Houghton's Pond, Tucker Hill, Breeze Hill (Blue Hills Reservation)

Houghton's Pond, Tucker Hill, Breeze Hill (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti w/ Loops

Distance: 6.75 miles

Elevation: 525 feet

Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes 
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills 125 Mile Club, Blue Hills Grid

The Hike

A short afternoon hike turned longer and longer for no good reason! It was a gloomy day - overcast with a chill to the air, I forgot my camera and forgot to pack water... not the best of starts. I went into this hike being flexible and just letting my body tell me how far we'll go. The main goal was to get the Houghton Pond Trails, and anything else was just a fun bonus! I spent plenty of time hiking the seemingly endless amount of paths by the Visitor Center - hitting a mile just getting to the northeast corner of the area from the parking lot, but I also had plenty of time to enjoy the budding trees and moody views. The pavillion/concession stand building is really cool - almost gives art deco vibes? It could use a fresh coat of paint, though. 

Now working my way around the pond, I couldn't help but get irritated at the ridiculous amounts of dog poop, sometimes in bags sometimes not, littering the trails. Why are dog owners so lazy?? I was able to forget my crankiness when I made it to the south side of the pond in that magnificent fairytale forest with the giant trees. There were partial views toward Houghton Hill, which looked insultingly small from this vantage point - it nearly takes my life everytime I ascend!

Finishing up the western side of the pond (or so I thought... I ended up leaving two trails orphaned by accident...) I took in the view of Big Blue and reminded myself it's okay to feel cranky - because I was. Hiking all these small trails started to feel like a chore, but that's okay. There were lots of birds, which helped! After 2.7 miles I finally made my way to Old 128 (that could also be why it felt like a chore... I'm used to Houghton's being a quick loop hike, not a slow process) and couldn't help but wonder why they only removed pavement for a small portion of the road? Maybe that was to firmly say "don't drive here anymore"? A mystery!

I did notice that the plantlife is starting to slowly become more green, which helped get some energy and will to live back into me. The Angle Path was lovely with its low grassy floor. I missed hearing the peepers, but it might be past their prime. I circled the north side of Tucker Hill, climbed up via the Skyline, hit the summit off the herd path, and then steeply descended down the north side, where it started to sprinkle.

Thankfully the precipitation didn't last long, and I somehow had the willpower to continue on and hit the last few trails I needed (not realizing I orphaned another trail - the short spur connecting the Tucker Hill Path with Headquarters Path... whoops...), turning back into the woods at the Bugbee Path - with an open gate! It looks like some potholes may have been filled in? Not sure. There was a nice, easy herd path to the top of Breeze Hill from the road/trail, and then followed the pavement further around to hit the Paddock Trail and the trail connecting the parking area to the picnic area. This was definitely a cranky, mopey hike, but to no one's surpirse, I'm glad I did it! Even if I did miss a few trails...

Step-By-Step

- Park at Houghton's Pond parking area. 

- Hike network of trails between the bathhouse, visitor center, and snack pavillion.

- Hike sidewalk-trail along Hillside St.

- Turn left at terminus and left again to hike Nursey Trail.

- At yellow loop, turn left to hike trail previously missed, turn around

- Hike network of trails near Nursery Trail.

- Continue on yellow loop, hiking the three spur trails on the south side.

- At 5-way intersection between athletic fields and green loop, hike to 2053, backtrack, and then take the southeast fork to Old 128.

- Turn left onto Old Route 128.

- At 2085, turn left onto Burnt Hill Path.

- At 2092, turn left onto Angle Path.

- At 2075, turn right onto Bugbee Path.

- At 2096, turn left onto Dark Hollow Path.

- At 2112, turn left onto Quincy Path.

- Merge onto Headquarters Path.

- At next jct., turn left onto Tucker Hill Path.

- At 2072, turn left onto Ayer Trail.

- At next jct., turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- At next jct., turn left onto Athol Path (use herd paths to summit Tucker Hill).

- At terminus, turn left onto Headquarters Path.

- At second crosswalk, turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- Use herd path to summit Breeze Hill.

- At 2070, continue on pavement onto Tucker Hill Path.

- After 2053, turn right onto Paddock Trail.

- At pavement, turn left.

- Walk through picnic area and follow trail back to parking area.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album