North Boyce, Burnt, and Buck Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

North Boyce, Burnt, and Buck Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spur

Distance: 4.60 miles

Elevation: 633 feet

Time: 1 hours, 39 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Grid, Blue Hills Winter Trace (2x)

The Hike

Not gonna lie, I'm writing this 15 days late... better late than never! It's been a very busy fall between school, skiing, the Massachusetts Music Educators Conference, and overall trying to be a person. Also very interesting finding a balance between skiing and hiking... I think it's okay that I've hiked less so I can ski more (it's definitely okay, but I just wish I was partially retired so I could do both!). ANYWAY....

It was a 55-degree summer-like day, I was in shorts and a t-shirt, and my only goals were to hit Boyce and Burnt Hills with no other plans. There were a decent amount of people out due to the aformentioned beautiful day, but thankfully I would only be on the busy Skyline Trial for a short bit from Bugbee to North Boyce. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and apparently ski conditions were fabulous up north, I was still happy to be out in the woods. 

I skirted around Tucker Hill, far too lazy to deal with the steep section, which brought me past the swamp I've dubbed "Peeper Swamp," which lived up to its name today becuase ITS FROG SEASON!!!! I love hiking the Blue Hills in March for one reason and one reason only - to hear the majestic call of hundreds of Peepers. I hit the Mattapan Path (which I proudly know how to correctly follow now), hiked past a confusing, new bird feeder, and landed back on the Skyline Trail to finish the climb up North Boyce Hill, where I followed a man in tight black jeans and Doc Marten boots... to each their own!

Now making my way over towards Burnt Hill, I hurdled over a decently-sized blowdown and hiked on the wet, but not muddy, Doe Hollow Path, and made my way to the illusion of a deer path to the summit of Burnt Hill. As I continued along, I was reflecting on how much I hate Daylight Savings Time, only for the reason of the week-long jet lag, but I LOVE hiking at 4:00pm and not having the sun actively setting. I eventually wiggled my way to one of my favorite trails, the Fern Spring Foot Path, which truly has never disappointed. It's off the beaten path, has a view part-way up, and traverses some unique terrain. Is it redundant to mention how much I also love Buck Hill? Probably, but I do not care, the views were beautiful of the surrounding Blue Hills, Boston, and of course, Mts. Wachusett and Monadnock.

I was starting to admittedly get a little chilly up on Buck, so it was time for the descent and ultimate return trip. I went down AMC Footpath to Buck Hill Path to Headquarters Path. Quincy Path was flooded, as usual, the NEMBA bridge was fun, as usual, and made my way back to the car, just in time to wait in the stop sign line at Hillside Street!

Step-By-Step

- Park across from State Police Barracks/Park HQ

- Turn left onto Headquarters Path.

- At junction, turn left onto Bugbee Path/Skyline Trail. 

- At 2054, turn left on Skyline Trail.

- At second junction, turn right onto Ayer Trail.

- At 2094, veer left toward Mattapan Trail.

- Turn left onto Mattapan Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- After 2165, turn left onto AMC Footpath.

- At 2182, turn left Buck Hill Path.

- At 2164, turn left onto Headquarters Path.

- At 2153, turn left to continue on Headquarters Path. 

- At Chickatawbut Road, continue on Quincy Path.

- At 2112, follow white triangles along Chickatawbut Road.

- Rejoin Headquarters Path.

- Follow Headquarters Path back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album