Skyline Loop via Trailside Museum (Blue Hills Reservation)

Skyline Loop via Trailside Museum (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop
Distance: 4.91 miles
Elevation: 1,194 feet
Time: 2 hours, 7 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits; Blue Hills Grid

The Hike

It had been raining all day but I wanted to get out for at least some physical activity, so when the weather finally broke I made my way back to the Blue Hills for the first time in a while to hit my favorite "fitness hike." It was very warm, but there was a breeze which helped. I was surprised to see a sign that said the Eliot Tower was closed for renovations, which is exciting!

My body was still feeling very heavy, but I didn't let that dissuade me. My rocks on the Eliot Path were slick, which provided for a few humbling slips (but no falls!). There were a good amount of children enjoying their summer vacations... which was... nice. I also found some baby blueberries! Up at the closed tower the air was thick, humid, and buggy. I made my way over to the sunset rocks but there were a bunch of people and I didn't want to be the weird person taking photos of strangers. 

I made my way to the summit of Great Blue Hill, but didn't get to ceremoniously boop the plaque since a family was having lunch there. I passed a full extended family, grandparents and all, struggling down the steep section of the Skyline Trail down Wolcott Hill, which was... interesting. Little did I know that this would be first of many large families taking their grandparents on a rather challenging hike in this awful weather. 

My heart rate was definitely high for most of this hike and I was SOAKED in my own sweat. I would get crankier and crankier everytime I passed a group of people who weren't visibly seating... how?! I noticed a rain cloud over Houghton's Pond from Hancock Hill, and I was really hoping it was heading over my way because I could have used some relief, which I did get a little bit during the road walk.

I passed some more unfriendly afternoon people as I fought my way up Houghton Hill, and admired the bountiful signage warning visitors that the Eliot Tower is closed (smart). I definitely struggled on this last leg and passed one more extended family trying to figure out how to get down the scramble to Shadow Point (I think this is the name...). I was fully saturated, got my second summit of the day, and then worked my way down the Eliot Path to my car, and untimately a very cold shower followed by intense air conditioning. 

Step-By-Step

- Park at Ski Area parking area and hike up Eliot Path (red dots).

- Summit Great Blue Hill, then go to North Skyline Trail.

- Descend via North Skyline Trail, and follow N. Skyline Trail to Hillside St.

- Turn right to follow Hillside St. to South Skyline Trail on right.

- Turn right onto South Skyline Trail to 1066.

- Summit Great Blue Hill.

- Follow Eliot Circle to Eliot Path, descend to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album