Buck Hill via Ayer, Bugbee, Fells, Doe Hollow, and Forest Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Buck Hill via Ayer, Bugbee, Fells, Doe Hollow, and Forest Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 4.25 miles
Elevation: 715 feet

Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes 
Hike Type: Figure-8 Lollipop
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

A quick and easy after-school hike with almost identical stats (and hills) to my last! My hike started at 3:45pm, temps were in the mid-40s, and there was a snowstorm looming [UPDATE: The storm mostly missed us]. The goal was to hit the Ayer, Bugbee, Fells, Doe Hollow, and Forest Paths, to mostly complete the Houghton's Pond section (I will need to go back for the loopty-loops of the Houghton's Pond Visitor Center area). 

I was SLEEPY as I was taking a break from caffeine (regrets), but I powered through my gentle meander of the Blue Hills. There were many, many airplanes overhead, and some blowdowns around 2140. When I finished the trails I needed I could either a) follow Skyline Trail back, b) follow red loop back, c) follow Headquarters Path back, or d) make something up. Option A definitely required the most effort, but I decided I might as well see that lovely view again.

Partway up Buck Hill I got a text that the snow totals were lowered, and no more than five minutes later I got a follow up text that we had a snowday! That definitely gave me the push I needed to make it to the top (I also realize I've never climbed Buck from the MA-28 side, only ever descended)!

The sky was almost turquioise over Boston and the Ocean as the sun set behind the clouds - it was definitely a good choice to come up. Mt. Wachusett and Monadnock were in the distance saying hello, and I was so happy. I would have stayed longer, but I was a bit far from my car.

I zoomed on the Skyline the whole way home, minus the climb up Tucker Hill, which slowed me down. Soon enough I was on the final descent, traversing the muddy section on the way to Bugbee, and back at the car for a Costco run and a SNOWDAY!

Step-By-Step

- Park across street from State Police on Hillside St.

- Turn left onto Headquarters Path (along Hillside St.).

- At jct., turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At 2054, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- At next jct., turn left onto Tucker Hill Path.

- At next jct., turn sharply right onto Ayer Trail.

- At 2094, veer right onto Dark Hollow Path.

- At 2096, turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At next jct., turn left onto Winthrop Path.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At terminus, turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At 2140, turn left onto Fells Path.

- At 2152, turn left onto Massachuseuck Trail.

- At next jct., turn right onto Doe Hollow Path.

- At 2153, continue straight/right onto Headquarters Path.

- At 2175, turn right onto Forest Path.

- Veer right towards 2210.

- At 2210, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow Skyline Trail back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album