Hawk, Kitchamakin, & Chickatawbut Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hawk, Kitchamakin, & Chickatawbut Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 4.26 miles

Elevation: 709 feet

Time: 1 hours, 36 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Trail Trace the Blue Hills

The Hike

A long day at school followed by a very sleep drive landed me at the Braintree Pass Path trailhead truly questioning my sanity. The trailhead was very buggy and it was HOT outside! Like, actually hot! 80 degrees! The skies were completely blue and I found some will to live, get suited up, and start my afternoon adventure.

The Braintree Pass Path was delightfully green - probably my favorite part about this time of year. Without stick season, I wouldn't have such an appreciation for the "great rebirth." I hiked the little spit that connects with Headquarters Path and continued on with wobbly legs from "leg day" (I exercize now) and past little balls of white fuzzy fungus.

I made my way onto the Hemlock Bound Foot Path, dawned with the illegal yellow blazes that I truly appreciate, and fought my way through a never-ending series of gnats. I guess it's officially bug-spray season... The trail splits with an easy and hard way - I've always done the hard way - some of the most fun (albeit, short) scrambling in the Blue Hills. I also found that I needed to take multiples of the same photo in hopes one of them would be bug-free.

I continued on, up and over Hawk Hill, covered in sweat and dead bugs. My forearms were beginning to chafe from my hip belt pockets. I went through another rough pocket of bugs at 3090 and shockingly was relieved once down at the Great Cedar Swamp, where there was a semblance of a breeze. I continued onto the Great Dome Foot Path, through spider webs and was HORRIFIED at how many bugs there were hovering along the Bouncing Brook (noticing a theme?). At least there were some flowers blooming.

I started the steep, slightly confusing and unclear climb up Kitchamakin Hill, which provide nice views and more bugs. I guess I was just grateful the bugs weren't biting! The plateau of Kitchamakin Hill is COVERED in soon-to-be flowering blueberry bushes, which may just require a re-visit in a month or so. I continued on the just-clear-enough footpath, past some views toward Braintree, and eventually came to a split. One half went straight forward and looked more used, and one turned left. The DCR and AllTrails maps showed that the left was the "correct" one, so off I went! It was more over-grown, but I made it out fine. 

Now on the Skyline Trail, I worked my way up and over the burnt-but-regrowing Fenno Hill and then up to Chickatawbut. I realized that I like the order I did this hike in (counter-clockwise), but the sun's angle made it subpar for photos - oh well! It was better for mental stamina to go this way. I had my usual bout of anger that the top of Chickatawbut Hill is closed to the public, enjoyed a view off-trail to Great Pond further down, and then began my return trip. 

I took a moment to realize and appreciate how these hills used to feel so much bigger than they do now. It's a bummer, but apparently regular exercise is "good for you" blah blah blah. I was rewarded with a nice breeze coming down Stokes Foot Path, and was soon enough back on the Braintree Pass Path and at my car, still covered in bugs, though.

Step-By-Step

- Park at start hike at Braintree Pass Path Trailhead (MA-28 and Chickatawbut Road).

- Take the first right after 3042 onto Bouncing Brook Path.

- At unmarked intersection, turn left onto Hemlock Bound Foot Path.

- At 3030, turn left onto Hawk Hill Path.

- At 3072, continue straight onto Braintree Pass Path.

- At 3090, turn left onto Barberry Bush Spring Trail.

- At 3121, turn left onto Laurel Path.

- At 3111, turn left onto Great Dome Foot Path.

- At 3085, continue straight onto Great Dome Foot Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- Partway down Chickatawbut Hill, turn right onto Stokes Foot Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Braintree Pass Path and return to car. 

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album