Dix Range; Elk Lake vs 73

AgroCraig · 07-02-2012, 07:07 AM

Hi, I was hoping some of you could lend me your feedback on this issue. I'm going to be doing the Dix Range this week and was wondering what some of the key differences are between the 2 starting points, and which one is generally preferred. All replies are greatly appreciated!!

ADKJack · 07-02-2012, 08:52 AM

You will probably get several different opionions on this, I assume that you want to stay on trails and established herd paths. If that is the case I find that the Elk lake route offers a nice loop with sevreal bail out options if needed.

Teleskier · 07-02-2012, 09:00 AM

Well, one key difference is certainly parking. The public lot at Elk Lake is small, if it's a weekend trip and you don't get there really early, you could easily find yourself shut out. There's always someplace to park on Rt. 73.

You mentioned doing the "Dix range", rather than just one or two - I'd agree with ADKJack, there are better looping options coming in from Elk Lake. From 73, you can loop with East Dix via the herd path along the north & south forks of the Boquet, but it leaves you with a couple of miles of walking along 73 if you can't spot a car. Otherwise, you're coming and going via Dix.

AgroCraig · 07-02-2012, 09:09 AM

Thank you both for the swift responses. I probably should have specified that I'll have friends coming who'll be experiencing their first ADK peaks. While I have no doubt that they are in the proper shape to complete the range, more established heard paths would be preferable. Also, because of recent scheduling conflicts the plan is now to go in tuesday evening and camp and start climbing wednesday morning. Does either route have better camping, especially early on in the trail?

Teleskier · 07-02-2012, 09:17 AM

Both have good camping spots, but I'd go with Elk Lake given what you've said. Parking won't be an issue going in on Tuesday, and there are just more choices on routes from that side. Slide Brook lean-to is a great place to set up camp, you're right at the start of the herd path up Macomb. It's a nice trip to get Macomb, South and East. Once back to South, you can decide how much more you feel up to - Hough, or Hough and Dix. Or, you can come back down to camp and get Hough and Dix the second day. The Lillian Brook herd path and the trail(s) to Dix give you great choices from this side on how many peaks to string together.

AgroCraig · 07-02-2012, 09:48 AM

Ok, cool. Seems like it's gonna be Elk Lake. Would it be possible to set up camp after Macomb, South, and East without backtracking?

Teleskier · 07-02-2012, 10:03 AM

Are you talking about camping up high or along the approach?

If it's along the approach, you can set up at Slide Brook, the hike Macomb, South, East, back to South, towards Hough to the South-Pough col, and down that branch of the Lillian Brook herd path and back to camp. The second day, you could take the trail to Dix, over to Hough, down to the Hough-Pough col, and down the other branch of the Lillian Brook herd path and back. There's minimal backtracking.

If you want to camp up high, I guess you'd hike Macomb, South, East and back to South and camp in either the South-Pough col or the Hough-Pough col. Don't know about water sources in either place, maybe someone else could offer an opinion? But this involves full backpacks up and over Macomb and South, at least, and I don't know how far down you'd have to go from camp to find water.

AgroCraig · 07-02-2012, 10:10 AM

Can't thank you enough for the constant prompt responses! May try to camp high, simply because it'll be the 4th of July and it'd be fun to see some fireworks. Also, we don't have to be back at the car until Friday, so we have ample time to hike with full packs. I did Algonquin and Wright with full a pack last year, so I'm thinking this should be doable.

DSettahr · 07-02-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgroCraig

Can't thank you enough for the constant prompt responses! May try to camp high, simply because it'll be the 4th of July and it'd be fun to see some fireworks. Also, we don't have to be back at the car until Friday, so we have ample time to hike with full packs. I did Algonquin and Wright with full a pack last year, so I'm thinking this should be doable.

Be careful with this- there are regulations against camping at high elevations in the Adirondacks. Above 4,000 feet, there is no legal camping. Between 3,500 and 4,000 feet, you can only camp at designated sites- and there are none in the Dix Range. As it is, the entire range is above 3,500 feet- so there is no way you can legally camp anywhere on the range. You'd have to descend to below 3,500 feet, and then find a primitive spot that is at least 150 feet off the herd path, which wouldn't be easy. (The tent site shown on the ADK maps is an error- this is not a legal campsite.)

The reason behind this regulation is to protect the fragile alpine environment. The higher up you get in the Adirondacks, the less ability the ecosystem has to protect itself from hiking impacts. Camping has even more impacts than hiking, which is why it's not permitted at high elevations.

I'm also not sure that you'd really be able to see any fire works displays from the Dix Range anyways- you're not going to be close enough to any municipal areas. Maybe Keene Valley, but even if you were on Dix, I'd think that Noonmark/Round are going to block your views anyways. Maybe Schroon Lake, but they are going to be pretty far off.

AgroCraig · 07-02-2012, 12:00 PM

I was aware of the height regulations, but wasn't sure of the height of the entire range and was hoping one of the cols would be below 3,500; so I thank you sincerely for that information. Also, knowing that fireworks will be hard to spot makes me feel better about not camping in a prime location (as there isn't one).

Would you agree with the above opinions regarding the differences between Elk Lake and 73? Definitely open to all ideas.

DSettahr · 07-02-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgroCraig

Would you agree with the above opinions regarding the differences between Elk Lake and 73? Definitely open to all ideas.

Yeah, I definitely agree that Elk Lake is better for doing the entire range. You can do it as a loop, and there are 2 bailout options via the Lillian Brook herd path if things aren't working out (weather, endurance, etc).

Route 73 is good if you're just doing Dix, but to do the entire Dix Range, you'd have to return back up and over Dix. You could return via the South Fork of the Boquet River, but that herd path isn't as obvious/easy to follow as the rest in the Dix Range.

AgroCraig · 07-02-2012, 12:43 PM

Awesome; thanks!! Lots of great info from everyone! It's been a very pleasant surprise for a first time poster. Can't wait for tomorrow! Now i just need to finish this damned take home exam...

vieWseeker · 07-02-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AgroCraig

Awesome; thanks!! Lots of great info from everyone! It's been a very pleasant surprise for a first time poster. Can't wait for tomorrow! Now i just need to finish this damned take home exam...

get off the internet and finish it already...

Teleskier · 07-02-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSettahr

Be careful with this- there are regulations against camping at high elevations in the Adirondacks. Above 4,000 feet, there is no legal camping. Between 3,500 and 4,000 feet, you can only camp at designated sites- and there are none in the Dix Range. As it is, the entire range is above 3,500 feet- so there is no way you can legally camp anywhere on the range. You'd have to descend to below 3,500 feet, and then find a primitive spot that is at least 150 feet off the herd path, which wouldn't be easy. (The tent site shown on the ADK maps is an error- this is not a legal campsite.)

Ouch, didn't think to look at the topo map before I responded. Looks like you'd have to drop a good 300' vertical down the Lillian Brook HP to get a legal site - then again, that would put you in that much better a position to find water.

07-02-2012, 07:07 AM	#1
AgroCraig 17/46 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 6	Dix Range; Elk Lake vs 73 Hi, I was hoping some of you could lend me your feedback on this issue. I'm going to be doing the Dix Range this week and was wondering what some of the key differences are between the 2 starting points, and which one is generally preferred. All replies are greatly appreciated!!

07-02-2012, 08:52 AM	#2
ADKJack Sure, Why not! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mt Adams Posts: 2,038	You will probably get several different opionions on this, I assume that you want to stay on trails and established herd paths. If that is the case I find that the Elk lake route offers a nice loop with sevreal bail out options if needed. __________________ "Climbing is about freedom. There's no prize money; there are no gold medals. The mountains are all about going there to do what you want to do. That's why I'll never tell anyone else how to climb. All I can say is, This is how I prefer to do it." Ed Viesturs

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07-02-2012, 09:00 AM	#3
Teleskier Consultant Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 360	Well, one key difference is certainly parking. The public lot at Elk Lake is small, if it's a weekend trip and you don't get there really early, you could easily find yourself shut out. There's always someplace to park on Rt. 73. You mentioned doing the "Dix range", rather than just one or two - I'd agree with ADKJack, there are better looping options coming in from Elk Lake. From 73, you can loop with East Dix via the herd path along the north & south forks of the Boquet, but it leaves you with a couple of miles of walking along 73 if you can't spot a car. Otherwise, you're coming and going via Dix.

07-02-2012, 09:09 AM	#4
AgroCraig 17/46 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 6	Thank you both for the swift responses. I probably should have specified that I'll have friends coming who'll be experiencing their first ADK peaks. While I have no doubt that they are in the proper shape to complete the range, more established heard paths would be preferable. Also, because of recent scheduling conflicts the plan is now to go in tuesday evening and camp and start climbing wednesday morning. Does either route have better camping, especially early on in the trail?

07-02-2012, 09:17 AM	#5
Teleskier Consultant Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 360	Both have good camping spots, but I'd go with Elk Lake given what you've said. Parking won't be an issue going in on Tuesday, and there are just more choices on routes from that side. Slide Brook lean-to is a great place to set up camp, you're right at the start of the herd path up Macomb. It's a nice trip to get Macomb, South and East. Once back to South, you can decide how much more you feel up to - Hough, or Hough and Dix. Or, you can come back down to camp and get Hough and Dix the second day. The Lillian Brook herd path and the trail(s) to Dix give you great choices from this side on how many peaks to string together.

07-02-2012, 09:48 AM	#6
AgroCraig 17/46 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 6	Ok, cool. Seems like it's gonna be Elk Lake. Would it be possible to set up camp after Macomb, South, and East without backtracking?

07-02-2012, 10:03 AM	#7
Teleskier Consultant Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 360	Are you talking about camping up high or along the approach? If it's along the approach, you can set up at Slide Brook, the hike Macomb, South, East, back to South, towards Hough to the South-Pough col, and down that branch of the Lillian Brook herd path and back to camp. The second day, you could take the trail to Dix, over to Hough, down to the Hough-Pough col, and down the other branch of the Lillian Brook herd path and back. There's minimal backtracking. If you want to camp up high, I guess you'd hike Macomb, South, East and back to South and camp in either the South-Pough col or the Hough-Pough col. Don't know about water sources in either place, maybe someone else could offer an opinion? But this involves full backpacks up and over Macomb and South, at least, and I don't know how far down you'd have to go from camp to find water.

07-02-2012, 10:10 AM	#8
AgroCraig 17/46 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 6	Can't thank you enough for the constant prompt responses! May try to camp high, simply because it'll be the 4th of July and it'd be fun to see some fireworks. Also, we don't have to be back at the car until Friday, so we have ample time to hike with full packs. I did Algonquin and Wright with full a pack last year, so I'm thinking this should be doable.

07-02-2012, 12:00 PM	#10
AgroCraig 17/46 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 6	I was aware of the height regulations, but wasn't sure of the height of the entire range and was hoping one of the cols would be below 3,500; so I thank you sincerely for that information. Also, knowing that fireworks will be hard to spot makes me feel better about not camping in a prime location (as there isn't one). Would you agree with the above opinions regarding the differences between Elk Lake and 73? Definitely open to all ideas.

07-02-2012, 12:43 PM	#12
AgroCraig 17/46 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 6	Awesome; thanks!! Lots of great info from everyone! It's been a very pleasant surprise for a first time poster. Can't wait for tomorrow! Now i just need to finish this damned take home exam...

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