Winter Finale @ Houghton Pond (Blue Hills Reservation)

Winter Finale @ Houghton Pond (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spurs

Distance: 10.36 miles

Elevation: 532 feet

Time: 3 hours, 23 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

Still legally testing positive, but I'm back to work so therefore the COVID chronicles are over! Still minding my business and trying to stick to lesser-used trails (or in today's case, nasty windy Mondays on more popular trails - it worked)!

I needed the random trails by the circle at Houghton's Pond, which I could have finished in 10 minutes, it even with the awkwardly intense wind, it was still nice to be outside, so I added a loop around the pond and Breeze Hill to my docket. Temperatures were in the upper 40s, I accidentally wore flood pants (the same Walmart pants I bought forever ago that I'm hoping rip soon so I can trash them - I only rememebred they were flood pants becuase I wore my shorter socks today), and I was off!

I suffered through the loopty-loops and enjoyed the occasional ray of sunshine, and then I was happy to be hiking the actual loop around the pond as a reward. I hadn't hiked this loop in a while, and I really enjoyed going around with a deeper apprecaition and knowledge of the area - notably being able to point out Great Blue, Houghton, and Hancock Hills from the far side of the pond. The woods back here are also lovely.

I continued along the choppy waters of Houghton Pond, enjoying the sights, when I decided I'd make my way up to Breeze Hill, and I did say to myself that I would shift my focus from the Winter Trace to the Grid once this was over - here we are!

The hike up and down Breeze was no problem, and I appreciate the easily accessible off-trail "summit." I headed down the paved Bugbee Path, and soon enough was back to use the Porta Potties and drive home with a new challenge under my belt! I emailed AMC-SEM, and they immediately got back with a notice of congratulations and asking for my address for the free (!) patch! 

Step-By-Step

- Start hike at Houghton's Pond Lot A. 

- Hike the mess of small paths/trails by the snack stand. 

- Once complete, follow yellow-dots around Houghton's Pond counter-clockwise. 

- At Northeast corner of pond, follow trail branching away from pond.

- At 2053, turn left to follow red-dots.

- Summit Breeze Hill just off-trail, turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At junction, turn left onto Paddock Trail.

- At junction, continue right on gravel/dirt road.

- Hike back to Visitor Center.

- Return to parking lot.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Ponkapoag East, Hemlock Road, AMC Cabins (Blue Hills Reservation)

Ponkapoag East, Hemlock Road, AMC Cabins (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop

Distance: 10.36 miles

Elevation: 532 feet

Time: 3 hours, 23 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

COVID Chronicles: Episode 4!

I was feeling the same level of blegh as yesterday, but overall being outside and moving felt better than rotting into the couch, so off I went! The big goal for the day was to get Ponkapoag East plus some leftover trails on the southeast side of the main Ponkapoag Pond area... which was apparently longer than I had previously thought. Whoops! Temps were in the mid-30s, it was cloudy and raw outside, I was the only person in the parking lot at Donovan Elementary, and into the woods I went!

Right away I reminded about the heavy horse activty over here which is... fine. I know the trails are meant to be shared by all, but jeeze... If anything my mind stayed sharp dodging the massive piles of fresh excriment. The trail to Fawn Circle was recently brushed, which was visually nice but I read somewhere that it contributes to erosion because it basically creates a channel for water to rush down?

The loopty-loop area on the west side of Meadow Road was pretty and very muddy. The usually dried swamps were full ponds after the recent rain, but thankfully they stayed within their banks. There were "no bike" signs at all the entrances to this area, but it was clear the mountain bikers have been around, which is frustrating.

Next up was the dreaded Pasture Road section, which truly is just brutal, between the poop and the mud. I hiked the Pequimmit Trail out-and-back and then went in for the last round of loopty-loops. There was one duck-under blowdown right before the terminus of Pasture Road, and I did get stuck behind a couple of horses on my way out. I didn't want to keep my slow pace or worse, try to pass them, so I took the Pequimmit Trail again to make my way over to the Horse Bridge.

The Pipe Line south of the Horse Bridge was surpringly lovely, with wetlands on either side but a very dry, not-overgrown trail. It seemed like there was less graffiti on the bridge than usual (I truly think it would be fine to treat the bridge like the Quarries where graffiti is basically allowed, as long as it doesn't get on any natural beings (i.e., trees). 

I miss hiking in mountains.

Now on the eastern side of the main Ponkapoag Pond area, I worked my way to the end of Hemlock Road, which also had its fair share of muddy spots. The trail terminates just before a road at what appears to be a pump house. The Pipe Line leading toward the green dot route was dreadfully wet, but needed to be done!

The areas by the cabins were actually lovely - and the cabins were more or less occupied which was fun! Many fireplace fires, which smelled lovely. The views of Ponkapoag were lovely, but I was starting to feel very tired, especially brain tired. I was feeling ready to put a bow on the Winter Trace. 

Okay, with the Cabins done and my body shutting down, the reasonable next step would be to go home - but not for me, who wanted his patch! The only thing that kept me going was that the rest of my hike would be relatively low-brain. I crossed the Horse Bridge and turned sharply left onto the Wannamanhut Path, where I passed two guys Civilized Hiking with Budweisers (little strange, but truly who am I to judge?). 

I crossed over to Middle Road, where I yet again thought "I want to explore over here..." but again, eyes were on the prize (sitting down and a patch). From Middle Road, I followed the unmapped path to the Smith Trail, where I found the "chubby old man of the mountain" toward the end. I love that even though this was the third time I've hiked all the trails, I'm still noticing/realizing new things. 

Finally back at the Pipe Line, I was immediately greeted by a recently deceased rabbit... yikes. And soon enough, I was on the return schlep! I was very happy to make it back to my car, take off my shoes, lament at the blister that was now on my foot (have I mentioned that I really need to get uninsulated boots?), and worked my way home.

Step-By-Step

- Park at Donovan Elementary School in Randolph.

- Enter woods, turn left onto Meadow Road.

- Hike spur on left, continue on Meadow Road.

- At 5420, turn around, and then turn left onto unmapped trail. 

- At terminus, turn left onto path.

- At Reed Street, turn around.

- At next junction, turn left onto path that connects to Fawn Circle.

- At someone's back yard, turn around.

- At same junction, turn left to continue on path.

- On left, hike network of trails including Summer, Cranberry, and Coolidge (current and former maps disagree on what's actually over here).

- Continue left on Meadow Road. 

- At 5414, turn right onto Pasture Road.

- At 5423, turn left onto Pequimmit Trail.

- At 5421, turn around.

- At 5423, turn left onto Pasture Road.

- At 5424, turn right onto footpath.

- At terminus, turn right onto wider path.

- Follow path around to Pasture Road junction.

- At Pasture Road, turn right.

- At next junction, veer left/straight to continue on Pasture Road (now footpath).

- At 5440, turn around.

- At same junction, turn left to continue on path.

- At next junction, turn right onto footpath (repeat).

- At next junction, turn right onto wider path (repeat).

- At junction with Pasture Road, turn left.

- At 5423, turn right on Pequimmit Trail.

- At 5421, turn left onto Pipe Line.

- At 5413, continue straight on Pipe Line.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5413, turn left onto Randolph Path (Horse Bridge).

- At 5401, hike triangle that makes up Vose Path.

- Hike south to complete Hemlock Road.

- At Turner Road, turn around.

- At 5395, turn right to hike Pipe Line.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5395, continue straight onto Pipe Line (some maps have it labeled as Acton Path). 

- At 5335, turn left onto path.

- At terminus, turn sharply right onto Acton Path (green dots).

- Continue to follow green dots.

- At 5332, turn left to hike trails around AMC Cabins. 

- Once complete, travel to 5361, and turn onto Ponkapoag Path.

- At first junction, veer right.

- At second junction soon after, turn sharply right onto Randolph Path.

- At 5360, turn right to follow green dots.

- Hike both driveway spurs on left.

- At 5361, turn right onto Ponkapoag Path.

- At first junction, turn right.

- At second junction, continue straight onto Randolph Path.

- Follow Randolph Path to 5413.

- At 5413, turn sharply left onto Wannamanhut Path.

- At next junction, turn left onto Middle Road.

- At MA-24, turn around.

- Cross Pipe Line, continue on Middle Road at 5422.

- At terminus at Middle Street, cross pavement, and continue onto unmapped trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Smith Trail.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 5425, turn right onto Pipe Line.

- At terminus, turn around.

- Follow Pipe Line.

- At 5413, turn left onto Meadow Road.

- Follow Meadow Road to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Great Blue Hill via Wildcat Notch (Blue Hills Reservation)

Great Blue Hill via Wildcat Notch (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure-8...ish Loop

Distance: 4.16 miles

Elevation: 604 feet

Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes 
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills Winter Trace, Great Blue Hill Summits

The Hike

The COVID Chronicles: Episode 3

Another early weekday morning with COVID. I took a day off yesterday due to rain and feeling like a toe. I was slightly better today, the sun was shining, temperatures were in the mid-30s with a slight breeze, I somehow broke another Nalgene after it feel off my car, and I planned to get the few missing trails I needed between the parking lot and the Summit Road.

On the connecting trail that links the north parking lot with the Summit Road there was some new drainage construction, and overall the trails were a bit wet (the road was a nice stream). I got my wiggling done minus the Cliff & Trailside Paths, but I decided since I was feeling okay I would take the scenic route.

The scenic route involved a good amount of wet trails (I made the right choice wearing my waterproof boots... I still really need to get uninsunated ones. I might have even heard my first frog of the season near the Rotch Path! As per usual, Wildcat Notch Path was a low-grade river. My body didn't start feeling tired until I was on the Raccoon Hollow Path, which made sense. Thankfully, it was a beautiful morning.

There were new steps leading to the Eliot Tower, which I hope opens again soon. I was grateful that I remembered to take my inhaler puffs and wear a buff for this final bit. I did have to dodge a few unleashed dogs, but otherwise I spent most the day alone. The Ski Area looked dismal after the warm weather and rain, which was sad to see, but the sun did feel lovely. 

I "booped" the true summit and followed the lovely Eliot Path all the way around before making my descent on Raccoon Hollow -> Cliff -> Trailside Paths, where I even saw a deer! It also looked like the blazes were recently updated and multiplied. Now, off to bed!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Summit Road parking area.

- From parking area, hike trail to Summit Road.

- Turn right onto Summit Road.

- Turn left onto path to Canton Ave.

- At Canton Ave, turn around.

- Turn right onto Summit Road. 

- Turn left onto trail.

- At junction, continue straight/left onto Summit Trail.

- At Summit Road, turn right onto Water Tower access road.

- At Water Tower, turn around.

- Turn right onto Summit Road.

- At 1072, turn left onto Chickadee Path.

- At 1085, turn right onto Wolcott Path.

- At 1100, turn left onto Border Path.

- At 1135, turn right onto Five Corners Path.

- At 1140, turn right onto unnamed path.

- At 1121, turn left onto Rotch Path.

- At 1122, turn right onto Wolcott Path.

- At 1115, turn left onto Wildcat Notch Path.

- At 1092, turn right onto Raccoon Hollow Path (red dot after 1082).

- At Eliot Tower, hike Eliot Circle counter-clockwise, taking the perpendicular spurs to the top of the ski area and summit area.

- Back at Raccoon Hollow Path, turn right onto Raccoon Hollow Path.

- At 1082, turn left onto Cliff Trail (red dot).

- Cross Summit Road, continue onto Trailisde Path (red dot).

- At terminus, turn left onto Eliot Path.

- At Trailside Museum/Ski Area parking, follow sidewalk back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

St. Moritz to Furnace Brook Trail (Blue Hills Reservation)

St. Moritz to Furnace Brook Trail (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop 

Distance: 4.54 miles

Elevation: 348 feet

Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes 
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

The COVID Chronicles: Episode 2! Thankfully, my body is used to waking up early, so these morning hikes weren't a chore. Another rainy day in the mid 40s. I was starting to feel more congested and boogery-er, but still okay enough to go for a walk in the woods. I was on foot just before 7:30am, following Willard Street to the north side of the Shea Rink, and soon enough I was back in the woods.

There were a great amount of birds around the St. Moritz Ponds, notably some Canadian Geese and a bunch of Ring-Necked Ducks! I enjoyed watching the ducks swim and dive as I brought out my zoom lens.

"How to identify:

    - Medium-sized duck with a peaked head. Both sexes have a gray bill with a white band and a black tip.

    - Males have a glossy black head, chest, and back with grey sides. Yellow eyes.

    - Females are brownish birds with a grey face and throat. Look for a bit of white around and behind their dark eyes.

        In truth, the Ring-necked Duck has a terrible name for identification purposes. You would think there would be an obvious ring around their neck, but you would be mistaken! The so-called ring on their black necks is such a pale brown that it’s nearly impossible to spot from any distance.

        Unlike most other diving ducks, these birds tend to inhabit and visit SHALLOW ponds and wetlands in Massachusetts. During the breeding season, you will usually only find two of them together, but in winter, they gather in flocks that number into the thousands of birds!

        They are one of the most likely ducks to eat leftover shotgun pellets, making them susceptible to lead poisoning. Lead shot was banned in 1991, which has helped their population numbers, but some old ammo still remains in wetlands across Massachusetts." (from Bird Watching HQ)

Thankfully, the ponds and trails were not as flooded as they were the last time I was over here. There were, however, an impressive abundance of chipmunks! I enjoyed my stroll along the Fire Pit Path, and noticed some possible beaver activity? Futher along, I imagined how different the area would have looked with the ski jump still intact.

My body was definitely feeling tired but I did not feel nearly as sick as last time I had COVID, almost two years ago. There was some running water between junctions 53 and 55, and I really enjoyed the winding trail between 20 and 42. 

Once back at the ponds, I admired the ducks for a bit longer and saw the first and only human of the day - again at a good, safe distance. The ducks were still around - yay! 

One final bit of excitement - about 30 feet from the Skyline terminus at the Shea Rink parking lot I saw someone, either setting up or backing up, a camping setup just off-trail. He had a wagon and everything, and I truly could not tell what the goal was here, and I also could not tell if he was doing this out of necessity or for hobby. Either way wishing him the best!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Shea Memorial Rink.

- Turn left onto Willard Street.

- Turn left onto woods at granite sign "St. Moritz Ponds."

- Follow path, at junction continue onto Winter Carnival Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Minichiello Path (green dot).

- At 4205, turn right onto Pipe Line.

- At 4220, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Soon after, turn right onto Firepit Path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Minichiello Path (green dot). 

- At 4205, continue striaght onto Ski Jump Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Murphy Path.

- At next junction, turn left onto Obbatinewat Path.

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

- Cross Wampatuck Road.

- Continue on Pipe Line at 4166 (green dot). 

- At 4155, veer left onto Indian Camp Path (green dot).

- Before 4135, turn sharply right onto Crag Trail.

- At 4153, turn left onto Crags Foot Path. 

- Hike both end spurs, turn around.

- At 4155, turn right back onto Indian Camp Path (green dot).

- At 4120, turn right onto Furnace Brook Path.

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

- At unsigned junction, turn right onto unnamed path.

- At terminus at Skyline Trail, turn around.

- At terminus, turn right back onto Crags Foot Path (green dot).

- At 4174, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- At next junction, turn left onto unnamed path.

- At terminus, turn right onto Shawmut Path.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At terminus, turn left onto green-dot trail (labeled as Crags Foot Path on 2020 map, but Quarry Path on previous ones).

- At 4148, turn around.

- Cross Wampatuck Road. 

- Continue on green-dot trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow Skyline Trail back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Little Blue Hill, Moulton, K, and Cosmos Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Little Blue Hill, Moulton, K, and Cosmos Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti 

Distance: 2.88 miles

Elevation: 262 feet

Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes 
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge, Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

This will be the first of a series of hike I call "The COVID Chronicles." Episode 1 takes place around Little Blue Hill. My roommate tested positive for COVID yesterday morning, and I did last night. He's currently pretty sick and I'm currently feeling OKAY. I figured I could use this time of forced-time-off to work on my Winter Trace map, which thankfully was all on lesser-used trails. I made it to the dreaded park-and-ride a little before 8am, it was a misty morning in the 40s, I forgot my camera clip, and off I went!

I started by following the obscure Cosmos Path, which I believe is not the immediate right turn once in the woods, but the second. There was a weird guy just standing there, as per usual, and I continued on. I followed an unmapped trail that climbed Little Blue Hill from the north side, which was actually a lovely trail. No views becuase of the mist/fog, but the scenery was lovely - I even passed a couple deer!

I struggled a bit following the ridge trail down, as there were a few paths to choose from. I then landed on the Skyline Trail and then turned onto the easy Moulton Path, which leads to the Hemenway Bench. From there I was back on Cosmos and then on the flat K Path, back on Skyline, and then followed Cosmos all the way back, past a new barn and fence, too! I only passed one other person, and I was able to keep a big distance - mission complete!

Step-By-Step

- From Park and Ride, enter woods at 6900, and follow Cosmos Path, avoiding immediate side-paths on right. 

- At 6877, continue straight onto spur.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At 6877, turn right to continue on Cosmos Path.

- At unsigned intersection, turn left onto footpath to summit and traverse ridge of Little Blue Hill. 

- At 6896, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- At 6891, turn right onto Moulton Path.

- At 6830, turn left onto Cosmos Path (include spur to Green Street). 

- At 6670, turn left onto K Path.

- At 6800, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- At 6700, turn right onto Cosmos Path, follow back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Skyline Trail to Green Hill Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Skyline Trail to Green Hill Path (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 3.96 miles
Elevation: 338 feet

Time: 1 hour, 19 minutes 
Hike Type: Out-and-Back with Spurs
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

...now this was an interesting hike! After school, I made my way down to the park and ride off MA-138 in Canton, and my main goal was to hike on the Skyline Trail over to the Green Hill Path, and hit as much of Little Blue on the way back as possible. I've noticed there's always a bunch of people sitting in their cars here, which has always been a little skeevy, but if its on the map, I need to hike it! The hike started by walking to MA-138 and hitting the Skyline Trail.

There was a dusting to an inch of snow on the ground on this side of Little Blue Hill. I climbed the steep but short path up to the ridge and then turned left onto the no-name barely-existing path down to the icky pond on the map. I knew there were other trails down there that aren't on the map, and I knew there were signs calling it a rehabilitation area, but clearly it was well traveled. At the bottom of this trail, I noticed there was a guy fineagling with his gloves kind of staring into the void? Whatever. Then 15 feet away there was another guy starting into the void... interesting. Further down it looked like a guy was... tying another guy's shoes. As he was... tying the other guy's shoes, it appeared they didn't notice me, so I had my head down in my phone and tried to walk as loud as possible, which got their attention. We exchanged nods... This was definitely my most unique wildlife encounter in the Blue Hills, and possibly on any of my hikes!

From here, I went back up the Skyline Trail and hiked to the terminus, only making one wrong turn onto the Cosmos Path. The woods back here were open, dark, mysterious, and beautiful. I crossed Green Street, hit the spur path to Royall Street, and continued on through the nasty part of the trail, riddled with litter and mud. I also noticed you can really see the highway exit ramp in stick season!

I hiked along the abandoned roadway, past the pile of plywood and linoleum, and heard... something in the woods. I swear... I was NOT ready for another "wildlife encounter." Thankfully, it was only a big family of MASSIVE turkeys. I never thought I'd be so happy to see turkeys!

I continued on and hit my third and final wildlife... encounter of the day? A severed coyote tail right at the trail junction off of the pavement... This is a weird day. I made my hike to 6103 and turned around, finally. The woods back here always give me the heebee-jeebees. I swear I heard something scream in the distance... I'm all done!

I also realized this hike was longer than I thought, so I would likely not be hitting all the trails around Little Blue, which is fine, but it was a bummer I would have to come back. Maybe on a weekend morning! The return trip was super easy, and I hit the lower loop of Costmos/K Paths on the return. There was no more "wildlife" in the woods near the park and ride, minus one cat-calling red squirrel. I did pass one man who was smoking a smelly joint walking the biggest German Shepard I've ever seen, but that's nothing compared to my bizarre hike. What a day!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Park & Ride in Canton off of MA-138.

- Walk to road.

- Turn right onto MA-138.

- Turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Just after 6896, on the Little Blue Hill Ridge, turn left and follow orange flagging tape down obscure path.

- At terminus, turn left onto unmapped path.

- At Skyline Trail, hike back up to the ridge and continue on Skyline Trail.

- Accidentally turn left onto Cosmos Path, turn around, and continue on Skyline Trail.

- Cross Green Street at 6600.

- At stone wall, hike unnamed path to Royall Street (orange flagging tape).

- At Royall Street, turn around.

- Turn left to continue on Skyline Trail.

- At terminus, hike NNE on road.

- At 6101, continue onto Green Hill Path.

- At 6104, turn around.

- Retrace steps to 6700.

- At 6700, turn right onto Cosmos Path.

- At 6850, turn right onto K Path.

- At Royall Street, turn around.

- At 6800, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Climb and descend Little Blue Hill's ridge.

- At second path jct. after descent, turn left onto path to return to Park and Ride.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Buck Hill via Ayer, Bugbee, Fells, Doe Hollow, and Forest Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Buck Hill via Ayer, Bugbee, Fells, Doe Hollow, and Forest Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 4.25 miles
Elevation: 715 feet

Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes 
Hike Type: Figure-8 Lollipop
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace

The Hike

A quick and easy after-school hike with almost identical stats (and hills) to my last! My hike started at 3:45pm, temps were in the mid-40s, and there was a snowstorm looming [UPDATE: The storm mostly missed us]. The goal was to hit the Ayer, Bugbee, Fells, Doe Hollow, and Forest Paths, to mostly complete the Houghton's Pond section (I will need to go back for the loopty-loops of the Houghton's Pond Visitor Center area). 

I was SLEEPY as I was taking a break from caffeine (regrets), but I powered through my gentle meander of the Blue Hills. There were many, many airplanes overhead, and some blowdowns around 2140. When I finished the trails I needed I could either a) follow Skyline Trail back, b) follow red loop back, c) follow Headquarters Path back, or d) make something up. Option A definitely required the most effort, but I decided I might as well see that lovely view again.

Partway up Buck Hill I got a text that the snow totals were lowered, and no more than five minutes later I got a follow up text that we had a snowday! That definitely gave me the push I needed to make it to the top (I also realize I've never climbed Buck from the MA-28 side, only ever descended)!

The sky was almost turquioise over Boston and the Ocean as the sun set behind the clouds - it was definitely a good choice to come up. Mt. Wachusett and Monadnock were in the distance saying hello, and I was so happy. I would have stayed longer, but I was a bit far from my car.

I zoomed on the Skyline the whole way home, minus the climb up Tucker Hill, which slowed me down. Soon enough I was on the final descent, traversing the muddy section on the way to Bugbee, and back at the car for a Costco run and a SNOWDAY!

Step-By-Step

- Park across street from State Police on Hillside St.

- Turn left onto Headquarters Path (along Hillside St.).

- At jct., turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At 2054, turn left onto Skyline Trail.

- At next jct., turn left onto Tucker Hill Path.

- At next jct., turn sharply right onto Ayer Trail.

- At 2094, veer right onto Dark Hollow Path.

- At 2096, turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At next jct., turn left onto Winthrop Path.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At terminus, turn left onto Bugbee Path.

- At 2140, turn left onto Fells Path.

- At 2152, turn left onto Massachuseuck Trail.

- At next jct., turn right onto Doe Hollow Path.

- At 2153, continue straight/right onto Headquarters Path.

- At 2175, turn right onto Forest Path.

- Veer right towards 2210.

- At 2210, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow Skyline Trail back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

Photo Album

Buck Hill Loop w/ Detours (Blue Hills Reservation)

Buck Hill Loop w/ Detours (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 4.42 miles
Elevation: 751 feet

Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes 
Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace; Blue Hills Grid

The Hike

It was a foggy, warm, weekend morning in the low 40s and I had a loose plan of hitting the red trail around Buck Hill and some surrounding bits I still needed. The only other thing I knew was that I had to make it home in time for a friend's birthday party this afternoon! My hike started by going around the near side of misty Houghton's Pond, feeling a little chilly, missing the first trail I needed, fixing I mistake, and getting up near the top of Tucker Hill.

There was a lot of moisture in the air which was actually lovely for this dry time of year. Temperatures (and myself) were already warming up - the high was going to hit 60 degrees! As I continued on my wiggle, the skies even opened up to a mostly bluebird day! There was some mud on the Skyline Trail between 2054 and 2072, but nothing problematic. There were also trace amounts of ice throughout, but again, still nothing problematic. 

I successfully navigated the Mattapan Path for the first time (yay) and followed the Skyline Trail up and over the stunning Buck Hill. I truly could have spent all day up there - the sun was warm and the views were vast. I decided once I finish this map I'll legally start a new one, but pivot my focus onto the Grid and Skyliner Round 2. 

My return on the red-blazed loop passed MANY people who were not-so-friendly. There were even a few red squirrels out and about! I made it back to my car in no time and got to cross off a few more trails. Man, I love buck hill.

Step-By-Step

- Park at Houghton's Pond Parking area.

- Start hike by hiking around Houghton's Pond Visitor Center, following green/red dots.

- Accidentally overshoot, turn around at 2053.

- Back at junction where yellow trail leaves green/red, turn right.

- Follow dirt road, and then continue onto pavement.

- At Bugbee Path, turn left.

- At 2054, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Just before the summit of Tucker Hill, turn right to descend on Athol Path.

- At terminus, turn left onto Dover Trail/Massachuseuck Trail (Red Blazes).

- Continue to follow red blazes past 2094.

- Turn left onto obscure Mattapan Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Skyline Trail.

- Follow Skyline Trial to MA-28.

- At MA-28, turn around.

- At 2210, turn left onto Massachuseuck Trail (Red Blazes).

- Follow red blazes all the way back to the car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

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Northeast Corner of Ponkapoag Pond (Blue Hills Reservation)

Northeast Corner of Ponkapoag Pond (Blue Hills Reservation)

Distance: 5.01 miles
Elevation: 364 feet

Time: 1 hour, 41 minute (1 hour, 38 minutes moving)
Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills Winter Trace; 52 Hike Challenge 2024

The Hike

I had a nice Tuesday-afternoon drive after work to the Blue Hills with minimal traffic. My goal was to hit whatever I wanted on the eastern side of Ponkapoag Pond - no real plan, just a map with trails I haven't hiked in winter yet! It was 35 degrees, I forgot my camera clip (tragic), and I had to pee. Pretty standard after-work Blue Hills hike!

I got started on the Ponkapoag Trail and then turned onto the Prescott Foot Path, where I took care of my business on a rock that has become sort of a tradition for me. The lighting today was muted, but pretty - the sun was casting a gentle light through the clouds, and paired with the blue skies, created a similar ambiance as that once scene in the (wild) movie Saltburn where Oliver and the mother and chit-chatting outside while drinking cocktails (if you know, you know). 

I meandered all around the old roads of the northeast corner of area, admiring the partially-frozen wetlands, excellent glacial erratics, and overall tranquility of hiking on these wide trails without anyone else. I admired the "ridge" feeling of Madden Road, and the solitude of the narrow Duck Pond Foot Path. I also accidentally spooked a small group of 2-3 deer.

I noticed, nearing Duck Pond for a second time, that the sun was beginning to peek through the clouds, could I actually see a sunset tonight? I picked up my pack down the Ponkapoag Path and through the AMC Cabins to a BEAUTIFUL scene of the sun setting behind the partially-frozen pond, which diffused the light magnificently. 

I wish I could have stayed longer, but I didn't have a headlamp with me (and I was hungry), so after taking at least 1,000,000 photos, I started my return trip. The sky changed from a dark yellow to a vibrant orange, and then a pale pink as I hiked along the paths. I took the Prescott Foot Path to the No Name Path to hit a few last needed trails, and then spooked another (or the same) family of deer right near the trailhead - one of the deer stayed close so I could get a photo - how kind!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Ponkapoag Trail parking (Exit 3 off I-93).

- Start hike on Ponkapoag Trail.

- At 5322, turn left onto Prescott Foot Path.

- At 5330, turn left onto No Name Path.

- At 5344, turn right onto Ponkapoag Trail.

- At 5343, turn around.

- At 5371, turn right onto Swamp Path.

- At 5365, turn left onto Fire Trail.

- At 5381, turn left onto Jones Link.

- At 5382, turn right onto Three Pines Path.

- At 5385, turn left onto trail to Duck Pond.

- At Duck Pond, turn around.

- At 5385, continue straight onto Hemlock Road. 

- At 5384, turn right onto Fire Trail.

- At 5381, turn right onto Jones Link.

- At 5382, turn left onto Three Pines Path.

- At 5383, turn left onto Duck Pond Foot Path.

- At 5380, turn left onto Swamp Trail.

- At 5371, turn right onto Ponkapoag Trail.

- At 5374, turn right onto Madden Road. 

- At turn, continue onto Three Pines Path.

- At 5385, turn right onto Hemlock Road.

- At 5362, turn right onto Ponkapoag Path.

- At next jct., turn right onto path.

- Cross Swamp Trail, hike toward AMC Cabins/Bathrooms, descend hill.

- Enjoy sunset at northwest corner of AMC Camp area.

- Return to 5364.

- At 5364, turn left onto Acton Path.

- At 5343, veer right onto Prescott Foot Path.

- At 5330, turn left onto No Name Path.

- At 5311, turn left onto Ponkapoag Trail.

- At 5241, turn around.

- Follow Ponkapoag Trail back to car.

Blue Hills Reservation Map

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