tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358162852024-03-05T14:02:10.454-05:00Hiking in the Boston AreaA Boston-based journal with descriptions and photos of hiking areas in the Boston area, including challenging places to hike, as well as areas geared toward easy hikes.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-49434510415823725432010-07-29T17:16:00.000-04:002010-11-04T17:33:49.200-04:00Hough's Neck, QuincyI do a lot of hiking, but not all of it is in the woods. Indeed, I take part in urban walks as well as walks near the ocean that are sometimes pieced together rather haphazardly. One such example of the latter is a walk we did recently in the Hough's Neck section of Quincy that took us through a variety of terrain, including salt marshes, placid beaches, and rugged oceanfront lands, as well as Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-14981266001895968412010-05-20T16:52:00.002-04:002010-11-04T17:03:12.934-04:00Sweeping Views from Buck Hill in the Blue Hills RevervationAwhile back, I had posted some information on one of the most popular spots in the Blue Hills Reservation south of Boston, namely Buck Hill. The summit of the hill has a nearly 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside, and on clear days, there is no telling how far in the distance you can see. On a recent hike up Buck Hill, several of us on the hike were surprised to see such a clear view Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-37236573319707177962010-04-05T16:33:00.003-04:002010-11-04T16:51:17.824-04:00Fells Cascade, Middlesex FellsMuch of the western section of the Middlesex Fells Reservation consists of rolling hills and trails that are relatively easy to maneuver. But once you head into the Eastern Fells, the landscape changes a bit, with some areas that are very rugged. And one section along the extreme eastern edge of the reservation looks like something you might find in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, with Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-16722694486731152512010-03-27T15:25:00.002-04:002010-10-15T15:45:55.413-04:00Cedar Swamp, EssexThe North Shore has a number of areas in which to do hikes, including one that can either be done as an extremely short (and extremely scenic) boardwalk stroll or a much longer hike that includes deep woods and hills. This entry concentrates on the former, as one of the best parts of the extensive conservation land on the Essex-Manchester border is the cedar swamp that is within minutes of the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-62879714749010508202009-11-22T15:01:00.003-05:002010-10-15T15:44:37.121-04:00Hellcat Trail, Plum IslandOne of the most scenic seaside settings in all of New England is that of Plum Island, a barrier island just east of the city of Newburyport, MA. Parts of the island includes the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, which is a great place for bird watching, walking, and just enjoying the solitude the area has to offer. One of the most remote-feeling sections of the refuge is about midway down Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-12411338580531300842009-07-29T17:17:00.003-04:002009-07-29T17:33:30.474-04:00Hillside Pond, Milton (Blue Hills)The Blue Hills Reservation, which is located south of Boston along Route 128, is a vast area of steep hills, woodlands, rivers, and ponds. And while Houghton's Pond is wildly popular in the summer with its beach and huge parking area, there is another body of water nearby (Hillside Pond) that is almost completely unknown. Part of the reason that Hillside Pond is quiet and lesser-known is the factMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-868778965843067302009-06-12T14:39:00.005-04:002009-06-12T14:54:42.958-04:00Savin Hill Park, DorchesterDorchester may not seem like a place to get away from it all, but the densely-populated neighborhood of Boston does have some nice open areas, including scenic stretches along the ocean and the Neponset River, and a postage-stamp size park wedged between the Southeast Expressway and Boston Harbor that is difficult to find, almost completely unknown, and really quite beautiful. Indeed, Savin Hill Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-57221960113093959642009-06-10T16:02:00.006-04:002009-06-10T16:30:02.208-04:00Moderate Hike Through Caryl Park and Noanet WoodlandsA few months back, I had written about the Hale Reservation, a vast conservation area that is mostly in Westwood. I had briefly touched upon the adjacent Noanet Woodlands and Caryl Park, but didn't get into much detail about either. This entry is dedicated to those two areas, which when combined with Hale Reservation, can make for a very long (and satisfying) day hike that is just outside the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-91808744201983811542009-05-19T11:50:00.007-04:002009-05-19T12:19:05.373-04:00Swampscott, Lynn, and Nahant BeachesYou really don't have to go very far outside of Boston to get some stunning, relatively unspoiled ocean views. Take the stretch of beaches from Swampscott through Lynn to Nahant, for example. As the photos below show, the views from these coastal areas are quite nice, with truly outstanding vistas from some spots. And while more of a walk than a true hike, you can go several miles along the Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-7585404734341242882009-05-11T15:30:00.007-04:002009-05-11T15:47:07.163-04:00Lilac Weekend (2009) at the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica PlainA group of us hiked around the Arnold Arboretum this past Saturday (May 10, 2009) to see the lilacs and other plants and trees blooming during Lilac Weekend. Below are a few pictures from the walk:Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-66251775066037816602009-05-04T15:48:00.003-04:002009-05-04T16:02:47.477-04:00Melrose Rock and Black Rock, Middlesex FellsI hike a lot in the Middlesex Fells Reservation, a huge area of conservation land just north of Boston. The Fells is split in two by Route 93, with western section being much larger than the eastern section. But the eastern section has a lot ot offer in its relatively compact area, including some very rugged geography and spectacular views that you just don't get in the more placid, less rocky Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-73048892611204268922009-04-22T13:03:00.010-04:002009-04-22T14:58:24.067-04:00Battle Road Trail, Minute Man National Historic ParkFor those who haven't been to Minute Man National Historic Park in Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord, it really is a special place, as you have a mix of history and scenic beauty along the roadways and trails within the linear park. A group of us recently walked the entire Battle Road Trail within the park, and it was quite a nice experience.We started at the Minute Man Visitor Center, which is Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-63348719460283254022009-03-23T13:04:00.009-04:002009-03-23T13:25:29.077-04:00Webb Memorial State Park. WeymouthThe South Shore suburb of Weymouth doesn't have a ton of open space, but what it has is really quite scenic, including some real hidden gems such as Pond Meadow (which it shares with Braintree) and Webb Memorial State Park. I visited the latter spot over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised by its pastoral feel and occasional stunning views. It isn't a huge open area, but there are enough Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-25920395973508009742009-03-03T18:12:00.005-05:002009-03-09T17:05:54.191-04:00Winter Hike at Hale Reservation, WestwoodA group of 25 of us went on a long hike through Hale Reservation in Westwood (and briefly crossed over into the Noanet Woodlands in Dover) a little more than a week ago. Hale is a huge reservation, so we went at a brisk pace from the start, looping northwest from the Cat Rock parking area over to the pristine Storrow Pond (see photo) near the northern edge of the reservation. After spending some Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-47563362170864006602009-02-24T16:26:00.005-05:002009-02-24T16:45:03.198-05:00Wilson Mountain Hike, DedhamThere aren't too many "mountains" in the Boston area, so having the word attached to a recreation area, even if it's not accurate, is rather intriguing. And after finally hiking through the Wilson Mountain Reservation in Dedham last weekend, I can say that no, Wilson Mountain is not really a mountain, but it is a peaceful, scenic spot with deep woods, bubbling brooks (see photo), and a Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-82314456928460037352009-02-02T15:18:00.002-05:002009-02-02T15:29:26.044-05:00Winter Hike at Pond Meadow, BraintreeAbout 25 of us went on a winter hike through Pond Meadow in Braintree over the weekend. Conditions were pretty good (the snow was packed down and not very slippery), and because Pond Meadow is not a hilly area, it was a perfect spot for a Sunday morning hike. Pond Meadow is a smallish park mostly in Braintree, though some of it is located in Weymouth. It abuts Route 3, so parts of the area are Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-5597039306804349902009-01-20T17:22:00.005-05:002009-01-20T17:29:34.501-05:00Winter Scenes at Ponkapoag Pond (Blue Hills), CantonA group of us did a snowshoe hike around Ponkapoag Pond in the Blue Hills yesterday (including the AMC camps on the far side of the pond. The going was tough, as there was a foot of fresh powder on the ground, but the scenery was spectacular. Below are a few photos taken during the hike:Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-76035459087962221332009-01-15T17:07:00.005-05:002009-01-16T16:35:00.341-05:00Winter Snowshoe Hike in the Eastern Blue HillsLast Weekend, I went on a snowshoe walk through the Eastern Blue Hills in Quincy after a moderate snowstorm. Conditions were perfect for snowshoeing, as the snow was light and powdery, so I set off that morning from the Shea Rink on Willard Street, starting on the Skyline Trail and soon moving on to the beautiful Sawcut Notch trail (see photo). The Sawcut Notch was in great condition and was Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-72010125740011522872008-12-16T15:11:00.005-05:002009-01-07T15:24:04.230-05:00Little Blue Hill (Blue Hills Reservation)A group of us went on a nature walk around Little Blue Hill in the extreme western section of the Blue Hills Reservation in Canton over the weekend. Much of the vast Blue Hills Reservation (especially the Milton section) is popular with hikers, but the extreme east section (near the Shea Rink in Quincy) and the extreme western section (Little Blue Hill) aren't as popular. But both areas are quiteMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-50617864377649584302008-10-26T17:24:00.002-04:002008-12-17T14:05:39.273-05:00Lincoln Conservation Land: Pine Hill and DeCordova AreaLincoln, along with neighboring Weston, is a mostly rural town northwest of Boston that is crisscrossed with trails. Indeed, the trail network is such that you can hike for miles without seeing the same area twice. And while the areas near Walden Pond, Minuteman National Historic Park, and Mount Misery seem to be the most popular spots for hikers, the lands just north and west of Lincoln Center Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-43192915076494752912008-10-20T22:28:00.005-04:002008-11-13T17:29:23.505-05:00Wright's Pond, MedfordThe Middlesex Fells Reservation is a popular hiking area north of Boston. Its deep woods, moving streams, and views from open hilltops make the Fells a favorite destination for walkers, whether they go to the Winchester, Medford, Malden, Stoneham, or Melrose section (or all of the above). Some parts are better known than others, however, and one of the least known parts of the Fells just happens Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-57125554353388675382008-10-05T20:35:00.007-04:002008-11-11T11:16:57.058-05:00Buck Hill (Blue Hills Reservation)At just under 500 feet above sea level, Buck Hill isn't the highest point in the Boston area, but it certainly has some of the best views. A favorite of hikers in the Blue Hills reservation, Buck Hill is one of the most rugged spots in this hilly, wooded area south of Boston. The summit of this broad, round hill is mostly treeless, allowing for nearly 360-degree views including the the Boston Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-37892709694854614182008-09-15T17:07:00.005-04:002008-11-10T17:30:50.852-05:00Ponkapoag Pond, CantonMost hikers who come to the Blue Hills Reservation south of Boston tend to stick to hiking trails north of Route 128. Indeed, many hikers don't even realize that the reservation extends south of this highway. But some of the best hiking in the Blue Hills can be found on the other side of Route 128, notably in the Ponkapoag Pond area which is mostly in Canton.There are relatively few trails in theMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-31851615309918425402008-08-25T18:11:00.003-04:002008-11-07T09:48:13.027-05:00Great Brook Farm State Park, CarlisleGreat Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, MA, is one of the true gems of Eastern Massachusetts. It is a vast area that includes deep woods, low hills, farmland, meadows, streams, and beautiful bodies of water such as Meadow Pond (see photo). Great Brook Farm is also a four-season recreation area, as it has cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, and hiking and horseback riding for muchMarchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35816285.post-39691195180206425372008-08-11T15:56:00.002-04:002008-11-04T18:08:19.904-05:00Locke Pond, WinchesterLocke Pond is a bucolic, remote-feeling body of water in the Whipple Hill Conservation Area that straddles Winchester and Lexington. Many people who hike around Whipple Hill never even make it down to Locke Pond, as the sweeping views from the hill are often enough for folks who come to this rugged area northwest of Boston. One particularly nice approach to Locke Pond is from the aforementioned Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0