Advice on Dix Range traverse

[five_head]

My son and I are planning on a Dix range traverse this weekend from Elk Lake and I'm looking for advice on the 'best' way to tackle this hike. What are the pros and cons of the following:

Hike clockwise (Dix, Hough, S. Dix, E. Dix, S. Dix, Macomb) or;
Hike counter-clockwise (Macomb, S. Dix, E. Dix. S. Dix, Hough, Dix)

Also, what are the pros and cons of using the Hunter's Pass trail or the Beckhorn trail?

[Neil]

From Elk Lake I think the Beckhorn trail is shorter than HP.

I did the range via the counter clockwise route and here's what I didn't like about that: when you finally get to the bottom of the Beckhorn Trail (it will be long) you have 4 very long miles to go. There is a 250 foot climb in there that is a real killer. Getting the 4 mile walk and most of the vertical out of the way first might be best.

Others may say its not a great idea to descend the rubbly Macomb slide at the end a long day and they'll have a good point.

Also the views as you go from Hough towards Dix are smashing.

Flip a coin.

You might finish in the dark.

[five_head]

Neil,

Thanks for the info. My instinct tells me to tackle Dix first for the reasons you mentioned. I like getting the vertical done early.

And we plan at starting in the dark, so hopefully we won't be finishing in the dark. I'd rather put my headlamp on in the beginning (knowing that I can take it off soon) than having to put it on at the end wondering how long I'll need it.

[AntlerPerak]

My son and I are planning on a Dix range traverse this weekend from Elk Lake and I'm looking for advice on the 'best' way to tackle this hike. What are the pros and cons of the following:

Hike clockwise (Dix, Hough, S. Dix, E. Dix, S. Dix, Macomb) or;
Hike counter-clockwise (Macomb, S. Dix, E. Dix. S. Dix, Hough, Dix)

Also, what are the pros and cons of using the Hunter's Pass trail or the Beckhorn trail?

I don't see any advantage to using the Hunter Pass route when doing a range traverse ( loop ) from Elk Lake. It is a long trip as it is without adding the extra distance.

If you hike clockwise you will either have to descend the slide on Macomb or back up to the Macomb/Carson col and follow the herd path down. Descending the slide is problematic because it will occur near the end of an ardous hike, ( tired more chance for a misstep ) Also a lot of people are "nervous" over steep exposed descents. I have heard there are issues of blowdown along the herd paths on the flanks of Carson and Hough. Have not been in there recently so I cannot say with certainty how it is only what I have heard.

Hiking counter-clockwise will afford a good ascent of the Macomb slides while you are fresh. I have always felt ascending slides is far easier than descending. Once above the slides the herd path offers no serious exposure to create problems. The ridge line herd path is generally a good easy to follow route. There are old herd paths descending from the col between Macomb and Carson and again after the false summit between Carson and Hough. As I said blowdown may cause problems. But they do offer an escape route if needed and you do not have to force yourself all the way to the Beckhorn if conditions dictate an early exit.

The ridge herd path enters Dix proper at the Beckhorn. The Hunters pass trail is on the north side requiring descending to the north 400 feet and loop back around the Mountain to connect to the Elk Lake trail. This is why I question returning that way. It may be less steep but even that is debatetable. Looking at the map it appears similar in steepness. Likely all you will accomplish is to add miles when you are already tired. This is only my opinion and why I say the direct route south from the summit is a better choice.

I don't recall how long it took me to do this one but leaving the parking lot at eight am we walked out from Slide Brook Lean-to using the flash lights. At any rate unless you are a fast hiker used to long strenous hikes allow 12 hours or more to do this. Good luck it is a great trip.

[AntlerPerak]

You are right Neil, "Others may say its not a great idea to descend the rubbly Macomb slide at the end a long day and they'll have a good point."

I think that point is the crucial one as it is more psychological as people who have difficulty with descending long steep loose rock slides put themselves at risk. So it comes back to comfort level on this call.

I agree with climbing the higher one first as that is the way I usually do things. But the slide in this case is where one must consider their comfort level.

[TEO]

I would definitely encourage starting with Macomb. Its slide is a fun and easy climb, with terrific views. I think that the Beckhorn trail on Dix is awful--very washed out, so I'd suggest enjoying the slide on the way up and putting up with the Beckhorn on the descent. The climb from Carson>Pough>Hough>Dix is not bad at all, at least in my opinion, so I wouldn't worry about putting Dix, the highest at the end. Dix at the end puts an exclamation point or three on the trip. Then its just a matter of suffering on the way down and out.

Two reminders:

A) Carry lots of water.
B) Make sure you spend the time going over to the top of the Great Slide on Grace. It is at least a hundred yards North of the actual summit, but it is too cool to miss.

[Neil]

Make sure you spend the time going over to the top of the Great Slide on Grace. It is at least a hundred yards North of the actual summit, but it is too cool to miss.

Ditto that. Been up it twice and down it once.

[five_head]

B) Make sure you spend the time going over to the top of the Great Slide on Grace. It is at least a hundred yards North of the actual summit, but it is too cool to miss.[/QUOTE]


I'm not familiar with Grace. Where exactly are you talking about?

[TEO]

I'm not familiar with Grace. Where exactly are you talking about?

Grace=East Dix
Carson=South Dix

[Neil]

Grace = East Dix

There is a slide that runs down the NW side of it.

[five_head]

Thanks again. I wasn't aware of the 'alternate' names for these peaks.

[Mavs00]

five_head, Here is a link to an -OLD THREAD-.

It gives some details and provides links to even more info (and also shows how naive our Kevin was back in the beginning )

[Kevin]

Done the range twice now, both as day hikes.

Both times counter clockwise (Macomb first). The extra mileage over to east dix is something you'll feel at the end of the day, but it's probably my favorite part of the entire trip (second is macomb's slide and third would be Dix).

The way I see it - once you get to the final ascent up Dix you really don't have a choice but to climb, or hunker down for the night. It's a rough ascent at the end of the day, but for me going down the macomb slide would be a nightmare in a tired state. The beckhorn trail isn't too terrible going down, just near the top you need to pay attention and be a little cautious. There used to be a bail out point between Hough and Dix, but I was told that the lower section of this herd path (think it used to be called the Lillian Brook trail) is an intense field of blow down and it would actually be easier to climb Dix than to try and navigate the blowdown!

The dix range is a ton of fun but a strenuous hike.

[Kevin]

(and also shows how naive our Kevin was back in the beginning )

Back then? Ask me about bears, you may still hold me in low regard .

In a way it was funny to read that because I do know a couple thousand times more now than I did then. Still don't know much about this carson person though, and just don't seem to have time to learn much about the history apart from what I get second-hand chatting on the trail. History never was my thing - I'm a computer geek so my technology interests in history changes every six months.

[percious]

Emily and I had an interesting discussion last night...

Our child due in April will carry the name of either Grace or Carson.



Yeah, I support the name changes.

-percious