#23 Hough Peak
Named for one of the Adirondack’s early conservationists, Franklin Hough, this peak is usually hiked in conjunction with the Dix peaks and Macomb. For a long but rewarding day, you can climb Macomb, South Dix, and East Dix, and then you can bag Hough on your way from South Dix to Dix (the only trailed peak of the bunch), finally completing the loop by following the trail down from Dix and back to the trailhead at Elk Lake. Some say Hough is the most memorable hike of the cluster, given its unique (albeit mostly treed) views and the rock scrambling required in some places along the way.
Trail Stats:
| Distance | 12.5 miles round-trip if only hiking Hough (longer for what we’ve detailed below) |
| Elevation | 4,400 feet |
| Ascent | 3,200 feet (total if hiking just Hough from Elk Lake) |
When hiked in conjunction with Macomb, South Dix, and East Dix, Hough is accessible via a herd path leading from South Dix. After reaching the summit of South Dix (or returning there after summiting East Dix), you will follow a path from the west side of the summit down and then up the hogback between the two peaks. Follow this up a brief ways and you will be at the summit of Hough – mostly treed but there are still some decent views from the top. After reaching the summit, you can continue on to Dix (detailed on our site here), or return to follow a herd path down through the col between Hough and South Dix. The path will take you to the Elk Lake-Dix trail about a mile further up than where you turned off for Macomb, and you can follow the trail back to the trailhead, retracing your steps most of the way.
Trailhead:
To reach the Elk Lake trailhead, you will follow Route 87 south from Keene. Turn off at exit 29, following Blue Ridge Road to the left towards Newcomb. After 4 miles, you will see Elk Lake Road turn off to the right. Follow this road just over 5 miles to parking on the right, just before the road ends at the lake ahead.
