Dix Mountain Tract

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Dix Mountain Area contains 49 miles of marked and maintained trails and several miles of un-marked path. The trails provide hikers the opportunity to enjoy numerous mountains over 3,000 feet in elevation - nine of which have a summit elevation greater than 4,000 feet.

• Dix Mountain (4,857 ft.)
  • The Northern Trail to the summit of Dix Mountain begins at the Round Pound Trailhead off of Route 73. A parking area is located 0.1 mile north of the trailhead. The 6.8-mile (13.6 miles round trip) trail ascends 3,200 feet to the summit.
  • The Southern Trails to the summit of Dix Mountain begin at the Elk Lake Trailhead and parking area and extend 6.0 miles to the summit. The nearly 4.3 mile hike to a fork in the trail just past Dix Pond only ascends 400 feet. Hikers have a choice of two routes to the summit: the 3.1 mile hike through Hunters Pass which includes 2,400 feet in ascents or the 2.3 mile hike over Beckhorn which includes 2,200 feet of ascents. Many hikers hike up one trail and hike down the other for a 14.1 mile round trip.
• Dix Range Trailless Peaks include Macomb Mountain (4,405 ft.), South Dix (4,060 ft.), Hough Peak (4,400 ft.) and Grace Peak (4,012 ft.) (formerly East Dix). Climbs of the Dix Range Trailless Peaks begin at the Elk Lake Trailhead and parking area. While these peaks are trailless, public use has resulted in the creation of herd paths off the trail to Dix Mountain. Others use the unmarked Dix Range Crest Path to reach the summit of these four mountains. Herd paths are unmarked and may not be easy to follow, hikers should be prepared by carrying a map and a compass and know how to use them.

NOTE: The Elk Lake Trailhead and the first 2.3 miles of the trail accessing the Dix Mountain area are on private lands. The public has the right to use the trail but is prohibited from leaving the trail and trespassing on private lands. The trail is closed during northern zone regular big game hunting season. After big game hunting season, the trail reopens. However, beginning then, and through the winter and spring mud season, the public must park 2.0 miles back from the trailhead at the Clear Pond Parking Area.

• Noonmark Mountain and Round Mountain are generally accessed from one of the two trailheads near the Ausable Club Road Parking Area, though they can also be accessed from the Round Pond Trailhead. Ambitious hikers can hike a 7.1-mile loop to the summit of both of these peaks.
  • Round Mountain (3,060 ft.) offers views of the cliffs and slides of Giant Mountain. The direct trail to the summit is 2.3 miles from the Lake Road Trailhead with a 1,800-feet ascent. Coming down the other side and looping back provides a nearly 5.1-mile round trip hike back to the parking area.
  • Noonmark Mountain (3,556 ft.) provides views of the East Branch Ausable River Valley and the surrounding mountains. The Burns Weston Trailhead is 0.4 mile uphill of the parking area on the south side of the Ausable Club Road. The trail to the summit is 2.1 miles in length with a 2,175-foot ascent. Like Round Mountain, hikers can continue down the other side and loop back for a 6.2-mile round trip hike from the parking area.
• Bear Den Mountain (3,399 ft.), Dial Mountain (4,020 ft.) and Nippletop (4,620 ft.) can also be accessed from the Adirondack Mountain Reserve Trailhead (AMR) which is 0.5 mile up the road from the Ausable Club Road Parking Area. The trailhead for the Henry Goddard Leach Trail - the trail used to access these three mountains - is on Lake Road one mile from the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) Trailhead. A conservation easement allows the public to hike, ski, and snowshoe on designated, marked roads and trails within the reserve. Lake Road, within the AMR Conservation Easement is open to the public for foot traffic only. Be sure to read the AMR Conservation Easement webpage to be aware of site-specific rules such as "no dogs." The trail provides a number of views of the surrounding area.
  • Bear Den Mountain is 2.5 miles and 2,280 feet of ascent beyond Lake Road,
  • Dial Mountain is 3.8 miles and 3,060 feet of ascent beyond the road and
  • Nippletop is 5.8 miles and 4,000 feet of ascent beyond the road. From the summit of Nippletop, hikers can return to Lake Road via the Elk Pass and Colvin Range/Gill Brook Trail for a 14.0-mile round trip hike back to the parking area that avoids climbing over Bear Den and Dial Mountains again.
    • Short side trips can be made to Fish Hawk Cliffs and Indian Head to take in the views from these two prominences and views of Fairy Fall Ladder near the top of the trail and Artists Falls near the Lake Road.
    • Nippletop can be climbed by this route without having to climb Bear Den and Dial Mountains at all. This hike covers 6.6 miles from the parking area and ascends 2,760 feet, a 13.2-mile round trip.
• Mt. Colvin (4,057 ft.), Blake Mountain (3,980 ft.) and other peaks of the Colvin Range can also be accessed from the Ausable Club Road Parking Area via the Adirondack Mountain Reserve's Lake Road. Continue on the Lake Road 1.5 miles past the Henry Goddard Leach Trail to the Colvin Range/Gill Brook Trail.
  • The trail to the summit will take you 3.6 miles with a 2,330-foot ascent.
  • Hikers can continue another 1.4 miles to the summit of Blake Mountain, this hike includes a descent and then an ascent of 470 feet.

General information on backcountry camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are 33 designated primitive campsites and 3 lean-tos within the Dix Mountain Area. Most camp sites are located adjacent to streams or other water sources.

All designated primitive tents sites, campsites and lean-tos are available on a first come - first served basis and cannot be reserved. Designated campsites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc. Designated tent sites are for tents only. Tents or small campers can use designated campsites. There are no hook-ups for water or electricity at campsites.

Seven primitive campsites are located on the north end of Chapel Pond. These can be reached using a seasonal access road just north of the Chapel Pond Parking Area.

Four primitive campsites are located around Round Pond and can be accessed from the Round Pond Parking Area.

Five primitive campsites can be found along or nearby a 1.5-mile herd path along the North Fork of the Bouquet River leading to Lilypad Pond. These can be accessed from informal parking areas near the Route 73 Bridge over the river.

Another primitive campsite can be found at the end of a 1.8-mile herd path along the South Fork of the Bouquet River. It can be accessed from an informal parking area near the Route 73 Crossing over the river.

Seven primitive tent sites can be found along the Colvin Range Trail or close by on trails connected to the trail.

Eight campsites and two lean-tos are located along the trail from the Elk Lake Parking Area to Dix Pond.

One designated campsite and one lean-to can be found on the trail from the Round Pond Trailhead to the summit of Dix Mountain approximately 4.2 miles from the trailhead.

Camping between 3,500 feet and 4,000 feet is limited to designated campsites. Camping above 4,000 feet is prohibited.

Campers and hikers who prefer more amenities may camp at nearby DEC Sharp Bridge Campground. A short ride from the campground to any of the trailheads will provide the opportunity for numerous day hikes in the Dix Mountain Wilderness.

General information on fishing includes fishing tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations. You can ensure of continued good fishing opportunities in the future by fishing responsibly. If you have never been fishing but want to try, it's easy to learn how to fish.

All waters within the Dix Mountain Area are open to fishing. Anglers may use the same trailheads and trails as hikers, the same hand launches as paddlers, and the same camp sites as campers to access and fish these waters.

Chapel and Round Ponds are the most frequently fished waters in the wilderness, both of which offer camping and the opportunity for catching stocked brook trout. For a more remote trout fishing experience, individuals may wish to travel to one of the numerous small ponds in the interior, most notably, Cranberry, Lilypad and Rhododendron Ponds.

Adirondack/Lake Champlain Fishing provides information on fishing in the Adirondacks and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Help Protect Native Adirondack Fish; populations of brook trout, round whitefish and other native Adirondack fish species have severely declined due to introduced fish.

General information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Hunters may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, and hand launches used by paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Hunters can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

Hunting is allowed on all Forest Preserve lands. Hunters seeking solitude may find the southeastern area of the unit desirable because of its remoteness and lack of easy access. Popular areas of the unit for hunting include the West Mill, Lindsay and Niagara Brook drainages and the Bouquet River Area. Although popular due to its remoteness, it should be noted that the density of wildlife populations in this region of the Adirondacks is often considered relatively sparse. The remote southwestern portion of the wilderness can be accessed from Walker Brook and West Mill Brook Parking areas that can be accessed from Route 9.

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Trappers may use the parking areas, roads, seasonal access roads, trailheads, and trails used by hikers, and hand launches used by paddlers to access the lands and waters in this area. Trappers can park on the shoulders of seasonal access roads provided vehicles are out of the travel lane.

Trapping is allowed on all Forest Preserve lands. Hunters and trappers seeking solitude may find the southeastern area of the unit desirable because of its remoteness and lack of easy access. Popular areas of the unit for hunting include the West Mill, Lindsay and Niagara Brook drainages and the Bouquet River Area. Although popular due to its remoteness, it should be noted that the density of wildlife populations in this region of the Adirondacks is often considered relatively sparse. The remote southwestern portion of the wilderness can be accessed from Walker Brook and West Mill Brook Parking areas that can be accessed from Route 9.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Cross-country skiing is permitted on all hiking trails.

Lake Road, West River Trail, and the East River Trail, all in the nearby Adirondack Mountain Reserve, are popular with cross country skiers in the winter.

General information on snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Snowshoeing is permitted on all hiking trails.

Lake Road, West River Trail, and the East River Trail, all in the nearby Adirondack Mountain Reserve, are popular with cross country skiers in the winter.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

The Adirondacks contain large tracts of wildlife habitat with some boreal, bog, alpine and other unique habitats. Many species of birds and mammals are unique to the Adirondacks or are mainly found here. More than 50 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds inhabit or pass through the Adirondacks at one time of the year or another so it is not unlikely to catch site of wildlife during your trip. Peregrine Falcons are known to nest in the area.

More information on Adirondack Flora and Fauna (leaves DEC Website) from the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center.

You can protect wildlife and wildlife habitat when viewing them.

Wildlife Found in the Adirondacks

• Mammals
  • Moose
  • Black Bear
  • Beaver
  • Eastern Coyote
  • River Otter
  • White-Tailed Deer
  • Little Brown Bat
• Birds
  • Bald Eagle
  • Common Loon
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Osprey
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Wild Turkey
  • Eastern Bluebird

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Chapel Pond is the only paddling opportunity within the area. There is no formal hand launch site at this time, but DEC is planning to construct a universally accessible site for launching canoes and kayaks at the north end of the pond.

Small canoes and kayaks can be launched at a number of locations along the shoreline that are accessible from the Chapel Pond Parking Area.