mountains is a herd path from Route 73 at the North Boquet River.  It is known to the locals and those who do a lot of hiking.  The path is pretty well defined and in the summer it is not too hard to follow.  In the winter things get a little more difficult, but as long as you know which water course to follow, you'll be OK.

I've done this route a half dozen times in different forms.  Today I went with BillB who had the same thought as me.... we needed to get out on this Friday before the expected rain moved on in Saturday.  This route turned out to be a good plan.  We weren't sure which trails would be icy, and this herd path was in pretty good shape since it receives less traffic.

We parked the car along Route 73 and were on the trail just before 7:30.  Rev led the way, as she always does.  It was about 12 degrees when we started, but was expected to get up to 30.  Microspikes were fine along the Boquet River and up along the higher drainage.  There was only about 2" of snow down low.   

An early look at Spotted Mountain

We stayed along the south side of the Boquet River to avoid the extra water crossings on the north side.  High on the drainage, we still had a few crossings, but the volume of water is less and we didn't find it to be too difficult. 



Grace slide

As the herd path turned towards Grace slide, we found the snow depth was quickly getting deeper and at the base of the slide we put on our snowshoes.  We didn't ascend the slide itself, but rather stayed on the herd path headed for the Grace/Carson col.  The herd path is steep leading to the col, but it is a nice ascent on a good herd path.  Once it reaches the ridge, it is only a 5-10 minute walk to Grace (East Dix).

We could hear the wind picking up as we reached the ridge and the summit of Grace was quite cold with the wind chill.  We were in and out of clouds and there were a few snow flurries coming down. We took a few pictures, then followed the short herd path from the summit to the top of Grace slide.  From this vantage point, there is an unobstructed view towards Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge.  



Wyman Mountain from Grace

Mike and Rev on Grace (East Dix)

The view north from the top of Grace slide

Next we made our way towards Carson (South Dix).  The herd path on this ridge isn't always easy to follow in the winter, but Rev knew right where to go.  The path is narrow, and there was lots of snow on the trees depositing itself on me as we walked.  There was about a foot of snow on the ridge.

 



Mike & Rev on Carson (South Dix)



When we got to Carson, visibility had dropped so there wasn't much to look at in the distance.  We didn't go over to the exposed western edge since there were no views.  We each had a sandwich on Carson.  We had reached Carson at noon and decided that it was time to head back after we ate.

Of course, as soon as we started to head down, the sun came out.  Maybe that was just because we were off the summit.  In any case, it became rather pleasant for the hike out.  The mix of sun and clouds made for some interesting pictures along the Boquet.  





Grace slide



Rocky Peak Ridge from the N. Branch Boquet River  

 I like the contrast of the dark clouds and blue sky.




BillB along the Boquet looking back to Spotted Mountain



Spotted again

Spotted from the high ridge above the Boquet



a closer look

Back at the car, I fed Rev and then we headed to Schroon Lake to stop at Mr. P's Mountain Smokehouse for dinner. 

Thanks Bill for contacting me about doing a hike on this nice Friday.  It was good to get out before the rain and enjoy the snow and the mountains.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  13 miles

Hike Time:  8.5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  3000+'

The route of the day