Skyline Loop via Trailside Museum (w/ Eliot Circle & Sonya) (Blue Hills Reservation)
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 4.83 miles
Elevation: 1,194 feet
Time: 2 hours, 24 minutes (2 hours, 13 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits
Hiking Challenges: Great Blue Hill Summits
The Hike
AAAANNNNDNDDDD we're back! I had another brutal drive down, but any time in woods is better than no time in woods! It was 76 and a little hazy with a few clouds in the sky. Sarah and I planned to meet, but she was running 20ish minutes behind me and I had to PEE, so I decided I would get started before her, take care of my business, and then meet her at the top. I had to hike with no straps buckled on my pack my bladder was so full. I took care of business partyway up the Eliot Path and then continued to struggle my way up - I did my first "leg day" in about 6 weeks this morning, so my legs were FEELING it.
I passed someone hiking down while smoking a cigarette, which was... interesting. Once on Eliot Circle, I took a "victory lap" around the loop to kill time before Sarah made it up. On the Eliot Circle, after the ski area spur trail, the black oaks were growing in quickly, making the trail a bit of a gentle car wash. Once I rounded the corner near the Skyline Trail I was gifted with a wonderous breeze. I then crossed paths with a guy in a full sweatsuit that was fully soaked, and then I climbed the tower and interruped a... happy couple?
I made my way around and to the summit, where I played some Pokemon Go while I waited for Sarah. Once she arrived, we were off! I told her I was going to be slow, and boy, was I correct!
We took turns ranting about our bosses from Big Blue to Hancock - made the time go super fast! We admired the pink lady slippers on the route, and then the harlequin flowers and blue toadflax on Hancock. We continued on Hillside Street and struggled up Houghton Hill (I think she was just pretending to be tired, she's so nice), and made our way back up Gerat Blue Hill. Mile 3 took 38 minutes, which might be a new slow record!
From the top, we descended along Patriots and Sonya to wrap up a slow, but rewarding hike.
Step-by-Step
- Start hike from Trailside Museum parking on Eliot Path (red dots).
- At terminus, turn right onto Eliot Circle.
- Hike full Eliot Circle loop.
- At jct. with Eliot Path, continue on 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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