Blue Hills Reservation: Natural Gem of the Boston Area (6) Great Blue Hill

For me and for many years, Great Blue Hill was the Reservation.  When the boys were young, a climb up the Hill followed by a stop at the Audubon Trailside Museum to check on our animal friends was a fairly regular outing.  Family outings tailed off as the kids became reluctant to walk in the company of their parents, we began spending a week each August at Ponkapoag Pond, and by degrees I became aware that there was much more to the Reservation than Great Blue Hill.    My visit in early in September was the first in several years, and a bit nostalgic.

The indoor portion of the museum has nice displays for a few dollars admission, and also carries the essential trail map of the reservation for three dollars.  Access to the outdoor area is free of charge, but animals come and go seasonally, and for other reasons.  (All or most of the animals here are rescues that cannot  live free.  The mighty red-tailed hawk, for example, has only one wing.)

Trailside Museum and gift shop.

The boldness of the chipmunks is evidence of the quality of the human visitors.

Beginning of the red dot trail--the most direct route to the summit.  The occasional fallen tree--thoughtfully placed--suggests you stay on the trail to avoid general erosion.

The red dot trail ranges from rocky to solid rock.

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium).

A little early color in the huckleberries and bear oak.

There is a dip and then a climb before crossing the summit road about 2/3 of the way up.

A helpful sign points the way after you cross the road.

But if you like, you can simply walk the summit road for the last leg.

Goldenrod beside the trunk of pitch pine.

An observation tower, the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory (a privately-run and historic weather observatory) share the summit.  The ski slope isn't too obtrusive except where the trail skirts it near the bottom.

The observation tower, which has picnic tables, shade, and a great view

of Boston and surrounding areas, is currently closed for repairs.

The Skyline Trail nears its end (or begins) atop Great Blue Hill.

This momma wasp carried a paralyzed caterpillar a long way

over rough ground to provide for her kids.

The Observatory is often open to visitors for a few hours on Sundays.

The visit alone is worth the climb.

Views from beside the weather observatory.

When the Observatory was open to visitors, I and my boys climbed to the roof of this tower.

Shining sumac (Rhus copalina) doing its thing.

Sweet goldenrod (Solidago odora) is found throughout the Reservation.

For variety, take Coon Hollow Path back down.  It's a little less steep and rocky.

If you miss this unmarked left-hand hairpin turn, you will end up on the wrong side of

Great Blue Hill.  (We were once or twice caught by darkness this way on late-afternoon

hikes with young children, since that side of the hill loses the light first.)

That seeming-detour drops you into a little valley that brings you back to the west side of the hill.

Across the road and back onto the trail.

when you reach the little log bridge, you are nearing the Trailside Museum once more.

Red maple glowing in the sunlit canopy.

Oaks and white pine.

Trailside museum animal enclosure just ahead.

We used to finish warm-season walks up the Hill by visiting the animals.  The river otters were always a hit, since they seem to enjoy showing off their swimming skills to visitors.  But the red-tailed hawk, snowy owl, buzzard, red fox, white-tailed deer, and turtles were not neglected.

We have enjoyed visits to generations of river otters here. 

This one is lounging about atop a cage, while a ranger above waits patiently,

rope in hand, for the otter to enter the cage so workers can clean his pool.

A pond was enhanced some years back to encourage visits by water fowl.  A boardwalk gives ready access to the water.  A blind allows you to watch without being observed, and a little thing like a gumball machine dispenses food.

Turtles sunning themselves.