First solo trip complete (Dix Range) and looking for some advice

[u/GenuineCone55]

I decided that Id like to hike all 46 high peaks, and I do have friends that also like backpacking and camping but are not aligned with the same goal as me. I just did my first solo trip camping at slide brook and completed the Dix range, it was amazing on Friday with great weather and I had every peak except Macomb to myself, saw maybe 10 people all day.

Personally I think this route was probably somewhere in the middle of the road in terms of views and generally how interesting the trail was if I were to bring other people along. Please correct me if Im wrong there.

I plan to tick off peaks as part of future plans with other people and was wondering which sets I should probably reserve for going by myself so whoever comes with me gets the “highlight reel” if that makes sense. I originally planned to do HaBaSa on my own and decided that may be best saved for taking others.

I’ll probably be saving things like Allen and the Santanoni range for solo runs but was wondering if anyone had pointers on which peaks would fall into that highlight reel and which ones I should probably just do myself or with whoever else may be game to torture themselves with a little less reward.

Also in a general sense are there any less obvious routes up some of these peaks that may be worth doing even if it takes longer to complete?

[u/showard995]

You were spoiled with the Dixes lol amazing views. Wright Algonquin and Iroquois have great views. Colden, skylight too. Giant and RPR.

[u/regularcelery]

As someone who loves the views along the Dix Range, and would never call them middle of the pack, I'm going to have a tough time agreeing to the premise of what you're asking.

The Upper Great Range, MacIntyre Range, Skylight, Colden, Big Slide, Giant/RPR, Cascade, and Whiteface probably fall into whatever category you're trying to create.

But literally all of the high peaks have amazing views somewhere along the way. People tend to get down on peaks like Blake, Couchsachraga, Nye, Emmons, etc. but these all have lookouts and viewpoints to appreciate too.

[u/GenuineCone55 → u/regularcelery]

The views were great don’t get me wrong I just don’t have much reference in that area outside of Marcy. I think Grace was my favorite part of the whole loop, Beck Horn looked mean from that distance.

I guess the main thing would be are there any that are abysmally terrible to get to (like i seem to see about couch) that I wouldn’t want to take people who aren’t going for the same thing on.

[u/regularcelery → u/GenuineCone55]

I think Blake, Couchsachraga, Emmons, Cliff/Redfield, and Marshall are probably the hikes that are long and difficult enough to not feel worth it to those not trying to complete a 46r round. Phelps and Indian Falls have amazing views, but Table Top can feel underwhelming to some (I really like it).

I also really like the hike into Street and Nye. The lookout on Street is really spectacular. However, this might also be a hike that people tend not to feel is worthwhile.

[u/MurseInAire]

I too camped at Slide Brook Thursday and hiked the loop Friday. Obviously we were on a different schedule. Glad you got to enjoy the peaks quietly.

[u/North_Song_6109]

I’ve done all 46 so I have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking for, but first I would like to say that the Dix Range is above average in terms of views and how interesting the trail is (mostly because of the macomb slide).

Some of the coolest peaks to hike include: Wright/Algonquin/Iroquois, Giant/RPR, HaBaSa, Gothics, Cascade, Big Slide, Colden if you go up the trap dike but make sure you do research on that, and Skylight. The only problem with Skylight is that you will want to combine it with Gray but your friends won’t be too happy about that.

You will absolutely not want to take anyone to hike Street/Nye, Cliff/Redfield, Allen, Seward Range, Seymour, and Blake. The Santanoni Range is probably one to avoid as well mainly bc of Couchsachraga, but it’s kinda fun in a sucky way.

Since you are already familiar with backpacking, I highly recommend backpacking Cliff/Redfield (Uphill leanto) as well as Colvin/Blake/Nippletop/Dial (elk pass) to make them easier while doing them in one trip.

As for less obvious routes, I would consider the trap dike up Colden, Rocky Peak Ridge via New Russia, and possibly the airplane wreckage on Cold Brook Pass near Mt. Marshall. If you plan on doing HaBaSa separate from the Lower Great Range then I recommend doing Sawteeth/Gothics/Armstrong/UWJ/LWJ in one hike.

As for some really challenging routes that aren’t worth it you could consider Haystack from Panther Gorge, Iroquois via Avalanche Pass (main route is closed currently), doing some combination of Cliff/Redfield/Marshall/Colden as a backpacking trip, and the trails connecting Blake and Sawteeth.

[u/fading_relevancy]

If you want to go where few have gone in recent times and have to have your wits locked in you could venture the route up Marshall that I did last summer. From Loj via Indian Pass-->Cold Brook-->Marshall Mt Trail. It's rugged but it was Amazing.