At last... Dix Range TR 6/20/11

[joelenhard]

Thanks to all who contributed to my research on hiking this one-- was a little intimidated doing the 'trailess' ones, but i'm over that now!
All the input was much appreaciated, and helped to contribute to what turned out to be a much needed hike!

Won't have time to get any pics or vidoes up today, but here is the trip report...

Left Buffalo at 2:17am, did not have time to prepare my pack, just threw everything into the trunk, so took time to prep my pack at the Elk Lake lot and was signed in and hiking by 8:30am. Mosquitos in the lot were INSANE - but once i got moving they stopped being a problem. I dont usually stop until i get to the top, so i didn't bother with any bug spray, plus i use permethrin on my hiking gear, so that tends to help anyway once i had changed out of the clothes i drove up in (should have done that first before prepping the rest of my gear!)

little bit of mud on the trail, but nothing that wasn't managable, got to Big Sally Brook by about 9am. Saw a benchmark on the trail, thought it was an odd place for one.. anyone know why it is there (2290 ft)?

Got to the cairn for the trail to Macomb at 9:10. Took a right and saw that there was a tent site there, so walked back and went down the trail further and got a little confused, finally went back and realized that i needed to walk right through the campsite and THEN i noticed the trail :P

Partway up the trail saw some good views of the slides on Macomb, and decided to hop up onto a fallen tree to get a better photo even though the voice in my head told me not to... and proceeded to slip and gouge my knee on a inch wide branch as it snapped off into my knee cap.... "Godpleasedon'tletthisbetheendofmyhiketodaythatwou ldreallysuckimsorryiwassuchanidiotforhopinguphere" as i slowly put weight on it.... Good. a little tender, but nothing that is going to slow me down.

Got to the bottom of the slide, and took a 7 minute break to filter some water to fill up the liter that i had drunk up to this point. (this was the last water available until reaching the brook at Hunters Pass after doing all the range btw). At 10:15, proceded up the slide, unfortunately, was a little confused and stayed to the left side, and ended up leaving the slide to early. There is a LOT of new sections that have 'slid' on the slide, one section of dirt about the size of 2 cars started to slide with me on it as i stepped on it... THAT was interesting.... after about 5 minutes going thru the dense trees, realized that i DID in fact miss the proper exit, but as i knew i just had to go uphill, decided to bushwack it. Note to anyone else attempting this-- don't do this in a sleeveless shirt! Made it to the summit at 11:10, spent over 40 minutes of that time bushwacking to the summit...

The summit of Macomb was breathaking, and as it was a Monday, i had it all to myself. Well, except for the 2.5 billion black flies that were up there. No breeze at all most of the day, so i had to break out the deet, then they left me alone for the most part. Ate my ham sandwich and took lots of pictures and a couple vidoes (hope to post them early next week?)

At 11:30, decided to keep moving, lots of miles to cover....

Was surprised at how close the next summit was, got to S Dix by Noon. Took a couple pictures, then kept moving, got to East Dix at 12:30. Hung out on East Dix for about 10 minutes, took a few pictures, headed back to South Dix. After hiking the first section of the trail down East Dix, decided it was time to break out the treking poles, so took a minute to get them off my pack, and continued on. Someone has mentioned that in the col between S and E Dix, there is a pool of water that is there unless its a drought. it was acutally a pool of mud-- not much water at all, in case anyone else is counting on that this year, don't. Was glad i filled up at the bottom of the slide on Macomb.

Got back to S Dix by about 1:25, proving my theory that i hike MUCH slower with poles (S dix to east dix was 1/2 hr, going back with poles was almost 45 minutes).

Got to Hough peak at 2:05, left about 1 minute later as the summit is SWARMING with bald faced hornets. Had 3 land on my in the first 10 seconds that I was there, they did not seem happy at all. If someone is not allergic to them, bring a can of wasp spray and take care of them :P

Got to Beckhorn a little after 3pm, and Dix about 10 minutes later? (forgot to mark these times down...) All day the views were amazing- will definately be climbing in the Dix area again...

Spent about 1/2 hr 45 minutes on the summit, didn't want to leave... i had saved Dix for last, as it was the highest, and wanted to spend the most time there... was glad I had-- was a perfect time for being on the summit-- a little bit of a breeze had picked up, and enjoyed chatting with the 2 guys that were up there before me. Inquired about the difference in the paths down-- Beckhorn VS Hunters pass-- decided on Hunters Pass as they mentioned it had good views of the slides on the backside of Dix.

Headed out down the Hunters Pass trail about 3:40 or so, VERY glad i took that way, great views of the slides, and some awesome moments coming around corners and walking out onto cliffs with great views. FInally got to the river at Hunters Pass at 4:45 and took a short break to just relax in the woods and refill my water supply. Got to the Hunters Pass / Beckhorn Trail junction at 5:30.

Got to the cairn for the Macomb slide about 6:25, back at the car by 7pm.

Epic Day, Amazing Hike, can't wait to get back up there!

I'll post pics and videos when I can...

[TBPDPTI]

Great job. Don't ever be intimidated by the trail-less peaks. Don't underestimate them either, however. Just be careful and plan and you'll do just fine. Make certain that you get lots of experience before you try some of the more difficult ones (in the top 100).

[jelaxbroc]

Sounds like you had a pretty fun trip. I am doing the Dixes on 7/8. I am hoping to beat some of your times. I can't wait for the pictures.

[Trail Boss]

Many thanks for the detaIled TR! I'm glad to hear your knee wasn't injured ... so early in the hike, it would've been tragic. Based on your description of the Hunter Pass trail, I may reconsider my plan to hike the Beckhorn trail. Thise hornets sound menacing but I surely won't be the one who'll try to wipe out their nest!

Thanks for including times in your TR. It helps me gauge the effort involved to hike each section.

[Gregory Karl]

Congrats Joe,
I like your little knee-barking prayer, and the strategy of leaving the biggest peak for the end—more dramatic that way. Hunter's Pass is a really cool place; it's a shame that you have to choose, though, because the Beckhorn Trail is great too. A peak designed for multiple visits!

[joelenhard]

Originally Posted by Gregory Karl

Congrats Joe,
I like your little knee-barking prayer, and the strategy of leaving the biggest peak for the end—more dramatic that way. Hunter's Pass is a really cool place; it's a shame that you have to choose, though, because the Beckhorn Trail is great too. A peak designed for multiple visits!

Oh, i will be back for sure... other reason for saving Dix for last was people said it was easiest to do it first... why would i want to do that? Dix by itself is a trail i would definately do again with someone who wanted to climb and get some nice views, so if i do it with someone probably do it as a loop... I also think my sister needs the whole dix range for her 46, so maybe ill do it with her and talk her into the route you suggested from 73... (and grab spotted too!)

[QuietHikergirlJ]

Sounds like a Great Epic Hike!!! I hiked just Dix and Hough last winter and found them tough by themselves, You are one strong hiker

[joelenhard]

Originally Posted by QuietHikergirlJ

Sounds like a Great Epic Hike!!! I hiked just Dix and Hough last winter and found them tough by themselves, You are one strong hiker

Im impressed you did it in the winter-- was thinking MAN this range is going to be TOUGH for my winter 46! some of the trail is so narrow, can't imagine getting thru with all the snow... of course maybe the snow is OVER the trees

[Yury]

Originally Posted by joelenhard

Got to the cairn for the Macomb slide about 6:25, back at the car by 7pm.

joelenhard

Have you driven back to Buffalo on the same day?

[Altbark]

Joe thanks for the TR. Sounds like it was a cool trip. It's on my to do list for this year but looks like it will take a bit of planning to carry out successfully. Maybe in the fall for me. Al

[joelenhard]

Originally Posted by Yury

joelenhard

Have you driven back to Buffalo on the same day?

Yes... got back on the road by 7:30, but did not get home till about 3am, had to stop and sleep a bunch of times :P

[vieWseeker]

congrats Joe.... But wheres your sister!!!! you must be up on her now.. anyways get hike..... never been down off dix that way but im glad to hear of your awesome views..

[joelenhard]

Originally Posted by viewseeker

congrats Joe.... But wheres your sister!!!! you must be up on her now.. anyways get hike..... never been down off dix that way but im glad to hear of your awesome views..

she ahd to work-- I got ahead of her when i did porter and cascade, and have kept the lead :P she tried to catch up a couple weekends ago but she brouoght the kids, and they werent up to day 2....

[jsassojr]

Joe,

Great TR! My group and I plan on doing the same traverse you did this Saturday.

How well-defined were the herdpaths when you went? Any "gotcha's" to be aware of?

Thanks!

--john