[BACKLOG] Ponkapoag Bog (Blue Hills Reservation)

Ponkapoag Bog (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back

Distance: 4.4 miles

Elevation: 200 feet

Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

We were in the bleak midwinter, and Ponkapoag Pond was finally frozen! I saw the alert on the Blue Hills 125-Mile Club Facebook page, so I hit up Gen and we met after work to finally make it to the end of the infamous Ponkapoag Bog. We parked at Fisherman's Beach, and took the shorter route (clockwise) to hit the bog. The Acton Path was wide open with a few icy spots, and gave us a great view of the frozen pond and Big Blue from the dam area. 

After a longer walk than I expected, we finally hit the beginning of the bog boardwalk! I had been to this point before, so it was familiar territory. We took a deep breath, and started our journey in. It was clear that the beginning sections have had work done (i.e., large slabs of boardwalk added), and then it was also clear where there have been no alterations. We were pleased to see that the bog was completely frozen solid, especially when we hit the point where the boardwalk was sunken.

This trail is shockingly beautiful and provides an "other-worldly" feel - something you wouldn't expect to find so close to Boston. After shimmying across the ice at the sunken section, the boardwalk surfaces again through a beautiful meadowy area that was also showing spectacular sunset colors. It was so cool to be out here!

Next thing we knew, the boardwalk ended, and we were accidentally standing on Ponkapoag Pond! Thankfully it was still frozen solid. There was a couple ice skating on the pond - the only other people we saw. We took a bunch of photos before starting our return trip.

The return trip was quick and dark - since it was winter after all. We hit up the two spur trails off of 5216, and made it back to the car without slipping on ice or falling into the pond. I am writing this on December 14th, 2022, and I am so excited for the pond to freeze over again so I can make another journey out!

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album

Orignally written and posted December 14th, 2022 at 7:45am.