Fox Hill, Old Furnace Brook, Sawcut Notch, Pine Tree Brook Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Fox Hill, Old Furnace Brook, Sawcut Notch, Pine Tree Brook Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spurs

Distance: 4.96 miles

Elevation: 469 feet

Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Parking: Pull-off on side of Chickatawbut Road where the Skyline crosses before climbing Wampatuck Hill.

Hiking Challenges: Trail Trace the Blue Hills (2x)

The Hike 

The final day of April Vacation! Instead of mourning the loss my beloved or panicking about returning to school, I decided to get a nice hike in the Quincy area of the Blue Hills before Ray and I do a big spring clean of the house. I made it to the trailhead at 4134 at 8:15am already suited up. It was 47 degrees, so I had a long sleeve on with shorts, and it was cloudy and chilly. I was feeling dreadfully unmotivated, but I knew I would feel better onc emoving. The goal was to get some trails around Fox Hill and Little Dome for my Trail Trace the Blue Hills map!

I started by hiking the series of trails around the Pipe Line, which was starting to come back to life (not too quickly, though, thankfully). I then worked my way over to Fox Hill, where my puffy came off, and I was passed by a tiny yellow bird that refused to stay still for a photo. There were actually SO MANY birds around Fox Hill, but none of them would pose for photos. I almost got one robin, but it kept moving, and another Eastern Towhee (thank you, Merlin Bird ID) did it's best to smile. The trail down the north side of Fox Hill was MUCH easier to follow when there isn't snow on the ground, and it looks like it's even been brushed recently!

After Fox Hill, I continued onto the Furnace Brook Trail, which was fully of vibrant skunk cabbage. I continued again onto the Old Furnace Brook Path, following horse prints and and many Eastern Towhees working on their nests. 

I eventually made my way onto the Sawcut Notch Path, where I sadly began to run into people. There were many cardinals singing (again, thank you Merlin) as I hiked to the road and turned around to walk all the way down to Little Dome, walking through the Sawcut Notch and the weird, vibrant, rust-colored mud that simply must be an ecological hazard. 

At the corner of Sawcut Notch, there was a relatively new arrow plackard pointing where the trail turns, but I stayed right to hike towards the Pipe Line plant place - which I could soon hear through the woods. I passed the first tent catepillars of the season, and I felt a sense of dread because the non-trail stretch of the Pipe Line from the plant was VERY flooded.

I continued around the plant and hiked the Pipe Line section that's always awful, and it was... awful. Not like, god awful, but pretty bad. I made it through with only a wet toe, so I'll take that as a win! I made a wiggly return back over Fox Hill and back to the car in time for spring cleaning! I wanted to add on the reservoir, but I needed to grocery shop before cleaning, so time to be an adult!

Step-by-Step

- Park at 4134.

- Start hike on path, veering left.

- At 4131, turn right onto Crag Trail.

- At jct. with Pipe Line, turn sharply left.

- At jct., turn left.

- At terminus, turn right.

- At Pipe Line, turn right.

- At jct., turn around.

- At terminus, turn left onto Fox Hill Path.

- At Fox Hill summit, turn right onto path.

- At 4120, continue onto Furnace Brook Trail.

- At 4142, turn right onto Crags Foot Path (green).

- At 4145, turn left onto Old Furnace Brook Path.

- At 4180, turn right onto Sawcut Notch Path.

- At Skyline Trail, turn around.

- At jct. near Little Dome, continue straight/right.

- At gas plant, turn left onto Pipe Line.

- At 4094, turn left onto Pine Tree Brook Path.

- At 4084, turn left onto White Tail Path.

- At 4096, turn right onto Fox Hill Path.

- Return to car via Pipe Line and nearby trails.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album