Skyline Loop via Trailside Museum (w/ Sonya) (Blue Hills Reservation)
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 3.97 miles
Elevation: 1,145 feet
Time: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits
The Hike
After a wonderful April break, it was back to the real world. I headed down to the Trailside Museum south parking area after school for a classic Skyline Loop. The trailhead was busy, and a dog ran out of its car at me, but at least it was a warm 76 degree, sunny day! I got started right away, accidentally forgetting my camera in the car. I blasted up Eliot Path, was drenched in sweat once at Eliot Circle, and made it to the summit of Great Blue Hill in no time! The fencing had been removed around the flagpole, allowing access to the highest point outside of the observatory again!
I took a big swig of my warm Nalgene and continued along, passing a couple hiking up Wolcott Hill with a Trader Joe's pag, implying they were hoping for a picnic? They wandered into the burnt woods before noticing me continuing on the trail, which I think got them back on.
I passed and crossed paths with many more people and a couple of off-leash dogs (side-eye...) and enjoyed how the trail was noticeably more green than the last time I wandered here. From the viewpoints on Hemenway and Hancock, I especially enjoyed seeing the springtime greens (even if they're the color of vomit) coming in all around. The tent catepillars were also hard at work on Hancock.
Down at Hillside Street, I was horrified to find out that the porta potty had been moved from the stables to the Bugbee Path trailhead across the street! This is completely fine in case of an emergency, but not worth the extra effort for a little urination, in my opinion. The lesser periwinkles at the base of Skyline South were absolutely thriving and my legs were screaming (as per usual) heading up Houghton Hill. I passed a women who hocked the most incredible lougie and made my way back up to Great Blue Hill.
I made the executive (and correct) decision to follow the ski trails down. It was so wonderfully clear out - Wachusett, Watatic, Monadnock, and the Pack Monadnocks were all clearly in view. I was following a few people and their (off-leash) dog on Sonya, but it was still a wonderful walk. Once at the car, I threw the towel down on my driver's side seat and ZOOMED to Costco for my 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 North.
- At Hillside St., turn right onto Hillside St.
- After stables, turn right onto Skyline Trail South.
- Follow Skyline Trail South to Eliot Circle.
- At jct., turn right to summit Great Blue Hill.
- From summit, descend to ski area.
- Follow Patriots and Sonya down.
- Near bottom turn on Sonya, turn right back onto Eliot Path.
- Retrace steps to car.
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