[BACKLOG] Houghton's Pond Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Houghton's Pond Loop (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation: 86 feet
Time: 32 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; Toilet Paper Trio Winter

The Hike

A super short, super sweet loop around Houghton's Pond. Been here many times before. I didn't want to dive too deep into real "exercise" this day, so instead I went in for a classic. Sadly, I went too casual and heavily regretted not bringing spikes. I went counterclockwise around the pond, and halfway through I jumped to the old route 128 to hopefully find less icy conditions. I was not successful, but I never fell! I only took this one photo for this hike. I'm very grateful to have this as a reliable option when I want to be outside but need to relax as well. 

Photo Album

Posted April 12th, 2022 at 1:31 PM.

[BACKLOG] Wampatuck and Rattlesnake Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Wampatuck and Rattlesnake Hills (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Spaghetti
Distance: 3.8 miles
Elevation: 367 feet
Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; Toilet Paper Trio Winter

The Hike

A beautiful, slushy day in the Blue Hills. The snow was melting, so most steps I took resulted in sinking and sliding, which was my biggest complaint. There were two main sketchy sections - coming down from the Crags on the Skyline Trail, and coming down the North-East side of Fox Hill. I really loved Fox Hill and the seasonal views of Boston. Not much else to write on this hike. I am grateful for the snowy scenery, but I was delighted to see it go away. 

Step-By-Step

• Park on Wampatuck Road near Rattlesnake Hill
• Hike in, turn left at first junction.
• At next junction, turn right onto Skyline Trail.
• At next junction (4147), turn left onto Crags Foot Path (Green Dot).
• At next junction, turn left.
• At next junction, turn right onto Skyline Trial. 
• Follow skyline trail, at 4155, turn right onto Indian Camp Path (Green Dot). 
• At next junction (4135), turn left onto Pipe Line. 
• Hike trails around 4131 and 4134, landing where the Pipe Line ends at Chicktawbut Rd.
• Turn right onto Fox Hill Path. 
• At summit, turn right onto poorly defined trail towards 4120. 
• Shortly turn right onto Indian Camp Path (Green Dot).
• Turn left to hike unnamed trail to 4142.
• Turn right at 4142 onto Crags Foot Path (Green Dot).
• Turn left at 4145 and hike Old Furnace Brook Path as an out-and-back.
• Back at 4145, follow trail to 4155.
• At 4155, turn around and turn right back onto Crags Foot Path (Green Dot).
• Follow Crags Foot Path until just before Wampatuck Road.
• Turn right onto unnamed trail that leads to parking. 

Photo Album

Originally written April of 2022.

[BACKLOG] Final Chickatawbut Area Trails (Blue Hills Reservation)

Final Chickatawbut Area Trails (Blue Hills Reservation)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation: 682 feet
Time: 52 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Blue Hills 125-Mile Challenge; Toilet Paper Trio Winter

The Hike

A short hike to clean up the final trails of the Chickatawbut Area! Also, a hike through three different seasons. I parked right at the intersection of 28 and Chickatawbut Road (which I think is my least favorite parking area due to traffic... maybe its tied with the Quincy Quarries parking), and headed down the red-dot route. I got a little turned around at the area with 1000 different intersections, but landed on Glover Path, which is where I needed to be. At this point I hiked through muddy spring and dry fall, and at the next turn I was to discover some more winter too! I completed the Hawk Hill Path and took the Bouncing Brook Path to complete the lollipop. It was a short easy hike, and I did appreciate the different seasons - it kept things interesting!

Step-By-Step

• Start hike at Route 28/Chickatawbut Road parking (3024).
• Follow red-dot route.
• Go straight through the Skyline jct., and then take the second right. At 3040, turn left onto Glover Path.
• At 3044, turn right onto Hawk Hill Path.
• At 3005, turn right onto Pipe Line.
• At 3011, turn right onto Bouncing Brook Path.
• Retrace steps back to car.

Map of Blue Hills Reservation

Photo Album

Originally written September 30th, 2022.