Hough Peak is the twenty-third tallest mountain in New York. Hough Peak can be climbed by itself but rarely is. Experienced hikers will often combine this peak with the rest or parts of the Dix Range. The Dix Range also includes South Dix (Carson Peak), East Dix (Grace Peak), Dix Mountain, and Macomb Mountain. Although not the highest summit in the Dix Range, Hough offers incredible views of the area. Hough’s trail has narrow herd-path conditions and some rock scrambling.
Distance: 6.25 miles to the summit, thus 12.5 mile round trip when taking the shortest route
Ascent: 3,200 feet
Elevation: 4,400 feet
While Hough can be climbed from many directions, below is the description for climbing this peak by itself.
Primary Trailhead: To reach the southern trailhead from Interstate 87 (I-87), get off Exit 29 (North Hudson) and head West on Blue Ridge Road toward Newcomb for 4-miles. Turn right off Blue Ridge Road onto a gravel road marked with a sign for Elk Lake Lodge. At 5.2 miles there is a parking lot on the right just before the road drops down to Elk Lake. In winter the road is only usually plowed as far as Clear Pond about 3.3 miles from Blue Ridge Road.
The start of this trail is on private land so hikers must be respectful of the property. This trailhead and all private land around Elk Lake is closed during the Big Game Season (i.e. Hunting). The season is from the next to last Saturday in October to the first Sunday in December.
Trail route: You will complete this hike using the Lillian Brook Herd-path. Start by following a well-used trail to Dix past Slide Brook Lean-to. Continue in the direction of Lillian Brook Lean-ton to a cairn marking the start of the herd-path just over one mile past the Slide Brook Lean-to. (If you arrive at Lillian Brook Lean-to, you’ve missed the turn.) The herd-path will take you to the summit of Hough Peak.
History: Hough Peak is named after Franklin B. Hough (1822–1885), the first chief of the United States Division of Forestry, and sometimes called the “father of American forestry”.
Location: Hough Peak is located in the North Hudson, in Essex County, in the Northern region of New York State.