Ponkapoag Loop, Prescott, No Name (Blue Hills Reservation)
Hike Type: Loop with a quick zigzag
Distance: 5.23 miles
Elevation: 318 feet
Time: 1 hour, 58 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125 Mile Club (2x)
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125 Mile Club (2x)
The Hike
First post-vacation hike! I absolutely loved my hikes in Shenandoah, but I was excited to be back in the Blue Hills. I didn't want to work too hard on this day since it was the first day back at school, so I headed over to Ponkapoag for a nice loop with a few bonus trails. I parked right off of exit 3 and got right to it, after letting the DCR ranger leave through the gate for the day (I've never seen anyone go in or out of the gate before, exciting! I also noticed that my pack was comically lighter than it was in Shenandoah, which makes sense. A lot less water and no stove, plus my spikes are officially out.
The hike started on the green-balzed Ponkapoag Trail, but I soon turned left onto the Prescott Foot Path. I didn't realize this was the Prescott Foot Path, but then I noticed a few old orange blazes, and it added up once I checked with the map! I also saw a slug on a tree, which was fun. The weather was chilly, but warm in the sun when the breeze stopped. I ended up taking my sweatshirt off at the end of Prescott Foot Path.
I then meandered my way to the No Name Path, where I wandered back toward Ponkapoag Trail, criss-crossing the Prescott Foot Path halfway through. There was a small spur, likely made my mountain bikers, to a large rock and onward off of this trail. Once back on Ponkapoag Trail, I could help but noticed the many side trails on the right leading to the shoreline. It looks like they have been recently brushed, too. I guess they're not official, but someone's maintaining them. Continuing onto the Acton Path, I couldn't help but notice how green the woods were getting, especialy the skunk cabbage in the wetter areas.
Now approaching the AMC Cabins, I was already feeling tired from being back at school (future Matthew note: I was in fact pretty sick at this point and didn't know it yet - not COVID, some form of cold that was brutal), so I decided this would just be a loop with no more funny business. The bugs were out and about and there was more and more skunk cabbage. I think I might want to stay in one of the AMC cabins one day for funsies... maybe.
The trail before the golf spurs (before 5216) was impressively wet, and the water was high near the dam. I spent a lot of time near the dam - the birds were plentiful and I ACTUALLY REMEMBERED MY ZOOM LENS. It definitely gave me the energy I needed to continue on. The golf course is also officially open for the season, I was charged at by someone's dog who was off-leash, and before I knew it, I was on the Hogdon Foot Path, going past a deer enclosure, and back at my car! A good first hike back, but now I'm going to be sick for the rest of the week... at least I tried!
Step-By-Step
- Park on I-93 exit 3 for Ponkpoag Trail.
- Start hike along Ponkapoag Trail (green blazes).
- At 5322, turn left onto Prescott Foot Path.
- At 5343, turn left onto Ponkapoag Trail.
- At 5344, turn left onto No Name Trail.
- At 5311, turn left onto Ponkapoag Trail (green blazes).
- At 5241, turn left to continue on Ponkapoag Trail (green blazes).
- At 5343, continue straight onto Acton Path (green blazes).
- Continue following green blazes along Acton Path.
- At 5175, turn right onto Redman Farm Path (green blazes).
- At 5218, turn left onto Hogdon Foot Path.
- At 5320, turn left onto Ponkapoag Trail (green blazes).
- Complete hike at car.
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