Fox Hill, Great Dome Trail, Wampatuck Hill (Blue Hills Reservation)
Distance: 5.44 miles
Elevation: 640 feet
Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes
Elevation: 640 feet
Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes
Hike Type: Tracing Loop
Hiking Challenges: 125-Mile Club (2x); Blue Hills Grid
The Hike
Time for an after school hike! My brain is my biggest enemy when getting down to the Blue Hills after work. First, I didn't want to sit in the car for that long (an hour, versus the 50ish minutes to get home). Then, I compromised and said I would just go to the trailside museum to save some time in the car, but then I eventually came through and decided to stick to my plan and hit the Fox Hill area. It was a hungry drive, but thankfully I had my snack bag with me (that I thought I left at home) to save the day! It was in the low 70s and truly lovely outside. I got started at the Skyline Trail just below Wampatuck Hill.
I lamented how there are very few good pee spots in the Blue Hills and got my hike started. I meandered the middlest route to the Pipeline, and nearly passed away when I unclipped my camera and found a full, living spider between the clip and my pack's strap. After causing a whole scene and murdering the intruder, I whacked through the overgrown connection onto the grassy pipeline.
The Pipeline was a bit rough with its tall grasses, and I eventually turned off at 4135 onto Indian Camp Path, thinking at first I was going straight, then thinking I would hit this as an out-and-back, but then remembering that I had already hiked this section, and then unltimately changing my entire plan for the day! Thankfully I hadn't hiked this section too much for my 125-Mile Club 2nd round, so I could choose my own adventure.
I followed Indian Camp Path to Fox Hill Path, where I ascended Fox Hill and took the side trip to the summit for my grid. The vibes up there were grassy and lovely, with many a chirping insect. I really do love Fox Hill. I inhaled a meat stick once on the White Trail Path as a hellicopter zoomed overhead, eventually working my way to Pine Tree Brook Path, which is just a lovely trail. Wider than a footpath, but not as wide as an old road or a pipeline. Just lovely! I followed that all the way to the Pipeline/Headquarters Path, which was a much more lovely pipeline - short grassy with well established footbed.
Next up was a long meander around the Sassaman Path/Pasture Run trails, performing a loopty loop. It was so peaceful with the afternoon sun and no other people, my brain was able to fully turn off for a white. It turned off so well that I fully went on auto pilot and forgot to turn onto the Great Dome Path until I was halfway back to the Pipeline... whoops! I turned around and made my way back to 4053.
Now on the Great Dome Foot Path, the trail was more obscure and rugged, and with a good amount of garbage as it parallels Chickatawbut Road. Once veering away, its a nice, off-the-beaten-path trail. I followed deer prints in the mud for a while and then had a grassy descent to a brook.
I eventually landed back on the green dot loop which I followed for a good long while. There were bugs out near the wetlands, but nothing too bad. I always giggle to myself when someone walks past me smelling like a fresh shower and perfume, while I smell like a rotted possum. I always wonder if they notice how horribly I smell...
Continuing on, there was a beautiful golden sunshine painting the treetops, which helped me self-regulate and cope with my "the sun it setting earlier" emotions. The pinnacle of my time on the green dot loop was passing a couple and their dog, who was unleashed. Once I was about 100 ft. ahead of them I heard the dog run off into the woods and the humans SCREAM, which fully scared the life out of me. Leash your dogs, kids!
I worked my way to the Skyline Trail up and over Wampatuck Hill, where I had the distinct pleasure of watching a couple argue about which way to go. Typically, the man was sure he was right going in one direction, but the woman said "I was literally here yesterday, it's this way" (she was right, I minded my business) - he checked his phone and realized he was wrong... hehe...
Once up on Wampatuck I enjoyed the obstructed views but on my way down I noticed a few herd paths and accidentally followed one to a... stunning out look I never knew existed?? There was a view from Chickatawbut Hill to Boston with the sun setting behind, I'm thrilled but surprised this isn't on the map! I enjoyed some time here before making my way down the eroded path of Wampatuck and back to my car.
Step-By-Step
- Park at the Skyline Trail crossing on Chickatawbut Road.
- Start hike on Skyline Trail.
- At 4134, veer left.
- At 4131, continue left.
- Soon after, turn right onto path.
- At terminus, turn right onto Pipe Line.
- At 4135, turn left onto Indian Camp Path (green dots).
- At 4102, turn left onto Fox Hill Path.
- Summit Fox Hill, then turn around.
- At 4096, turn left onto White Tail Path.
- At 4084, turn right onto Pine Tree Brook Path.
- At 4049, turn left onto Headquarters Path/Pipe Line.
- At 4048, turn left onto Sassaman Path.
- At terminus, turn sharply right onto Pasture Run.
- At 4030, turn right onto Headquarters Path/Pipe Line.
- At 4048, turn right onto Sassaman Path (again).
- At terminus, continue straight/left onto Pasture Run.
- At split, hike right fork to 4052, then retrace and hike left fork to 4053.
- At 4053, turn left onto Great Dome Foot Path.
- At terminus, turn left onto Pine Tree Brook Path/Great Dome Foot Path.
- At 4073, turn right onto Great Dome Foot Path.
- At 4090, turn left onto Indian Camp Path (green dots).
- At 4091, turn right onto Crags Foot Path (green dots).
- At 4151, continue right.
- At 4155, turn right onto Skyline Trail.
- Follow Skyline Trail back to car.
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