Mt. Dix via Round Pond

Hike Name: Mt. Dix via Round Pond Location: northeast NY Length: 13.4 Submitted by: B. Washburn Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more New York trail reviews New York national parks New York state parks
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Description
Mt. Dix, beginning @ Round Pond and ending @ Elk Lake. Trai lstarts with moderate ascent to Round Pond (0.6m). It circumvents the pond and continues at a moderate grade to junction with Old Dix trail and Felix Adler trail (2.3m). Leveling off the trail parallels the Boquet R. before reaching the Boquet R. lean-to (4.2 m). Crossing the river, the trail grade increases and begins the ascent of the lower flanks of Dix. Crossing and recrossing several brooks the trail ascends through deciduous forest and reaches the jumbled base of several slide scars (5.8m). Rest here, viewing the exposed bedrock of at least 6 slides; ponder the power of such an event; and visualize the thin rocky soil being ripped from the smooth but steep anorthosite mountain slope like a carpet. Continue up the the slide scar for a short distance before veering to the right and beginning the onslaught straight up Dix. The trail climbs steeply (1600 ft in 1m) reaching the junction with the Hunter's Pass trail at 6.4m. The grade eases slightly and breaks out onto the narrow rectangular summit of Mt. Dix (6.8m). Take a moment to relax on the windswept summit and gaze out at the magnificent kingdom before you. From this vantage point view Giant, the Great Range, and glimpses of Marcy. The trail traverses the glaciated summit first along a cirque that faces to the southwest, offering outstanding views of Elk Lake. The trail crosses the narrow arete' and traverses the headwall of a second cirque that faces northeast. Stand amongst the stunted trees and wonder how they can grow on this nearly vertical face. Follow the trail to the rocky knob of the Beckhorn. Here a third cirque facing the south is encountered (quite possibly making Dix an under developed horn). Atop Beckhorn a well trodded herd path descends along an arete' to the southeast, leading to Hough Peak, South Dix, and Macomb Mtn. However a small patch of blowdown severely obscures the path just short of Hough Peak. From the top of the Beckhorn, the Beckhorn trail turns sharply to the right and descends steeply through the wooded forest towards Elk Lake. Small isolated patches of blowdown make the going slow and the trail difficult to follow at times. Continue the decline through several areas of blowdown, rejoining Hunter's Pass trail at 9.1m. Blowdown grows in size and number from here to Lillian Brook lean-to (9.7m). From here the blowdown grows in size to that of football fields and resembling large puzzle pieces separated by narrow rows of standing trees. The entire region is annihilated. Progrees and time seem to slow to a stand still and the trail is extremely difficult if not impossible to follow or locate, especially if you are not familiar with the area. A good map and strong compass skills are a necessity since the path of least resistance and patterns of fallen trees will likely push you far off the trail. Our path zigzagged up, over, under, and around blowdown as our destination wavered from Slide Brook lean-to and East Inlet. Finally pushed so far off the trail we committed ourselves to East Inlet and bushwhacked through the entanglemnt of trees to the west. Reaching East Inlet, the stream descends into a moderate ravine, offering a well deserved respite from the blowdown. Following East Inlet, you reach a small clearing and several private trails about 0.5m north of Elk Lake and east of Beech Ridge. Continue to follow East Inlet south. Blowdown eventually convrges on the stream making land travel slow and arduous. Hiking down the middle of the stream, however, provides a refreshing change of pace and offers discovery of wildlife tracks such as bear, coyote, and deer in the sand bar deposits. Upon reaching Elk Lake (n end), the blowdown recedes east and the private trail remains passable. The trail follows the the east shoreline, but veers sharply to the east about 0.5 north of the new Elk Lake Lodge. Once again the trail enters blowdown, although the trail can be followed with some difficulty. Alternatively, it is easier to bushwhack along the shoreline, heading south to the new Elk Lake Lodge. Follow the private road south to the Elk Lake trailhead only to find a sign posted on the Dix trail that reads "Trail Closed Due To Heavy Blowdown". Mt Dix is an awesome mt to experience alpine glaciated terrain. The views are tremendous and the ascent from Round Pond builds with anticipation. The route descending down the Beckhorn to Elk Lake is not for the faint-hearted. The trail is physically and mentally demanding especially carrying a full pack. The desimated area is tough on equipment including any soft lashed on equipment such as sleeping pads. Therefore a return trip from the Dix summit back to Round Pond (making sure to traverse the summit to Beckhorn) would be more enjoyable- at least until the Elk Lake section can be cleared and an extended trip to Panther Gorge and return via the Great Range can be accomplished.

Directions to Hike
Take Route 73 exit from I-87. Follow Rte 73 northwest. Trail head is ~3.1 m north of intersection of Rtes 9 & 73.

Contact Information
Adirondack Park
Route 30
Box 3000
Paul Smiths, NY 12970
(518) 327-3000

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