More Blue Hills Patch Challenges?

The more I explore the Blue Hills, the more silly ideas I find myself getting into. Currently, the Friends of Blue Hills offer four patches: Skyline Trail 1st time, Skyline Trail 2nd time, 125-Mile Club 1st time, 125-Mile Club 2nd time. The AMC Southeastern Mass. Chapter hosts trail tracing challenges, with patches for each time you complete a map. Their rules are a little more strict than the Friends of Blue Hills. I've completed both 1st time FBH patches, and am currently working on the AMC SEC's Blue Hills Winter Trace (when spring hits I'll get back to the FBH 125-Mile 2nd time patch). But what if there were more?

The first silly idea I have that I really want to do is a "Blue Hills Diretissma" - hitting all of the named hills in one continuous hike (inspired by the White Mountains Diretissma). The route I planned out on AllTrails is 15+ miles, 2000+ feet, and goes from Burma Road in Dedham to Granite Railway Quarry in Quincy, hitting all the named hills in between. Not saying this should be a patch challenge, but would be a fun, loooooong day.

What if there were patches for summiting Great Blue Hill? A first time patch? A bronze patch after 25 summits? Silver after 50? Gold after 100? There would have to be rules, of course. A summit means trailhead to summit, so you couldn't go up and down over and over again without returning to the trailhead first. Would this apply to other hills as well? Just the big ones?

What about a Blue Hills "Grid" (like the White Mountains Grid) - hiking all the hills in every month of the year. This could be a fun long-term project. Would you have to hike them individually (i.e., if you hit Great Blue Hill and Houghton Hill in the same hike, you could only count one of them for the grid) or would peakbagging be allowed?

Still along the lines of "inspired by White Mountains challenges" - the "Every Calendar Day" challenge? Summit one of the hills on every calendar day (including Feb. 29th!)? This could be another fun long-term challenge.

Who will make these patches? Who will sponsor? So many questions! 

Chickatawbut Skyline Trail to 3174 Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Chickatawbut Skyline Trail to 3174 Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti Figure-8 Loop

Distance: 6.62  miles

Elevation: 942 feet
Time: 2 hours, 39 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace, Blue Hill Grid

The Hike

It’s Sunday and… actually spring now? The temperature was almost exclusively in the 50s during this hike which was equal parts lovely and unsettling to the brain. Hearing the songbirds chipping was lovely, though. I parked at the Chickatawbut Overlook, hiked to the tower, and then headed to the Sassaman Notch Path toward Chickatawbut Road, which was an easy, little traveled out-and-back. Now headed in the opposite direction, I took the barely visible Thayer Path steeply up old stone steps, followed it to the left down its other branch, then went up the stone steps once more before hitting the road up Chickatawbut. I had my usual crankiness that the actual summit of Chickatawbut Hill is inaccessible to hikers, and then continued past the road along the Thayer Path. There are nice partial views heading down Thayer before diving into the woods, and I had a brief moment of sentimentality where I was just so grateful to live near such a great series of hills and trails.

Continuing down Thayer Path, I startled a family of deer and then followed a herd path into a power cut and then around the perimeter of the water tower to hike out-and-back the water tower road. I retraced my steps, and then continued down the Thayer Path to 3042, which is comically difficult to find at first. It was a breezy day, and the fire-charred trees were sawing LOUDLY in the wind, which was spooky for sure. I walked past a group (guided?) hike, followed the Braintree Pass Path for a short while before turning left onto an unnamed path (Stokes Foot Path! Finally found its name on the FBH website on an old map) that eventually connects with the Skyline Trail. I loved this trail! It gets a little steep at times, but never anything silly. The upper stretch is along a rocky ridge which reminded me of the Kittatinny Ridge in NJ. You could tell there used to be a good amount of views from this trail a few decades ago, but the trees have grown in. This trail terminates at the Skyline Trail a little past halfway up Chickatawbut Hill, and slightly down the hill is an excellent view of Hawk Hill, Buck Hill, and Great Blue Hill (I saw this outcropping from Buck Hill yesterday and wondered about it!). My Sunday hungover legs were surely feeling the burn by this point, but thankfully the views made up for the pain. A passerby reminded me that this 50-degree weather is not to be trusted.

Finally heading up to the top (or as close to the top as I can get) of Chickatawbut Hill, where I passed the group again as they were exploring small spurs to views. The next few hills were fun to go over, but also eerie, as this area was severely burned last spring/summer. There are stairs going up Fenno, up and down Kitchamakin, and again up Nahanton. Fenno was the most burnt, and it was spooky. An eerie sense of beauty, but also upsetting knowing that they were set with mal intent. There is a great view coming down Nahanton, one that I barely remembered from my Skyline Traverse 1.5 years ago - I need to do one again.

The next section of the trail was through the Broken Hill - I counted four plus a small knob. The first broken hill was the biggest and most burnt, and it descended to a small pond, before immediately rising to a small knob. Just after the knob there is an old sign post, and then the rest of the trail had old fence posts remnants. I assume this has to do with the old Blue Hills Reservoir, which I learned was decommissioned in the late 90’s and filled in the 2000’s and replaced with the current water tanks and pond. Not sure though! Broken Hills 2 and 3 were gentler, with a nice view coming down #2. #3’s height-of-land is a big rock slab, and then there is a steeper climb up to #4 with a big, open summit area. I finally descended off the Skyline Trail to Chickatawbut Road, and instead of road walking, I found an unmapped path (later learned it used to be called Pocapawmet Path) that went where I needed to go.

I followed Pocapawmet Path to Wampatuck Path, quickly hiked to the road, and got side tracked by a lost family trying to find their hike. The woman asked me where “Great Blue Hill via Skyline Trail” was, and I showed her on the map. I asked if she meant to take Skyline since it is comically steep, and she said her mom is in the car and in her 70s and they do not want steep. I told them to take the outer red-dot loop from the Trailside Museum - I hope they had a good time!

I hiked over to do the loop near 3174 which was my least favorite part of the hike. 3163 to 3174 is along industrial property, and there was one section that was very polluted and very stinky - it kind of brought me back to reality. Thankfully, the Wood Path was beautiful, and even the Curve Path, which was completely flooded, was still very scenic. My final challenge for the day was climbing back up Sassaman Notch Path, which was a beautiful trail, through Sassaman Notch, back to the tower, and then back to my car. I was only chafing a little, and so happy I got to enjoy this lovely, yet disheartening weather. When I got home to check my stats, I found that I’m officially ahead of last January except for 68 feet of vertical gain that I still need - two more days of January to do it!

Step-By-Step

• Park at Chickatawbut Overlook, start hike on yellow-dot trail to Chickatawbut Tower.
• At Chickatawbut Tower, turn right to follow yellow-dot Tower Path.
• At 3075, hike out and back on Sassaman Notch Path to Chickatawbut Rd.
• Back at 3075, hike on Sassaman Notch Path in other direction.
• At unmarked intersection, turn right and hike Thayer Path branches, and then follow Thayer Patch all the way to Braintree Pass Path near 3022, hiking the dirt road from and to the water tower..
• At 3022, follow Braintree Pass Path toward Skyline Trail.
• Soon after 3022, turn left at unmarked intersection onto unnamed path.
• At terminus, turn right onto Skyline Trail to see a great view of Hawk and Buck Hills.
• Retrace steps to last junction, continue on Skyline Trail to Chickatawbut Hill, Fenno Hill, Kitchamakin Hill, Nahanton Hill, and the four Broken Hills.
• At Chickatawbut Road, turn onto Pocapawmet Path (not on 2020 map).
• At terminus, turn left onto Wampatuck Path, hike to road, retrace steps, and continue on Wampatuck Path.
• At 3160, turn left onto Squamaug Notch Path.
• At 3163, turn left onto Romari Path.
• At 3174, turn right on Wood Path to Wood Rd., retrace steps.
• Back at 3174, hike on Wood Path to 3153.
• At 3153, continue left onto Curve Path.
• At 3135, turn right onto Sassaman Notch Path.
• Follow sign for yellow-dot path, and then follow yellow dots back to car.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album

Park HQ, Buck Hill, Fern Spring Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Park HQ, Buck, Fern Spring Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti Figure-8 Loop

Distance: 6.69  miles

Elevation: 988 feet

Time: 2 hours, 39 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

Another weekend of hiking, but with completely different weather! It started off in the low 40’s and windy, with a few flurries falling from the sky, but the hike ended with the sun shining in the upper 40’s, like a new spring day! I started from Park HQ (sadly not my favorite parking spot, but I survived) on the Headquarters Path going around Tucker Hill. The trail is pretty beat up here and right along the road, with occasional wet spots. After hiking some of the short trails on the north side of Tucker Hill, I headed up the Athol Path, which was a quiet trail with a good amount of blowdowns - I was just happy to be away from the crowds. I was heartbroken to realize that my new buff smells like… new buff… and I couldn’t get over the smell so I ended doing this hike unprotected (with two inhaler puffs beforehand, two after, and two an hour later, I was good!). 

I was enjoying the shadows cast by the ever-low-on-the-horizon sunlight, and made my way to the top of Tucker! There’s a confusing network of trails here - an unmapped one that goes over the true summit and a few spaghetti moments that eventually lead to the Skyline Trail. There were a couple small views, and then I continued on my hike. I forgot how steep and awkward it was getting down Tucker - but my knees sure remembered. There was some surviving ice, but nothing slippery thankfully. It was also starting to warm up and I was regretting my decision to wear my fleece #sweat.

I passed a few hikers with their unleashed, “friendly” dogs heading up Boyce. The older I get, the more I find myself becoming a cat person. Not because I don’t like dogs, I’m just tired of being literally charged by people’s untrained dogs. The trail gets rocky between Boyce and Buck Hills, and that final push up Buck always catches my lungs by surprise! Thankfully the view was stunning as always. I love being able to point out Mt. Monadnock and Mt. Wachusett in the distance. The Skyline Trail was flooded (as usual) between the Fern Spring Trail turn and the turn for the AMC Footpath, but the rock hop was easy.

I took the AMC Footpath down, which is really a lovely trail, but there were a good amount of criss-crossing mountain bike trails that are not on the map that made things more unclear. Last time I came up this way the extra trails were blazed with white shapes, but those appear to have been taken down. There were some patches of needle ice here, which truly makes the most satisfying crunch when stepped on (think a good crunch leaf x10). After crossing Buck Hill Path I noticed some old orange blazes, and more after I crossed Forest Path - is the “AMC Footpath” the old Prescott Trail? That would make sense since the Prescott Trail led to the AMC Ponkapoag Camp… I wish I had some older maps from the 40s/50s/60s! The woods in this lower half are beautiful, but the trail was hard to follow (very windy). 

There was some evidence of riffraff (firepit/garbage) on the lower stretch of the AMC Trail, and then I finally made it down to the Headquarters Path, where I hiked on to the old school house on Chickatawbut Road out-and-back. There was a MASSIVE pile of horse doo-doo, and one man passed me asking “how far do you go?” I replied “just to the school and back,” and he said “good man,” before disappearing into the distance. I guess I had the right answer!

I slowly made my way to the Buck Hill Summit Trail (formerly called the NEMBA trail, which was made in 2013 as a replacement to the old Buck Hill Summit Trail, which is still a clear trail with some blowdowns/brushing in - I love the Friends of Blue Hills trail page for this information), which is MUCH gentler on the ascent, but also much longer. The trail reaches the summit at a nice big rock, and then crosses the Skyline Trail which leads to what is one of my favorite trails in the reservation - the Fern Spring Footpath. 

This was my first time going down this trail, and I always find it fascinating how different the experience is traveling a trail in a new direction. The views are excellent, and the burned area north of 2162 is beautifully eerie. I did get a little turned away getting to 2162, but made it unscathed. The trail continued through another burnt area to some smaller views, where I was greeted by three unleashed VERY friendly dogs. It looked like the person who has been making the mysterious yellow blazes also blazed this one, but someone else went over the yellow blazes with white paint… interesting. I’m not again the blazing, especially of the smaller, less-traveled trails (maybe its just because coming from NJ, I’m used to every trail being blazed a different color?). 

The last bit of my hike involved meandering my way to Houghton’s Pond via Bugbee, Beech Hollow, Doe Hollow, Bolton, Angle, Burnt Hill, and Andover Paths. The Andover Path was most remarkable by how comically flooded it was. Thankfully I had my steamy winter boots on (I REALLY need to invest in uninsulated waterproof boots…)! I finished my hike on the paved Tucker Hill Path, and then the gravel road Bugbee Path. Like clockwork, the people got noticeably less friendly at 11:30pm. I thought to myself “I need to get started earlier,” but then I remembered I had the runs when I woke up this morning and truly did not have the option of starting earlier. Oh well! Another great hike in the books.

Step-By-Step

• Park across Hillside St. from State Police Barracks at Park HQ

• Start hike on Headquarters Path toward Hillside Pond.

• At junction with green-dot Tucker Hill Path, turn right onto trail.

• Hike spur trails.

• At 2081, turn left onto Athol Path to Tucker Hill.

• At Tucker Hill, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

• Follow Skyline Trail to Buck Hill summit.

• At 2165, follow AMC Footpath down Buck Hill to Headquarters Path.

• At terminus, follow Headquarters Path to Chickatawbut Rd., retrace steps and hike to 2175.

• Follow Forest Path to 2153, hike spurs.

• At 2153, turn left onto Buck Hill Summit Trail.

• Hike all of Buck Hill Summit Trail, cross Skyline, and continue onto Fern Spring Foot Path.

• Hike all of Fern Spring Foot Path. 

• At terminus, turn right onto Bugbee Path.

• At 2135, turn left onto Beech Hollow Path.

• At 2132, turn right onto Doe Hollow Path.

• At next junction, turn left onto Bolton Foot Path.

• At terminus, turn right onto Angle Path.

• At 2090, turn left onto Burnt Hill Path.

• At next junction, turn right onto Andover Path.

• At road, turn right onto Tucker Hill Path.

• Continue to follow pavement onto Bugbee Path.

• Continue straight where pavement turns left to park HQ.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album

Park HQ to Big Blue via Accord Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Park HQ to Big Blue via Accord Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop 

Distance: 6.48  miles

Elevation: 1056 feet
Time: 2 hours, 49 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

Another step up in the maybe pneumonia recovery! After today I’m feeling good and like I’m ready for some more serious hikes again… but it’s been actually snowing up north and I am simply not emotionally ready to make the jump to snowshoes - someday! My original plan was to do a big loop from the Trailside Museum to Houghton Hill, then the Accord Path to Skyline up to Big Blue. My Taco Bell last night did not agree with that, and I needed to start from a trailhead with a bathroom… so I landed to headquarters! My favorite spot (the one in the corner) was open, I christened that porta potty, and got my day started! It was in the upper 20’s with a slight breeze. There was still some snow in the woods, but not much. 

I crossed Hillside St. and hiked on the wide Wolcott Path, which I read in the 1st edition of the Mass. & RI Trail Guide used to be “Wolcott Road,” which is neat. The trail very gently climbs up to the col between Houghton and Hancock Hills. The trail turned into a winter wonderland the higher up I went - it was beautiful! I was lucky that the trails themselves were completely snow free, but everything else was completely snow-crusted. Houghton Hill Path was more narrow than Wolcott Path, which made the scenery that more stunning. 

The trail down Houghton Hill had describing snow and increasing ice - with a few slipper spots and good amount of my favorite thing - needle ice! I always start singing “needle ice” to the tune of “Edelweiss” from the Sound of Music when I see it. It was at this point I realized I forgot to take an inhaler puff before the hike, but I did take one when I woke up, so we were experimenting. I also remember that I’m supposed to be controlling how much I sweat, which I’m miraculously terrible at. 

The longest stretch of this hike was on the Accord Path - which I hiked all of (minus the stretch that is closed in winter) and the spur paths to the parking areas. The path itself reminded me of a rollercoasters, with lots of twists and turns and ups and downs - if I were a mountain biker I could see how this could be fun. After the junction with Racoon Hollow Path there were two water crossings with an unmapped spur to the road in the middle. The first crossing was flowing hard with only a few sticks to aid the crossing. I tried to balance, and failed, and my waterproof boots saved the day again! The spur to the road after the second crossing (much easier) was overgrown, thorny, and unclear. Apparently not many people hike from the Accord Path to the stop sign with Hillside and Blue Hill River Rd…

The trail from here climbs decently, which is where my back sweat really hit. The biggest item on my hiking wish list right now is a lightweight zip-up hooded fleece with thumb holes and a super thin back and pits… someday I’ll find it. Continuing on, near Brookwood Farm and Blue Hill River Rd., I think I saw an old granite trail marker in the woods, and I tried to investigate but got hit with thorns so I gave up. There was no evidence of a trail, but the other side of the road was the eastern part of the Brookwood Farm road. The path nears the road for a while and there are tall cliffs overhead - there must be a decent view from the top, but it looks steep.

There is a creepy shack (probably pump house), and then the trail gets very “landscaped,” with rocks lining the trail in a very scenic way. Only qualm here was how leaf-ridden the trail was, and therefore it was SOAKED. Another shoutout to the waterproof boots! Just before the junction with the Skyline Trail there is a rocky outcrop just off trail with limited views in the south-ish direction. 

I dreaded taking the Skyline up Big Blue just from remembering how steep it is, so to break it up I hiked from 1003 to 1001 first, and then finished the Accord Path to 1002. I noticed my legs were much more tired today than yesterday, which I mostly attributed to being tired and getting my hiking legs back. The Skyline Trail up Big Blue was steep as expected, but actually really fun. I moved comically slowly, but was delighted to not have anyone around during this climb. With each step I ventured deeper and deeper back into a winter wonderland. It was impressive the temperature difference, too! It acted like it was a big mountain! The upper quarter of the trail was completely snow-crusted and beautiful, with great views to the west.

Finally at the top of Great Blue Hill, I wiggled my way to the actual summit, which I realized I had only been to once or twice before… whoops! I was thinking it could be a fun hiking challenge to summit Big Blue x times (something like the Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge - 25 times is a bronze patch, 50 silver, etc.). I was blown away by the beauty of the snow on the trees - it made it feel like I was exploring a whole new area, instead of somewhere I’ve been dozens of times. There were a bunch of people around the Eliot Tower, but thankfully only a couple up top (I was going to skip it, but I couldn’t resist the views!). 

The rest of my hike was much more relaxed and uneventful. I took the Racoon Hollow Path down to the Wildcat Notch Path. Now that it was nearing noon, the snow and ice was starting to melt from the trees, and the afternoon people were out. Wildcat Notch Path was filled with deep leaves and was basically a running stream, but the Wolcott Path back to the car was wide and easy. I made my way through 1141, which I dubbed “Times Square” (would Downtown Crossing be more appropriate??), and finished my hike by crossing Hillside St. and getting back to my car! This hike was so beautiful, and my lungs were feeling good! I did a post-hike inhaler puff, and I think I’m ready to keep doing some more serious hikes again!

Step-By-Step

• Start hike at parking area across from Park HQ.

• Cross Hillside St, start hike on Wolcott Path.

• Between 1147 and 1160, turn left onto Houghton Hill Path and hike both forks.

• At 1156, hike down Houghton Trail to road.

• Road walk up along Hillside St., turn left onto Accord Path.

• Hike Accord Path to 1050, hiking spur trails to parking areas.

• Backtrack to 1003, hike on Skyline down to MA-138, and then up to 1030. 

• Follow road up to summit, then hike to Eliot Tower.

• Follow Racoon Hollow Path to 1092.

• At 1092, follow Wildcat Notch Path.

• At 1115, follow Wolcott Path back to car.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album

St. Moritz Pond to Fox Hill Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

St. Moritz Pond to Fox Hill Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop 

Distance: 5.64  miles

Elevation: 577 feet
Time: 2 hours, 28 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

It finally stopped raining and snowing after what seemed like 1000 day. Today brought me to the St. Moritz/Quarries area of the reservation. I parked at the Shea Rink and started on the Skyline Trail. The woods were snow-covered and the ground was muddy. I followed the green dot blazes counter clockwise for the first part of this hike. The weather was just below freezing and the views were lovely. The green dot blazes then brought me to the infamous Pipe Line, which was just as dreadfully wet as I remembered!

I turned onto Murphy Path which led me to the Skyline Trail. It’s been about a year since I’d last been on this section, and it was great to be back! I crossed Wampatuck Road and followed the blue blazes. There was one tree labeled with its species and age which was really cool to see - I wonder if there are any more of these in the reservation? The dusting of snow was absolutely beautiful on the trails and trees. 

The trail goes around an old quarry that was beautiful in the snow (curious the history of this area), and then curves around the pit up the side of Rattlesnake Hill. I meant to find the abandoned side path to the summit of Rattlesnake Hill, but didn’t realize I was there until it was too late! The trail climbs a little more up to the Crags, which I realized I’ve never taken the spur to the view. It was breathtaking! The nearby hills covered in snow were beautiful. There were also remnants of an old fence at the view - which of course I’m now curious about. 

The trail is sketchy getting down from the Crags, but I made it unscathed! The trail at the bottom (4155) was fully inundated with water, and I tried to rock hop, but hit a loose rock and landed right in the stream. Thankfully my waterproof boots saved the day! The trail gently climbs up Wampatuck Hill and provides some more views. I saw on a map there is (or used to be) a USGS marker at the summit, but I couldn’t find it (the snow didn’t help) - I’m sure there would at least be a drill hole somewhere. 

Coming down Wampatuck was the moment where I remembered that I’m supposed to be working on sweat regulation - I was not doing a good job. My whole body was steaming! The steam turned into condensation, which then froze on my shoulders. Thankfully, I was feeling warm and fine. I hiked the loops of trails around the Pipe Line and then made my way up the gentle trail to Fox Hill, and turned at the summit to hike down the north side.

This trail was similar to that around Hawk or Kitchamakin Hills - unclear and blazed with mysterious yellow dots (which I was delighted to see). The trail was easy to follow with the dots, and it opened up to a nice view north (with a bit of Boston behind the trees). The trail was harder to follow after the view, especially in the final ~25 feet, but I made it!

The rest of my hike was long but uneventful. The green dots led me through very wet and wide trails, with a few afternoon folks out and about. I decided, while on the theme of wet, to take the Old Furnace Brook Path, which has been flooded every time I’ve hiked it (it was today too!). My final stretch of new trail was on the Sawcut Notch Path, which led me to Wampatuck Road, and the Skyline Trail back to the car. The ponds were beautiful, but the trail between them was a muddy disaster. Either way, it was a lovely morning and my lungs were feeling good!

*Edit to add: the old quarry the Skyline Trail skirts around is called “Sullivan Quarry.” The fence posts atop the Crags used to have a horizontal bar connecting them as a barrier to ideally prevent falling. There are likely no USGS discs in the Blue Hills (sad).

Step-By-Step

• Start hike on Skyline Trail from Shea Rink.

• At first junction, turn left and follow green dot blazes. 

• At 4205, turn left onto Pipe Line and continue following green dot blazes.

• At 4202, turn right onto Murphy Path.

• At 4220, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

• Follow Skyline Trail to 4134.

• At 4134, hike area trails around Pipe Line.

• Where Pipe Line reaches Chickatawbut Road, turn right onto Fox Hill Path.

• At summit of Fox Hill, turn right to follow trail down to 4120.

• At 4120, turn left and follow green dot blazes.

• At 4145, turn left onto Old Furnace Brook Path.

• Rejoin Skyline Trail, cross Wampatuck Road, and follow Skyline Trail back to car.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album

Skyline Trail & East Dam Road (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Skyline Trail & East Dam Road (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Figure-8

Distance: 3.32 miles

Elevation: 433 feet
Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge, Sunset Six

The Hike

I feel like my life is turning into a series of breaks and then slow reentries to hiking… Oh well. Still getting over my (maybe) pneumonia (?) but it was a BEAUTIFUL day in mid-January - 50 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze. I was in my winter boots because it had been very wet the past few days, but also in shorts. I took the 20 minute drive from work to the Fells and parked at the Bellevue Pond parking area. I only intended for this to count toward the 52-Hike Challenge and a “reintroduction to elevation” - trying to see how my lungs do with some huffing and puffing - without damaging them further. My hike started on Quarry Road, along Bellevue Pond, and I soon turned onto the Skyline Trail at intersection D6-2 to Wright’s Tower.

The view from Wright’s Tower was beautiful as always - one of the more “urban” views with a major highway at the forefront and a major city in the background, but still takes the breath away. My favorite part of the view is seeing the Blue Hills out in the distance to the left of Boston - they look so big! I was also surprised to stumble upon a USGS marker near the tower on Pine Hill that I had not seen before - exciting! I only need one more for the Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge bronze patch. 

Continuing on, my lungs were doing okay, but I was moving much slower than usual. I did notice a tightness when I took an exceptionally deep breath, but that’s more or less expected right now. The Skyline trail was as I remembered it, up-and-down-y, and it was also quite muddy. I do appreciate how well marked these trails are, though. I always joke about the Blue Hills being right next to a highway, but you can literally see the cars from the Fells. Not that it’s a particularly bad thing, but something of note.

I continued following the Skyline Trail up and over Silver Mine Hill, and then I missed my turn for the All Trail track, but still moved a little further north for funsies. I had to pee around this time, and I quickly remembered how hard it is to find a secluded spot to use the bathroom in this reservation - trails everywhere and no foliage this time of year to hide behind! Thankfully I survived. I went from C4-12 to C4-9 and then to C4-8, where I started following the Reservoir Trail. I realized I might be able to make it back to Wright’s Tower for the sunset, so I started to pick up my pace.

At this point I completely bailed on the All Trails route and was working my way back as fast as I could without breaking my broken lungs. I made my way ro C5-3, pondered the legality of hiking the reservoir roads again (there’s a few signs that say no trespassing but do they mean the roads or the water???), and then followed East Dam Road back toward Wright Tower. East Dam Road was a great choice, the grade was easy and the trail was wide. I did pass one person and his dog that reminded me of how dreadfully unfriendly afternoon Fells hikers are, and kept on my way. East Dam Road turned into Red Cross Path, and then at C6-4 I turned onto Mud Road. 

I realized I was definitely not going to make it to Wright Tower in time for sunset, but I saw an unmarked unmapped side trail that went up the notch in Little Pine Hill, so I decided to do some exploring. I think the trail connected Mud Road with Quarry Road, but then I saw the south knob of Little Pine Hill and thought that would be my best chance for a sunset view (I had decided I needed to see the sun actually set for it to count for the patch). The sun was a glowing orange orb through the dense pine trees, and it was beautiful. I was taking some photos, and then saw a backpack with no human? How strange… Then I heard someone say “I don’t usually see people up here sorry!” and the backpack’s owner was enjoying the sunset literally in a tree. We made short small talk as the sun went behind the hills. I wished him a good day, found a small vista in the south-ish direction, and then worked my way to Quarry Road. I should have backtracked, but I didn’t want to socialize anymore, so I slip and slided down the leafy hillside, found what felt like ALL of the deer pop in the reservation, and made it back to Quarry Road, finishing my hike back to the car! 

Step-By-Step

• Park at Bellevue Pond parking area.

• Start hike on Quarry Road.

• At D6-2, turn right onto Skyline Trail. 

• Follow Skyline Trail to C4-13, over Silver Mine Hill.

• Follow green Mountain Bike Loop to C4-12.

• Turn right at C4-12 to C4-9 on Mountain Bike Loop and blue Cross-Fells Trail.

• At C4-9, turn left onto trail.

• At C4-8, turn left onto orange Reservoir Trail.

• At C5-3, turn left onto East Dam Road.

• At C5-20, continue on Red Cross Path.

• At C6-4, very left onto Mud Road. 

• At bend in Mud Road, turn left onto unmapped unmarked path up notch in Little Pine Hill.

• At col, turn right to small vistas.

• Bushwhack down to Quarry Road.

• Follow Quarry Road back to car. 

Map of Middlesex Fells Reservation

Photo Album