Warmer weather officially arrived to Upstate NY several weeks ago, however, over the past two weeks we had several chilly days with temperatures dipping into the 50's during the day and 40's at night. Two days before this trip the High Peaks forecast predications called for snow and ice, however, it turned out to be frost and no major accumulation. It is June after all, but there has been snow on the summits during this time in the past.
When planning for a day hike/trip, the night before always gets shorter, as I always try to leave around 3 am so that we drive 3.5-4 hrs and start hiking before 7 am. Its nice to drive early in the morning, however, deer and other wild animals crossings are always a concern. We had a close call with a whitetail during the morning commute. Thank God it stopped and turned around inches before we met.
In the years past, I have never hiked alone, and have always hiked with at least one friend, family member or my awesome wife. This trip I had the wonderful opportunity to hike with Paul, a friend from church.
This was my second time going to the Elk Lake parking lot and so I was familiar with the area. We drove 4 miles up the gravel road to the designated hiker's parking lot. It easy holds 15 cars but once full the next parking lot is 2 miles down the hill.
At the parking lot we met 2 guys from Saratoga Springs who were hiking the whole Dix Range (Macomb, South Dix, Grace Peak, Hough, and Dix) and later caught up to us at the Macomb summit. After signing in at the log book, we made quick progress, hiking the 2.3 miles from the parking lot to the cairn marking the start of the trailhead leading to the Macomb slide. The cairn is located about 50 yards south of the Slide Lean-to.
It started as a gradual ascent. Quickly we came across some blow down laying across the trail in several spots. But then it opened up to a nice trail all the way to the summit. Some key points to remember during this portion of the hike is to ALWAYS stay north of the creek/brook. At several spots, the trail veered to the right (south) over the brook or in the direction of the brook BUT DO NOT go down these trails as they lead to dead ends. Most of the these false trails were hikers just trying to find a quicker route up the mountain.
From the cairn trailhead to the slide it is about 1 mile in distance and about 1 hr of hiking. Just before reaching the slide we came to some nice views of the slide in the distance and the Elk Lake valley to the right. Notice that you will hike onto the slide from the left side when looking straight up at it.
Just before the slide there is a brook bed with running water and the trail appears as though it follows the brook bed up the mountain. In fact there were several boot marks going up in that direction. The entrance to the slide had some brush and at first glance difficult to see. So we travelled up the brook bed and the brush became very thick on both sides and difficult to hike if continuing up the brook. Realizing we may have missed the turn to the slide, we turned around and hiked back.
false trail up the brook
As soon as we passed through the brush the slide opened up before us along with some spectacular views of Elk Lake and the valley below. At this point we were 3,400 ft in elevation. It was also a nice spot to rest and munch on a snack before hiking the slide.
Hike the slide was a new experience for both of us and as soon as we saw the loose sand and rock, we quickly realized that we had to be careful with every step. It was important to keep moving up as well as don't shoot loose stones down the hill as you push forward. There is no best route up the slide. The only thing to keep in mind is the entrance to the trail is to the left at the top of the slide. A landmark to watch out for is the huge boulder sitting at the top. We ended up crossing back and forth as we found stable footing to continue ascending.
Halfway cairn
Once back on the trail, the first thing seen is the wall of rock. A few feet up the rock there is a trail that skirts to the left. We opted out for the trail versus climbing the slippery rock.
From the beginning of the slide to the summit its a 970 ft elevation gain, about a mile in distance and about an hours worth of hiking. It was nice to reach the top and sit down for a short 30 minute break. We had a snack and met a couple hikers. It was partially cloudy with about 20 mph winds. The views to the north and west were spectacular. This is my 25th peak.
4370 ft Elevation
Dix mountain
Osprey Pride!
From Macomb to South Dix it was roughly a 30 minute hike. The descent to the col was fairly gradual but when we reached the base of South Dix there was a lot of open face rock hiking. At time it was a steep ascent but the views were rewarding the whole time.
Macomb from southern side of South Dix overlooking col
On South Dix we came to an amazing summit....a yellow disc 10 ft of the ground on a pine tree! We did find some open rock facing the east and we stopped to enjoy the views for about 10 minutes. South Dix stands at 4068 ft above sea level. This is my 26th summit.
We then proceeded to hike down to East Dix or as it is now known as Grace Peak. It was renamed a few years ago to honor the first female 46er. When looking at the topo map there wasn't much change in elevation, however we did have to descend into a small col and then ascend to the summit. It was a gradual descent and ascent and therefore our legs took very little beating on this lag of the journey.
Once at the Grace summit we were greeted by several well seasoned hikers and a few people from around the Syracuse area. In fact, there was a former physician from Crouse Hospital. After the introductions we sat down for a nice lunch and 40 minutes of great views and conversation.
Grace Peak stands at 4026 ft above sea level. My 27th summit.
Vermont Green Mountains were on the horizon
Hough (left), Dix (right)
Macomb (right), South Dix (center)
Macomb (left), South Dix (center), Hough (center right), Dix (right)
Fellow hikers!
From Grace we had to hike back over South Dix to reach the col between Macomb and South Dix. Originally we were planning to hike back to Macomb and descend via the slide. But we decided that it would be too strenuous and better to come down via Lillian Brook. The seasoned hikers agreed that it would be a better course as well.
Cairn marks the intersection coming down Macomb to col between South Dix: Right to South Dix, Left to Lillian Brook
I experienced the descent via the Lillian Brook trail last year for the first time. And once again it was fun to travel this route because of its layout. There were time when you have room for only one step at a time along a narrow trail constantly changing after each major rainfall.
On the descent I got myself a blister on my right great toe. I always carry a first aid kit. A few years back I bought a nice compact kit at IKEA and brought it with me on a few hiking trips. I never used it until this trip when I remembered that you can place tape/duct tape or some silk medical tape over a blister to prevent further injury. So I was grateful that the IKEA had some paper tape that I used to wrap my toe. It turned out well and for the remaining part of the hike I had very little discomfort.
On the way out of the Adirondack Park after the hike, we stopped by O.P. Frederick's Restaurant for dinner. It was my first time there and the food was very delicious. Both of us enjoyed a French Onion soup and burger. Definitely a nice place to stop by after a hike or if in the area around dinner time.
Overall it was a great hiking trip. The Dix range could definitely be hiked in one long trip, with the ascent via the Macomb slide. However, I really enjoyed the shorter hike and would recommend splitting the range into two hikes. I did Dix and Hough last year and finished the range this year.
TRIP STATS & TIMELINE:
Elk Lake Parking Lot: 0650
Cairn trailhead near Slide Lean-to: 0737--2.3 miles into hike
Macomb Slide: 0830--3.30 miles; 3400 ft elevation
Macomb summit: 0925
Left Macomb: 0957
South Dix Summit: 1033
Left South Dix: 1042
Grace Peak: 1120
Left Grace Peak: 1210
Returned to South Dix: 1249
Returned to Parking Lot: 1600 (4 pm)
Total Distance: 12.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 2279 ft
Weather: partly cloudy low 50's
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