Fowl Meadow (Blue Hills Reservation)

Fowl Meadow (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop 

Distance: 4,76 miles

Elevation: 23 feet

Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes 
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

I landed at the Burma Road parking area after school on a Tuesday to a surprisingly full parking lot - there was just enough space for my CRV to squeeze in. I guess it made sense, because it felt like the first day of spring! It was 62 degrees at the car and I was getting ready for my first shorts-hike of the season. The warm air felt amazing on my skin, minus the existential dread that the world is ending... Sadly I forgot to bring my PeakDesign clip, so I had to carry my camera with me the whole time... boo.

I started by exploring the unmapped path that leads from the parking area to the Neponset, then along the Neponset, and then either turns back to Burma Road to continues to follow the Neponset all the way to Indian Path. I wasn't too excited about the unknown, so I followed the short loop back to Burma Road. There were a couple of dry crossings a la the Indian Path, which was a good omen. The trail turned at a blowdown.

Burma Road was beautiful as always, filled with the sound of birds. There were small bits of ice left in the swampy nooks and crannies, and my lungs were acting weird, but I guess that just comes with spring.

I made my way to 6005 and noticed that the bridge on the left got washed out in one of the monsoons we got over the past few months - bummer. 

I also noticed a big "BN" on the ground in orange paint/chalk... interesting. The orange markings continued along the Fowl Meadow Path (and then on Indian Path and the lower Burma Road) - I could never figure out what it meant, aside from maybe just marking a route?

The first crossing on Indian Path had a bit of water but was easily passable. I'm still not convinved all of the sticks at the crossing are actually helpful...

There was an impressive thicket of prickers and overall the trail was as expected - slightly overgrown but scenic. I passed two guys who warned me that they picked "like six ticks" off of themselves, which sent me into an emotional spiral, but thankfully I escaped unscathed. 

I eventually made my way back to Burma Road and had the loooooong walk back to the car. I think I only have a few more hikes left to finish my winter trace! A few orphans around the Summit Road, the circles around the Houghton's Pond Visitor Center, Ponkapoag East plus a few in the southeast corner of Ponkapoag Pond, and the St. Moritz area. I should finish by official springtime!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Burma Road parking area.

- Hike toward Neponset and on unmapped path along river.

- At junction, turn left.

- At terminus, turn right onto Burma Road.

- At 6005, turn right onto Fowl Meadow Path.

- At 6009 (not on map), turn left onto trail.

- Where path begins to fizzle out, turn around.

- At 6009, turn left onto Fowl Meadow Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Indian Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Burma Road.

- At terminus, turn around and hike Burma Road.

- At 6005, continue straight and return to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album