Thompson Hill (NH) *6/3/2015*

Thompson Hill

Location: Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Mileage: 2.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 805 Feet
Trails Used: Wenny Baker Trail, Bushwhack
Views: Views from a ledge below the summit of Thompson Hill
Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Lists: None

I got off work early on Wednesday for my birthday and headed home. Desi had taken the day off to go to Boston but came back earlier than expected. After three straight days of almost constant rain, I didn’t want to waste such a beautiful day, so I looked for a nearby, shorter hike. We’d never done this one before, and since it was close to where we lived, we set out and started our hike right after parking.

The Thompson Hill Trail and Wenny-Baker Forest parking area, located off County Road in Hillsborough, has space for a few cars near the trailhead.

The Thompson Hill Trail starts off easy, winding along an old woods road or possible snowmobile trail, before you pass through a rock wall and the climb suddenly gets steep and exciting.

A few interesting pots and a copper cup sit near one of the rare water crossings along the Thompson Hill Trail.

The Thompson Hill Trail stays fairly consistent and steep all the way up to the summit area of Thompson Hill.

The woods up here were beautiful, and on our way to the summit of Thompson Hill, we ended up startling a wild turkey.

Mount Monadnock as seen from the scenic overlook just below the summit of Thompson Hill.

Peeking through the trees from the vista just below Thompson Hill’s summit reveals nearby Craney Hill and the Pats Peak Ski Area.

Desi stands at the vista, gazing at Mount Monadnock. The cairn here isn’t the marker for the highest point.

This cairn marks the wooded summit of Thompson Hill, standing at 1,780 feet. A short herd path leads you right to it, and there’s even a geocache hidden nearby.

We spotted a trail leading down from the summit of Thompson Hill and decided to follow it. It connects back to the main trail, creating a short loop hike. I think it’s a gentler but slightly longer way to get back to the car.

It was a pleasant little birthday hike on a beautiful day. The bugs were out but not much of a bother, which was about the only real plus. The limited views below the summit didn’t do much to impress me. The Thompson Hill Trail is well-marked with plenty of cairns, making it easy to follow. Other than that, unless you simply enjoy peaceful walks in the woods, this hike might be your kind of thing.

Thompson Hill, the tallest spot in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, sits within the scenic Wenny-Baker Forest.