Dix Range

[1ADAM12]

I have a few questions First I know that the Elk Lake property is private so my question is are dogs allowed to pass on the foot trails so I can camp on public property?

Second Question......The Slide Brook Lean-to. IF it is full are there places to set up tents around the area? OR am I better off heading up to the next Lean-to?

I plan on doing this trip the first weekend in June so any other suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,
Adam

[Joe H.]

Not too sure about the dogs, but there are plenty of tenting opportunities around the Slide Brook LT. It's a great area. Enjoy your trip!

[mike1889]

Dogs are okay on the trails. The only place in the High Peaks that dogs aren't allowed that I know of is the AMR (Adirondack Mountain Reserve) near St. Huberts.

[1ADAM12]

Originally Posted by mike1889

Dogs are okay on the trails. The only place in the High Peaks that dogs aren't allowed that I know of is the AMR (Adirondack Mountain Reserve) near St. Huberts.

Thanks for the confirmation Mike. I knew about dogs on the AMR.

[Skyclimber]

Remember to carry plenty of water. Once you leave Slide Brook, you have left the last water source of the Range until you get back down.

[hillman1]

Dogs are allowed there, and there is no leash law in the area like the rest of the high peaks. Not trying to start a leash thread, just throwing that out for all the dogs that hate leashes.

[pete_hickey]

Originally Posted by hillman1

and there is no leash law in the area like the rest of the high peaks. ...

Not exactly. The DMWUMP does have leash rules, but they are not as strict as in the HPW area. Thwey aren't codified yet, though. I don't have my copy of the UMP with me now.

[hillman1]

My bad...sorry, for some reason I thought they could wander free as long as they were below any arctic alpine plant zones.

[pete_hickey]

Originally Posted by hillman1

My bad...sorry, for some reason I thought they could wander free as long as they were below any arctic alpine plant zones.

Not quite that, but not as strict as the high peaks.

"No person shall fail to leash pets at primitive tent sites, at lean-to sites, at elevations above 4,000 ft, or at other areas where the public congregates."

But if you are a hunter hunting with your hunting dog, you have more flexibility.

[1ADAM12]

One more question while I am thinking.....are campfires permitted in this area?

[mike1889]

Originally Posted by 1ADAM12

are campfires permitted in this area?

Yes fires are permitted.

[Hikerdad]

1Adam12:

What are you planning to do in the range? What's your route...

I've camped at both the Slide Brook LT and at the Lillian Brook LT (which is farther past Slide Brook)...There was a grassy area near the LT as SB that we camped in. There were plenty of nice spots near the Lillian Brook LT. This was a few years ago (before they put in the new LT at Lillian Brook)...

[1ADAM12]

Plan is to stay in the SB LT if it is full either pitch a tent and camp around there or procede on to the LB LT. I want to climb Macomb first, then procede to East Dix and South Dix, then over to Hough and Dix and back to camp. Thats the intended route. We are going the first weekend in June weather permitting. If the weather is poor I will probably do Street and Nye.

[adkdremn]

Another question 1ADAM12....when you state head back to camp is there a loop to head back to camp or are you backtracking the same route. I'd like to do this hike in the future, but haven't researched it yet enough to figure out the routes.
Thanks in advance.

[1ADAM12]

I am doing a loop. Starting out with Macomb and ending on Dix and back down the trail to the lean-to. We are doing this hike the first weekend in June if your interested.

[Hikerdad]

Sounds like a great hike. I remember the area going to S. Dix as being a bit confusing so be careful....also the climb up the Beckhorn from Hough (which we came down) looked pretty steep when we looked back up it (especially after a long day)....we were camping at the LB LT so we did Dix via Hunter Pass and then over to Hough...instead of reclimbing to the Beckhorn and down the trail I decided to try the Lillian Brook herd path....some people say it's easy but I thought it was a nightmare....the climb up the Macomb slide is really fun...It's been a while since we were there but I always had a bit of trouble finding the start of the herd path at Slide Brook....

[pete_hickey]

Originally Posted by Hikerdad

..It's been a while since we were there but I always had a bit of trouble finding the start of the herd path at Slide Brook....

It was a bit confusing due to a lot of paths around camping areas, but the start is now marked by a large cairn which is soon after crossing the first bridge on your way in. The old paths starting from the lean-to should be closed off.

[1ADAM12]

Wwe should be arriveing June 2nd Friday in the early afternoon. From your expierences in this area do you think the lean-to will be vacant?

Thanks,
Adam

[mike1889]

Originally Posted by 1ADAM12

We should be arriveing June 2nd Friday in the early afternoon. From your expierences in this area do you think the lean-to will be vacant?

I'd say the chances are about 50/50 of having the lean-to vacant when you get there. Not much help I know, but I've seen the lean-to vacant and several tents set up in the area, lots of people prefer tents, especially during black fly season. Someone going in earlier in the day or Thursday may get the lean-to first.