Great Blue, Houghton, and Great Blue Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Great Blue, Houghton, and Great Blue Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure 8-ish Loop

Distance: 5.66 miles

Elevation: 1,082 feet

Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills, Great Blue Hill Summites

The Hike

After yesterday's absolute termoil, I was back at the Blue Hills for hopefully a more relaxing jaunt in the woods. It was a toasty 72 degrees when I got to the trailhead. My hip was a little sore, again, from yesterday's hike - I'm thinking this is a sciatic issue... but still not sure. Either way, soon enough I was on the trail!

I had a quick trip up the Eliot Path minus a pee break in the woods near the ski slope. I decided against doing my usual Skyline Loop due to the hip issue (didn't want to get too far away from the car if it got bad). There were some lovely big, yellow butterflies near the Eliot Tower, which was still under construction. I made my way to the top of Great Blue Hill before deciding to descend via the Skyline Trail toward MA-138. The view here is lovely, but man, I forgot how steep it is!

The trail at MA-138 smelled like gasoline, I almost stepped on a slug, and I saw a tick thirsty for blood on a long blade of grass, too much for me! I backtracked and turned right onto Accord Path, which was in surprisngly good shape. I skipped the view on Accord because of tick possibilities. It was wet at the turn and then very grassy, but all unproblematic. It smelled like summer!

In the past I've wondered about a granite obelisk in the woods near the road off of Accord Path. I always thought it was an old trail marker. It seemed like a rain storm washed a lot of the debris away that was blocking it (I also remember there being MANY prickers here), so I was able to easily walk up and discover that it's a Milton/Canton town line marker - fun! I wonder how long it's been there. Once I realized, I noticed that there was a long, old, mostly dismantled stone wall following the town line.

From Accord I worked my way to Half Way Path where I found a rock I named "PBS face rock," for reasons that I imagine are obvious.

There were some nicely flowing streams along the Half Way Path and then I worked my way up Houghton Hill. I realize it's very unclear what Houghton's high point is, which is annoying, but fine. The bugs were out but they never got annoying enough were I needed to use bug spray, which was lovely for me. I did bring bug spray just in case!

From Houghton Hill, I worked my way to "Downtown Crossing" (previously known by me as "Times Square") (1141), hopped on Skyline up and over Wolcott Hill, and then descended via Dalton, which passes by a viewless but populated swamp. Spring peeper season is tragically over, but bullfrog season has begun! They sounded truly insane which was just a delight. 

My final push was up Big Blue via Raccoon Hollow Path. I was not feeling strong at all, but that's okay. I noticed some unmapped trails off of Raccoon Hollow Path, none of which are on any of the PDF maps I have (1980, 1996, 2016, 2020). A mystery! 

I noticed the new stairs and overall masonry of the Eliot Tower for the first time and they actually look excellent! I would have gotten photos but there were people around and we all know how I feel about them... I wrapped around Eliot Circle for a second time, hit the summit via Summit Road, and this time descended via the ski trail spur and followed Eliot Circle for some more distance before going down Skyline again. 

Final stretch was Accord to the car - I forgot how much I like the ski slope end of Accord - probably due to my new obsession with skiing! Once back at the car I ripped off my sweaty shirt to change and headed to the place where dreams come true, Costco!

Step-By-Step

- Start hike at Trailside Museum parking.

- Ascend via Eliot Path (red blazes).

- Before Summit Road, hike spur trail to ski area views.

- Return to Eliot Path, hike the rest to terminus.

- At 1055, turn right onto Eliot Circle.

- Cross Summit Road and then make first left to summit Great Blue Hill.

- From Summit, follow gravel road to Skyline Trail at 1030.

- At 1030, descend Skyline Trail to MA-138.

- At MA-138, turn around.

- At 1003, turn right onto Accord Path.

- At 1086, turn left onto Wildcat Notch Path.

- At 1093, turn right onto Half Way Path.

- At 1043, turn left onto Houghton Path.

- Immediately after, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- After 1056, veer right when Skyline Trail descends Houghton Hill onto Houghton Hill Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Wolcott Path.

- At 1141, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- At 1117, veer right onto Dalton Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Wildcat Notch Path.

- At 1092, turn right onto Raccoon Hollow Path.

- At 1063, turn right onto Eliot Path. 

- At Summit Road, turn left onto Summit Road.

- Follow Summit Road to summit.

- From the summit, take path toward ski area.

- At Eliot Circle, turn left onto Eliot Circle. 

- At 1030, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- At 1003, turn right onto Accord Path, hike spur to road, backtrack, return to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album