Holt and Boston Hills (Ward Reservation)
Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop
Distance: 3.77 miles
Elevation: 525 feet
Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A
Distance: 3.77 miles
Elevation: 525 feet
Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
My first hike in a while that doesn't count towards any lists or challenges! (I guess technically the Trustees have their own challenge to visit all their properties, but it seems pretty disorganized and overall I'm not interested in most their properties for now). I had some time to kill before my friend's band concert, so I hopped on AllTrails, and landed at the Ward Reservation! There were many signs indicating that parking is only allowed in the parking lot, and to come back another time if the lot was full. There was also a $6 fee to park here, which I had no problem paying (especially since they took credit card at the kiosk). I parked, paid the fee, and started the hike!
Right away, the hike starts on a boardwalk through a wildflower area which leads to the start of the yellow loop and signs for other trails. I followed signs for the Bog Trail and took that boardwalk to the pond. I saw my first snake of the year enjoying the sun on the bog boardwalk! Lots of dragonflies as well. The pond was nice, but the bugs were definitely awake so I quickly retraced my steps and climbed a set of stairs to follow the yellow trail towards Holt Hill.
The yellow trail is just beautiful from start to finish. It skirts private property overlooking grassy hillsides, then travels on a woods road bordered by tall pines, and ultimately climbs a path mowed through a meadow to the top of Holt Hill, which has gorgeous views towards Boston and the surrounding lowlands. There were stones in the ground called the "solstice stones," which I'm sure do something cool on the solstice (?), and there was a firetower that I wanted to climb, but was closed to the public sadly.
My hike continued onto the Blue trail, which had a few different names at different points. I took this loop clockwise. The trail was relatively featureless - just a classic trail in the woods. The bugs were definitely alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic, especially during the uphill sections, so I got a nice cardio workout in during this stretch. The view from Boston Hill was also pretty, but slightly more limited. Thankfully it made up for it by providing a couple of adirondack chairs and information about controlled brush fires to restore the hill to it's previous foliage.
The return trip from this point was relatively featureless. A few stand-out moments were when the trail was parallel to someone's backyard, and they had these big fancy signs that read first in cursive "take a picture, it'll last longer" and underneath in a different font, "better yet, send me your address so I can stare into your backyard." It made me chuckle but also feel icky. I hope they put those there in good fun and aren't living in a constant state of cranky... and in hikers' defenses, the landowners have a collection of the loudest wind chimes on this earth so of course I'm going to look.
Anyway, there was one quick buggy climb back to the top of Holt Hill, then the yellow trail back down was short and sweet. It ran in conjunction with the Bay Circuit Trail, which aims to be an "outer Emerald Necklace." Before I knew it, I was back at the car, then at the dollar tree to get supplies to make a sign for the concert!
Step-By-Step
- Park at designated parking off of Prospect Road (there are many signs warning to only park in the parking lot).
- Walk towards kiosk and start hike on the boardwalk leading to the woods.
- Follow signs for Bog Trail (do not go up hill).
- At the stairs, turn right to follow the Bog Trail. Hike to the pond and return.
- Climb up the stairs to join the Yellow Trail.
- Continue to follow blazes for the Yellow Trail towards Holt Hill.
- The Yellow Trail will join the Red Trail first, and then the Bay Circuit Trail. Continue to follow the yellow blazes.
- Enjoy the view at the top of Holt Hill (and be slightly cranky that the fire tower is closed to the public).
- Head towards the forest to find the Blue Trail (Graham Trail) and follow this trail clockwise. There will be junctions throughout, but the Blue Trail is always clearly marked.
- Climb back up the hill to close the Blue Trail loop and return to Holt Hill.
- Walk to the other side of the hill (near the capped reservoirs) to find the entrance to the second half of the Yellow Trail.
- Follow the Yellow Trail back to the car.
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