Avery Hill

Length: 1.0 mile out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Easy

Elevation Gain: 440 feet (+0 feet on return)

Rating (click for info): 6/10

Elevation: 1463'

Prominence: 367'

Driving Directions:
From the junction of Rts. 11 and 28A in Alton Bay, drive west on 11 and cross the bridge, then bear left up a hill onto Rand Hill Road. In 0.7 miles, turn left onto Alton Mountain Road. Continue 1.9 miles and bear right at a fork, staying on Alton Mountain Road. Continue 0.9 miles, then turn left onto Alton Shores Road and quickly take another left onto Frohock Brook Road. Drive 0.3 miles and park in the cul-de-sac at the end of the road. Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
Though just a small foothill of the Belknap Mountains around Alton Bay, Avery Hill shares the same rugged and ledgy terrain that characterize the higher summits around the Lakes Region. Its rocky western slopes overlook a grouping of secluded ponds on the south front of the Belknaps. From the blueberry-carpeted open ledges, you can enjoy a quiet vista over the water and rolling hills. Though the Alton Town Forest takes up its eastern slopes, the way to the summit is via an unofficial trail which climbs up the rugged western side. It's a quick but breathless ascent, and you'll probably have the summit to yourself.

From the cul-de-sac, start hiking down the class 6 continuation of the road. A snowmobile trail joins from the left, and after 0.1 miles, turn left onto Reids Trail at a sign. The trail begins climbing quickly up a steepening slope. The blue-blazed trail is easy to follow as it shoots uphill, but it does have some loose footing in places. In less than 0.2 miles, after crossing a rock pile, the trail pops out onto steep open ledges, which are quite extensive for such a low elevation. Keep an eye out for the cairns as you wander uphill through the grasses and blueberries. The view expands as you climb, and you soon reach a point where there is a fantastic 180-degree view from the south to northwest. The two ponds right below are Hills Pond on the right and Sunset Lake on the left. Futher away to the left is Crystal Lake. The Belknap Range rises behind Hills Pond, with the three nearest round hills on the right being Mt. Mack, Mt. Klem, and Rand Mountain. Belknap Mountain, with its towers, is behind, with Piper Mountain on its left. The sharp little hill right behind the pond is Mt. Shannon, with Whiteface and Durrell Mountains behind it. Other lower hills trail off to the left. This is the best view on Avery Hill, but the broad, flat summit is 0.1 miles further up the trail, in a large clearing. The trail becomes an ATV track, and some scattered views further to the south can be seen just past the highest point.

Printable directions page