Partial Forest Path Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Partial Forest Path Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop with Spurs
Distance: 6.09 miles
Elevation: 640 feet
Time: 2 hours, 4 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills 125-Mile Club (2x)

The Hike

I have been slow to write up this one. Maybe its because it lacks the glittery luster of a moose sighting or the fall foliage of the whites right now... or maybe I'm just going through a moment and feeling uninspired. Who knows! Either way, I took the long, trafficky drive from school down the Blue Hills for some hiking on a beautiful fall day in Massachusetts. I parked at Houghton's Pond, used the terrifyingly nasty porta potties, and got started!

I started by walking past the playground and onto the green/red/yellow route, following the shoreline of the pond. There was a cross country meet going on, so I stayed to the side as the teenagers sprinted past me. At the split, I followed the yellow route towards the athletic fields, but then dipped into the woods on the footpath that skirts around the dirt road portion of Old 128. I did a little bit of wandering in this area to hike some trails for my 2nd round of the 125-mile challenge, and then followed the Burnt Hill Path to join the white-triangle blazed Forest Path Loop, which ironically was partially burnt from the fires from this summer.

The scent of the woods with the fall breeze and falling leaves reminded me of my senior year at UMass when I would wander the trails around Puffers Pond, it brought me back to a really peaceful moment in a very hectic part of my life. On the other hand, I was furiously gassy during this hike and I was truly just grateful to be around grey squirrels again (no more crazy red squirrels). It's important to see both sides of things!

I strictly followed the white-triangle blazes at this point, skirting around Buck Hill, just enjoying my time in the woods. A really beautiful section was the Forest Path near Route 28 - the winding trail bordered by the yellow trees made for some beautiful walking. I found the granite markers for the Bugbee Path and Skyline Trail along the spurs to 28, and there was one burnt section with a tip line phone number to report arson - interesting.

I definitely started to lose energy when the trail followed Chickatawbut Road - so instead of following the blazes the rest of the way, I hopped on the Bugbee Path at 2096 and followed the Bugbee Path to Park HQ, and followed the Headquarters Path back to my car at Houghton's Pond. A really beautiful day in the woods! I decided for at least the rest of fall, I'm going to start bringing my camera again. This park is too pretty for my iPhone 8. 

Step-By-Step

• Park at Houghton's Pond parking.
• Follow green/red/yellow route.
• At split, continue to follow yellow route.
• At picnic area along east side of Houghton's Pond, take path into woods.
• Hike trails in this area, eventually ending at 2092.
• Hike Burnt Hill Path to 2111.
• Follow white triangles for a while.
• When white-triangle route coincides with red route after South Boyce Hill, turn left onto unnamed unnumbered path toward 2096.
• Follow green dot to pavement at 2070, and then follow Bugbee Path to Hillside St.
• At Hillside St., follow Headquarters Path back to parking lot.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album