Begin at the warming shelter where to the east you can see a trailhead sign for the hiking trail just up the hill on the edge of the forest. Avoid the posted trail that follows the powerline as that is the start of the disc golf course.

You enter the woods and immediately begin crossing the mountain bike trail. You’ll cross the single track six times in the first half mile but trail signs and posted maps should keep you on course. Just beyond Mile 1, the trail begins climbing and then arrives at a major intersection. The hiking trail turns sharply right with the disc golf course merging into it. Nearby is the mountain bike trail. So many users. The spot features a picnic table, a bench and the tee for hole No. 11 of the disc golf course.

For the next half mile, you cross the mountain bike trail four times while passing disc golf holes No. 12 through No. 15. You’re also steadily climbing towards Avalanche Peak for a bit of a workout, topping above 1,000 feet at one point. At Mile 1.75 the trail levels out and begins its most interesting stretch, especially in the fall. You follow the narrow crest of a ridge for half mile where you can gaze down the side of this “mountain.” If there’s any wind, you’ll feel it up here and in late October or November the views will be nice.

At Mile 2.3 you break out of the woods into an open area that features trails, two viewing decks, a toilet, picnic tables, drinking water and disc golf tees No. 17 and No. 18. Welcome to the top of Avalanche Peak. Also in the clearing is a cement tower that once was part of a downhill ski lift.

But it’s the viewing decks with built-in benches that draws the most interest. There isn’t a better place south of the Mackinac Bridge to sit back and gaze. At your feet is Boyne City while stretching out to the west is Lake Charlevoix, often dotted with sailboats. If it’s October, the ridges and hills surrounding the lake will be painted in shades of Halloween.

Near one deck is the stairway down the mountain, a descent of 462 steps and almost 300 feet. Taking the stairway will shave the final half mile in half, turning the trek into a 2.6-mile walk.

Otherwise backtrack the hiking trail 30 yards to a distinctive V junction and head right, avoiding the trail you arrive on. The walking trail uses an old two-track to descend the mountain and quickly crosses the mountain bike single track twice. You emerge at the parking lot just west of the warming shelter at Mile 2.8.