Blue Hills Reservation: Natural Gem of the Boston Area (1) Hancock Hill

Blue Hills Reservation lies just south of metro Boston, in a broad swath cut across its south edge by I-93 and divided a bit more by route 24.  Lesser roads also cross it.  The southern portion that includes Ponkapoag Pond is connected to a smaller part by a pedestrian/equestrian bridge across route 24, and  to the much greater northern part by an overpass across I-93.  All trails are open to hikers, and a good many are also open to mountain bikers and horses.  Many trails can be access from several points.  

For me, Ponkapoag has long been its own place.  Ponkapoag Pond lies in the larger corner of the reservation south of 93 and west of 24.  For the last five years we have taken a cabin at the venerable Appalachian Mountain Club "Ponkapoag Camp" for a week in August.  A recent excursion from the pond over the highway and to the ranger station spurred my new interest in the rest of the reservation, and the germ of these explorations come from "Ranger Tom's Suggested Hikes," available at the ranger station.  Also valuable is the $3 contour trail map of the Reservation.  It is possible to find your way on the trails without it, but not easy!

"Hancock Hill -- 0.5 miles -- 30 minutes -- moderate difficulty

"A wonderful summit view for those with limited time.  Begin to follow the North Skyline Trail at Reservation Headquarters and ascend the first hill, stopping at the first summit.  Return on the same trail."

Access from Ranger Station on Hillside Street, Milton, MA.

Hancock Hill was my introduction to The Rest Of the Reservation.  I did it on a warm day in late August, and was glad to have a water bottle with me.  I bicycled from AMC Ponkapoag camp, across the highway on the exit 3 overpass to Reservation Headquarters; you'll probably want to drive, parking across from headquarters by Houghton Pond.   I was breathing hard by the time I got to the top.  But I am old and out of shape, after all.

The view from up high.

Plant life in a dry environment.

Scrub black oak (Quercus illicifolia) aka bear oak.

Blueberry.

Little blue-stem (Schizacharium scoparium) aka beardgrass.

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) aka kinikinick, an evergreen ground cover.

Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina), also a common grass of lawns and roadsides.

Western panic grass (Dichanthelium lanuginosum) aka wooly rosette grass.

From the top.

After my first short excursion, it was clear there is a lot to the Reservation.  More explorations to follow!