Ponkapoag Loop w/ Golf Course, Unnammed, & Fire Trails (Blue Hills Reservation)

Chickatawbut Skyline, Bouncing Brook, Laurel, & Braintree Pass Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 4.92 miles

Elevation: 302 feet

Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills; 52 Hike Challenge 2026

The Hike 

Another medium-slow drive after work to the Blue Hills! I'm realizing that past-me left all the trails I don't really care for (i.e., always flooded) for future me, and unfortunately future me is the current me! I wanted to get Fowl Meadow out of the way before it really grows in and the ticks pop off, but thanks to a post in the 125-Mile Club on Facebook I was able to check the gauge for the Neponset River and it confirmed that a lot of it would be flooded, so I guess it'll become a later problem... Anyway, I decided I'd get the few hanging chads I had around the Ponkapoag Loop instead!

I parked at Exit 3 and hiked past the new kiosk at the Ponkapoag Trail, soon turning onto the Hogdon Foot Path, which looked like it's been lightly traveled in recent months. I was hyper-aware of any taller vegetation after Monday's tick, but thankfully I would remain unscathed. The sun felt amazing once on Redman Farm Path (still curious if that's a racist name or not) as I walked along the very full Ponkapoag Pond Bog. There was a horse ahead of me and some VERY fresh poop, but thankfully we never formally crossed paths as it turned around at the bus turn around. I did check the entrance to the Boardwak, which had multiple closed signs and was clearly flooded by the second board. I wonder 1) when they'll fix the boardwalk and 2) what the new one will look like!

I almost crossed paths with another horse, but I was booking it to stay ahead. I hiked along the golf course which was looking spectacularly green and enjoyed the beautiful view from the dam. I passed a couple and their rambunctious off-leash dogs (apparently a dog recently attacked someone in the Blue Hills and they stabbed it??) and then I took the spur paths to and from the golf course for a mini-loop. Unfortunately, I had to pass the couple and their dogs again, but they had put the leashes back on the dogs, assumedly because there were more horses nearby.

I had a long walk along the south side of Ponkapoag Pond (this stretch always feels so much longer than the rest) and spent a good amount of the time simply dodging horse poop. I needed the walkway to the Fisherman's Beach parking lot, but I skipped the beach becuase there were people there. I hiked the Pipe Line toward the private property, which was surprisingly dry minus a ~15 foot flat spot that was just squishy with plenty of deer tracks. I hiked the little loop foot path that connects to it, which looked very little traveled, and then continued onto the Swamp/Acton Path towards the AMC Camps (the current and older maps don't agree on what this stretch of trail is called). I wanted to finish out the Pipe Line on this side, but it was clearly floodeed.

I needed the driveway spurs around the AMC Camps, and then I hiked an unnamed path behind the camp kiosk toward Ponkapoag Path, which was a mecca for deer poop - at least 9 piles in a short segment of trail!

I worked my way onto the Fire Trail and then over to the Prescott Foot Path, which had a good amount of old burnt-orange blazes, which I just love to see. I zoned out for a while on this stretch, but eventually made it back onto the Ponkapoag Trail and back to the car! Now, time to get home, inhale dinner, and go to SLEEP.

Step-by-Step

- Park at Exit 3/Ponkapoag Trail.

- Start hike on Ponkapoag Trail (green).

- At 5302, turn right onto Hogdon Foot Path.

- At 5218, turn right onto Redman Farm Path (green).

- At 5175, turn left onto Acton Path (green).

- At 5216, turn right onto trail towards golf course.

- At terminus, turn left and walk along forest edge on golf course.

- Cross golf course, and reenter woods on trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Acton Path (green).

- At jct., turn sharply right onto Pipe Line.

- At private property, turn around.

- At jct. with Acton Path, turn right onto trail.

- At 5355, continue straight onto Swamp Path (old map)/Acton Path (current map) (green).

- After 5360, hike two driveways on left.

- After 5361, turn right onto unnamed path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Ponkapoag Path.

- At 5362, turn left onto Hemlock Road.

- At 5384, turn left onto Fire Trail.

- At 5365, turn right onto Swamp Path (old map)/Acton Path (current map) (green).

- At 5370, turn left to continue onto Prescott Foot Path (old map)/Acton Path (current map) (green).

- At 5343, turn slightly right onto Prescott Foot Path.

- At 5322, turn right onto Ponkapoag Trail.

- Return to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Chickatawbut Skyline, Bouncing Brook, Laurel, & Braintree Pass Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Chickatawbut Skyline, Bouncing Brook, Laurel, & Braintree Pass Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Figure-8 Loop

Distance: 5.56 miles

Elevation: 774 feet

Time: 2 hours, 2 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills; 52 Hike Challenge 2026

The Hike 

After a wildly sleepy, but otherwise painless drive, I was at the Chickatawbut Overlook and ready to cross of two hanging chads I needed in this area! It was a nice early spring day with temperatures in the low 50s and partly sunny skies with rolling clouds. Shorts and a long sleeve were perfect layers, and I happily was off!

I climbed up to the tower and wiggled my way up the back side of Chickatawbut. It was windy and chilly over here, but once I started gaining elevation I soon warmed up. It was also delightfully dry! I was ready for spring mud, but it seems the worst of it has since dried.

Once up on the Skyline Trail, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze had calmed down, making for some just wonderful hiking. I always forget how pretty this area is, too. Really all of the Chickatawbut sections minus the part directly connecting to MA-28 is wonderful over here. I went down Chickatawbut, up Fenno, down Fenno, up Kitchamakin, down Kitchamakin, up Nahanton, and then down Nahanton, past a wonderful view, into Squamaug Notch. I'm always curious about the foundation remnants on Nahanton Hill.

I climbed up the first Broken Hill. I always enjoy the forest here - it's open, piney, and formerly burnt so minimal understory - just super pretty. I walked over some avoidable mud, briefly descended to a little baby pond and climbed up the knob that is Broken Hill 1.5 (that's what I call it, at least). I followed the old fence posts up Broken Hill #2 and followed them all the way to #4. There were a wild amount of snapped, young trees on Broken Hill #2, I'm guessing they were weak from fire and the winter took them out. There was a nice tree view to the reservoir before the easy almost-scramble up #3 and I got a nice, unique view and springtime bush on #4. 

I made my way down towards Chickatawbut Road and turned onto the unmapped Pocapawmet Path, which brought me to Wampatuck Path. I ran into my firts person of my hike at the terminus of Wampatuck Path, who was a younger hiker on her phone with her two dogs off-leash, covered in mud, and coming right up to me. I can't stand lazy dog owners.

I was dealing with some recurring weird hip pain that started in my left hip and had migrated over to my right, but with mindfun walking it was fine. The swamp and Bouncing Brook were not nearly as full as I thought they would be, another sign of the spring melt drying out!

Once on Laurel Path, I giggled to myself as I hiked deeper and deeper into the reservation, to an area that is arguably one of the more remote spots of the reservation, which doubles as one of the spots closest to I-93. I made my way onto the Braintree Pass Path, maneuvered around an impressive blowdown, and admired the mental image of this area before they blew up the path for the interstate. Before the turn in the trail, there was a stone wall. I wonder if the stone wall continues on the other side of I-93?

I turned to continue onto the Braintree Pass Path, which was now an old road, and found truly the worst possible thing imaginable on me... a TICK. I scraped it off with the force of a butcher's knife and felt every small leg hair movement for the rest of my hike. HORRIBLE. This was the first tick I found since my hike on Smarts Mountain years ago. AWFUL. There were some geese being cute in Wild Duck Pool, though, so that was nice... I guess.

I continued from Braintree Pass Path to Skyline Trail, and was really kicking myself for saving the steep climb up Chickatawbut Hill for last! Either way, I suffered my way up, passed an adorable red squirrel holding a nut in its mouth, and followed Stowe and Tower Paths back to the car. A beautiful afternoon, even if a tick tried to have me murdered!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Chickatawbut Overlook.

- Start hike on Tower Path (yellow).

- At tower, turn right to conitnue on Tower Path (yellow).

- At 3075, turn left onto Sassaman Notch Path (yellow).

- At jct., turn right onto Thayer Path.

- At jct., turn left along fence to continue on Thayer Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- At Chickatawbut Road, turn right onto Pocapawmet Path (not on map).

- At terminus, turn right onto Wampatuck Path.

- At 3152, turn riht onto Bouncing Brook Path.

- At 3130, turn left onto Laurel Path.

- At jct., turn right onto Braintree Pass Path.

- At 3042, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- From Chickatawbut summit area, go straight when the Skyline Turns off and then turn right onto Stowe Path.

- At jct., turn left to stay on Stowe Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Sassaman Notch Path (yellow).

- At 3075, turn right onto Tower Path (yellow).

- At tower, turn left and return to car (yellow).

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Skiing Jay Peak (Day 40)

Skiing Jay Peak

Saturday, 4th, 2026

Runs: 22

Distance: 24.29 miles

Elevation: 23,084 feet

Max Speed: 30.5 mph

Avg. Speed: 13.2 mph

Moving Time: 2 hours, 2 minutes, 18 seconds

Total Time: 7 hours, 19 minutes, 32 seconds

After a soaking wet silly morning at Ragged and an absolutely goofy night at Passover, it was time to wake up super early and drive up to Jay Peak for our annual Eclipse Anniversary and Easter Weekend! I couldn't get an answer from the Patrollers when they were coming up besides "after first chair," so I set my 4am alarm and slowly worked my way north. The drive wasn't too bad - a little sleep before Hooksett, but super pretty otherwise with a few bouts of precipitation (liquid in NH, and wet snow in VT). I got to Stateside around 8:15am, got my pass from Sarah's locker, and took my sweet time booting up. It was just around freezing out, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect in terms of conditions. I also had no idea when I would see my friends. Sometime after 8:30am, the precipitation stopped and I headed out to get some runs in before they landed!

Snow Report

SATURDAY APRIL 4 AT 7:27 AM

Spring Break, Briefly

Lower mtn lifts: 8-4. Upper mtn lifts: 8:30-4. Lift Operations will shift to spring hours on April 6th - Lower 9:00 AM - Upper 9:30 AM - All Lifts close at 5:00 PM.

9/9 lifts will spin on time, with a slight delay possible on the Tram due to overnight icing.

Temps dipped overnight just enough to firm things up after the recent wet cycle, so expect a mix out there this morning with variable conditions underfoot. Patrol isi out there assessing terrian and some trail closures are likely where coverage is thin.

A quiet start with a few pockets of sun should help things come around, and with highs pushing into the low 50s today is shaping up for some good corn snow skiing.

Snow will soften through the late morning into the afternoon, especially on the lower mountain and sun exposed terrain, with that sweet spot landing somewhere in the middle of the day.

The pattern shifts again later today as winds turn back into the south overnight, bringing in thicker clouds and some light rain by Easter Sunday morning. Expect fog, scattered showers, temps holding in the 40s, and gusty south winds pushing past 45 mph, which could impact lift operations.

Looking ahead, things start to turn back the other way. A cold front arrives Sunday afternoon as things begin to dry out, with clouds thinning a bit, winds shifting to the west, and a few snowflakes possible by sunset. That leads into some upslope snowfall Sunday night with an inch or three possible by Monday morning.

Monday brings a return to more wintry conditions, with flurries, temps near freezing, and a bit of a reset after the recent warmth. Another colder front moves through Tuesday, with the potential for a period of moderate to heavy snow.

As always, conditions, weather, and operations can change quickly up here. Nothing's ever set in stone, so check back here or the Jay Peak App a look before you head out and while you're chasing laps.

Runs 1-2

Run 1: Taxi Quad - Queen's Highway - Grammy Jay

[0.92 mi; 3:25; 577 ft; 29.5 mph max; 16.1 mph avg]

Run 2: Village Chair - Queen's Highway

[0.52 mi; 1:51; 312 ft; 26.7 mph max; 16.7 mph avg]

I was one of few people out this morning, which was such a treat. There was a LOT of snowmelt in the past two weeks, which was a bit of a bummer, but the running water did make for nice ambiance! Queen's Highway was already crudded up, but it was skiing fast, so I took this opportunity to fly down the Grammy Jay - I only got my second fastest time on it. Tragic! Run #2 was up the Village Chair and down Queen's Highway toward Tramside base.

Runs 3-7

Run 3: Flyer Express Quad - Northway - Goat Run - Lower River Quai - Subway

[1.49 mi; 4:47; 1,650 ft; 28.9 mph max; 18.7 mph avg]

Run 4: Flyer Express Quad - Ullr's Dream

[1.81 mi; 5:48; 1,627 ft; 27.1 mph max; 18.7 mph avg]

Run 5: Flyer Express Quad - Northway - Goat Run - Queen's Highway - Grammy Jay 

[1.88 mi; 6:11; 1,742 ft; 30.5 mph max; 18.2 mph avg]

Run 6: Village Chair - Queen's Highway

[0.50 mi; 3:56; 315 ft; 26.8 mph max; 7.6 mph avg]

Run 7: Flyer Express Quad - Northway - Angel's Wiggle - Hell's Crossing - Paradise Meadows

[1.55 mi; 5:43; 1,506 ft; 27.6 mph max; 16.3 mph avg]

The line for the Tram was too long for me, which made sense since it was about 9:00am at this point. Thankfully, no line for the Flyer! My next two runs had nobody else on the chair with me, which was a TREAT! I did forget how much the towers make my teeth chatter when it's just me on the chair, though. Run #3 was down Northway to Goat Run, which was a little cruddy/cookie-y, but skied pretty well! Lower River Quai was hard and fast, and Subway was just a treat! Run #4 was down Ullr's Dream, which pushed "hard and fast" and borderlined "I'm just turning for the bit" - it was ICY. And Kokomo was closed :(. It seemed that most trail that weren't main groomers were closed this morning.

#5 was back up the flyer with two snowboarders sharing a Modelo, and one of them was already piss drunk at 10:00am. Slurring words, talking about peeing, sounded absolutely insane! Thankfully we did not go the same direction - if I were to guess he didn't make it past 11am. I took Goat Run all the way down, which again, was skiing well! Only bummer was the choke point before the s-turns was tough with folks not ready for it and everyone was congregating at upper upper expo and green mountain boys, so it was tricky to get by. From Shenangians, which was just ice, I went back down Grammy Jay, but not as fast as last time. I got the "on the way" text from the Patrollers, who also had Stevens! Team Snowboard was also on their way.

Run #6 was back up the Village and down Queen's Highway, and then Run #7 was up the Flyer and down Northway (medium) to Angel's Wiggle (medium) to Hell's Crossing (bad) to Paradise Meadows (bad to medium). Lots of ice practice today!

Runs 8-9

Run 8: Bonaventure Quad - Goat Run - Lower River Quai - Interstate

[1.23 mi; 4:26; 1,434 ft; 27.5 mph max; 16.6 mph avg]

Run 9: Flyer Express Quad - Northway - Goat Run - Boulevard

[1.53 mi; 7:30; 1,555 ft; 29.1mph max; 12.2 mph avg]

I still had some time alone before everyone landed, so I did a quick lap in the bathroom and hopped onto the Bonnie for a repeat of Goat Run to Lower River Quai. I need the Jughandle half of Interstate, but it was ungroomed and mostly dirt, so I think that officially is a next season task. Interstate skied great, though! The snow was starting to soften up.

I got the text that everyone was landing as I was on the Flyer for Run #9, so I took Northway to Goat all the way to Boulevard (which aboslutely ripped). After, I grabbed a drink and a breakfast sandwich from my car, met the Snowboarders in the parking lot, found the Patrollers and Stevens (they had chores to do), and got back to work!

Runs 10-14

Run 10: Bonaventure Quad - Northway - Angel's Wiggle - Hell's Crossing - Paradise Meadows

[1.33 mi; 4:33; 1,407 ft; 27.8 mph max; 17.6 mph avg]

Run 11: Jet Triple - Montrealer - Catwalk - Northway - Angel's Wiggle - Paradise Meadows

[1.18 mi; 9:09; 1,237 ft; 30.1 mph max; 7.8 mph max]

Team Snowboard and I headed over to the Bonaventure Quad - they were surprised I was up here so early after waking up in Boston... I agreed. If I knew nobody would be getting to the mountain until 11ish, I probably would have slept in some more! Either way, it was nice to be out (as always). We decided we'd take the Wiggle down and make our way over to the Jet to see how things were skiing over there. I'd say Hell's Crossing was 5% better, but still pretty hard and slick.

What fun! When we got to the Jet, so were Sarah, Emma, and Stevens! I was surprised to see them taking him up here on a day so hard and fast, but here we go! We rode on up, had a nice drink on the Jet, got our pole picture in a cloud, and skied on down. Montrealer was in MUCH better shape - actually, everything was. Angel's Wiggle was significantly better than Hell's, and Paradise Meadows was finally softening up. Spring had sprung! We shedded a layer after this one, too. I also put a silly surprise in my pocket!

Runs 12-14

Run 12: Taxi Quad - Queen's Highway - Raccoon Run

[0.69 mi; 2:25; 577 ft; 28.1 mph max; 17.1 mph avg]

Run 13: Village Chair - Grammy Jay

[0.55 mi; 2:42; 344 ft; 20.6 mph max; 12.2 mph avg]

Run 14: Village Chair - Queen's Highway

[0.53 mi; 2:33; 325 ft; 25.7 mph max; 12.4 mph avg]

Sarah, Emma, and Stevens didn't take the break with us so they were gonna get a run in on the Taxi, except they got on the Bonnie instead and didn't tell us so we were waiting for a while. Eventually, we got on the phone with Sarah and agreed to meet at shenanigans, which thankfully softened up delightfully! We took Queen's Highway to Raccoon Run and then the Village Chair to Grammy Jay (on the chair, we got the notification that the sunrise Tram service was cancelled due to weather). The surprise in my pocket was leftover boxed wine, so naturally I had Steven's slap the bag on the chair (and at the top of the Grammy Jay headwall!). Run #14 was up the double and down Queen's Highway back to Tramside for a potty break.

Runs 15-17

Run 15: Tramside Carpet

Run 16: Metro Quad - Deer Run - Ullr's Dream

[0.76 mi; 3:39; 505 ft; 23.9 mph max; 12.5 mph avg]

Run 17: Flyer Express Quad - Ullr's Dream - Kokomo

[1.76 mi; 8:22; 1,667 ft; 29.8 mph max; 12.6 mph avg]

We momentarily lost the patrollers (apparently they went into a different bathroom than we did), and in that time apart Emma caught an edge and SLAMMED into the ground at the base of the magic carpet - that carpet has a way of keeping us humble! We rode the carpet for the bit and then went over to the Metro for more slap the bag and a delightful time skiing down Deer Run, which was in just wonderful shape. Stevens' asked "where does that go?" and pointed at the Flyer. We all agreed he's ready to Ullr's, so we brought him on up! The clouds had mostly parted at this point, revealing some beautiful views from the top (plus minimal wind made the ride up NOT miserable!). The whole run was really in wonderful shape now that the snow had softened, and he crushed it! Made it down the headwall with only one moment of terror, and the rest was smooth sailing afterwards! Emma and Sarah started yelling at a fellow patroller about Kokomo being closed, and to our joy, it was now open, too! 

Emma and Sarah were going to head inside to get a drink and then some ramen, but the rest of us were excited to keep on skiing, so we did!

Runs 18-20

Run 18: Flyer Express Quad - Ullr's Dream - Kokomo

[1.80 mi; 8:50; 1,673 ft; 25.6 mph max; 5.2 mph avg]

Run 19: Flyer Express Quad - Northway - Goat Run - Lower River Quai - Perry Merril Ave - Shakedown Park

[1.38 mi; 8:03; 1,450 ft; 26.0 mph max; 10.3 mph avg]

Run 20: Taxi Quad - Rabbit Park

[0.42 mi; 3:39; 341 ft; 20.0 mph max; 6.9 mph avg]

Stevens, Snowboard Emma, and Elizabeth and I got back on the Flyer for another lap of Ullr's and Kokomo, which went really well - Stevens killed it on the headwall both times! We stopped into the Tower Bar to say to Emma and Sarah and accidentally did a shot of Jagermeister before heading back out... oops! Emma and I both lamented at how easily Jager goes down now, I shouted "THIS IS 30," which gave the older guy at the bar a solid chuckle. 

We got back on the Flyer without the aptrollers and did a run down Goat Run (upgraded to a black, Stevens' first black run!) to Lower Quai - Stevens yet again did great, even though I took a fall simply turning... We took Perry Merril down and Stevens wrapped on Chalet Meadows while Elizabeth, Snowboard Emma, and I hit the three boxes in the Shakedown Park (I CRUSHED it).

Team Snowboard wanted more park time and I was feeling a little silly, so we all got back on the Taxi. Stevens went down Boulevard while the three of us hit the Rabbit Park. There were two box features that I had my eyes on. First was a dancefloor into a standard box and the second was a swoopy one to w a wavy one. I fell off of both of them. I hit the first of each fine, but then got a little crooked going onto the second. Oh well! Both falls were super soft and easy, so no harm no foul (minus a sore wrist, which I already had).

Runs 21-22

Run 21: Bonaventure Quad - Northway - Sweetheart

[1.28 mi; 6:37; 1,677 ft; 25.4 mph max; 11.6 mph avg]

Run 22: Jet Triple - Montrealer - Northway - Hell's Crossing - Paradise Meadows

[1.19 mi; 6:24; 1,158 ft; 27.1 mph max; 11.2 mph avg]

Team Snowboard was going to continue in the park, but Stevens and I were gearing up for one or two more upper mountain runs. We got back on the Bonnie and had a smooth ride up - it was now truly a beautiful day! Partially blue skies, no wind, and soft snow! Northway was in great shape sans a few surprise giant bumps (fine for me, stressful for Stevens). We then skied down to Hell's Crossing from Northway and he said he was feeling good about going for the new cut - his first official black run! We went into Sweetheart afterwards, which was only partially open. We made it to the Jet right at 3:58pm, just in time for a two more skip the last!

At the top of the Jet, we took a classic pole picture with the Vermonter in full view, and then had truly a lovely run down Montrealer (he redeemed himself at the little chute) to Hell's Crossing and finally Paradise Meadows - it was such a lovely spring lap!

Afterwards we grabbed our stuff and migrated to my car for drinks and hot dogs - it was FINALLY parking lot weather! We also celebrated our annual solar eclipse anniversary, which got many giggles from passerbys. Elizabeth and Snowboard Emma eventually left and we all checked into the Stateside Hotel for a quick siesta and then dinner at Howie's with our favorite bartender, MJ. We got some fun gossip about resort happenings, and then had a super chill night watching The Office and the crazy weather rolled in.

It was a bummer to not ski on Sunday, but it was a treat to get home earlier and get brunch at the Jay Village Inn. I wanted to go for a hike on the way home, but it rained the WHOLE WAY HOME. Oh well, another day! Also, cheers to 40 days skiing this season!

Map of Jay Peak (2025-2026, Updated)

Skiing Ragged Mountain (Day 39/Indy Day 31)

Skiing Ragged Mountain

Friday, Apriil 3rd, 2026

Runs: 14

Distance: 13.22 miles

Elevation: 14,026 feet

Max Speed: 37.5 mph

Avg. Speed: 18.3 mph

Moving Time: 49 minutes, 47 seconds

Total Time: 2 hours, 41 minutes, 58 seconds

It's officially April, which means that the skiing is going to get silly, it's likely going to rain every weekend, and the looming cloud signaling the end of season is not too far away. To celebrate, Sarah and I decided to ski in pouring rain at Ragged since we had Good Friday off of work! I scooped her up just after 6am, we got breakfast at Hooksett, and made it to the parking lot around 8:30am and started cackling when we saw we were one of like, five cars there. I guess nobody else wanted to ski on a rainy Friday morning in April? Crazy! We got dressed in the comically empty lodge and threw on matching purple ponchos I snagged off of Amazon. We looked absolutely goofy and were already having a blast. We got to skiing just after 9:00am!

Mountain Report

Currently at Ragged Mountain

The 2026+27 Stash Pass is on sale now. Grab yours today!

The groomers are in prime spring form right now. Smooth corduroy in the morning giving way to soft, buttery corn snow as the day rolls on. This is the season's final stretch and conditions are going out on a high note. Come enjoy it.

For the Ski Touring Enthusiasts. The Uphill Route remains OPEN to mid-mountain. Please check in with our Guest Services team before heading up for the latest route information.

Runs 1-5

Run 1: Summit Six Express - Upper Exhibition - Birches

[0.74 mi; 2:49; 1,138 ft; 31.7 mph max; 15.9 mph avg]

Run 2: Summit Six Express - Exhibition

[0.84 mi; 2:52; 1,093 ft; 31.0 mph max; 17.4 mph avg]

Run 3: Summit Six Express - Upper Ridge - Newfound Ridge - Lower Crewcut - Town Meeting

[0.96 mi; 3:23; 1,063 ft; 32.0 mph max; 17.0 mph avg]

Run 4: Summit Six Express - Upper Ridge - Newfound Ridge - Main Street

[0.93 mi; 3:01; 1,125 ft; 30.5 mph max; 18.6 mph avg]

Run 5: Summit Six Express - Upper Ridge - Headwall - Upper Chute - Lower Chute - Main Street

[1.00 mi; 3:59; 1,109 ft; 26.7 mph max; 15.0 mph avg]

Our plan was just to work out way across the mountain. It still had all of the groomers/snowmaking trails open, which was a welcome surprise! They announced that this was their closing weekend, but they still had PLENTY of snow left. We were wondering/thinking that Exhibition was probably hard and fast by the looks of it, but there was one (1) person ahead of us on the chair and we saw him go down and it looked nice and soft! Also on this chair ride, we got torrentially downpoured on... fun! Lots of giggles were had before the first run.

Once we got off the chair we turned right onto Exhibition, and it was a delight! Easy turns on fast snow. We decided to start with Birches and work our way over - Birches is a fun one! Labeled as a black, probably because of a short double fall line and it's a little narrower than the blues (but by no means a truly difficult trail). It was in fantastic shape, and sopping wet, we got right back on the Summit Six Express!

Run #2 was a joyful run down Exhibition all the way. Run #3 was down Upper Ridge to Newfound Ridge to Lower Crewcut, which was... open! It was one of two ungroomed trails open (the other being Headwall) and it was dicey, but skiiable, I guess? We crossed it off the list and continued onto Town Meeting, which was super fun to making wide, sweeping turns on.

Run #4 was Upper Ridge to Newfound Ridge, which had a little crevasse (as we kept calling it) about 5" wide and a few feet deep, gotta watch out! We took this down to Main Street and again, it was just a treat.

We shared candy cigarettes I bought at Hooksett on our fifth ride up the Summit Six Express. The rain was on and off all morning so far, my pants were soaked, but the poncos were working their magic! Run #5 brought us down Upper Ridge to Headwall - I joked about straightlining it to get a new PR, but then I discovered it was ungroomed and was mostly dirt and rock, so I pumped the breaks and screamed down while making a few turns (classic). We followed Upper Chute to Lower Chute, which was a nice banked turn run, but not so nice that we couldn't see anything because of the fog that had rolled in. Oh well!

Runs 6-9

Run 6: Summit Six Express - Blueberry Patch - Raggedy Andy - Main Street

[1.11 mi; 3:21; 1,132 ft; 29.9 mph max; 19.8 mph avg]

Run 7: Summit Six Express - Blueberry Patch - Lower Ridge - Pines

[1.14 mi; 3:42; 1,099 ft; 32.3 mph max; 18.5 mph avg]

Run 8: Summit Six Express - Upper Ridge - Lower Ridge

[1.13 mi; 4:16; 1,093 ft; 27.5 mph max; 18.0 mph avg]

Run 9: Summit Six Express - Upper Ridge - Newfound Ridge - Main Street

[0.85 mi; 2:50; 1,053 ft; 28.4 mph max; 18.0 mph avg]

Continuing onto the further looker's left side of the mountain, we followed Blueberry Patch for Run #6, which was an instant favorite, with super fun rollers! From there, we followed Raggedy Andy to Main Street. The fog was pretending to lift, which was fun! We had the most fun peeling the frozen rain off of the chair backs and throwing it at each other, though. 

Run #7 was Blueberry Patch to Lower Ridge to Pines. Lower Ridge was fun with a few dirt islands to dodge. Run #8 was Upper Ridge to Lower Ridge, which was another favorite one. We were lucky - the sopping wet snow wasn't sticky at all, and actually pretty fast, so minimal skating was required! We took a quick break to use the bathroom after Run #8 (we also wrung out our sopping wet mittens) and got back our for a victory lap down Upper and Newfound Ridges (I wanted a photo of the crevasse) to Main Street. 

Runs 10-12

Run 10: Spear Mountain Express - Showboat - Showoff

[0.75 mi; 2:07; 973 ft; 31.4 mph max; 21.4 mph avg]

Run 11: Spear Mountain Express - Flying Yankee

[0.92 mi; 2:38; 984 ft; 32.6 mph max; 20.9 mph avg]

Run 12: Spear Mountain Express - Cardigan - Turnpike - Homerun - Barnyard

[1.21 mi; 4:23; 1,047 ft; 29.6 mph max; 16.6 mph avg]

We continued onto the Spear Mountain Express. We were definitely starting to feel colder now that we had a little break and were still sopping wet (not our upper bodies, though - thanks ponchos!). We flew down Showboat and Showoff, which is always a super fun one, and it was nice to finally ski Flying Yankee without a race or literally anybody else. We were getting ready to put a bow on the day once we got to Run #12, so we followed Cardigan, which then became the pick of the day. SUCH a fun trail, especially with the spring corn. Sarah took Jug Handle, I took the "headwall" onto Turnpike, and then we cut over to Barnyard, and the Barn was still open! There was one snowmaking pipe to hop over and a patch of grass to ski through, but it's always so fun and worth it.

Runs 13-14

Run 13: Barnyard Triple - Home Run - Turnpike

[0.35 mi; 1:21; 184 ft; 24.5 mph max; 15.5 mph avg]

Run 14: Spear Mountain Express - Cardigan - Jug Handle - Turnpike

[1.29 mi; 3:18; 1,030 ft; 33.3 mph max; 23.4 mph avg]

To wrap things up, we rode the Barnyard Triple (the lifty sang "skiiiiing in the rain... just skiiiiiiiing in the rain...") and we skied down Homerun to Turnpike, back to the Spear Mountain Express for our two more skip the last. We both decided Cardigan to Turnpike was our favorite of the day, and down we went! I took Jug Handle just to mix things up this time, and we giggled all the way down.

Back at the lodge, we joyfully changed into dry clothes, bought matching sweatpants that were 50% off, and started the schlep home. I wanted to get home a little early so I could nap before Ray's big Rocky Horror Picture Show themed Passover that night. We had lunch at Hooksett, and I was cozy in bed by 3:30pm!

Map of Ragged Mountain

2026 Goals: Spring Revisit

It's springtime! I wanted to take a moment, now that I'm fully caught up on my journaling (sans photos) to revisit the hiking goals I set for 2026 and see how I'm doing with them, see if there's anything I want to add, and see if there's anything I want to change. I know I hiked less this winter (especially in January in March) - partially because of diving head-first into dating and also ski season being alive and well, and I don't view that as a negative, but something worth acknowledging! I'm curious if this will be the year where my year-end stats do not go up, and as long as it's over the 100/500/100,000, I'm fine with it! I also know summer is just around the corner and I'm hoping the weather cooperates this summer so I can go borderline crazy. We'll see!

Here is the list of goals I set in January:

1. 100 hikes, 500 miles, 100,000 feet

            In Progress: 28 hikes, 92.3 miles, 14,320 feet.

2. 52 Hike Challenge

            In Progress: January, February, and March all complete.

3. Hike at least two new trails in the Belknap Range.

            No progress yet.

4. Hike at least two new Terrifying 25 Trails.

            No progress yet.

5. Hike at least two Maine 4,000 Footers.

            No progress yet.

6. Hike at least two Downstate New York peaks.

            No progress yet.

7. Complete either the winter or 3-season map of the Blue Hills (again).

            In Progress: Did not make much progress on the winter map, but I feel good about the 3-season one.

8. [NEW] Complete the MA/NY/CT peaks on the Taconic 12er challenge.

            In Progress: Accidentally started this one last weekend with Beebe Hill and Mt. Everett. I have two hikes left outside of VT and I can do them in one hike day.

9. [NEW] Hike a MA Fire Tower hike in Hampshire County.

            Only county I need in Western Mass, might as well go for it!

I always love how many challenges there are. I love not committing to one challenge, either. It's so much fun for me to just chip away at different ones whenever I want to!

I also didn't remember making ski goals, but apparently I did! Here they are:

1. Keep having fun.

2. Actively think about turns 75% of the time.

3. Continue to challenge myself with steeps, bumps, trees, "thin cover," and "variable conditions."

4. Look better than I did last year on closing day(s).

5. Ski as many runs at Jay Peak as I humanly can.

Easy to say I'm crushing the ski goals - yay!

Cheers to more outdoor adventures as we navigate the sloppy season that is springtime!

Buck Hill, Fern Spring, Pig Rock, Bugbee, Forest, AMC Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Buck Hill, Fern Spring, Pig Rock, Bugbee, Forest, AMC Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure-8 Loop w/ Spurs

Distance: 4.86 miles

Elevation: 704 feet

Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills

The Hike 

I had a MUCH better drive this time around to the Blue Hills after school. It was a cooler day in the upper 40s with clouds. Some mist on the drive, but overall it was dry. I did break out my emergency long sleeve from my pack since I foolishly only brought a t-shirt. The goal was to finish the Houghton's Pond section of the reservation today - we'll see how it goes!

Since it was a little chilly (and I had to pee), I went for the Buck Hill Summit Trail to get things started to warm up and get just a little bit of privacy. The trail was a little obscured in the beginning, but soon revealed a clear footpath. I will say, though, the old summit trail seemed to still be much more traveled. 

I noticed the area that burned either last spring or two springs ago was significantly less burnt-looking, and I could hear Peepers in the distance. The trail itself really is lovely. Easy grades and winding through a younger forest. I also love "breaking treeline" on Buck Hill! 

There were misty views from the top, still lovely though. I continued on over the Skyline Trail and onto the Fern Spring Trail, passing a bolt that I assume was once used for survey work (like the bolts on the northern Presidential peaks). I heard a WILD amount of Peepers from the view on Fern Spring Foot Path, and also noticed an old "trail closed" sign where the trail goes, but the sign was an OLD one. Like, still labeled as M.D.C. old, have I always just missed it?

I looked around for another footpath or an arrow, but saw nothing! I continued on business as usual, but futher down the trail noticed that it was CLEARLY obstructed with every fallen branch and limb in a 0.5 square mile radius. Oops! The reroute was much more obvious from the other side, with two closed signs (also old, though) and a new "Trail ->" sign. I vaugely remember reading something about trail work on Fern Spring, but I simply cannot find it anywhere, so it'll remain a mystery!

On the plus, the frogs were CRAZY at the swamp between Fern Spring, Pig Rock, and Fells Paths. Like, LOUD. Peepers, Wood Frogs, and some other species I do no tknow. It was such a treat. Anyway, I turned onto Pig Rock and made a little loop with Pig Rock, Bugbee, and Fells, all of which were lovely. I worked my way toward Skyline Trail and climbed back up Buck Hill for round two.

It was much cooler back on the Skyline Trail overlooking Hawk Hill, but I was soon back into the woods and onto the Forest Path, which was a little wet, but still no problem. I continued onto the AMC Foot Path next, which is a fun little trail that is easy to lose if you're not paying attention. The skies were getting darker, but I SHOULD be fine, since rain isn't expected until later tonight. I made my way to the old school house and had a mindless walk back to my car along Headquarters Path. Houghton's side of the Reservation was complete (minus Hillside Pond but I don't count that)!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Forest Path trailhead.

- Start hike on Forest Path.

- At 2175, turn right onto Headquarters Path.

- At 2153, turn left onto Buck Hill Summit Trail.

- At terminus, continue onto Fern Spring Foot Path.

- At 2154, turn left onto Pig Rock Path.

- At 2172, continue left onto Bugbee Path.

- At 2190, turn around.

- At 2172, continue left on Bugbee Path.

- At 2140, turn right onto Fells Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Doe Hollow Path.

- At 2141, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- At 2210, turn left onto trail.

- At jct., turn right onto Forest Path.

- At jct. with Skyline Trail, turn around.

- At 2194, turn right onto AMC Foot Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Headquarters Path.

- At MA-28, turn around.

- At 2175, turn right onto Forest Path.

- Return to Car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Houghton's Pond, Old 128, Pipe Line (Blue Hills Reservation)

Houghton's Pond, Old 128, Pipe Line (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Tracing Loop

Distance: 5.80 miles

Elevation: 266 feet

Time: 1 hour, 54 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills

The Hike 

My first after-school Blue Hills hike in a WHILE! The first half of my drive was quite pleasant and the back half was BAD. A van tried to run me off the road in standstill traffic bad. Thankfully, eventually I made it to the Houghton's Pond parking area and got ready for my adventure. It was a cloudy day, 60 degrees with a breeze at the pond. There were a LOT of people out and about - walking, fishing (literally IN the pond), playing in the playground, etc. And then there was me! Full pack "hiking" around. I needed the series of trails around the Nursey Trail and then also the far end of 128, so I'd see what I'd accomplish!

I started with the trails over by Nursery Trail, which were underwhelming and totally fine. I then worked my way back to the parking lot to get the parking lot spur and the Headquarters Path towards the Skyline Trail. Happy to get these trails out of the way, I did get blessed with some Peepers peeping along Hillside Street, alongside just a touch of shining sun.

I turned onto Bugbee/Skyline and then turned again onto Paddock, first hiking the paved portion and then the trail portion before going toward Andover Path, which was surprisingly dry and had a new-ish looking bridge (it could be year old in fairness, I'm rarely over there). I spent a lot of this time fighting with my pack straps - I just couldn't figure it out today!

Continuing my journey, I planned to wiggle to MA-28 and then come back via Old Roue 128 (literally just so I could play Pokemon Go), but I accidentally took a wrong turn and landed on Old 128 early, which was literally fine. I jumped back in the woods for the lower Oblique Path and then decided I wanted to do Monatiquot Path and Pipe Line the LEAST, so I'd bang them out today since the hike was decently overwhelming anyway. 

I hiked onto Monatiquot Path and took in the sights, smells, and sounds of I-93, eventually turning the corner and going into a deeper, prettier woods. I hit the spur to MA-28 and the rest of Monatiquot to Bugbee before closing the loop on Pipe Line, where there was a deer munching on some grass! To no surprise it ran away once I got too close. 

I zoned out for a while on Old 128 playing Pokemon, which was nice and helped the time go by quickly. Near the end, the flooded area around the Blue Hills River was LOUD with Peepers, which was lovely. Back at Houghton's Pond, I got a photo of Great Blue Hill and the pond, and back at the parking lot, I was horrified to see that the stop sign traffic was still backed up - rude! Anyway, even though it was a lackluster adventure, I was still thrilled to have gotten out.

Step-by-Step

- Park at Houghton's Pond main parking area.

- Hike needed network of trails around the cirlce, and then continue west on Headquaters Path.

- At terminus, turn left twice onto Nursery Trail.

- Follow paths around Houghton's Pond's north side.

- After bathrooms, follow path to parking lot.

- From parking lot, turn right onto Headquarters Path.

- At jct., turn right onto Bugbee Path.

- After 2054, turn right onto Paddock Trail (paved).

- At jct., turn left onto Paddock Trail (footpath).

- Hike network of trails on west side of Houghton's Pond, turn hike west from 2053. 

- At jct., turn right onto Andover Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Burnt Hill Path.

- At 2092, turn right onto Angle Path.

- At 2100, turn left onto Old Route 128.

- At 2123, turn left onto trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Beech Hollow Path.

- At 2146, continue left onto Oblique Path.

- At 2150, turn right toward Old Route 128.

- At terminus, turn left onto Old Route 128.

- At terminus, continue onto Monatiquot Path.

- Hike spur to MA-28, then continue on Monatiquot Path.

- At jct., turn right onto Pipe Line, then turn around.

- At jct., turn right onto Monatiquot Path.

- At 2190, turn around.

- At jct., turn right onto Pipe Line.

- At terminus turn right onto Old Route 128.

- At parking area, follow paths back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album