South Dix, also known as Carson Peak, stands at 4,060 feet as the 37th highest of the Adirondack 46ers, set within the remote Dix Mountain Wilderness southeast of the main High Peaks. There are no maintained trails to the summit; all travel is on herd paths that can become muddy and slippery after rain or during spring snowmelt.
The standard approach departs from the Elk Lake trailhead, following the Slide Brook herd path before ascending the prominent open rock slide on Macomb Mountain. Most hikers link South Dix with Macomb and neighboring Grace Peak in a single traverse of approximately 15-16 miles with significant cumulative elevation gain. Rocky, open faces on the South Dix approach deliver broad views across the Dix Range and toward the Great Range, contrasting with the wooded, viewless summit itself.
The rock slide sections on Macomb demand careful footing, as the slide is composed largely of scree and loose stone. Snow can persist in the col between Macomb and South Dix into May, and the herd paths throughout the wilderness are unmarked and easy to lose in poor visibility. The combination of remote terrain, unmaintained routes, and substantial mileage makes this one of the more committing outings in the Adirondack High Peaks.
