A day in the Dixes

Elk Lake gleams below me on a slightly overcast day It’s getting close to the end of winter and I wanted to get out in the Adirondacks at least once more. Decided to take a “March Break” day and go for a walk in the Dixes on a mild day (+4C). The forecast called for sunny skies earlier with storm clouds rolling in the afternoon so I figured I would be in good shape… but the overcast skies when I arrived didn’t bode well. Left the winter trailhead about 9am and made the easy road walk 2 miles up to the actual summer parking and trailhead. From there it was another short walk to Slide brook leanto, where the actually climbing started. Climbing up the herdpath I was reminded that these “pseudo” trails are tight and scratchy, and doubly so in winter. It meant a lot of mini battles with spruce trees and a lot of hunching under low branches all day… but the extra work pays off in remote locations. My first view of the slide on Macomb mountain I found a lot of rock exposed. The past weekend I had read lots of reports about people enjoying great glissades down the 800ft slide… but a couple warm days of rain had rendered that impossibilityfor me now. The snow pack – where it existed - provided good grip for the snowshoes but it was hard and crusty and – as mentioned - a lot of rocky sections would make for a pretty painful “2 minute descent”. The Macomb slide - 800 vertical feet of fun Topped out on Macomb and enjoyed the limited views as the clouds swirled around me. Finally, after some snacks and pictures I headed off along the ridgeline for my next peak - Carson. Lots of little “dead ends” and false trails along the ridge but for the most part they are well marked with sticks blocking the wrong path so I only got briefly off trail once. The climb up Carson was a little more exposed and in line with the prevailing winds so I moved up quickly to gain the shelter of the trees at the top. After cresting the summit I didn’t waste much time and headed on to the third peak – Grace. A distant view of the high peaks About the best views of the day as a couple of little patches of blue soared overhead. I enjoyed both the main lookout points before heading back to Carson and the decision of the day. By the time I got back to Carson, the clouds engulfed the higher peaks and it started to snow. It was here that I had to decide to push on to the higher 2 peaks of the range or bag it and head down. With the high peaks now clouded over, and I assumed the storms clouds arriving, I opted to leave Hough and Dix for another day and head down Lillian brook. Of course by the time I got to the bottom of the brook path, the clouds had moved on and the sun came out! So it goes – there will be other days I’m sure. Snow clouds "appear" to move in - which fooled me! The path down Lillian brook was interesting. The brook itself was roaring along after the warm weather and rains of the previous days. Most (if not all) of the snow bridges across the brook were out making for some interesting “full body workouts” clambering down from the snowpack(about 1m deep) into the brook, scramble/rock hop/leap/splash across… and then clamber up the far bank. This was repeated numerous times as the herdpath goes back and forth (and back and forth andbackandforthandbackandforth…) across the brook. Finally left the brook behind for good and there was nothing for it but the long walk back to the car (now in the warm sunshine!) With the sun out, the snow pack was a little softer on the main trail out which led to a few shallow snowshoe postholes. The gravel road was certainly getting a little squishy so the spring weather was having its way. Dix and Hough before the clouds engulfed them - I'll be back! Discovered – back at the car – that my toque, which I had carefully stowed in my pocket after passing the leanto, had quietly liberated itself on my walk out. Debated putting up some “Lost toque” posters… but decided it was now old enough to be on its own… unless the guys behind me picked it up and brought it out. I now find out I’ve lost a collector’s item as you can’t get those toques anymore. We’ll have to see what Stephen decides to do with a “name change” before I get a new toque. Trying to stay out of political debate here. For those that know what I’m talking about – feel free to read into it my displeasure with that idea. For those that are a little lost by these last statements… Enough to say - I lost my toque… But that didn’t ruin my day in the Dixes. As always, there are more pictures HERE