Dix Mountain from Round Pond - 2/23/14



The Dix Trail from Round Pond in the Dix Mountain Wilderness is one of my favorite trails.  I've never had good visibility when I've hiked it in winter though, and while my wife Leesa has climbed Dix, she had never been up this trail before.  That was all the motivation I needed to decide it should be our plan for today.

 

We were on the trail at 8:30.  After reaching Round Pond in .5 miles, the trail climbs about 500' before following a roughly level course all the way to the Boquet lean-to.   

 

 

Boquet lean-to

 

The lean-to was occupied as we passed by.  It often is, even in the winter, especially on weekends.  Once passed the lean-to, the trail climbs at a moderate grade until you cross a slide.  After this point, the stretch of trail that follows is the steepest trail in the high peaks.

 

Fortunately, the hard packed snow was perfect for climbing and we had no difficulties, other than the steepness. 

 

View of Noonmark and Giant from the slide

 

The temperature was in the low 30's and we were blessed to have some blue skies for the majority of the day.  Leesa was dragging as we ascended the steep pitch, but she just plugged along at a slow steady pace.

 

The pitch eases up as the ridge trail is reached.  The remainder of the hike up the ridge is quite easy compared to most final approaches.

  

 

 

Pretty ice in the trees

 

I couldn't believe it, but the wind died down shortly before we reached the summit and we were lucky to have a relatively calm summit visit.

 

Approaching treeline

 

 

 

 

 

The views in all directions from Dix are stunning... the Great Range, Giant & Rocky Peak, Elk Lake, East Dix, Lake Champlain, and on and on...

The Great Range 

 

Rev on the summit ridge

 

Rev looking down at us

 

Elk Lake

 

 

 

Panorama

 Of course I could have gone on snapping pictures all day, but you get the idea.  Summits on days like today are awesome.

 



The summit

 

Spotted Mountain and East Dix (Grace)

 

The Great Range again

 

Trees fighting the ice

 

 

 

 

Giant and Rocky Peak

 

a closer look and Giant and Rocky Peak

We went down the same way we went up.  Leesa practiced her butt sliding on the way down and I ran ahead of her in case I had to stop her.  Even Rev was a little unsure of the steep pitch on the way down.  Fortunately there was almost no ice to deal with and everything went smoothly on the descent.  This is still one of my favorite trails!

 

 

Trailhead sign

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  13.4 miles

Hike Time:  7.5 hours, including stops

Total Vertical Gain:  ~3500'    

 

Our Route (click image to enlarge)