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Tales from the Trails
and other stories
by "Elmer Mudguaard" and "Mar-E"
Stories about the "Wild" areas of SE Massachusetts
Blue Hills Reservation
Our greatest treasure has to be the Blue hills. There are so many trails to hike from West Quincy to Readville! The longest of which is the blue dot or Skyline trail. The deer project is a spin off to the many times Mar-E and I hike the area. There are many markers along the way and with the available trail map, it's near impossible to get lost. Though many wild creatures also live there, you are hard pressed to see them as the will avoid you at all cost. Deer are seen the most with an occasional fox or coyote. Always be careful and avoid any animals that appear sick or disoriented. Big Blue is the tallest of the hills and those who know where to look can see the top of Beech Hill, Rockland. There is a lookout tower on the NE side of the hill that looks our way. A good set of binoculars will make it easy.
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There are quite a few ponds throughout the area with Ponkapoag and Houghton's Ponds heading the bill. Houghton's Pond is stocked by the state with trout and brood stock salmon usually twice yearly, making for some good fishing. Ponkapoag Pond is a shallow pond with good bass, pickerel, and an occasional tiger muskie from a stocking done years ago.
Hikes around the ponds are somewhat level and make for an enjoyable walk with the children. The ski slope at Big Blue has a lot of poison ivy in the spring and summer and should be avoided by the average hiker.
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Where are we on this map?
You are here!
The Skyline Trail is the toughest of all the trails. It can be picked up in a number of areas and hiked by section. Many hikers use this trail to train for the Appalachian trail. Usually once a year we will park one car at Fowl Meadow in Readville and the other at the skating rink in W. Quincy and do a 12 mile, 8 hill hike. Bring a lunch and fluids. It takes 4-6 hours depending on how much time you spend looking around. Once you make it to Hancock Hill, be sure to find the Governor's Overlook!
Only a small part of the view.
Hawks and Turkey Vultures sometimes fill the sky, so make sure to look up. The area around Rte 128 and Rte 28 in Randolph contains vulture nests and they are always seen there. There are Timber Rattlesnakes and maybe an occasional Copperhead snake still living in the Blue hills, but in over 30 years of hiking here I haven't been able to find a single one. And I look for them!
The best trails are the smaller ones that connect to the larger ones. For hikers, joggers, bikers, horses and all the rest, the Blues Hills is the best. While you never know who you may run into up there, most of the time we don't see anyone. Take the family for a good healthy time. A beautiful slice of "Wild America" in our midst.
All stories written by Elmer Mudguaard and photographs are the property of:
