Ponkapoag Extremeties Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)
Distance: 5.64 miles
Elevation: 282 feet
Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes
Elevation: 282 feet
Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes
Hike Type: Loop w/ Spurs
Hiking Challenges: 125-Mile Club (2x)
The Hike
Keeping my Ponkapoag momentum going with my final section in this area, a hike I have dubbed the "Ponkapoag Extremities Loop" - the main loop around the pond, but also hitting all the little spur trails I've avoided with my previous trips. The only trail I would be missing on this hike was the boardwalk, which will have to happen another day when water levels are lower or the pond is frozen solid. The drive down from work was slow and painful and I desperately had to pee once I parked, so I spent no time dawdling and got right to work!
It was cloudy a chilly, but overall a nice afternoon. There used to be an small spur path on the right of the trail that connects the parking area to the Acton Path that been officially closed (with signs), which I found interesting. I've always been curious why some parts are selected and not others. I enjoyed the view near Fisherman's Beach and realized I forgot to bring my printed map... again. Thankfully, I remembered which trails I needed.
The yellow leaves were looking excellent on the Acton Path and there was a surprising blowdown patch about a half mile-ish down the trail. The Pipe Line spur to Canton Street was in surprisingly good shape, and the little spur trail that connects the Pipe Line spur to 5355 was unsurprisingly rough and clearly unused.
The Pipe Line that continues past 5355 was a bit brutal with its stench and mud, but I made it through mostly unscathed! I hiked down Hemlock Road toward Turner Road and ran into a man sitting on a log aggressively staring into the void, so I let him do his thing and continued my journey in a different direction.
At this point in my journey I was feeling hungry and knew I had a Costco trip after I finished, so I simply could not stop thing about a slice of ridiculously cheesey Costco pizza. I kept on wiggling about until I was back at the Ponkapoag Trail/Redman Farm Path junction, where I noticed a massive erratic off-trail. There were a few other paths off the trail that aren't on the map, many of which are on older maps that I do want to explore someday. Today, however, I was on a mission!
I continued along to the YMCA camp and surrounding trails, which was a bit spooky and devoid of life. There were some fun signs at their pool about how its not allowed to enter the pool with communicable diseases, which... makes sense?
There were some people taking photos at the boardwalk entrance, and I really did think about asking if they ventured in, but I had no desire to make small talk... another day! I hit a few spider webs on the Dorchester Trail and saw a couple golfers. On a day when I'm not on a time crunch I want to explore this area of the golf course to get a nice photo of Big Blue.
The bugs were out as the day turned into evening, and there were plentiful clouds, but they were all beautiful. The view from the dam was stunning as just a few patches of sunlight illuminated trees across the way... and then I was brought right back to reality when I nearly stepped in horse poop.
The last bit of my hike was the spur paths to the southeastern golf courses. I noticed some old green blazes which was interesting, and spooked a family of deer that were munching on dinner on the green. It was a little tricky finding the trail back into the woods once I crossed the golf course, but once I did find the entrance it was smooth sailing back to the car!
Step-By-Step
*NOTE: The current 2020 DCR Map and the FBH Website disagree with what is and isn't the Acton Path. I am using the DCR Map for these instructions.
- Park at Fisherman's Beach Parking.
- Start hike by following path to Fisherman's Beach from parking lot.
- Retrace steps to 5321, turn left onto Acton Path (green dot).
- At next junction, continue to follow Acton Path (green dot).
- At next junction, turn sharply right onto Pipe Line.
- At someone's back yard, retrace steps.
- Back at Acton Path, stay to the right and join unnamed path on right.
- At 5355, turn right onto Pipe Line.
- At 5395, continue straight to finish hiking Pipe Line.
- At terminus, retrace steps.
- At 5395, turn left onto Hemlock Road.
- At terminus, turn around.
- At 5395, continue straight onto Hemlock Road.
- At split, veer left to 5401.
- At 5401, turn right and hike other side of split (Vose Path), eventually returning to 5401.
- At 5401 again, continue straight on Hemlock Road.
- At 5384, turn left onto Fire Trail.
- At 5365, turn right onto Acton Path (green dot).
- At 5343, continue straight onto Ponkapoag Trail (green dot).
- At 5421, continue straight onto Redman Farm Path (green dot).
- At 5176, hike network of trails around YMCA Camp and Ponkapoag Boardwalk (not the boardwalk).
- Continue on Redman Farm Path (green dot).
- At 5174, turn right onto Dorchester Trail.
- At golf course, turn around.
- At split, take right fork to return to Redman Farm Path (green dot).
- At 5175, turn left onto Acton Path (green dot).
- At 5216, turn right onto unnamed path.
- At terminus, follow the edge of the woods around the golf course, staying to the left.
- Cross the golf course and reenter woods to hike other unnamed path.
- Return and turn right onto Acton Path (green dot) to complete hike.
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