Best Guide to Hough Peak in the Adirondacks

Hough Peak, pronounced “Huff,” is a peak in the Adirondack Mountain Dix Range. Hough is considered a trail-less peak, but it has a strong herd path leading to its summit. Hough is not an easy peak to climb. At 4409′ Hough is one of the 46 Adirondack high peaks and is a required climb for the Adirondack Forty-Sixers.

The summit once had a canister to log your climb; these were deemed non-conforming structures by the DEC and removed. Hough does not support an alpine summit but does offer fine views. Since 1937 it is named in honor of Franklin Hough, the first chief of the United States Division of Forestry and sometimes referred to as the “father of American forestry.” Before 1937, the peak was unnamed.

Featured photo: The summit marker for Hough with the top of Dix Mountain behind. Above clockwise from top left: Sign at the Elk Lake parking area; Trail sign on the Hunters Pass trail near the parking area; Camping at Slide Brook; Climbing on the ridge to Hough; Herd path and cairn for Lillian Brook herd path (middle); View toward the conglomerate of high peaks from Hough; Chris crossing bridge at Lillian Brook; Chris on the ridge to Dix with Hough behind him; Hough on the ridge up Dix; Elk Lake viewed from Hough; Hogback (aka Pough), Hough, and Dix viewed from South Dix.

Geeky Stuff

Elevation:	4409′ (1344 m)
Lat/Lon:	44° 4′ 11” N / 73° 46′ 40” W
Seasons:	Spring, Summer, Fall. Winter for experienced only
Activities:	Hiking, backpacking/camping, winter climbing
Nearest higher neighbor:	Beck-horn (0.8-miles N)
Line parent:	Beck-horn (0.8-miles N)
Key-col:	4035 ft/1230 m (0.2-miles N)
Prominence:	374′ (114 m)
Range:	Adirondacks > Adirondack High Peaks > Dix Range
Land Unit:	High Peaks Wilderness
Summit forest:	Boreal in first growth
Maps and Guide:	High Peaks Adirondack Trail Map High Peaks Trails (14th Edition) High Peaks Trails Guide and Map Pack (14th Edition)

The Dirt

The lands on Hough are administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC works with numerous organizations to maintain the trails, primitive campsites, and lean-tos. In the Adirondacks, the maintenance is done by a volunteer force and the Adirondack Mountain Club professional trail crew. It must be noted that the herd path to Hough and other peaks in the lower Dix Range is not maintained.

Before 1937, Hough was officially an unnamed peak. However, by the hiking community, it was called Marshall for George and Robert Marshall brothers who first climbed the peak and 46ers numbers 2 and 3, respectively. It was also known as Middle Dix. Grace Hudowalski wrote a wonderful article about the naming of the peak in the 1942 Adirondack Mountain Club Year Book. It is fitting that the peak about 1-mile southeast now is named in honor of her, Grace Peak! Grace was number 9 and the first female 46er finishing in 1922.

Hiking Hough is not usually done as a single climb. Once on the ridge, it makes sense to attempt other peaks in the range via the well-defined herd path. They are commonly done as overnight camping trips. However, if pressed for time or hiking it in winter, climbing it as a single climb out and back makes sense.

Related post: Backpacking The Adirondacks Dix Range For An Epic Adventure.

Approaches

Main trails & paths	Hunter’s Pass Trail, Lillian Brook Herd Path.
Shortest approach	Hunter’s Pass Trail from Elk Lake
Hardest route	Boquet Forks Herd Path over Grace, South Dix, and Pough OR over Dix from Round Pond
Easiest winter route	Hunter’s Pass Trail from Clear Pond on Elk Lake Road and Lillian Brook.(Winter for experienced only)

The main trail, which is used to gain access to Macomb and other nearby peaks, originates from Elk Lake. The Hunter’s Pass Trail connects Elk Lake with Hunter’s Pass just west of Dix Mountain. Its entire length runs 7-miles to 0.4-miles below Dix Mountain’s summit at the junction with the Round Pond Trail.

The Hunter’s Pass Trail at 2.3-miles will reach Slide Brook and the first spots to camp. This is also the spot for the herd path to Macomb and where many people start the circuit to do the entire Dix Range Traverse.

Continuing on the Hunter’s Pass Trail, the Lillian Brook Herd Path is reached at about 3.25-miles. From the trail, it is 2-miles to the summit of Hough on the Lillian Brook Herd Path. The herd path leaves you on the ridge between Hough and Pough. Once on the ridge in the saddle, head north to Hough.

Back on the Hunter’s Pass Trail from the herd path, it is another 0.3-miles where more camping is found at Lillian Brook.

Hough from Elk Lake Parking via Lillian Brook Herd Path

Distance:	10.5-miles RT	Route type:	Out-and-back
Total climb:	2777′ RT total	Hike type:	Trail, herd path
How hard?	Difficult	Trailhead:	Elk Lake/Dix Mountain TH

Add 2-miles one way (4 round trip) if the road is closed usually from December to May. See red tape below.

Red Tape

Camping

Closest camping

Slide Brook Lean-to and Primitive Campsites; Lillian Brook Lean-to and Primitive Campsites

Camping at the lean-to is first come first serve and no lean-to or designated campsite can be reserved. Lean-to capacity is about 7-8 people. All designated primitive tent sites have yellow and black “Camp Here” markers. Many sites on lakes and ponds are identified by a yellow number against a dark brown wooden plaque typically attached to a tree near the water’s edge.

Related reading: 10 Things to Think About Before Using a Lean-To or Backcountry Shelter

If necessary, at-large camping is permitted as long as campsites are at least 150 feet from any road, trail, waterbody, or waterway. Place your tent on a durable surface, such as hardened soil, leaf litter, or pine duff. Do not place your tent on vegetation.

No camping above 3,500 feet (except at lean-to).

Max group size 8. No permits for larger groups.

Camping for more than three nights or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

Area Campsites

Slide Brook is 2.3-miles and Lillian Brook is 3.6-miles from the Elk Lake trailhead

Lean-tos	Primitive Campsites	Capacity
Slide Brook	Slide Brook	1 lean-to / 4 primitive sites
Lillian Brook	Lillian Brook	1 lean-to / 3 primitive sites
Area totals:		2 lean-tos / 7 primitive sites

Safety and Wellness

Please sign in at all trail registers, here’s why.

Bears

There are an estimated 4000+ black bears in the Adirondacks. The following are the recommendations from the DEC on bear management:

• Use bear-resistant food canisters. These are a highly effective means for preventing bears from getting your food, toiletries, and garbage. Use of bear-resistant canisters is encouraged throughout the Adirondack and Catskill backcountry, and are required in Eastern High Peaks Wilderness of the Adirondack Park.
• Pack a minimal amount of food. The less food to store the better. Use lightweight and dehydrated foods.
• Cook and eat before dark. Bears become more active after sunset.
• Cook away from your campsite. Choose an area at least 100 feet away from your sleeping area.
• Be neat and clean while cooking. Avoid spills and drippings. Do not pour grease into your fire pit.
• Keep food in storage containers. Only take out the food you plan to cook. Keep containers nearby and store food immediately if a bear approaches your cooking area.
• Avoid leftovers. Carefully plan your meals and eat all that you cook.
• Never leave food unattended. Bears may watch from a distance waiting for opportunities to steal food.

DEC Fact Sheet on Bear Encounters (PDF)

If You Encounter a Bear at Your Campsite

Do:

• Use noise to scare bears away: Yell, clap, or bang pots immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite.
• Stay calm: Walk slowly and speak in a loud and calm voice.
• Leave slowly: Cautiously back away from the bear and leave the area.

Don’t:

• Approach, surround, or corner a bear: Bears aggressively defend themselves when they feel threatened. Be especially cautious around cubs as mother bears are very protective.
• Run from a bear: They may chase.
• Throw your backpack or food bag at an approaching bear: This will only encourage bears to approach and “bully” people to get food. By teaching a bear to approach humans for food, you are endangering yourself, other campers/residents, and the bears.

A note on water

Drinking and cooking water should be boiled for 5 minutes, treated with purifying tablets, or filtered through filtration device to prevent instances of giardia infection.

Weather

The Adirondack High Peaks are known for extreme changes in weather. A warm sunny day in the valley can mask a cold and clouded summit. Ice and snow are not unheard of ANY month of the year at higher elevations. The mountains create their own weather! Please check the weather forecast as close as you can for your outing. In the winter, forecasts are not accurate until 24-hours before your hike. Sometimes not even that.

Contacts and Map

Dix Mountain Area
Contact Information:	DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office: 518-897-1200 (M-F, 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM) Backcountry Emergencies: 518-891-0235 (24/7) or dial 911 Email: info.r5@dec.ny.gov
Location:	Towns of Keene, North Hudson & Elizabethtown, Essex County
Map:	Dix Mountain Wilderness Map
Amenities:	Dining opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies, can be found in the nearby communities of Keene & Elizabethtown.
Weather:	Dix Mountain Weather
Cell Service:	Never count on your cell phone for rescue. Cell service in the Dix Mountain Wilderness is sparse at best and one may have problems gaining a signal.

Click map or here for an interactive version of the map.