Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 44.06000°N / 73.774°W
Additional Information Elevation: 4060 ft / 1237 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview


Number thirty-seven in order of height in the Adirondacks South Dix is noteworthy for standing in the middle of the best ridge walk in the area. One can quickly bag at least three other high peak in an afternoon by simply by walking along this rather short ridge. The summit is completely bald and offers some fine scrambling across spectacular open rocks to the summit.

The view is basically identical to that of East Dix or Macomb but it is made a little more dramatic by the openness of the peak

At one time there was a summit register on the peak, which consisted of a large orange plastic tube, bolted to a rock onto summit. This one and I believe all of the other summit logs have been removed by the ADK 46ers over the past summer of 2001. New State regulations and an ethic of “leave no trace” within in the club brought about their removal.

The normal route to the summit it to come in along the Elk Lake trail (See Dix Mountain) and first climb up Macomb and follow the ridge down to the col between the two peaks and then up to summit.

In fine weather all three mountains on the ridge can be easily traversed but if it does close in navigation back to camp quickly becomes a problem hence the need for good backcountry navigation skills.


Getting There


To reach the Elk Lake trailhead one must leave the Adirondack Motorway (interstate 87) at exit 29 (North Hudson) then go W for 4 miles on Blue Ridge Rd. following the signs for Newcomb. Turn R off Blue Ridge Rd. onto a gravel road marked with a sign for Elk Lake Lodge. At 5.2 miles there is a parking lot on the right just before the road drops down to Elk Lake.

Please remember that this part of the trail is on private land so please be respectful of this. As well this trailhead and all private land around Elk Lake is closed during the Big Game Season i.e. Hunting, Guns, Beer, Elmer Fudd’s running amok in the woods. The season is from the next to last Saturday in October to the first Sunday in December. Usually this is well posted at the parking lot but if unsure check at the clubhouse.

In winter the road is only usually plowed as far as clear pond about 3.3 mile from Blue Ridge Road. It might be possible to park here, never tried myself, this alone adds over 6 miles to your trip making for at least a 9 mile hike before you are allowed to camp.


Red Tape


The frist part of the Trial from Elk Lake is on private land please observe these simple rules

1) No camping, fishing or hunting
2) No off-trail travel including rock climbing or bushwhacking, or use of non public trail
3) No boating or swimming, including portable boats brought by the public
4) NO DOGS or other pets are permitted unless on a leash

The trailhead is closed from the next to last Saturday in October to the first Sunday in December for hunting season.

When To Climb


Any time of year is fine just remeber this is normally a two night hike. One day into a base camp, the next day to climb and then the next day to hike out.

In winter the ski along the ridge line of Macomb, South and East Dix is quite fine but it is quite hard to find a good line up to the top of the ridge.

Camping


Except on the private land around Elk Lake as noted in red tape the same apply as for all Adirondack mountians.

1) No Camping above 4,000 feet
2) No camping withing 150 feet of a stream or other water source except at a designated campsite.
3) No soap or washing withing 150 feet of water
4) Pack it in Pack it out is the rule for garbage
5) Only dead and down wood can be used for fires and set in a proper fire pit. ( local etiquette is to use a stove and not a fire)


Mountain Conditions


some good links

ADk 46ers
Adirondack Hiking Portal

What's in a Name


Another mountian that does not have a very original name but let me use this space for some info on the ADK 46ers summit logs.

These logs are now gone and have been replace by simple signs, except South Dix, East Dix, Hough and Esther since they have poity top bits as sign is not needed.

This club has logs that date back to the 1940s and made for very interesting reading (If you are ito that kind of thing). They were open to anyone and the names that were in them read like a whos who of US hiking and climbing.

Here is a brief quote for the ADK46er site on whay they where removed and what has taken thier place.

As many of you know, conditions on the peaks have changed dramatically from the early years when the trailless peaks were visited infrequently. With the present volume of traffic the canisters have become simply the end of a well-defined path rather than the end of a long bushwhack. Their purpose can be served as well by a sign on those peaks where there is some doubt as to the high point. We believe that marking the high points will assist in protecting the fragile alpine environments.

As a club, the 46ers have embarked on a major effort to educate the public in "leave no trace" principles. What better example can we give than this action which expands our commitment to the High Peaks Wilderness? Of course, we all feel a little sadness at the passing of an era. The canisters have enabled people to share their experiences with others. It is our hope that the organization, by its very existence and through the efforts of the Historian's Office, Peeks, and the Web site can continue this important sense of community. Despite this feeling of regret, the Executive Committee is confident that it has made the right decision as we enter the twenty-first century.

We ask all of you to help spread the word that the canisters have been removed and replaced with brown signs with yellow lettering that identify the summit. Please do not leave pieces of paper or other markings to document your presence at the summits as this is no longer necessary to officially record your climbs of the trailless peaks. Treat the untrailed summits as you do the trailed peaks. Continue to climb and enjoy these wonderful and special mountains, but "leave no trace."




Children

Children

Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. For example, the Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children.