Skyline Loop via Trailside Museum w/ Summit Road (Blue Hills Reservation)
Distance: 5.11 miles
Elevation: 1,224 feet
Elevation: 1,224 feet
Time: 2 hours
Hike Type: Figure 8-ish Loop
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2024; Great Blue Hill Summits, Blue Hills Grid
Hike Type: Figure 8-ish Loop
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2024; Great Blue Hill Summits, Blue Hills Grid
The Hike
I was out until 1:00am last night, and it had been raining all day, but I was itching to get back to the Blue Hills. Once afternoon hit, I put on shorts and a tshirt, drove to the trailside museum, enjoyed the 55-degree weather (even though it's unsettling for it to be so warm in January), and started on my favorite fitness hike! Right away I knew it was going to be an adventure - the trailhead was basically a cascading waterfall over the stone steps... here we go!
There were some newly painted red blazes on the Eliot Path up to Great Blue Hill, and I was essentially hiking through a river the whole time, which reminded me that I really need to get some insulated waterproof boots. The slight dip before the Summit Road crossing was truly a raging river, which I had never seen before - not even during spring runoff!
I continued my way to the summit of Great Blue Hill and I was feeling weidly strong all things considered (i.e., mild hangover). There was on and off rain BUT the sun was trying to peek through! I went over to the viewpoint on the Skyline Trail to get a photo of the cloudy views, and then continued the classic loop, taking Skyline Trail North first.
It was very windy out but it was WARM. It never broke 60 degrees, but it sure felt amazing. The sun felt incredible. There were a few new blowdowns after Times Square (1141) and my legs were starting to feel a slight fatigue going up Hemenway Hill, but I was still feeling good (shockingly). I made it to Hancock Hill, and starting passing the weekend afternoon folks who were, as usual, not very friendly.
I noticed the "Blue Hills Reservation" sign was gone down on Hillside Street - maybe caught by the crazy wind a few days ago? I wasn't able to find any info on it, but it definitely looked like the wind took it! I was starting to feel sleepy on the road walk, but quickly woke up when it was time to slog up Houghton Hill, through another stream. I will say though, I made it all the way to the top without stopping, which is monumental compared to how this stretch used to absolutely murder me (I will say, my max heart rate was 186, so I wasn't feeling incredible, but proud nonetheless!).
The next half mile of trail led me to accept that having dry feet was simply not a possibility - it was WET wet. I started my final climb, my thighs were SCREAMING at me, but I finished my second summit, dodged the 1,000 people at the top (it was probably like seven, but it felt like a million!), and made the executive decision to descend via the auto road so I could stop thinking about foot placement on the trails.
The road was still wet but it was nice to let my brain turn off. By this point the sun was shinging and the sky was blue. What a beautiful day - I couldn't believe it! I was also really proud of myself for having such a strong hike - specifically for the lungs, heart, and body - especially after the night I had! The lower auto road wound through lovely woods, I passed many people, and eventually made it back to my car. It was time for a shower and a long sleep.
Step-By-Step
- Start hike at 1023.
- Follow Eliot Path to 1055.
- At 1055, turn right onto Eliot Circle.
- At 1030, briefly turn right to see view on Skyline Trail, then continue to follow Eliot Circle/Skyline Trail counter-clockwise.
- At path, turn left and summit Great Blue Hill.
- From summit, follow path toward 1063.
- At 1063, follow Skyline Trail all the way to Hillside Street.
- Follow Hillside Street to the Skyline Trail South.
- Follow Skyline Trail South to 1066.
- Turn left, then right, and summit Great Blue Hill again,
- Follow Auto Road and sidewalk back to car.
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