The mountain was reportedly first climbed in 1807 by a man named Rykert in the course of surveying the town line.[4] The peak was given its current name by state geologist Ebenezer Emmons, who named it in 1837 after John Adams Dix, who was the Secretary of State of New York at the time, and later became the state's governor.[9]
Ascent routes
Approaching from Elk Lake to the south, hikers can climb the mountain from several routes. The Hunters Pass Trail begins at the Elk Lake parking lot and is closed during the big game hunting season. It proceeds north, parallel to the Dix Range, and passes through Hunter's Pass before intersecting the Round Pond Trail, after which it turns and ascends Dix mountain from the north. This route is 7.4 miles (11.9 km) and involves and elevation gain of 2,800 feet (850 m). Lean-tos are located along the trail at Slide Brook, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) from the trailhead, and Lillian Brook, 3.6 miles (5.8 km) from the trailhead.[10] An alternative route is to take the Dix Trail from its junction with the Hunters Pass Trail along a steeper but shorter route to Beckhorn and from there to the summit. This route is 6.6 miles (10.6 km) from the Elk Lake parking lot to the summit.[11] Hikers wishing to cover other peaks in the Dix Range can follow an unmarked trail to the summit of Macomb Mountain, or follow an unmarked trail from Lillian Brook to the ridge between Hough Peak, South Dix, and Macomb Mountain, and travel north on the crest ridge.[12][5]
Dix Mountain can also be approached from the north on the Round Pond Trail beginning at New York State Route 73, which is maintained by the Adirondack Forty-Sixers. The trail is 7.4 miles (11.9 km) to the summit for an elevation gain of 3,200 feet (980 m). A lean-to is located 4.6 miles (7.4 km) from the trailhead. At 6.7 miles (10.8 km), this trail has a junction with the Hunter's Pass Trail from Elk lake, before turning up the ridge of the mountain to the summit.[8]
A history of landslides has left Dix Mountain with several slide tracks which can be climbed instead of hiking. The Buttress Slide on the western face of the mountain can be accessed from the Hunters Pass Trail 5.5 miles (8.9 km) from Elk Lake and continues 1,450 feet (440 m) to the summit with 900 feet (270 m) of elevation gain. The climb is rated a 5.4 on the Yosemite Decimal System due to the slope and features.[13]
Climate
Climate data for Dix Mountain 44.0829 N, 73.7822 W, Elevation: 4,288 ft (1,307 m) (1991–2020 normals)
^"PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 20, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.
.jpg)
