Hancock Hill and Houghton Hill from Trailside Museum (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hancock Hill and Houghton Hill from Trailside Museum

Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 1020 feet
Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge

The Hike

Really nice hike on a very moody afternoon (weather-wise). Been recovering from strep throat and then my first cold since pre-pandemic, but my nose was open for long enough to convince me to get out into the woods. It was cool and spooky to watch and hear the trees flailing in the wind. This hike also served as a "clean up" hike for some of the random trails I've missed. I treated it as a choose your own adventure and it was a lovely afternoon.

Started at the trailside museum and started up the auto road to hit the trails around there. The Bartol path was nice, landed on a private farm. Saw a DCR "Dead End" sign which I haven't come across before. Contineud on the Border Path until I hit Unquity Road. There was some cool old foundation towards the road. From there, I decided to head up the trail that ascends the ridge of Hancock Hill beucase I remember the view being incredible, so I hopped on Chestnut Run and did my best to find the trail at 1201, but failed and ultimately ended up climbing wet boulders. Didn't die, and got those amazing views! The moody weather really added to it too.

From there I was officially on my return trip. Hopped on Skyline North, hit a few trails that I needed around Houghton's Hill, Circled the swamp around Walcott Hill, and made my way back to the car. The weather cooperated mostly, and I got a nice workout in. That view from Hancock Hill is absolutely amazing. 

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