Buck Hill Loop w/ Detours (Blue Hills Reservation)

Buck Hill Loop w/ Detours (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 4.42 miles
Elevation: 751 feet

Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes 
Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace; Blue Hills Grid

The Hike

It was a foggy, warm, weekend morning in the low 40s and I had a loose plan of hitting the red trail around Buck Hill and some surrounding bits I still needed. The only other thing I knew was that I had to make it home in time for a friend's birthday party this afternoon! My hike started by going around the near side of misty Houghton's Pond, feeling a little chilly, missing the first trail I needed, fixing I mistake, and getting up near the top of Tucker Hill.

There was a lot of moisture in the air which was actually lovely for this dry time of year. Temperatures (and myself) were already warming up - the high was going to hit 60 degrees! As I continued on my wiggle, the skies even opened up to a mostly bluebird day! There was some mud on the Skyline Trail between 2054 and 2072, but nothing problematic. There were also trace amounts of ice throughout, but again, still nothing problematic. 

I successfully navigated the Mattapan Path for the first time (yay) and followed the Skyline Trail up and over the stunning Buck Hill. I truly could have spent all day up there - the sun was warm and the views were vast. I decided once I finish this map I'll legally start a new one, but pivot my focus onto the Grid and Skyliner Round 2. 

My return on the red-blazed loop passed MANY people who were not-so-friendly. There were even a few red squirrels out and about! I made it back to my car in no time and got to cross off a few more trails. Man, I love buck hill.

Step-By-Step

- Park at Houghton's Pond Parking area.

- Start hike by hiking around Houghton's Pond Visitor Center, following green/red dots.

- Accidentally overshoot, turn around at 2053.

- Back at junction where yellow trail leaves green/red, turn right.

- Follow dirt road, and then continue onto pavement.

- At Bugbee Path, turn left.

- At 2054, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Just before the summit of Tucker Hill, turn right to descend on Athol Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Dover Trail/Massachuseuck Trail (Red Blazes).

- Continue to follow red blazes past 2094.

- Turn left onto obscure Mattapan Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow Skyline Trial to MA-28.

- At MA-28, turn around.

- At 2210, turn left onto Massachuseuck Trail (Red Blazes).

- Follow red blazes all the way back to the car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album