Breeze Hill, Dark Hollow, Old Route 128 (Blue Hills Reservation)

Breeze Hill, Dark Hollow, Old Route 128 (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop

Distance: 3.96 miles

Elevation: 269 feet

Time: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace; Blue Hills Grid

The Hike

I was lucky enough to miss the last "snow storm" while I was in NJ, but I still got lucky enough to enjoy a bit of the snow with a Monday afternoon hike in the Blue Hills! I parked a little later than planned due to an accident on 95, so my orignal grand plans of hiking around 5-6 miles, I shortened it to just under 4. I started at Houghton's Pond and christened the nasty porta potty, and started my journey! I wanted to walk the boardwalk behind the visitor center, but it was borded up for the winter. I meandered my way along the main path past the bathhouse, to 2053, hiked the bit of road that connects to Andover Path, and then backtracked to hike up Breeze Hill via the Prescott Foot Path and a short meander in the woods where there were plenty of footsteps, which I found interesting. 

From Breeze Hill, I made my way to the Tucker Hill Path, which I followed to its terminus at Headquarters Path, and then Chickatawbut Road. The white-triangle route follows the parking pull-off and then dips back into the woods at the Dark Hollow Path, which I followed all the way to 2096. I followed the Bugbee Path to 2070, and then made my way on the Angle Path to 2092. This stretch of my hike was quite uneventful and quiet, which was welcomed. I turned right onto Burnt Hill Path, which led me down to Old Route 128. I still have some trails to hit in this area, but the sun was going down and I was a bit chilly, so we were officially on the return trip! I made my way to the view of Great Blue Hill from Houghton's Pond, followed the yellow-dot blazes, and then followed the wide path through the picnic area that leads to the middle of the parking lot. It was a short one, but a nice afternoon in the snowy woods. 

Step-By-Step

    - Park at Houghton's Pond parking area.

    - Start hike by passing Visitor's Center and then follow blazes to 2053.

    - At 2053, hike toward Andover Path and retrace steps.

    - At 2053, follow red blazes up Prescott Foot Path to Breeze Hill.

    - Summit Breeze Hill just off trail, continue hike to 2071.

    - At 2071, follow Tucker Hill Path (green blazes).

    - At terminus, turn right onto Headquarters Path (green blazes).

    - Follow Headquarters Path to Chickatawbut Road.

    - Walk along Chickatawbut Road to Dark Hollow Path Trailhead.

    - Follow Dark Hollow Path to 2096.

    - Turn right onto Bugbee Path, hike to 2070.

    - At 2070, turn around and hike on Angle Path to 2092.

    - At 2092, turn right onto Burnt Hill Path.

    - At 2085, turn right onto Old Route 128.

    - At bathrooms, turn right and hike to view of Great Blue Hill via Houghton's Pond.

    - Follow yellow blazes to the picnic area near the bathhouse, then follow unnamed trail back to parking lot.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album