C
Cliff Reiter
Guest
This is a trail-less route that follws the herd path from Rt 73 to the S Boquet, then ascends Etown #4 and follows a long ridge to Spotted Mtn and then E Dix (Grace) from which it descends the slide and returns to Rt 73 via the herdpath. This is a route that I have previously recommended against (Witness the forever wild) since the bushwacks between open rock on the ridge can be difficult. It is only for very expereinced Dix wilderness hikers. But it was a lot of fun and footprints show someone else recently did similar. Very long, 12+ hr, 12.7 mile, 4600ft cumulative ascent.
The herd path from Rt73 to the South Boquet is easy going except one long detour to avoid beaver flooded ground. The ridge was dry and the main concern was selecting a route to maximize rock walking and minimize bushwacking. Generally staying on the south side of the ridge was more open, but there were some exceptions at the ends of bumps. Nearing East Dix (Grace) it is possible to follow game (coyote I expect) paths and minimize the difficulty of bushwacking. Be sure to follow the herd path across the summit to the view toward the south and the "official summit. The "usual" start of the descent onto the slide was marked with a cairn on a flat patch of rock looking north; the slide is steep but fairly straightforward. At the base of the slide, a herd path on the WEST side of the slide provides easy going. It eventually crosses to the east side, although we seemed to follow the west side route longer than most. The herd path is fairly easy going, but in places requires alertness because it is indistinct. Once the brook from Dix is crossed, (near a designated camp) the herd path is much easier to follow. A pause at Shoe Box falls on the way out (0.7 miles from the road) offers a cool break.
Map and photos:
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~reiterc/hikes/adir/2008/08/index.html
Cliff Reiter ([email protected])
The herd path from Rt73 to the South Boquet is easy going except one long detour to avoid beaver flooded ground. The ridge was dry and the main concern was selecting a route to maximize rock walking and minimize bushwacking. Generally staying on the south side of the ridge was more open, but there were some exceptions at the ends of bumps. Nearing East Dix (Grace) it is possible to follow game (coyote I expect) paths and minimize the difficulty of bushwacking. Be sure to follow the herd path across the summit to the view toward the south and the "official summit. The "usual" start of the descent onto the slide was marked with a cairn on a flat patch of rock looking north; the slide is steep but fairly straightforward. At the base of the slide, a herd path on the WEST side of the slide provides easy going. It eventually crosses to the east side, although we seemed to follow the west side route longer than most. The herd path is fairly easy going, but in places requires alertness because it is indistinct. Once the brook from Dix is crossed, (near a designated camp) the herd path is much easier to follow. A pause at Shoe Box falls on the way out (0.7 miles from the road) offers a cool break.
Map and photos:
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~reiterc/hikes/adir/2008/08/index.html
Cliff Reiter ([email protected])
