Skyline Loop via Trailside Museum (w/ Sonya)
Hike Type: Figure-8 Loop
Distance: 4.25 miles
Elevation: 1,178 feet
Time: 1 hours, 32 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits
The Hike
Back to the Blue Hills! I hit a low-grade stage of panic when I realized that daylight savings time is this upcoming weekend, and that is ususally the end of my after-school Blue Hills hikes for the year, so I needed to make this week count! It was a beautiful, chilly 52 degrees. I had shorts and one of my favorite Outdoor Research Trail Mix microgrid fleeces (I bought four of them last season I love them so much...). It was a sunny day with a slight breeze, the foliage was just past peak, I had an easy drive down, and it was showtime! I was greeted by a new sign in the trailhead kiosk telling about the spotted lanternfly - I haven't seen any in New England, just a few in NJ/NY, but I became well aquainted in Virginia, and I do NOT want them up here!
I couldn't remember what parts of this hike have Strava segments, so just in case I power hiked up Eliot Path, past a couple on an unhappy date and another duo playing with remote-controlled trucks(?) - more interesting is that this is the second time I've come across people playing with RC trucks on this trail in my many hikes here. At the top of the climb my fleece came off - it was a little chilly without it, but I figured the hike went up and down enough that I would be fine (update: I was fine). There were a comical amount of grey squirrels running about, and soon enough I made it to the top, which was now fenced off? I assume they're refurbishing the exterior of the weather observatory.
Heading toward the Skyline Trail now, I wanted to go up the Eliot Tower to see if I could see one of the dozens of brush fires in the area that were currently burning, but I heard a large group/family in the tower enjoying the sights, so I let that dream fade. Descending on the Skyline Trail North, I passed a VERY nicely dressed couple asking for directions, followed by another couple smoking multiple joints (which was BOLD considering all the local fires).
I descended Great Blue Hill and climbed up Wolcott, which had some signs indicating that a fire started burning on October 20th, and although it had been fully contained, there will still be smoke - it was right! Lots of smoke coming out of the ground on Wolcott Hill, which was eerie. I know Wolcott Hill recently burned in the past couple of years, so I wonder if this is the same area or a new spot. Either way, its a bummer for sure.
"Wolcott Hill Fire: This brush fire started on 10-20-24. Staff of the Department of Conservation and Recreation are monitoring this fire closely. The edges of teh brush fire have been fully extinguished. The center of this 2 acre fire may still produce flame and smoke at times. ---> If you see smoke and flames on this side of the trail, do nothing. DCR is monitoring the fire. <--- If you see smoke and flames on this side of the trail, call 911."
Further along the trail, I could see the Wolcott smoke from the Hemenway Lookout and later from Hancock, too. The late fall colors on the Houghton Pond side of the reservation were absolutely beautiful, which was nice to see in contrast to the smoke.
Down at the road, there was a statie awkwardly parked directly outside of the porta potty that I had to use... I walked along Hillside Street and hauled ass up Houghton Hill, which will always be humbling. That said, I think I "performed" my best cardiovasularly on this hike - I was huffing and puffing, but I didn't sense an impending doom as I usually do, which was nice!
In the usually wet areas between Houghton and Great Blue Hills, it was dark and chilly (and dry!). My arms especially were cold, but I knew I'd heat right back up on the final climb up Great Blue Hill, and I was correct. I also felt cardiovascularly good heading up here, and according to Strava, my speed was good too! There's currently three Strava segments on this hike: Hillside Street to Eliot Circle, the Houghton/Great Blue col to Eliot Circle, and just the final steep push of the Skyline Trail South. I got a Strava PR on all three!
Since it was so nice out, I decided to descend via the Sonya Ski Trail. The late-fall golden view from the top of the ski area was just stunning, and I think I could spot three of the bajillion brush fires from up there. Wachusett was standing proudly tall and Mt. Monadnock was off to the right with its pointy peak. Further down the trail, I noticed a picnic table on the left, which was fun to see. I wish they had snowmaking on this trail! I made it back to the car in one piece, and naturally drove over to Costco to get my reward - rotisserie chicken!
Step-By-Step
- Start hike from Trailside Museum parking on Eliot Path (red dots).
- At terminus, turn right onto Eliot Circle.
- At next jct., turn left onto Summit Road.
- At next jct., turn right onto spur trail to Summit.
- Descend summit towards Skyline Trail South.
- Turn left onto Skyline Trail, and then right onto Skyline Trail South.
- Follow Skyline Trail South to Hillside St.
- At Hillside St., turn left onto Hillside St.
- After stables, turn left onto Skyline Trail North.
- Follow Skyline Trail North to Eliot Tower.
- At Eliot Tower, turn left onto Eliot Circle.
- At second jct., turn right to summit Great Blue Hill.
- From summit, follow spur trail northwest to top of ski area.
- Follow ski trails on left to Patriot's Path and then Sonya.
- At bottom of Sonya, cut back into woods and return to car.
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