Mt. Agassiz (Bethlehem, NH)

Mt. Agassiz (Bethlehem, NH)

Hike Type: Out and Back

Distance: 1.66 miles

Elevation: 574 feet

My Time: 36 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour, 7 minutes

Parking: Small parking off of main road at trailhead.
Hiking Challenges: Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike 

I natuarlly woke up around 4:45am without an overly firm plan. I tried to fall back asleep, but once I realized I was simply awake, decided to start my day! I felt nostalgic waking up in Emma's house without her there, as she was usually on her way to patrol on these mornings. I decided I'd definely make my way over to Black Mountain to get a few runs in for their closing day. On the way, I've had my eye on Mt. Agassiz, so I'd start there, and then maybe get another hike in somewhere in the Randolph area? I heard on the Sounds Like a Search and Rescue Podcast that Mt. Crescent is supposed to be good - we'll see!

I had a nice and easy drive from Fairfax, VT to Bethlehem, NH (I always forget how cute the town of Bethlehem is). The parking area isn't super clear, but you pull onto a dirt road and there spots for two cars on the left, and then two more cars on the left just after, and that's really it. I got ready at the car, dodging a few flies ('tis the season), and realized that I had forgotten my camera! Bummer. That's kind of what I get for staying up until 1am, packing, and then leaving at 4am yesterday...

The weather was absolutely lovely. It was sunny and temps were in the mid 50s. The birds were singing and a gentle breeze blowing. A dream! I hiked up the road just a little ways and then ducked under a gate clearly labeling private property, but welcoming hikers. The hike climbed up this access road, which I learned used to be a carriage road, and later was traversed by the "Magic Mountain Express" - a train-shaped tractor "ride" that brought tourists to and from the top of the mountain. There is also a brief ski history here, which was fun to learn about, too. 

The road was partially paved and partially eroded and mostly steep. I passed an enormous raven perched on a tree, turned in a flat spot and passed som eeroded old culverts and a sign for "Cry Baby" (which I would later learn is a mountain biking trail a part of the Bethlehem Trails Association). There were tree views ahead to Mt. Agassiz and over to Mt. Cleveland, and I began to climb again after passing something that looked like an old oil tank. 

The gnats were out as I started to climb steeply again past an old, busted bench and more Cry Baby signs. It smelled like the mountains in summertime, which brought me a lot of joy.

There was a narrow view from a small power cut as the trail somehow felt steeper again? Thankfully, before I knew it I was seeing the communication tower through the trees and I was nearing the top! There were a bunch more mountain biking trails from the top. First, on the left was a communication tower and ahead was a neat-looking abandoned-looking stone building surrounding anohter communication tower.

I found some old bolts on the ground and disc labeled "Mt. Agassiz 3". Around the corner I was SHOCKED to see a truly spectacular view towards Franconia Notch. From left to right I could see the Twins (in a cloud), Garfield, Lafayette (in a cloud), the notch, Cannon, the Cannonballs, at least North Kinsman, and Moosilauke! There was a lone bench thanking the landowners in a mowed lawn. Around here I found another disc, labeled as "Mt. Agassiz No 4."

Near the building there was a lot of broken glass from broken windows in the building, so I carefully looked around some more. I made it back to the "Mt. Agassiz 3" disc and followed the arrow to a third disc, which was fun to see. I had to decide whether to hike it three times to make all three discs "count" or to save it for later - I opted to save it.

I thought about descending on Cry Baby just to mix things up, but it very much seemed like a proper mountain biking trail, so I left it to the mountain bikers. I had a super quick and easy descent back to the car. I wondered if the parking lot is plowed in winter, because this would be a nice snowshoe up (with televators). To cap this warm-up hike, I passed a red trilium! 

Back at the car, I decided I'd hit Mt. Crescent and the Carlton Notch Trail loop with the possibility of extending the hike to Mt. Randolph as well - we'll see!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike up road from parking area.

- Summit, and turn around to descend.

Photo Album

Skiing Jay Peak (Day 45)

Skiing Jay Peak

Saturday, May 16th, 2026

Runs: 4

Distance: 2.53 miles

Elevation: 4,570 feet

Max Speed: 27.5 mph

Avg. Speed: 10.2 mph

Moving Time: 15 minutes, 28 seconds

Total Time: 1 hour, 4 minutes, 27 seconds

The final weekend of skiing is among us. Jay pushed their closing weekend back a week, which was a treat becuase now I could end with Emma and Sarah in beautiful weather! I made it from late December to the end of April without missing a weekend, had a couple weekends off to start May, and now I'm back for one last hurrah! To my dismay, this was the first time every Emma wanted to get to the mountain for first chair (she had a bike race in Albany she had to drive to after), so I got home from the Midway Cafe at 12:30am, bed by 1:00am, and up and out at 4:00am! Ouch. I had a shocking stable drive up, though. I went right to the Stateside Base Lodge to use the bathroom, where there were only two other cars, and then made my way down to the 242 Lot, which had a whopping 8 cars. I guess it's partly due to it not being closing day proper, but Closing Day Eve. Either way, it was beautiful! I was sitting in a lawn chair with a Sun Cruiser in hand at 8:50am, and Emma and Sarah landed just after. We spent some time chatting and getting ready, took a shot of jagermeister, and then it was time!

Snow Report

THURSDAY, MAY 14 AT 1:16 PM

Final Laps in May

Spring skiing gets one more weekend.

And the weather is giving us a pretty good sendoff. Saturday looks sunny with temps climbing into the upper 60s. Sunday stays mild with parly sunny skies and temps in the lower 60s. Not a bad way to put final laps on the board.

We plan to run Jet only operations this weekend. Saturday May 16 through Sunday May 17, from 9:30AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday, May 17 is scheduled to be the final day of lift operations for the 2025/26 winter season.

Day tickets will be $45, with no additional discounts applied.

Please note, Jet only operations mean terrain will be limited to advanced skiing and riding. Guests should be comfortable on advanced terrain before heading up.

One more weekend, a little May sunshine, and a few final Jet laps to close out a season that was impressive from start to finish.

Base Area Info:

The Stateside Base Lodge will be open for guests to gear up, use restrooms, and get ready for the hill.

The Stateside Ticket Booth will be open. Tramside Customer Service will be closed.

Provisions General Store on Tramside will be open for food, drinks, and other basics.

The Pump House Indoor Waterpark will operate Friday through Sunday until daily summer operations begin June 19.

Runs 1-4

Run 1: Jet Triple - The Jet

[0.65 miles; 3:38; 1,155 feet; 23.8 mph max; 10.6 mph avg]

Run 2: Jet Triple - The Jet

[0.58 miles; 2:55; 1,158 feet; 25.2 mph max; 11.9 mph avg]

Run 3: Jet Triple - The Jet

[0.71 miles; 5:21; 1,155 feet; 27.5 mph max; 8.0 mph avg]

Run 4: Jet Triple - The Jet

[0.59 miles; 334; 1,106 feet; 25.7 mph max; 10.0 mph avg]

To our delight, The Jet was mostly in! You could technically make some top-to-bottom runs! The hike up from the 242 lot was by far the most physically taxing moment of the day. The ribbon of death was holding up pretty nicely, especially down low, which was DICEY last year! We giggled and reminsced on the ride up and just loved being out in the sun. We took some photos, and went to get our first run in! There was a slushy strip of... slush from the top to about 50 feet down. We decided to not be weenies and just commit - it wasn't TOO bad - only a few little rocks. The main stretch was an absolute dream to ski. Soft bumps that were just big enough to go "whee!" The run out was shockingly fast and in great condition. We got back on the lift, and both Emma and Sarah called their two more skip the last!

I wanted to get another run in, so they went over to the patrol shack to play bananagrams while I skied down the slush again, which was more like wet mud, and then had a wonderful run. Really, all I wanted was to get a run in where I skied a little better, and I achieved it! I took the chair back up and met them at the end of their game. We shared another drink, played some games, took some pictures, and were just having a wonderful time. Emma wanted to head out at noon for her bike race, so I decided to get another run in without them, which went well again! I did walk down this time in a feeble attempt to protect my bases. 

Again, my run was wonderful. I love skiing. I love that I put the work in to get halfway decent at it so I can enjoy it in the middle of May. I even got called sexy by someone for my leopard print shorts! It wasn't until I was back at the top that I realized I forgot my helmet! My goodness. Naturally, Emma and Sarah made fun of me (fair), and we took our final photos of the Vermonter of the season (some of our best, might I add). We had our moment of being Emo, Sarah and I got a recreation of our photo from last year, and then we skied right down to the car. We hung out for just a bit longer, but then went on the road. 

No time to be Emo yet, since we were all going to the same place! Back at Emma's we packed her up and then I walked up to Sarah's for a couple drinks and final hangs. THEN we finally said our goodbye and I had a lovely Emo walk back to Emma's to pick up my pizza and watch some movies with Lola The Dog. It was during this time I decided to push my ski season one day further by going to Black Mountain tomorrow for their closing day, probably getting a hike in on the way over.

Map of Jay Peak (2025-2026, Updated)

Eliot Path, Skyline North, Brookwood, Accord Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Eliot Path, Skyline North, Brookwood, Accord Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spaghetti Spur

Distance: 6.59 miles

Elevation: 1,119 feet

My Time: 2 hours, 21 minutes

Book Time: 3 hours, 51 minutes

Parking: In ski area parking lot.
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills; Great Blue Hill Summits

The Hike 

To say I had a rough day would be an understatement! It all started when I went to brush my teeth at 4:30am and saw there was heavily flowing water into my bathroom from above... It continued at 4:45am when I did my yoga and heard a "splash." My kids at school were dreadful and nothing was going right! My main goal for hiking was to hit the Brookwood Farm trails, but I knew I needed to exercise to work out some frustration, so I figured I'd go rogue and pair it with at least a partial Skyline Loop.

I had a sleepy drive that had "heavier than usual traffic," like every day, and made it to the Trailside Museum/Ski Area parking around 3:45pm. It was partly cloudy in the mid-60s, so at least the weather was wonderful!

I started my hike behind a woman hiking with a cat-carrier backpack, which was interesting to see! I was not going for speed in the slightest, so I happily took my time hiking up (and naturally sped up near the top). I found myself constantly daydreaming of my upcoming trip to the Maine high peaks!

I summited Great Blue Hill, passing more people than I was used to. I loved seeing the green baby leaves against the blue sky. I continued down the Skyline North up and over Wolcott to Hemenway, where I admired the view back towards Great Blue Hill. I did miss this trail - it's been satisfying to knock off my remainder trails for my map, but this loop is too good!

Before climbing up Hancock Hill, I heard an owl! I spent a good five minutes looking around the Skyline/Breakneck Ledge junction for it, but was unsuccessful. I'll have to return...

I passed a couple taking a break in the middle of the trail on Hancock Hill, which I get, it's beautiful, but why in the middle of the trail when there's so much space? The tent catepillars were really thriving as I descended. I turned onto Hillside Street and was greeted by the lesser periwinkle flowers as I begrudingly climbed up Houghton Hill, which had me huffing and puffing, per usual.

Descending Houghton, I passed more hikers sitting in the middle of the trail. I crossed the lower stream and then the upper, which was mostly dried out, and then continued onto Wildcat Notch Trail, which had a massive, inconvenient blowdown blocking the way. I was starting to get hungry as I turned onto Half Way Path, Accord Path, and finally Brookwood Trail.

I crossed Blue Hill River Road and turned onto the gated half of the Brookwood Farm loop road, which was super scenic. I hiked across the mowed path towards the main farm, and then over towards 1057, which was in just dreadful condition. There was hardly a footpath to the property line, and no way to bushwahck to the main loop without getting scraped up by prickers. To my dismay, the main loop was also just dreadful. It felt like no one's been back here in years!

I passed a little swampy pond at 1079 and continued left, having to hurdle over a blowdown that's been there since the last time I hiked here years ago. To even greater dismay, there was no discernable path for the outer loop around the meadow. After just going at it, making ridiculous high steps to avoid ticks, I could just barely make out a footpath. This was miserable. This was actually worst than Field Path. It got a little better back in the woods, but I was VERY excited to be done with this area, and unless I shoot myself in the foot again, I will do everything in my power to do this hike in the winter forever more!

I decided I don't need further punishment by climbing back up Big Blue, so once I got back to the main side of the reservation I followed the Accord Path all the way back to my car, which was a good move. I noticed (again) a path that looks like it could be the abandoned Cliff Trail, smelled the food from the Hillside Pub, and eventually walked out underneath the chairlift at the ski area. I also saw the rope tow they're installing that was in theory going to be live for this past winter, better late than never! It also only went up 1/2 the hill, which was interesting, but not my business...

(EDIT: I just remembered Strava's Heat Map feature - it definitely was the Cliff Trail!)

TIME TO GO HOME.

Step-by-Step

- Park at the ski area parking.

- Start hike at 1023 on Eliot Path (red dots).

- At terminus/1055, turn right onto Elito Circle.

- At road, turn left.

- At next jct., turn right.

- Summit Great Blue Hill.

- Follow road and then gravel path around Summit Observatory.

- At terminus, turn left onto Skyline Trail (blue rectangles).

- At 1063, turn right onto Skyline Trail North (blue rectangles).

- At Hillside Street, turn right.

- At jct., turn right onto Skyline Trail South (blue rectangles).

- At jct., turn left onto Wildcat Notch Path.

- At 1093, turn right onto Half Way Path.

- At 1081, turn right onto Accord Path.

- At 1062, turn left onto Brookwood Trail.

- At terminus, cross and turn right onto Blue Hill River Road.

- At jct., turn left onto gated road.

- At jct., turn right onto mowed path.

- At terminus, turn left.

- At 1057, hike spur to property boundary, turn around, and then hike loop.

- At 1079, turn left.

- At 1077, turn right.

- At 1079, turn right.

- Follow road out to Blue Hill River Road.

- At Blue Hill River Road, turn right.

- At jct., turn left onto Brookwood Trail.

- At 1062, turn left onto Accord Path.

 - Follow Accord Path to ski area and car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Nahanton Hill, Reservoir, Sassaman Notch Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Nahanton Hill, Reservoir, Sassaman Notch Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop w/ Lollipop Spur

Distance: 4.17 miles

Elevation: 522 feet

My Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Book Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes moving

Parking: At Chickatawbut Overlook.
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills

The Hike 

"Heavier than usual traffic on your route" - Google Maps, again.

I was going back and forth on getting a hike in on this Wednesday afternoon. Traffic was abhorrent and I was already getting out late, but I rallied. It was going to be the last nice day until the weekend and I knew I'd feel better if I sucked it up. I made it to the Chickatawbut Overlook trailhead at 4:20pm (horrible). Thankfully, it was a nice partly sunny day at 67 degrees with a breeze - could be worse. The main objective for the day was the Blue Hills Reservoir, one of my three last sections - anything else would be a bonus - off I go!

As a gace of god, my mood was turned around 2 minutes into my hike when I heard the beautiful song of a Baltimore Oriole (thank you, Merlin)! I hiked the Tower Path over to the rock stairs on the back side of Nahanton Hill - I was determined to see a view! The blueberry and other bushes were starting to bloom, which made for a very scenic mini climb. My legs were feeling a bit tired from my first leg day in like six-ish weeks (and it was a weak leg day at that), so I was moving slow and steady.

The view from Nahanton showed hazy clouds north of Boston with mostly blue skies south - fun to see! I made it down and up the first Broken Hill, which is always a favorite of mine. The tent catepillars were also loving the first Broken Hill. The swamp between #1 and #1.5 was fully dried up, and just after I turned left onto the Squamaug Notch Path, which had even more tent catepillars and some red columbine flowers that I had never seen before (thank you, Seek!). I turned onto the Ridge Path and then started my loop around the Reservoir.

The path around the Reservoir that follows Chickatawbut Road was actually in great shape - I feel like my legs usually get tickled the entire time, but I had no tickling to speak of! There were a couple of fishermen on the wooded side along with what I believe to be a Great Egret. It was windy on this loop, but all nice.

The egret flew away as I got closer, naturally. I walked along the dandelion-lined path parallel to the woods, hiked the penninsula (the reeds that usually block the way were flattened - maybe from this year's snow?), and passed the two fishermen, who seem to have become friends! I then worked my way back to Squamaug Notch and the Skyline Trail to finish out the Broken Hills.

I hiked the Pocapawmet and Wampatuck Paths, landing on the Curve Path. The swamp that the Curve Path follows had some wildlife commotion going on, but I was not planning on finding out what it was! I decided to make my return via the Sassaman Notch Path, which is a really pretty old road. It makes it fun to imagine what life was like when it was an actual road proper. The path was a bit of a slog after a while, but eventually I was back in the notch, passing the tower, and back to my car!

Upon plugging this hike into my spreadsheets, I found that this was my 200th hike in the Blue Hills! How fun!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Chickatawbut Overlook.

- Start hike on Tower Path (yellow dots).

- At tower, turn left on Tower Path (yellow dots).

- At terminus, continue onto unnamed path up Nahanton Hill.

- At split, turn left.

- At 3103, continue onto Skyline Trail eastbound (blue rectangles).

- At 3144, turn left onto Squamaug Notch Path.

- At 3131, turn right onto Ridge Path.

- At Chickatawbut Road, turn right.

- Continue on path along road, hike around reservoir clockwise.

- Return to Ridge Path.

- Turnleft onto Ridge Path.

- At 3131, turn left onto Squamaug Notch Path.

- At 3144, turn left onto Skyline Trail (blue rectangles). 

- Before Chickatawbut Road, turn right onto unmapped Pocapawmet Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Wampatuck Path.

- At 3153, turn right onto Curve Path.

- At 3135, turn right onto Sassaman Notch Path (red dots).

- Follow Sassaman Notch Path past the turn of red dots, turn left onto Tower Path (yellow dots).

- Return to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Green Hill Path, Field Path, Orchard Trail (Blue Hills Reservation)

Green Hill Path, Field Path, Orchard Trail (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti-ish Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.47 miles

Elevation: 118 feet

My Time: 51 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour ,17 minutes

Parking: At end of Royall Street.
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills

The Hike 

Monday afternoon! I had a brutally slow and sleepy drive after work (I don't know why Google insists on saying "slower than usual traffic" when the traffic is always slow), fully fueled by leftover cheerios. Skies were grey, temps in the low-60s, and I was very low on energy. Thankfully, I had a small hanging chad that I needed to get done, no matter how much I didn't want to do it. I parked at the end of Royall Street and hiked right into the woods to meet up with the western end of the Skyline Trail, which was full of spiderwebs. 

On a plus, the Skyline Trail follows a wonderful stone wall before crossing a highway drain outflow surrounded by garbage... Anyway, I continued onto the abandoned interchange, past the... flooring(?) that has been decomposing for years, and made my way back into the woods at the start of Green Hill Path. To mix things up, I decided to hike Field Path counter-clockwise, yay?

Field Path has notoriously been one of, if not the most overgrown trail in the reservation. To my delight, some of the blowdowns have met a saw in the past couple of years! It actually used to be much worse. There was a good amount of unavoidable vegetation, but thankfully i made it out without ticks. The footing transitioned from leafy/stick-y to grassy, which was unpleasant in a different way. The only fun part of this trail is the little blowdown tunnel you get to hike through. The field that the trail might be named after appeared to be covered in pricker bushes now... bummer.

There were a few easy step-over blowdowns at the end, and I was free! The return on Green Hill Path was very leafy, but fine otherwise. Onto Orchard Trail, there was a LOUD flying insect near the beginning, and delightfully nothing elsewhere. This was in the best shape out of all three trails back here. I returned again on Green Hill, through the interchange, back onto the Skyline Trail, and at the same junction where I turned onto the trail, I veered right (not turn right, to be clear) onto the final trail I needed in this area - just a spur from Skyline to Royall Street. At the terminus, there was a sign pointing towards the Skyline Trail and Fowl Meadow - fun!

I could have driven over to Brookwood to get another hanging chad, but my energy was dreadfully low and all I wanted was to get my chicken from Costco and go to bed, which is EXACTLY what I did!

Step-by-Step

- Park at the end of Royall Street, enter woods on unmapped path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow pavement to Green Hill Path.

- At 6102, turn left onto Field Path.

- At 6103, turn right onto Green Hill Path.

- At 6102, turn left onto Orchard Trail.

- At 6104, turn left onto Green Hill Path.

- Follow path and pavement back to Skyline Trail.

- At terminus of the spur hiked in the beginning, follow different spur left to Royall Street.

- At terminus, turn right on Royall Street, return to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Ponkapoag East, Hemlock Road, Randolph Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Ponkapoag East, Hemlock Road, Randolph Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop

Distance: 8.03 miles

Elevation: 420 feet

My Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes

Book Time: 4 hours, 13 minutes

Parking: At Donovan Elementary School (weekends).
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026; Trail Trace the Blue Hills

The Hike 

I feel like we keep having rainy weekends! I didn't get out hiking yesterady due to... RAIN, and I had plans today with Christien in the afternoon, so my only window was a morning in the Blue Hills. Thankfully, I still had one more medium-big section left of my map, so off to Randolph I go! It always feels strange going to Randolph, since I used to work there. I parked at the Donovan school, booted up at the car, and was on my hike! It was a cool 54-degree morning full of wet plants and clouds overhead. I threw some bug spray on (the first of the year!) just in case I caught any ticks. I also needed a few hanging chads on the main Ponkapoag side, but wasn't going to get married to that idea - one thing at a time!

My hike started on Meadow Road and then on an unmapped connector and then unnamed trail, both of which had plenty of horse poop. I hiked the unique trails around the Ladybug Trail, Sumner Path, Cranberry Circle, and Coolidge Path (and fought for my life to stay on the correct trail, as there's a bunch of random paths), did NOT spook a deer right off of the trail, and then worked my way over to the old ballfields. There was SO MUCH horse poop.

To no surprise, Pasture Road was muddy. Not super wet-wet, but very muddy. The slippery kind of mud that you don't expect, and suddenly you're mudsliding three feet ahead. I turned onto the first unnamed trail at 5424 and noticed that this area was recently burned! According to Facebook, just a few days ago, which made sense since the smell was pungent. I was sweating from the humidity (and probably from dodging poop), and loopty-looped my way around this area, running into another deer at the footpath end of Pasture Road! There was also some impressive Japanese Knotweed.

Once I survived, I returned to Pasture Road and made my way to the Pequimmit Trail, following muddy deer tracks on the way. Pequimmit Trail was nice and dry and bisected another unmapped trail on the way to the Pipe Line. I passed some young tent catepillars and started a long figure-8 loop, turning left onto the Pipe Line, hiking the triangle at the base of the horse bridge, and then continuing onto the Wannamanhut Path. The sun would poke through occasionally, followed by another patch of darker clouds. The trail came near Route 24, and when it ended, I turned left onto Middle Road, which came to a hole in the fence SUPER close to 24. Spooky! I turned around here, crossed the Pipe Line, and continued onto the main part of Middle Road, which had a few criss-crossing trails not on the map. One day I WILL explore the Nike area, but not today.

I crossed Middle Street and continued onto an unmapped footpath. When it terminated, I turned onto the seldom-used eastern spur of Smith Trail, which gently rose and steeply dropped to some private property at an impressive rock (I almost fell down the steep drop, oops). I turned around, hiked to the Pipe Line, hiked the Pipe Line to I-93, and then turned around and hiked the full Pipe Line all the way to MA-24. Naturally, the last bit after the horse bridge entrance was the worst, but it wasn't unbearable, at least?

After my grassy excursion, I did push onto the main Ponkapoag area, where I only needed a few trails (including another bad stretch of the Pipe Line). I crossed the horse bridge, hiked Vose Path (both branches), and then continued along Hemlock Road. Just before the Pipe Line junction, there was a comically deep... dry? mud pit? Like it wasn't dirt, but it also wasn't sopping wet. Weird. I hit the stretch of Pipe Line towards 24, then the rest of Hemlock Road, across a little stream, to the road, back across the little stream, into the little stream (oops), and then I turned left to finish out the Pipe Line, which was slippery and muddy and wet (and stinky?). In my insanity, I started to conjure up a silly route called the "Pipe Line Traverse," which would either require extensive backtracking to avoid 24/93 or painful road walks.

Thankfully, life got better after the Pipe Line was done. I turned to hike near the AMC Camps and then onto Randolph Path, hitting two spurs I needed, then I returned across the horse bridge and back onto Meadow Road. I watched a little red squirrel chase a massive grey squirrel, which brought joy, almost got run over by a mountain biker, and then was back at my car! 

Now I only have four little and one medium section left: the Field Path area, the Brookwood Farm area, the Blue Hills Reservoir, the Braintree Triangle, and of course, the Quincy Quarries. Almost there!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Donovan Elementary School and start hike by entering woods and turning left onto Meadow Road.

- At Reed St., turn right onto unmapped path.

- At terminus, turn left onto path.

- At Reed St., turn around.

- At jct., turn left onto Ladybug Trail.

- At someone's back yard, turn around.

- At jct., turn left.

- At terminus, continue left onto Meadow Road.

- Hike network of trails with Sumner Path, Coolidge Path, Cranberry Circle, etc., then continue left on Meadow Road.

- At 5414, turn right onto Pasture Road.

- At 5424, turn right.

- At terminus, turn left.

- Follow to Pasture Road, then turn right.

- At turn, continue left onto Pasture Road, now a footpath.

- At 5440, turn around.

- At jct., turn left.

- At jct. at ballfield, turn right.

- At jct., turn right.

- At terminus, turn left onto Pasture Road.

- At 5423, turn right onto Pequimmit Trail.

- At 5421, turn left onto Pipe Line.

- Hike triangle at 5413, then turn onto Wannamanhut Path.

- At 5422, turn left onto Middle Road.

- At break in fence turn around, cross Pipe Line, and continue onto Middle Road.

- Cross Middle Street, continue onto unmapped foot path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Smith Trail.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5425, turn right onto Pipe Line.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5413, continue straight on Pipe Line.

- At MA-24, turn around.

- At 5413, turn left onto Randolph Path.

- Before 5401, hike large triangle at Vose Path, then continue south on Hemlock Road.

- At 5395, turn left onto Pipe Line.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5395, turn left onto Hemlock Road.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5395, turn left onto Pipe Line.

- At 5355, turn right onto Swamp Path (green).

- At 5360, turn right onto Randolph Path.

- At jct., hit spur to Ponkapoag Path, then continue.

- At 5401, turn left onto Hemlock Road.

- At 5362, turn around.

- At 5401, turn left onto Randolph Path.

- At 5413, veer right onto Meadow Road.

- Follow Meadow Road to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Crystal Spring Loop, Doleful Pond, Healthy Heart Loop (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Crystal Spring Loop, Doleful Pond, Healthy Heart Loop (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ spur, Loop, Little Loop

Distance: 5.09 miles

Elevation: 361 feet

Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes

Parking: Ample parking at Greenwood Park in Stoneham.
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026; Middlesex Fells Reservation

The Hike 

I foolishly thought yesterday was hot. Today was HOT. 80 degrees! I was killing time while Christien was at work, so I fugred I'd get the trails in the Crystal Spring/Doleful Pond area of the Fells for the first time. Plan was loosely a double loop, first following the red Crystal Spring blazes and second following the green Healthy Heart trail.

The hike started through a really cute loosely zoo-themed playground and then I started to follow the red loop around! The trail passed a meadow restoration area and then followed a small little boardwalk around a swampy area that's drying up. I then broke my plan of following red blazes and hit the spur trail to Doleful Pond, since it was a one-way trail anyway. I was loving how green everything was, but not obsessed with the bugs or being able to feel the pollen. 

At Gate 46, there was a backyard with dozens and dozens of birdhouses. I turned around and hiked to Gate 45, and enjoyed my time along the pond, which was more or less a murky pond that was 50% tall reeds. I did see a great blue heron flying away! There was a viewpoint that had two old stadium seats, which I found interesting. 

Dolefiul Pond Road paralled a stone wall, turned right, and then followed people's back yard fences to the gate. This was a nice side trip! Now, back on task.

There was a nice breeze and I was SWEATY from the hot sun. Back on the Crystal Spring Trail, I climbed up Whip Hill on a more trail-like trail as the treetops were clanking in the breeze. Near the top of the hill, there was a sign discussing rogue trails and what students at Stoneham High School are doing to help, which was cool. I passed a few people, but soon remembered that hikers are NOT nearly as friendly here as they are in the Blue Hills. Thinking about it, I think it's partly because this side of the city runs more metropolitan, and also more people are here for "walking" versus "hiking."

After Whip Hill, the Crystal Spring trail descended slowly all the way to Crystal Spring, which had some cool stone structures and many flowers, including the common blue violet. There was no water flowing, but still cool to see! The trail climbed after this and turns right near the height of land. The forest floor here is dotted with common mayflowers pre-budding, which was really pretty. 

Afterwards, the trail began to gradually climb up Saddleback Hill, which soon had a nice view over the road and to Spot Pond Reservoir. The wind was whipping! Afterwards, there were a couple more partial viewpoints, and then I was back at the playground!

I walked through the playground, which was more full of children this time around, probably because school was out. I started to follow the green blazes for Loop #2, but did hit the extra spur of Whip Hill Road before continuing on. The green blazes brought me around a wetland area and later made a few crossings with the Crystal Spring Trail. It circled an impressive boulder on the far side of the loop, and once near Saddleback Hill I checked the map and managed to get a stick in the eye... ugh...

Anyway, I soon finished that loop, and now it was time to just wander! I turned right at E2-2, hiked in towards some trails I hadn't hiked yet, past a wildly unphased deer, and then got the text that Christien was heading out, so it was time for me to head out, too!

Step-by-Step

Loop #1

- Park at Greenwood Park

- Start hike on red-blazed Crystal Springs Trail, clockwise.

- At E1-2, turn left. 

- At E1-1, turn right onto Doleful Pond Road.

- At Gate 46, turn around.

- At Gate 45, turn around.

- At E1-1, turn right.

- At E1-2, turn left onto Crystal Springs Trail.

- Follow Crystal Springs Trail clockwise, hiking spur to Pond Street, then continuing.

- At E2-3, turn left onto trail.

- At Woodland Road, turn around.

- At E2-3, turn left onto trail.

Loop #2

- Back at Greenwood Park, start hike at same spot, following green Healthy Heart blazes.

- At E2-1, turn left onto Whip Hill Road

- At "NO TRESPASSING," turn around and follow green blazes clockwise. 

- At E2-6, turn left.

- At E2-5, turn around.

- At E2-5, turn left.

Loop #3

- At E2-2, turn right.

- At E2-7, turn right.

- At E2-8, turn left.

- At F2-2, turn around.

- At E2-8, turn right onto Whip Hill Road.

- At E2-1, turn left and return to car.

Middlesex Fells Reservation Map

Photo Album