Pongkapoag Pond & Boardwalk (Blue Hills Reservation)

Ponkapoag Pond & Boardwalk (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spurs

Distance: 6.16 miles

Elevation: 295 feet
Time: 2 hours, 19 minutes

Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

New year same hikes! Hopefully some new ones, but for now… same hikes! I am really proud of my hiking last year, even with my lul in November/December, but I’m hoping to get back into it better than ever in this new year! First day hikes are always out of the question for me due to my New Years Eve plans, but nothing wrong with a second day hike (less crowds)! I had seen on Facebook that the Ponkapoag Boardwalk was passable, so that was the plan for the day! I had originally intended to count this hike for my second round of the 125-mile club, but after some more Facebooks scrolling, I decided to start keeping track of hikes for the Southeastern Massachusetts AMC Chapter’s Blue Hills Winter Trace. I parked at the empty and rugged Fisherman’s Beach parking lot, got everything together, and started my journey!

It was 38° outside and fully overcast. Very peaceful, with only a few others on the loop trail around Ponkapoag Pond. I love the view of Great Blue Hill from Fisherman’s Beach. I passed one man who happily and calmly said “Happy New Year!” which made me smile. It felt as if it were early spring, mild temperatures, trace bits of ice, and a squishy ground. I hiked the Pipe Line spur while I was out there, and to no one’s surprise, it was comically wet. I remember this always being a trend with the Pipe Line… The spur ends in people’s literal back yards, so once I felt like I was intruding I backtracked and continued my journey.

I was purposely walking slow this day for two reasons, my lungs have been dying recently and I’ve been working on using my new inhaler for exercise/cold weather induced asthma (yay for being 27!), and I was enjoying being outside. I was walking past the AMC Ponkapoag Camp and could smell fire coming from the cabins which was lovely, and it was relatively uneventful from the camp to the boardwalk. I did pass the “Happy New Year” guy and we chatted a little bit longer, and I quickly realized that he had the most incredible southern California bro-dude accent (think “The Californians” from SNL) - it was amazing. Either way, I hiked a few of the random trails in that area that then made it to the holy land - the Ponkapoag Boardwalk. 

I treaded lightly (as best as I can) and slowly. The beginnings of the boardwalk were just as I remembered, somehow equally rickety and sturdy, surrounded by thick vegetation that is currently leafless. The next section was my downfall on my first visit almost exactly a year ago, the dense, coniferous forest, which is also incredibly beautiful. It feels almost otherworldly to be in this area, which is the same area I had to turn around last time due to sunken boardwalks. Thankfully the water level was at least 1.5-2 feet lower this visit, so it was smooth sailing. 

The dense forest opens up just past the halfway point to a gorgeous meadow. It so easy to forget that there’s a major interstate so close nearby when you’re out here. The red color of the meadow was a beautiful contrast to the gray sky. There were even partial views of Big Blue from the right angles. The boardwalk dips back into another coniferous section, opens up into another meadow, and finally goes back into one final covered section to reach the end. It’s such a beautiful trail, even if terrifying, and I always feel so lucky to make the trip. 

The return trip was faster, but I took time to enjoy the scenery (and not slip into the bog). Some of the boardwalk in the shaded sections were slippery, there was one side-step, and one slanted plank, but I made it unscathed. Interestingly, the bog really holds onto the cold temperature. The weather was now in the mid 40s, but there was ice and pockets of very cold air in the denser sections. Soon enough I made it out alive, and continued my journey.

My goal for the rest of my hike was to hit the extra spur paths on the western side of the pond before getting back to my car. All were successful except for one small section near the boardwalk/YMCA. Facebook tells me it’s not really even a thing anymore, so that’s good I guess! A lot more people were out now that it was the early afternoon, so I controlled my pace to keep my distance (#antisocial). There was a great view of the bog and Big Blue from the dam area, and the final bit of tr
ail was wet as always. The sun finally peaked through the clouds as I was getting back to my car, now in a full parking lot! Cars were parked on the road, and it was also now 50°. Overall an excellent hike, and a great start to the 2023 hiking year!

Step-By-Step

• Park at Fisherman’s Beach and walk to the shoreline.

• Officially start the hike at 5321 on Acton Path (green dots), going counter clockwise. 

• At unmarked junction, hike to YMCA Camp Entrance and back.

• At unmarked junction, turn right and hike along Pipe Line and back (caution: wet).

• Continuing on the Acton Path (green dots), follow blazes and turn left at 5355.

• Continue to follow Acton Path (green dots).

• At 5343, continue to follow green dots, now onto Ponkapoag Trail.

• At 5241, continue to follow green dots, now onto Redman Farm Path.

• Hike extra trails near YMCA Camp and Ponkapoag Boardwalk.

• Hike Ponkapoag Boardwalk.

• Resume hike counter clockwise on Redman Farm Path (green dots).

• At 5174, hike spur trail and return.

• Continue on Redman Farm Path (green dots), hiking the spur on right (paved section).

• At 5175, turn left to cross Ponkapoag Dam and rejoin Acton Path (green dots).

• At 5216, hike spur trail.

• At end of spur trail, follow edge of golf course and hike back to Acton Path along other spur trail.

• Hike missed section of Acton Path, and return to parking lot.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album