The Dix Range Traverse 

 

9 Photos

Guidebooks:    

  • McMartin, Trail #65 
  • ADK, (not listed)

 

 Dix Range USGS Trail Maps:

Be sure to set your printer on "landscape" view before printing maps.

Traverse_Dix_1.jpg (912997 bytes)  Traverse_Dix_2.jpg (1002459 bytes)  Traverse_ Dix_3.jpg (1115856 bytes)  Traverse_Dix_4.jpg (1086078 bytes)
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Printable Version      Peak View Ratings

Route In A Nutshell:
 The route (shown on the four topographical maps above) starts at the summit of Dix and continues to Hough, South Dix, East Dix, and Macomb.  South Dix is the "hub" of the range with a spoke going to Macomb, a spoke going to East Dix, and a spoke that passes over the summit of Hough en route to Dix.  The ascent can be made from a variety of routes.  It is shown below starting at Dix Mtn, then to Hough Peak, South Dix, East Dix, back to South Dix, and then finishing on Macomb.  You will find links elsewhere on this page that will take you to various ascents and descents from various trailheads. 

In the summer of 2002, the herd paths connecting the summits were distinct, but often obstructed by fallen trees or overgrown firs.  It is easy to be hiking along on a path that is no more than bent grass and unknowingly head off on a Many false trails create a nuisance factor.  The traverse contains no steep sections.

Best Tips for the Dix Range

1. Before leaving home use your compass and map to take the bearing from each of the Dix peaks to the next following the route you intend to take.  Then, when you actually get to the first summit, compare the actual bearing of the next peak to the one you recorded from the map.   

2. As you progress through the actual hike, even if the herd path seems obvious to you and you see the peak you believe you are hiking to in the distance, be aware that the Dixes are full of herd paths that go nowhere.  These were created by people that were already lost.  Don't be one of them.  Check and verify bearings against your map more frequently than you think necessary.  

3. If a herd path seems to be leading you astray, STOP.  Figure it out before proceeding.  Don't guess.  

4. The Dixes invite rain for some reason.  And if the weather brings fog and rain, the need to know where you are is very apt to become easier said than accomplished.  Have a bail-out plan before you climb.

5. Don't hike alone and be equipped and prepared to spend the night in case you have to.  (We had to!) 

6. There's no water in the Dixes.  NONE!  So be sure to bring much more than you expect to need.

 

From To Distance 

Route
Elk Lake Trailhead Macomb 4.1 mi. Herd Path
Macomb South Dix 0.7 Herd Path
South Dix East Dix 1.1 Herd Path
South Dix Hough 0.9 Herd Path
Hough Dix 1.3 Herd Path
Rte 73 Trailhead Dix 6.5 DEC trail
Elk Lake Trailhead Hunters Pass 6.5 DEC trail
Hunters Pass  Dix 1.0 DEC trail

 

  
  Dix Mtn to Hough Peak 

1
dcp_0855.jpg (132212 bytes)  This is the Beckhorn photographed from Dix's summit.  The Beckhorn is a rock promontory on the SE slope of Dix, a few minutes walk from the summit.  It appears higher than the summit in this photo.  It's not.  The start of the Dix Range herd path to Hough is found by staying as much to your left as possible on the Beckhorn. In short order, you'll encounter  a ledge on the left side of the formation in the photo.  You have to drop down the ledge to get to the herd path.   The trail is slightly visible as you look down into the dense cripplebush below the ledge.  The boot and pole marks of hikers that have passed this way are proof that you're in the right spot.  There's no good way down the ledge except to jump.   CAUTION:  On the right side of the formation in the photo you'll find very nice  yellow paint marks placed by DEC on the rock.  These lead off to the right and will take you back down Dix via the YELLOW trail.  		 2
dcp_0853.jpg (84451 bytes)  Partial view of Hough from Dix.  Once on the herd path, the 1.0 mile to Hough is covered fairly quickly.  We've heard plenty of people whine about it, but it is a gentle col with nowhere to go but in the right direction.  The descent to the col is a moderate 800 ft. drop.  Cripplebush is very dense, but the herd path is obvious, but narrow.  You will reach the col on a narrow ridgeline, and then climb steeply about 400 vertical feet in 0.2 miles to Hough's summit at 4408 ft.  You will begin to encounter false paths and detours around blow-down on the ascent of Hough, although these are not significant obstacles.  Keep right as you approach the summit.  You'll come out at  an excellent overlook on the western edge of Hough's summit (see photo 6 below).  

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dcp_0869.jpg (140045 bytes)  Hough from the Beckhorn.

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SDix_fm_Beckhorn.jpg (38730 bytes)  Photo courtesy Elaine Serafini       
South Dix and even Macomb are partially visible from Dix. 

5
dcp_0870.jpg (243719 bytes)  Ahhh!  Classic Dix Range deluxe hiking!  Elaine is scrambling along the Dix-Hough herd path.  This is untypical trail for the route between the various Dix summits, meaning that this is good, clear, easy to follow herd path.  In general, there is good soil cover and little scrabble.  The trail is seldom as  obvious in the Dixes as what you see here.  .

6
Elk Lake from Hough.jpg (27870 bytes)   The ascent up Hough offers no views; however, the summit of Hough and the rest of the route to the summit of Dix offers frequent views in several directions.  Elk Lake is visible here.

7
E.Dix slides from Dix (beckhorn in foreground.jpg (32777 bytes)   This photo is from a 1998 hike is taken from Dix.  In the foreground is the ridgeline running from the Beckhorn to Hough Peak.   The peak in the background is East Dix. 

8
Beckhorn from Dix.jpg (41694 bytes)   View in 1998 NW to Dix from Hough's summit.  Beyond the summit lies the Colvin Range and then, behind that, the Great Range.  The slides on Gothics are plainly visible.  

9
Joel on Dix.jpg (51713 bytes)   Photo courtesy of Paul White
View S from Hough in 1998.  Macomb rises behind the stunted trees.  In the extreme background is Boreas Mtn. 

 Hough to South Dix 

Hough's summit descends N very steeply 0.5 miles  to the Hough-Pough col.  The amount of blow-down and number of alternative herd paths increases significantly during the descent. Take compass bearing from your map for South Dix before leaving Hough's summit.  Stay on the bearing any you won't be fooled by the myriad herd paths.  We chose to stick with whichever path seemed to keep us on the ridgeline, since only the ridgeline will lead to South Dix.    

Between Hough and South Dix is Pough Peak.  You may not have heard of Pough because, like Pyramid over near Gothics, it does not meet the criteria established to define a peak: a rise at least 300 feet in all directions from the higher peak nearest it, and 0.75 miles from it.  But whether it is a peak or not, it has to be climbed and descended to get to South Dix.  As you approach the Hough-Pough col you may see the herd path that leads sharply down to the RED  trail.  We didn't.  McMartin's guidebook reports that this herd path is best avoided except in an emergency... it is reported as very steep.  

The Hough-Pough col should be wet unless it is a dry year.  We have seen it both ways.  It is an area that is somewhat open and would provide a good spot to set up camp.  Pough requires very little time to ascend and descend into the Pough-South Dix col.  

The climb from the Pough-South Dix col to the summit of South Dix winds up the slope.  It is an open and well-lighted slope in comparison to the slopes of Hough or Dix..  The ascent is somewhat steep and the ground tends to be loose in spots.  The ascent of South Dix requires about 20 minutes.  The route is obvious and will lead you to a rocky, fir-enclosed summit area that offers good views.  Distance from Hough to South Dix is 1.0 mile.  Keep checking your compass!

Dix Range Photographed in Segments from Summit of East Dix                 

                10                                   11                                    12                                 13                           
 dcp_1009.jpg (148416 bytes)dcp_1011.jpg (161632 bytes)dcp_1012.jpg (174299 bytes)dcp_1013.jpg (186920 bytes)    
               Macomb                 S. Dix                     Hough                   Dix                  

This panorama taken on the summit of E. Dix shows the entire Dix Range transverse from Dix to Macomb except the ascent and descent to/from the range.  Note that there is considerable overlap photo-to-photo except between photos 2 and 3.  

Starting on Dix (4-center), the path leads to Hough's summit(3-center), then over Pough (2-center) to South Dix's summit (2-left). From South Dix follow the ridgeline(2-foreground) toward the camera and East Dix.  From South Dix the trail leads to the left and away from the camera out the ridgeline to Macomb (2)

 South Dix to East Dix 

From South Dix the path leads 1.0 mile to the summit of East Dix.  This is probably the easiest peak-to-peak transit in the Dixes, although the ascent out of the col to East Dix is moderate.  You will arrive at East Dix in less than an hour and have good views back toward Dix, Hough, S. Dix, and Macomb. 

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Dcp_1010_E_Dix.jpg (108202 bytes) The ridge connecting South Dix to East Dix.  The trail that follows this ridgeline is probably the most open of all the Dix trails except maybe the trail out to Macomb. 

 

 15
dcp_1000.jpg (160687 bytes)  The top of the slide on East Dix.  The summit of East Dix is about 300 yards away and is maybe 50 feet higher than this point.
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dcp_1024.jpg (178924 bytes)  Giant from East Dix.  There are a number of excellent overlooks from the vicinity of East Dix's summit.  These overlooks cover very nearly the full 360 degrees.

 

 17
dcp_1018.jpg (152464 bytes)  Macomb from E. Dix's summit.
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dcp_1027.jpg (246925 bytes)  How Nippletop got its name.		 19
dcp_1003.jpg (133337 bytes)  This is a great photo!  It also is a special event since the lady on East Dix's summit, has just reached #46.

 South Dix to Macomb 

From the small open rock summit on South Dix as you face Hough, you will do a left face and head off the rock onto the path that leads to Macomb's summit.  You may be wise to take a compass bearing off your map for Macomb, then ensure that you're on that bearing.  This is because the start of the S. Dix-Macomb herd path gets off to a somewhat twisted start, so make sure you're on the correct herd path.  This path is well defined over the entire route, but frequently divides into other herd paths.  The rule is, when you have a choice of paths in front of you stay to the right and that will keep you on the ridgeline and near all the various herd paths that descend Macomb.  

When you reach a flat open spot that has been used as a campsite, you are in the col.  Ascending out of the col and still staying to the right on the path, you will go past several knolls that appear to be the summit, but are not.  You will come to some considerable open rock that may appear to be the top of a slide.  It isn't, however you will see cairns that lead downward.  We followed this in 2002 and found that it eventually led to Lillian Brook.  Do not take this path because as you near the bottom you will find that this herd path deposits you right into the middle of many acres of  EXTREMELY bad blow-down that continues as far as the eye can see.  ("BAD" means whole trunks of trees piled every which-way 4-10 feet high.  

It is far wiser to continue the ascent of Macomb on the S. Dix-Macomb ridgeline until the summit is reached.  From here descend via the West Slide herd path which, at its bottom, is well marked with cairns as it follows a dry stream bed. Eventually, the herd path leads to Slide Brook which will intersect the R trail.  This is very likely the most direct descent of Macomb that is possible.  See also the Macomb page by clicking the button at the top of this page.

 
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0451_Macomb.gif (347728 bytes)  The summit of Macomb. This is a very small knoll at the top of the West Face Slide.  The trail to it from S. Dix is very well defined near the knoll.

 

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0449_Macomb.gif (190167 bytes)  Macomb's nubble.  Photo from the summit.
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0448_Macomb.gif (164849 bytes)  Summit Panorama #1:  Elk Lake with Clear Pond to its left. 

 

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0447_Macomb.gif (180377 bytes)  Summit Panorama #2:  Redfield, Cliff, Pinnacle, Allen
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0446_Macomb.gif (214163 bytes)  Summit Panorama #3:  The Great Range in the background with Marcy.  The Colvin Range center. and Nipple Top in the right middle ground.		 25
0444_Macomb.gif (615743 bytes)  Basin and Saddleback.
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0437_Macomb.gif (275031 bytes)  The views of Elk Lake continue during the descent.  The view is to the SW and Boreas Mtn lies just beyond the lake.		 More photos of Macomb

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