So, time for another short hike. I've wanted to see what Avery was like for a long time.
Maybe today is the day?
Avery Hill sits across Hills Pond from Mt Shannon.
The Dave Roberts map shows two trails up it, one probably originating in someones back yard on Avery Hill Road, I've never spotted the connection with Avery Hill Rd.
The other goes up from Frohock Brook Rd on the Hills pond side. I scouted that road one time, but it seemed like it would be intrusive on the neighborhood to go that way, even if it's not in someones back yard, so I never even tried to locate the trailhead. It also looks like it would be too trivial to bother with.
The Mike Burke area on Avery Hill Road has a trail that is on the other side of the hill, and it is quiet with good parking and no one to bother. Perfect.
So, I went out on the middle connector of the Mike Burke Loop and did a short brushwhack to the west /uphill.
I very shortly came across an ATV trail, which I assume is the trail from Avery Hill Rd shown on the DR map. I followed it uphill and came out in a wooded but open area. That sounds contradictory , but if you've been hiking much in NH you know - the area is open but with enough trees scattered around to block most views.
So , not much in the way of views , though with the leaves down it doesnt feel claustrophobic . I knew from trips up Piper and Shannon that there were some promising ledges on the NW side, so I circled around the summit and found an excellent , though narrow, outlook toward Shannon, Piper, Whiteface, and even Belknap. There is a much more restricted outlook toward straightback.
Heading back I followed the ATV trail downhill a little past my intersection point and soon ran into a 'private/no trespass' sign, so , back up the trail a bit and back into the woods to the Mike Burke trail and out.
Curiosity sated and a nice walk in the brisk air.