Blue Hills Reservation: Natural Gem of the Boston Area (4) Woolcott and Border Path

This fairly gentle forest loop is reached from reservation headquarters and reaches to the vicinity of Great Blue Hill in the west.  I walked it on September 8th, a Friday.  Park in the lot by Houghton Pond across the street.

"Wolcott & Border Path   2.5 miles   (1 to 1.75 hours)     easy
A relatively level hike through beautiful woodlands.   Scenic highlights include majestic stands of pines and hemlocks.  Follow the woodland lane that starts at Reservation Headquarters (Wolcott Path) approximately 1/2 mile to the Five Corners intersection (five trails converge).  Angle right on the green dot trail.  Upon reaching Border Path (intersection 1135), turn right and continue to intersection 1175.  Turn right and follow the path past intersection 1178 and back to Wolcott Path."                                       --Ranger Tom's Suggested Hikes

Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora).

Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia).

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) would make a very attractive native evergreen groundcover.

Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) perfumes the air.

Hawkweed (Hieracium) of some kind, I think.

Shining clubmoss (Hyperzia lucidula).

Small, delicate New York fern (Thelypteris novae-boracensis).

Ferns atop a rock.

Mushroom growing amid moss.

Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora).  I will return when it has set seed, so I can plant some in my yard.

Big shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) near reservation headquarters.