Buck Hill, Fern Spring, Pig Rock, Bugbee, Forest, AMC Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)
Hike Type: Figure-8 Loop w/ Spurs
Distance: 4.86 miles
Elevation: 704 feet
Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills
The Hike
I had a MUCH better drive this time around to the Blue Hills after school. It was a cooler day in the upper 40s with clouds. Some mist on the drive, but overall it was dry. I did break out my emergency long sleeve from my pack since I foolishly only brought a t-shirt. The goal was to finish the Houghton's Pond section of the reservation today - we'll see how it goes!
Since it was a little chilly (and I had to pee), I went for the Buck Hill Summit Trail to get things started to warm up and get just a little bit of privacy. The trail was a little obscured in the beginning, but soon revealed a clear footpath. I will say, though, the old summit trail seemed to still be much more traveled.
I noticed the area that burned either last spring or two springs ago was significantly less burnt-looking, and I could hear Peepers in the distance. The trail itself really is lovely. Easy grades and winding through a younger forest. I also love "breaking treeline" on Buck Hill!
There were misty views from the top, still lovely though. I continued on over the Skyline Trail and onto the Fern Spring Trail, passing a bolt that I assume was once used for survey work (like the bolts on the northern Presidential peaks). I heard a WILD amount of Peepers from the view on Fern Spring Foot Path, and also noticed an old "trail closed" sign where the trail goes, but the sign was an OLD one. Like, still labeled as M.D.C. old, have I always just missed it?
I looked around for another footpath or an arrow, but saw nothing! I continued on business as usual, but futher down the trail noticed that it was CLEARLY obstructed with every fallen branch and limb in a 0.5 square mile radius. Oops! The reroute was much more obvious from the other side, with two closed signs (also old, though) and a new "Trail ->" sign. I vaugely remember reading something about trail work on Fern Spring, but I simply cannot find it anywhere, so it'll remain a mystery!
On the plus, the frogs were CRAZY at the swamp between Fern Spring, Pig Rock, and Fells Paths. Like, LOUD. Peepers, Wood Frogs, and some other species I do no tknow. It was such a treat. Anyway, I turned onto Pig Rock and made a little loop with Pig Rock, Bugbee, and Fells, all of which were lovely. I worked my way toward Skyline Trail and climbed back up Buck Hill for round two.
It was much cooler back on the Skyline Trail overlooking Hawk Hill, but I was soon back into the woods and onto the Forest Path, which was a little wet, but still no problem. I continued onto the AMC Foot Path next, which is a fun little trail that is easy to lose if you're not paying attention. The skies were getting darker, but I SHOULD be fine, since rain isn't expected until later tonight. I made my way to the old school house and had a mindless walk back to my car along Headquarters Path. Houghton's side of the Reservation was complete (minus Hillside Pond but I don't count that)!
Step-by-Step
- Park at Forest Path trailhead.
- Start hike on Forest Path.
- At 2175, turn right onto Headquarters Path.
- At 2153, turn left onto Buck Hill Summit Trail.
- At terminus, continue onto Fern Spring Foot Path.
- At 2154, turn left onto Pig Rock Path.
- At 2172, continue left onto Bugbee Path.
- At 2190, turn around.
- At 2172, continue left on Bugbee Path.
- At 2140, turn right onto Fells Path.
- At terminus, turn right onto Doe Hollow Path.
- At 2141, turn right onto Skyline Trail.
- At 2210, turn left onto trail.
- At jct., turn right onto Forest Path.
- At jct. with Skyline Trail, turn around.
- At 2194, turn right onto AMC Foot Path.
- At terminus, turn right onto Headquarters Path.
- At MA-28, turn around.
- At 2175, turn right onto Forest Path.
- Return to Car.
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