Brookwood Farm Trails (2x) (Blue Hills Reservation)

Brookwood Farm Trails (2x) (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 2.80 miles
Elevation: 62 feet

Time: 56 minutes
Hike Type: Messy Loop
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2024; 125-Mile Club (2nd Time); Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

I am still adjusting to hiking after school again - I made it to the trailhead with good timing, but had no pack or camera... and it was snowing. Oh well! Temperatures were in the upper 30s and the air was still - very peaceful, even with the roar of MA-138 and I-93 so close by. 

My plan to was to do a redlining loop twice in a row, since I needed these trails for both my 125-Mile Club and Winter Trace maps. I started by following the road toward 1057 and hiking the spur that leads off DCR property (and terminates at a gate at a woods road... spooky). This area was decently flooded and partially frozen, which took some creative bushwhacking through dense prickers to get out. 

From there, I started on the loop, dodging prickers and dog poop. I turned left at 1079, maneuvered around some blowdowns, and then turned right at 1077 around the meadow. The trails over here are... weird. There were some side paths, but overall it felt rather abandoned and desolate. Back at 1079, I turned right, and then walked along the eastern road at 1077 to hit the unpaved connector path back toward the buildings.

The second lap felt mundane and tedious, but I was happy I was getting it done. I could help but imagine how tick-infested this area must be in the spring! I passed the only other person near 1079 on lap #2, and soon enough was back at the car. Not my favorite hike, but happy to have completed it!

Note: There is a kiosk with information about the area near the trailhead, but my phone didn't capture a sharp enough image to type it up here. Next time!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Brookwood Farm parking area.

- Walk toward 1057.

- Stay right on trail, hike to gate, turn around.

- Back at 1057, turn right onto trail.

- At 1079, turn left.

- At 1077, turn right.

- At 1079, turn right.

- At road, turn right.

- At unpaved path, turn left.

- Repeat!

- After hiking unpaved path the second time, return to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album