Great Blue Hill Double Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)
Hike Type: Double Loop
Distance: 3.64 miles
Elevation: 850 feet
Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Blue Hills Winter Trace, Blue Hill Grid, Great Blue Summits, Sunset 6
The Hike
The hike that ended up being a full cardio workout - I drove down to the Trailside Museum north parking lot right after school on a beautiful spring-like day, wearing shorts! My first goal was to hike the trail that goes behind the Trailside Museum, which has a confusing entrance but clears up after 10-15 feet. I then turned onto the Eliot Path (red-dot) for a classic climb up to Great Blue Hill (one of my favorite trails), and immediately noticed how little snow there was on the ski hill. This warm winter has been delightful on the skin but very concerning to the brian. There were just a few patches of leftover ice on the way up, and the warm weather truly made it smell like a forested springtime.
At the road, I hiked the spur to the ski slopes, which has a great view and I was able to watch some skiers belt out “I Want it That Way” by the Backstreet Boys - excellent taste in music! I wiggled my way back to the road and continued my climb on the Eliot Path, which then brought me to the Eliot Circle and Eliot Tower. I had 1,000 ideas in my head about what trails to hike, and I eventually decided I could work my way down the Brookwood Trail and back up again for the sunset (I didn’t realize how ambitious this would be…).
I went down the Skyline North, then turned right onto Wildcat Notch, and just after 1083 took the small footpath on the right, joining the Brookwood Trail. The trail is steep and leafy, which made for slightly slippery conditions. The trail crosses the Accord Path at 1062, and fizzles out before it reaches the road. I backtracked to 1062, and then followed Accord Path to 1081, and then 1093. Now back on the Wildcat Notch Path, I worked my way back up to the South Skyline Trail.
I realized I was getting dangerously close to the sunset time, but I was REALLY wanting to see it, so I aggressively picked up the pace. Heading up the Skyline South was ROUGH and I swore a lot. The trees were either lit up with a deep orange or already in the shade. I had a chance of making it! My heart was fighting for its lift and I kept on my power walk, realizing the last time I pushed this hard with cardio was probably when I was doing drum corps.
I could have cried when I made it to 1066 - the hard part was over! I kept hauling toward 1030, seeing some sun through the trees still. I turned at 1030, and made it to the sunset! I truly felt like I could have cried (again). It was so beautiful and peaceful, with only a few others enjoying the last moments of the day. My heart rate slowly went back down as I basked in the calmness of the sunset. Once the sun dipped below the horizon (and after I took 1,000 photos), I made my way to the summit and then back down the Eliot Path to the car. I was WIPED but so happy I was able to end on such a high note. In my notes I wrote “endorphins are high, stench is high.”
Step-By-Step
Start hike at north Trailside Museum parking lot.
Hike trails around trailside museum to meet up with red-dot Eliot Path.
Climb Eliot Path to auto road, then hike spur trail to ski area viewpoint.
Retrace steps to auto road, continue along Eliot Path to Eliot Tower.
From Eliot Tower, take Skyline North down.
At 1092, turn right onto Raccoon Hollow Path.
Just after 1083, follow Brookwood Trail to road.
Retrace to 1062, turn right onto Accord Path.
At 1081, turn left onto Half Way Path.
At 1093, turn left onto Wildcat Notch Path.
At junction with Skyline Trail, follow Skyline Trail to 1066.
At 1066, follow Skyline Trail to sunset view just after 1030.
Backtrack to 1030, follow gravel path to summit of Great Blue Hill.
Follow trail NW to Eliot Circle.
At 1055, retrace steps back to car.
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