Dix or Nippletop in ADKs

[amigo]

Hi.

My friend and I are considering hiking up either Dix or Nippletop this coming weekend, weather permitting. Anyone been up these recently? What are the trails like?

How long, approximately, to hike round-trip from route 73 (to Dix) or Lake Road entrance off route 73 to Nippletop - we're not novices. If we did Nippletop, we may consider doing a loop trip.

Thanks.

 

[Tom Rankin]

How long, approximately, to hike round-trip from route 73 (to Dix) or Lake Road entrance off route 73 to Nippletop - we're not novices. If we did Nippletop, we may consider doing a loop trip.

Don't have any recon, but the trip to Dix from 73 is about 12.5 miles with about 3500' of climbing.

Nippletop (with Dial, is this what you mean by a loop?) is actually more climbing, due to the up/down/up/down factor. Laurie and I did them both together last Winter during daylight hours, so it was not terribly long in terms of time/distance. We hike a little faster than average. The road walk speeds things up for this hike.

 

[amigo]

Dix/Nippletop

Going up via Dial to Nippletop and returning via Gill Brook would be a possible loop.

Just to confirm that from route 73 (Chapel Pond) to Dix is really 12.5 miles round-trip.

Thanks.

 

[Gandalf]

As far as time goes, it would take me (depending on conditions) between 6 1/2 and 8 hours to do either hike. Although the Dix hike involves less total climbing, the portion of the trail to the right of the slide is rough and steep enough in spots to slow me down some.

I haven't climbed Dix this year, but the Dial-Nippletop loop was in excellent condition about a month ago.

 

[TCD]

I hiked Dix earlier this year, and the trail is in good shape. The section by the slide is a little messy with some new blowdown, but it's short.

Regarding the summits, Nippletop is a little less exposed, just a rocky spot jutting up among the trees. Dix, which is about 150' higher, is a true open summit ridge, quite barren and exposed. Both have great views.

Highlights: Nippletop: Gill Brook, Elk Pass, Noonmark shoulder fire area, views of Great Range in the AM.
Dix: Round Pond, Boquet valley with excellent birch forest, open summit, slides.

No bad choices here!

TCD

 

[Pete_Hickey]

As far as times for Dix from Rte 73, I've been leading a blowdown sweep up there every spring for the past 10 years. (didn't make it across the Boquet this yeart, due to high water). We start at around 7:45, and are almost always back by 5:00.... But we're not just hiking. We stop from time to time to cut through some trees.

Nippletop... A good bit of the hike is on the road, so the miles go fast. The trails are almost always nice.. soft on the feet, relatively little mud. A good hike to do barefoot.

When on Nippletop, you have a fantastic close up view of Dix. On Dix, the view is more expansive.

 

[amigo]

Nippletop it is

Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I think we've decided to hike to Nippletop via Dial and loop back via the Gill Brook Trail. We'll consider Dix next hike out. Can't wait!