Dix Mountain
Encyclopedia
Dix Mountain is the sixth highest peak in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park, and is located roughly on the boundary between the towns of North Hudson
and Keene
in Essex County
, New York
. The peak was named in 1837 after John Dix
(1798–1879), who was the Secretary of State of New York
at the time, and later became the state's governor
.
While it stands somewhat south of the main High Peaks region (and in fact is at the center of its own Dix Mountain Wilderness Area
) and is more difficult to reach and steep and challenging to climb, the mountain enjoys great popularity with serious hikers
not only due to its status as a required peak for Adirondack Forty-Sixers but for open views of the region from its summit, almost as good as those to be found at nearby Mount Marcy with far less crowds.
Dix is also the gateway to four other High Peaks in the Dix Range, all of them, unlike Dix itself, officially trailless: Hough, Macomb
, South Dix and East Dix. One of the most difficult Adirondack peakbagging
challenges is to do all five in the same day; while many have, most hikers prefer to break the trips up into separate assaults on Dix and/or one of the others.
The mountain was reportedly first climbed by a man named Rykert in the course of surveying
the town line.
Hikers commonly choose to climb Dix from the south by taking the Elk Lake Trail from the similarly named lake toward Hunters Pass, where a spur leads up to Dix. Less frequently, a lengthy northern ascent can start from the Ausable Club
in St. Huberts.
North Hudson, New York
North Hudson is a town in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 266 at the 2000 census. The town derives its name by being by the north end of the Hudson River....
and Keene
Keene, New York
Keene is a town in central Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 1,063 at the 2000 census. Keene is the home of Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in New York state, as well as the Great Range and 15 of the 46 High Peaks, and the Ausable Lakes, the source of the Ausable River...
in Essex County
Essex County, New York
Essex County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 39,370. Its name is from the English county of Essex. Its county seat is Elizabethtown...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The peak was named in 1837 after John Dix
John Adams Dix
John Adams Dix was an American politician from New York. He served as Secretary of the Treasury, U.S. Senator, and the 24th Governor of New York. He was also a Union major general during the Civil War.-Early life and career:...
(1798–1879), who was the Secretary of State of New York
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
at the time, and later became the state's governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
.
While it stands somewhat south of the main High Peaks region (and in fact is at the center of its own Dix Mountain Wilderness Area
Dix Mountain Wilderness Area
The Dix Mountain Wilderness Area, an Adirondack Park unit of New York's Forest Preserve, is located in the towns of Elizabethtown, Keene and North Hudson, Essex County...
) and is more difficult to reach and steep and challenging to climb, the mountain enjoys great popularity with serious hikers
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
not only due to its status as a required peak for Adirondack Forty-Sixers but for open views of the region from its summit, almost as good as those to be found at nearby Mount Marcy with far less crowds.
Dix is also the gateway to four other High Peaks in the Dix Range, all of them, unlike Dix itself, officially trailless: Hough, Macomb
Macomb Mountain
Macomb Mountain is a mountain located in Essex County, New York.The mountain is named after Maj.Gen. Alexander Macomb , who won acclaim during the War of 1812 at the Battle of Plattsburgh, and served as Commanding General of the United States Army .Macomb Mountain is part of the Dix Range, and is...
, South Dix and East Dix. One of the most difficult Adirondack peakbagging
Peak bagging
Peak bagging is an activity in which hillwalkers and mountaineers attempt to reach the summit of some collection of peaks, usually those above some height in a particular region, or having a particular feature.Peak bagging can be distinguished from highpointing...
challenges is to do all five in the same day; while many have, most hikers prefer to break the trips up into separate assaults on Dix and/or one of the others.
The mountain was reportedly first climbed by a man named Rykert in the course of surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
the town line.
Hikers commonly choose to climb Dix from the south by taking the Elk Lake Trail from the similarly named lake toward Hunters Pass, where a spur leads up to Dix. Less frequently, a lengthy northern ascent can start from the Ausable Club
Ausable Club
__notoc__The Ausable Club, in St. Huberts, New York, is the name of a club and the clubhouse of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve , which was formed in 1887 to save the lands around Beede's Hotel from lumbering. The Reserve once owned most of the Adirondack High Peaks...
in St. Huberts.