Skyline Trail (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Skyline Trail (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 8.06 miles
Elevation: 925 feet
Time: 3 hours, 4 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

It's officially Disney week so I decided the best way to practice my walking and standing was to head into the woods! My feet were still a bit sore from hiking Wachusett yesterday (I really need to figure out my insole situation), but we did it anyway! Drove right from school to the South Border Road parking lot and started my journey!

Walked along Bellevue Pond on Quarry Road and then started my clockwise loop along the Skyline Trail! This trail was incredible well-marked which I was thrilled to see. There is a version on AllTrails, but there are some moments that are incorrect on that map in the southern side of the loop. I ignored the off-route alerts and kept following the blazes and always ended back on the AllTrails track. The first part of the trail follows rocky ridges and occassionally dips into the forest - almost reminded me of the Kittatiny Ridge in NJ, just smaller. Once dipping back into the woods around B5, the Skyline Trail parrallels the Reservoir Trail, and then both the Reservoir Trail and the Mountain Bike Loop. Thankfully, there weren't too many people, likely because I was hiking on a Monday afternoon. 

The trail remains relatively the same throughout the Western side of the reservoirs - ups and downs in the woods. No views and signage reminding hikers to not go near the reservoir waters. The first real change of scenery from the strict woods was at the North Reservoir where there are obstructed views of the dam and some construction going on. 

The Eastern side of the trail was my personal favorite, as it had more of the ridge-like hiking and very partial views. The most surprising moment was the Sheepfold section. I had been in the woods for around 5-6 miles at this point and suddenly am walking through a parking lot and on pavement? That section was short-lived and the trail quickly went back in to the woods traversing up and down rocky hills. At this point of the hike my feet were HURTING. I want to blame the rockiness of the trails but in reality my feet have been giving my problems recently and i need to play with the insoles (I think). 

I was incredibly grateful that I chose to do the loop clockwise becuase this hike ended at the Wright Tower on Pine Hill which gives an incredible view of Boston, the communities North of Boston, and the Blue Hills in the background. Two guys were sitting at the view smoking cigarettes and blasting music so I didn't stay long, but it is an incredible view. 

Heading down I made a mistake a followed the wrong trail, but I was tired and did not feel like backtracking, so I made it work. Back at the car I aired out my feet and had some beloved snacks! Overall, it was a nice hike, but I'm not itching to get back. The only real view was from Pine Hill, and the noise from the surrounding roadways was loud - much louder than at the Blue Hills (except for that one spot by the Great Cedar Swamp when you need to walk on the highway...). I also noticed that the people on these trails were not nearly as friendly as I'm used to at the Blue Hills, but I'm trying to not make that judgement just yet. I am looking forward to exploring some of the other trails within the reservation. 

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