St. Moritz & Green Loops (Blue Hills Reservation)

St. Moritz & Green Loops (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spurs

Distance: 4.96 miles

Elevation: 449 feet

Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills (2x)

Parking: Shea Memorial Rink.

The Hike 

One day later and I'm back at the Blue Hills at the St. Moritz Ponds to maybe wrap up the Quincy stretch (outside of the Quarries proper, I'm procrastinating those HARD). It was an absoutely beautiful 65-degree afternoon without a cloud in the sky. I had a super sleepy drive down from Arlington, so sleepy that I had to munch on my emergency cheerios to keep going. I suited up at the Shea Rink parking lot and got started on the trail past the old ballfield. The pollen was ACTIVE, my god. The ponds were full of lily pads and there were an absolutely wonderful number of turtles soaking up the sun. It brings me so much joy watching the woods get greener and greener as the days go by.

On the Murphy Path, I had to naviagate around some comically huge piles of horse poop and then had a pretty easy time finish up the trails on the St. Moritz side (minus the ridiculously steep Ski Jump Path). I followed the Pipe Line acros Wampatuck Road, and then continued to follow the green blazes, almost getting off-task at 4155, but holding strong! I hit the connect trail between Skyline and Green as I continued around, passing a weird mummified toy horse made out of straw...?

On the far side, I found myself yet again wondering about the old Great Dome Trail, but conitnued my journey following green blazes. I got off the green loop between the Crags and Rattlesnake Hill to get that trail, and then I followed the Skyline Trail past Sullivan's Quarry (which had little fishies!) onto Shawmut Path.

Afterwards, I got back on green, crossed the road again, and hiked past the old trees (a favorite stretch for me). I continued between the ponds, enjoyed the turtles and mallards, and made it back to the car feeling good and satisfied - Quincy section sans Quarries is done! Now, time for Costco chicken.

Step-by-Step

- Park at Shea Memorial Rink.

- Turn left onto Willard Street.

- At trailhead for St. Moritz Ponds, turn left.

- At jct., turn left onto Winter Carnival Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Minichiello Path.

- At 4205, continue onto Ski Jump Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Murphy Path.

- At jct., turn left onto Obbatinewat Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Pipe Line.

- At 4202, turn right onto Murphy Path.

- At 4220, turn sharply right onto Pipe Line.

- Follow Pipe Line, cross Wampatuck Road, continue on Pipe Line (green).

- At 4155, turn right onto trail (listed as Crags Foot Path on FBH, not on 2020 map).

- At 4151, turn around.

- At 4155, turn right onto Pipe Line (green).

- At 4135, turn right onto Indian Camp Path (green).

- Follow green blazes all the way around clockwise.

- After 4151, turn right onto path between Crags & Rattlesnake Hill.

- At terminus, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- Atop Sullivan's Quarry, continue right onto trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Shawmut Path.

- At parking area, turn around.

- At terminus, turn right onto trail (green).

- Cross Wampatuck Road, continue on green.

- At terminus, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow Skyline Trail back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album