Chickatawbut, Squamaug, Sassaman, Lee (Blue Hills Reservation)

Chickatawbut, Squamaug, Sassaman, Lee (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Figure 8

Distance: 5.12 miles

Elevation: 617 feet

Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes 
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Blue Hills Grid; Blue Hills 125 Mile Club (2x)

The Hike

Now that I'm finally over being sick, I'm back on my usual grind! It was a beautiful Monday afternoon and I was looking forward to doing a hike with some views after it had rained ALL weekend and get just a little bit of elevation gain. I got nervous when I pulled in the parking lot - there were bugs EVERYWHERE. Thankfully the clouds were clearing up, and with that came a steady breeze that kept the monsters at bay. I needed to remember my primary objective: taking a selfie (Judy Jacobs, executive director of the Friends of Blue Hills requested a photo of me in the reservation for their annual report, where they're quoting me from one of my Facebook posts).

This was also a special day becuase I was debuting a new pack! Well, the exact same pack I've been using, but in different colors and not disgusting yet! There's a small hole in my usual pack and it smelled BAD, so I'm either going to wash it and continue to use it, wash it and put it in storage, or wash it and then maybe turn it into a tote bag (key point here is that needs to be washed). I was suprised how different the new pack felt, especially becuase it's the exact same one...

Now officailly on my hike - I was immediately thrilled with how green everything is getting! Especially paired with the blue sky opening up, it was the emotional boost that I needed! I followed the Braintree Pass Path to the Bouncing Brook Path (briefly), and then up to the Skyline Trail. The first stretch of the Skyline Trail up Chickatawbut Hill is STEEP, with one slightly tricky scramble, but the views are definitely the reward for this section. The sun was hot, but the breeze was cool - truly wonderful weather. 

I noticed all the colors again when I hit the burnt section of Fenno Hill - the way the blue sky, green plants, and burnt ground really contrasted beautifully, even if a little spooky. I was still able to smell some smoke when I did a short bushwhack to the high point of Fenno Hill for my grid. There really seems to be a footbed leading there, although its comically wiggly. 

I almost missed the summit of Kitchamakin, but thankfully someone passed me which caused me to stop for water and I realized where I was. The climb up Nahanton went well and I noticed that I was feeling abnormally strong - must be a positive effect of taking a week off to rest and having a lighter pack than I'm used to (I also seem to have lost my kahtoolas...). There was a group of teens enjoying 420 at 4:20 coming down Nahanton, and I gotta give them credit for the dedication and punctuality. I just hope they were mindful of embers.

I then wiggled down Squamaug toward Chickatawbut Road, went back up Slide Notch, and then over and down Sassaman Notch, where there was a lovely stream paralleling the trail. I decided to make my way over to the Great Dome Foot Path along the Bouncing Brook since it had rained recently, and it was perfect! Dry trail, but flowing stream. The best view was from the Laurel Path looking at the Boucning Brook, but the brook alongside the trail was still lovely. 

My final stretch of hiking for the day was the Bouncing Brook Path, Lee Path, and then returning via Braintree Pass Path again. I could hear the spring peepers in the distance and noticed some old stone walls around the Lee Path. Maybe Lee lived here? The Lee family? I'm sure there's a map somewhere with that information. It's crazy to think about how all this area used to be privately owned, and sometimes habited. I do think a member of Lee's family got mad at me when I stepped off trail to pee - once I finished up a stick fell directly onto my head!

My energy was winding down by my final walk out on the Braintree Pass Path, and soon enough I was back at my car and getting ready to head home! It was such a lovely afternoon, and I was bummed that I wouldn't be able to get back out for a few days (Red Sox game tomorrow, rain the rest of the week). 

Step-By-Step

- Park at Braintree Pass Path Trailhead (Chickatawbut Rd. & MA-28).

- Start hike along Braintree Pass Path (red blazes).

- At 3042, veer left to join Skyline Trail and Bouncing Brook Path (red and blue blazes).

- At next junction, turn left to continue on Skyline Trail & climb Chickatawbut Hill (blue blazes).

- Follow Skyline Trail (blue blazes).

- At 3144, turn left onto Squamaug Notch Path.

- At 3104, continue along trail to Slide Notch Path.

- Slightly uphill, hike spur on right and return.

- Continue along Slide Notch Path.

- At second junction, veer left onto Sassman Notch Path (red blazes soon after).

- At 3135, turn right onto Curve Path (red blazes).

- At 3130, veer straight/right onto Bouncing Brook Path and Laurel Path.

- At 3111, turn right onto Great Dome Foot Path.

- At 3085, turn left onto Bouncing Brook Path (red blazes).

- At second junction, turn left onto Lee Path.

- At 3155, turn right onto Braintree Pass Path.

- Follow Braintree Pass Path back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album