Dix Range in Winter

[mdavis]

I know this is a weird time to be posting this but I was just wondering which route most people take in Winter. I was going to go up this weekend and make a GPS track. When I did this before in summer I went up Macomb from Slide Brook then S Dix, E Dix, S Dix, Hough, and Dix then back down.

But I assume that the Elk Lake parking area is closed in winter (or is it?), or is at least not travelable without a 4 wheel drive. Which leaves you with Rt 73 and going up the Slide on East Dix (oops I mean Grace peak) or the Round Pond trail (which is long).

What do think?

Also I've never been up the East Dix slide. Any tips on finding this route would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Peakbagr]

The Elk Lake road is plowed as far as Clear Pond where there is a gate by the caretaker's cabin. You can then ski or snowshoe from there for the southern approach to the peaks.
Another approach is from rt 73 and in towards Grace Peak.
Can also approach from the direction of the Northway up the West Mill brook drainage to Macomb-Carson.
Finally, the more northerly approach from rte 73 takes you right up the trail up Dix.

 

[NYBRAD]

I think "most people" take the route that has the less resistance in winter.
That means what ever has been broken out.
Thanks to the internet and this site, that's not too hard to do anymore. With out this, it's a whole differant ball game.
The chances of E Grace slide being packed out is slim. Also you might have to stay in the trees and scrub to avoid slides and loose snow once you reach the slide..

Dix via round pond is almost always packed out now days unless it's just after a storm.
That’s my favorite approach to the Dix range.
It's also my favorite glissade off the range too. You can almost glissade from the summit of Dix, to the base of the slides. It's steep!

I've accessed the range from the Macomb slide in winter also, but just after Floyd. That was an interesting trip to say the least. Not very enjoyable until we reached the ridge line.
Usually you can drive at least to the gate and clear pond. From there it's either not plowed or locked. It only adds about 2 miles to the trip and it's usually plowed. Makes for a nice ski in. That whole trail is skied quite often.

Recently I've heard of the Lindsay Brook Northway route being used more often. I’ve not tried it yet, but I'd like to this winter.

On all my over night trips in winter on the Dix range, we stayed at the col between S Dix and Hough. I'm not sure if your talking about doing the range in a day or not. But unless the conditions are perfect, all four can be pretty tough in a day. Not that it can't be done, but I think your chances for all four in one trip are better planning an overnight on the ridge. Especially if there is deep snow or bad weather and you are breaking trail.

Or do what I do,
Bring a human snow plow like Jimmy Mac, or The Crow Monster, or The Bushnell Brush Buster.

The bigger the trail breaking party, the sooner you’ll be back in front of the fire at the LP Brewery!

 

[mdavis]

Thanks for the Info!!

Thanks. I didn't think about skiing in but that's a good idea.

 

[KZKlimber]

Skiing from Elk Lake

The skiing is pretty good from Clear Pond all the way to the Slide Brook lean-to. Mostly straight ahead with even grade. The road is mostly downhill towards the end which is a great relief at the end of the day. I've not done the Macomb Slide with snow cover, but I've read reports where crampons and ice axe were needed in certain icy conditions.

I've gone up Grace Slide when it was wet and icy - not a fun trip, resorted to bushwhacking up the right side. It gets very steep at the end.