Blake Colvin N-top Dial route w/dog

[adkgirl46]

Since I do not have access to my map right now, and I'm ADK dreamin' at work, can someone give me a recommendation for where to head in to camp if I am going to do B-C-N-D with a dog?
I'm certain I can't approach from Ausable b/c of Daisy-dog. But is there another way?
thanks...

[lumberzac]

The only ways I can think of that you could get in there with a dog is to hike in from Elk Lake (I don’t think that route crosses onto the AMR) and up the Pinnacle and over to Blake or hike in towards Dix from the Round Pond trailhead on rt. 73 and bushwhack up Gravestone Brook to Bears Den.

[adkgirl46]

Thanks, I'll check those recommendations out...

[lumberzac]

One thing I forgot to note was that I have never done either of these routes, so I don't have know anything more about them than what I posted. I do know others on this forum have. Hopefully they will chime in soon.

[pete_hickey]

Although the bushwhack to/from Gravestone Brook is quite open, I have no idea how dogs are in a bushwhack. I would IMAGINE that this would be OK.

The hike in from Elk Lake, is a bit long and has some extra climbing. Then, when you get to the trail along the Pinnacle ridge, there are a LOT of ups and downs. If you're looking at doing it as a day hike, it'll be a long day. If you're doing it as a leisurly overnighter, You could have an enjoyable trip. A few tenths of a mile after turning off the Elk Lake-marcy trail, there is a stream, and a few hundred feet past that, up a little hill, is a good camping area. Set up camp, then the next day, do a dayhike going as far as you feel comfortable, then head back. Stay the night, then head out the next day.

I was camping there one night. It was a quiet night. A tree fell, maybe 50 feet from my tent. It was the weirdest thing. I heard something, and didn't know what it was. It seemed to go no for some time (probably 1.73 seconds) before I realized what it was.

You could always sclhop on your full pack, go over the ridge to Elk Pass, camp the next night there, then climb Nippletop/dial, and bushwhack down to Gravestone Brook, to the dix trail, head toward the lean-to and camp around there, then the next day, hop over Dix, down the other side, and out to the Elk Lake prking to your car.


Note: Not much (any?) water along the ridge, and not much on Dial/nippletop. The water in Elk Pass tastes of tannin, unless you follow the outlet downstream a while. The tannin gives a taste, but it's good for you. Builds Character.

[mastergrasshopper]

nice and open easy to follow.comes out right at BD- dial col.lots of nice little valleys to camp in on south side of bear den 10 min from trail.
There are two campsites just before pinnacal ridge.One at waterfall and one 5 min past waterfall.
enjoy
mastergrasshopper

[Rivet]

I did Dial/Nippletop via Gravestone Brook with my dog as a day hike. Returned the same way.

Decided to do Colvin/Blake by myself on another trip (and also Sawteeth). My dog doesn't seem to care that he's not a 46er.

[tgoodwin]

You've gotten some good suggestions so far. I took my dog over those four (#s 41-44 for her) as a day trip, starting from Elk Lake and finishing by bushwhacking down Gravestone Brook from between Dial and Bear Den. It was about 20 miles and 6,000 feet of ascent, but certainly doable. The three day camping option outlined by Pete Hickey would also be possible and break up the trip into three roughly equal days. The waterfall at the second major brook crossing after leaving the Elk Lake-Marcy Trail is truly a beautiful spot. Elk Pass as a campsite is definitely a place to be "endured", but it's legal and has flowing water if you go down the outlet - just don't forget to filter.

[adkgirl46]

i've gotten good feedback...thanks, and I'll incorporate it into my next trip. Daisy and I are both 29ers working on our first round. I know she won't care if she's not a 46er, but she's got a couple of good hiking years left and we'll see what we can do.

0.

[peak_bgr]

I'm planning the Gravestone Brook hike at some point real soon, we should plan this out and we can go together. My dog Sunny has 76 of the 100 highest those are two that she needs. PM me if you're interested and we can talk.