Blue Hills Reservation Fields

ATHLETIC 4227 BLUE HILLS RESERVATION FIELDS

4011 4235

LANE 4014

4133

4223 4124 ATHLETIC FIELD

4086 4085 4234 4082

4102 Dollar 4049 Lane 4166 4096

Hemenway Pond 4134

3171 Hemlock 4053 Dr 4013 3131 1214 4052 3104 Squamaug Notch Path 3174 1165 1166 3094 3024

1182

1046 3065 1217

1121 1033 1154 1122 1208 1206 3051 3085 1023 1150 1170 1210

1209 1172 1051 3040 3155 2181

1010

Closed in winter in Closed 1186 1002 2072 1045 6670 6877 1050 3090 6650 6900 2071 6880 1030 6896 6891 1001 1003 5610

5620

CONCESSION Accord Path 5600 6600 STAND 5611

1077

1057 1079 LEGEND Intersection Marker: The four digit ATHLETIC FIELDS numbers seen on the map designate DESTINATION TRAILS are marked with rectangles and are designed trail intersections. Look for the for much longer and more strenuous day hikes. These are not loop trails corresponding white wooden signs so plan transportation back to your starting point. with black numbers on trees or posts along the trails. 5320 RULES AND REGULATIONS Blue rectangles mark the popular Skyline which traverses the entire 5322 Park open dawn to dusk. Blue Hills Range with many fantastic views. Note the north and south For the protection and enjoyment of the Blue Hills, branches in the western part of the reservation. Reservation Headquarters the following are prohibited: Length: 9 miles Hiking Time: 4 to 7 hours Littering 5218 Parking LOOP TRAILS are marked with dots. Loop trails begin and end at the Open fires 5380 same point at designated parking areas as marked on the map. Canoe Launch Metal detectors Alcoholic beverages Green dots mark several woodland loops which allow you to enjoy Restrooms (seasonal only) Pets, except on a leash the natural beauty of the reservation. 5370 5383 Observation Towers Hunting or trapping Length: 2.4 to 4 miles Hiking Time: 2 to 2.25 hours Posting or distributing leaflets Structure Red dots mark rugged, rocky loops over hilly terrain providing a Camping except at AMC Camp with permit more challenging hike. Narrow Trail Motorized vehicles, except on public roads 5413 Length: 1 to 3 miles Hiking Time: 1 to 2.25 hours Wide Trail Disruptive conduct, including public nudity Yellow dots mark short loops which enable you to enjoy parts of the Group use of 25 or more, except with a DCR permit Paved Road Destruction or removal of vegetation, animals, reservation in a small amount of time. structures, artifacts or other State property 5360 Length: 0.5 to 1 mile Hiking Time: 1 hour Railroad Off trail use without a permit DIRECTIONAL LOOP TRAILS are marked with triangles and both loops Town Boundary In addition, the following activities are allowed 5216 begin and end at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot. These are designed Wetlands in designated areas only: 5355 as rolling routes for a fun mountain bike ride or long woodland hike. The trails Parking Pond 5420 are marked in one direction only and are to be followed counter-clockwise. Sporting activities White triangles mark the Forest Path loop in the Houghton’s Pond Brook, River Mountain bicycling section. This rambling 6-mile loop creates a long woodland hike Charcoal grills or fuel stoves Contour Lines or novice to intermediate mountain bike ride. 6 meter (19.7 ft) interval Non-motorized boating at Ponkapoag Pond Length: 6 miles Swimming at Houghton’s Pond 0 1⁄8 1⁄4 1⁄2 with lifeguard supervision Yellow triangles mark the Breakneck Ledge loop in the Great Blue ATHLETIC FIELD Hill section. This 4.5 mile loop provides a rocky, rugged and hilly All visitors must follow directions of Park personnel SCALE IN MILES experience for the advanced mountain biker or avid hiker. or Police. Any violations of these regulations may result Length: 4.5 miles MAP PRINTED WITH SOY INK AND ON RECYCLED PAPER. in arrest and/or fine per order of 302 Commonwealth of COLORS MAY CHANGE IN BRIGHT LIGHT. Massachusetts Regulations 12.00 STAY ON DCR DESIGNATED TRAILS FOR SAFETY AND RESOURCE PROTECTION DCR official map printed April 2016 Printed courtesy of Trailside Museum Charitable Trust. DCR Blue Hills Reservation Massachusetts Proceeds to beneﬁtbenefit DCR Blue Hills Reservation Blue Hills Trailside Trail Map and Guide Museum.

Enjoying the Reservation The Blue HillsReservation ReservationReservation Headquarters is located at 695 HillsideHillside Street o in Milton, 1/4 mile north of HoughtonsHoughton’s Pond, Pond, beside beside the the State State P Policeolice y Station. Please stop by, or call (617) 698-1802 for further information. te you t Station. Please stop by, or call (617) 698-1802 for further information. i Q e Athletic Fields t o Athletic Fields vi t Three reservable athleticathletic fields fields areare available at HoughtonsHoughton’s Pond. o Pond.For reservations, For reservations, call DCR call Recreation DCR Recreation at (617) at727-5290 (617) 727-4708. Ext. 509. nv the Blue Hills Reservation. d in the Blue Hills Reservation. Q Stretching from Dedham to Quincy, Milton to Randolph, d Blue Hills Trailside Museum Stretching from Dedham to Quincy, Milton to Randolph, This DCR facility, managed by the Mass Audubon Society, i i This DCR facility, managed by the Mass Audubon Society, e the Blue Hills Reservation encompasses over 7000 acres, providing the s features cultural, historical and natural history exhibits with the Blue Hills Reservation encompasses over 7000 acres, providing the i a display of live wildlife of the Blue Hills. Trailside Museum is sc a display of live wildlife of the Blue Hills. Trailside Museum is largestlargest open open space space within within 35 35 miles miles of of Boston. Boston. More More than than 125 125 miles miles of of trails trails weave weave located at 1904 Canton Avenue (Route 138), 1/2 mile north ofof c route 93 (Exit 2B) in Milton. An admission fee is charged. For W o route 93 (Exit 2B) in Milton. An admission fee is charged. For throughthrough the the natural natural fabric fabric of of forest forest and and ponds, ponds, hilltops hilltops and and wetlands. wetlands. Hikers Hikers can can count count 22 22 hills hills . o more information and operating hours, call (617) 333-0690. We ver.. more information and operating hours, call (617) 333-0690. in the Blue Hills chain with Great Blue Hill noted as the highest landmark at 635 feet above sea level. . in the Blue Hills chain with Great Blue Hill noted as the highest landmark at 635 feet above sea level. v . e Q r. Boating TheThe trails trails of of the the Blue Blue Hills Hills lead lead to to the the park’s park’ smost most beautiful beautiful areas, areas, inviting inviting you you to to explore explore the the subtlety subtlety and and richness richness of of the the Non-motorized boats are permitted in Ponkapoag Pond and woodlands.woodlands. Park Park visitors visitors may may enjoy enjoy numerous numerous outdoor outdoor activities activities including including hiking, hiking, biking, biking, horseback horseback riding, riding, skiing skiing and and savoring savoring the Neponset River only.only. Q nature.nature. We We share share a afragile fragile green green oasis oasis amidst amidst the the bustle bustle of of the the city. city. It It is is a alegacy legacy we we can can hand hand to to our our children children – –if if we we care care for for it ittoday. today.  Camping Overnight camping is permitted only at the Appalachian Mountain Club cabins on Ponkapoag Pond. Call the AMC at (781) 961-7007 for reservations.reservations. Q A World “For crowded populations to Fishing The Faces and Places “For crowded populations to Fishing is permitted at HoughtonsHoughton’s Pond,Pond, PonkapoagPonkapoag Pond,Pond, live in health and happiness, St. Moritz Pond, Hillside Pond, Blue Hill Reservoir and Pine ;YLL)YVVR(Z[H[LÄZOPUNSPJLUZLPZYLX\PYLKTree Brook. A state fishing license is required. of Nature Early EuropeanEuropean settlerssettlers encounteredencountered NativeNative AmericansAmericans living they must have space for air, offoff the rich resources ofof thethe Blue Blue Hills.Hills. TheThe nativesnatives referredreferred to Q for light, for exercise, for rest,  Friends of the Blue Hills The reservationreservation boasts a a rich variety ofof plants plants andand animals, includingincluding themselves asas Massachuseuck,Massachuseuck, oror “people“people living nearnear thethe greatgreat for light, for exercise, for rest, -VYV]LY`LHYZ[OL-YPLUKZVM[OL)S\L/PSSZHUVUWYVÄ[For over 30 years, the Friends of the Blue HIlls, a non-profit several rarerare andand endangeredendangered species, species, such as thethe TimberTimber rattlesnakerattlesnake hills.” Close Close proximity proximity to to the the Neponset Neponset River,River, the the seacoast seacoast andand and for the enjoyment of that volunteer organizationorganization has been dedicated to protecting and and Eastern copperheadcopperhead foundfound nowherenowhere else else inin the Boston area.area. Boston, highhigh vantagevantage points and an abundance of of quarry quarry materials materials promoting the Blue Hills Reservation. Call (781) 828-1805 or peaceful beauty of nature, visit [email protected] for more information. Trails traversetraverse aa diversitydiversity ofof habitats, habitats, uplandupland andand bottomlandbottomland have mademade thethe reservationreservation landslands anan attractionattraction throughoutthroughout forests, swampswamp andand pondpond edges, meadows andand an Atlantic whitewhite which…, is so refreshing history. Today, thethe reservationreservation is richrich inin bothboth archaeologicalarchaeological Q Golfing*ROÀQJ cedar bog.bog. and historical resources.resources. Interesting Interesting structures structures andand otherother tracestraces to the tired souls of the The 36 hole Ponkapoag Golf Course is located in Canton on of our past include observation towers towers built built by by the the Civilian Civilian Charles Eliot Route 138, 1/2 mile south of Route 93. Call (781) 828-4242. townspeople.” Charles Eliot The scenery before youyou isis a product of of aa varietyvariety of forces. Geology, Conservation Corps, oldold homesteads homesteads and legacies of thethe granitegranite climate, soil, fires, fires, lumbering, lumbering, and and farming farming have have all all shaped shaped the the Q Hiking industry at the QuincyQuincy quarries. EnrichingEnriching thethe reservationreservation areare The Blue Hills Reservation offers over 125 miles of scenic delicate harmony of land and life you see today. delicate harmony of land and life you see today. more than 5050 prehistoric sites, 15 historichistoric structuresstructures listed onon Charles Eliot trails for hikers. Please referrefer to the map and legend on the the NationalNational RegisterRegister ofof HistoricHistoric Places, and a NationalNational HistoricHistoric The Father of the Metropolitan Parks System reverse side for details of hikes. Remember to dress A diversity diversity of of wildlife wildlife find find suitable suitable habitat-food, habitat-food, water, water, shelter shelter Landmark- the BlueBlue Hills MeteorologicalMeteorological Observatory. appropriately and carry water on all hikes. and space-among the the mix mix of of trees, shrubs and flowers of the the Visionary landscapelandscape architect, CharlesCharles EliotEliot was a major force reservation. The The habitat andand the the season season of of the the year year play play a large role behind thethe creationcreation ofof thethe BlueBlue HillsHills Reservation, Reservation, one one of the the Q Horseback Riding A number of privately owned stables operate in the area of in determiningdetermining wherewhere youyou maymay bestbest findfind wildlife.wildlife. Nature has its first acquisitions of the new Metropolitan Parks Parks System, in the Blue Hills Reservation. Many of the dirt roads through the patterns. Note Note how how plantplant and and animal animal life life change as as you travel from 1893. EnjoyEnjoy aa panoramicpanoramic viewview ofof thethe BostonBoston skyline fromfrom thethe park are former carriage roads and are suitable for trail riding. the moistmoist lowlandslowlands to to the the drier, drier, rocky rocky hilltops. hilltops. Eliot TowerTower atopatop GreatGreat BlueBlue Hill,Hill, named named in in honor honor ofof oneone ofof thethe founding fathersfathers of of the the Metropolitan Metropolitan Parks Parks System. System. Q Ice Skating Ponds and Marshes The DCR owns and leases three ice skating rinks in the Blue Ponds and Marshes Hills Reservation. For Ulin Rink in Milton, callShea (617) Rink 696-9869, in Quincy The Wet and Wild The Civilian Conservation Corps forand Shea Metropolis Rink in Rink Quincy, in Canton, call (617) visit 472-9325, www.mass.gov/dcr and for Metropolis The Wet and Wild The Civilian Conservation Corps Rink in Canton, call (781) 575-6660 The freshwaterfreshwater wetlands of thethe reservation are teeming withwith life.life. Roosevelt’s Tree Army  Mountain Bicycling Treat yourself toto aa dazzlingdazzling displaydisplay ofof pinkpink andand whitewhite pondpond lilies The Civilian Conservation Conservation CorpsCorps livedlived andand laboredlabored in the BlueBlue Q Mountain bicycling Bicycling is allowed in certain areas of the at St. MoritzMoritz PondPond inin July July or or watch watch patiently patiently as as a a great great blue blue heronheron Mountainreservation. bicycling Stop by is headquarters allowed in certain at 695 areas Hillside of the Street Hills from from 1933 1933 to to 1937, 1937, adding adding two two stone stone observationobservation towers, YLZLY]H[PVU:[VWIÒLHKX\HY[LYZH[ /PSSZPKL:[YLL[ stalks sunfish fingerlings at Marigold Marsh nearnear HoughtonsHoughton’s Pond.Pond. in Milton to pick up a mountain bike brochure and map. miles ofof trailstrails and and numerous numerous otherother featuresfeatures to the Reservation. inMountain Milton to bicycling pick up isa mountainprohibited bike during brochure the month and ofmap. March. Nature is rapidly overtaking the cement foundations and remains Mountain bicycling is prohibited during the month of March. Nature is rapidly overtaking the cement foundations and remains of the CCCCCC camp camp locatedlocated east ofof RandolphRandolph Avenue. Avenue.  Norman Smith Environmental Q Norman Smith Environmental Ponkapoag Bog Education Center EducationLocated on Chickatawbut Center Hill and operated by the Mass A Quaking Experience LocatedAudubon on Society, Chickatawbut the center Hill of andfers operated environmental by the educa- Mass Native Americans The Blue Hills Today… Audubontion workshops, Society, including the center overnight offers environmental programs and educa- summer Ponkapoag Bog Bog is aa unique unique andand mysteriousmysterious tioncamp. workshops, Call (617) including333-0690. overnight programs and summer world. NeitherNeither solidsolid land land nor nor water, water, the the bog bog The People of the Great Hills camp. Call (617) 333-0690. For more more the the 9,000 years years before before Europeans arrived, Native is aa realm realm in in between. between. AA cedar cedar boardwalk boardwalk Preserving Open  Americans quarried inin the BlueBlue Hills, seekingseeking brownbrown volcanicvolcanic Q Observation Towers at the northwestnorthwest corner of PonkapoagPonkapoag Observation towers Towers are located at Great Blue Hill and rock oror hornfelshornfels whichwhich they they crafted crafted intointo tools, tools, spearheads spearheads andand Observation towers are located at Great Blue Hill and Pond allows safesafe entranceentrance intointo anan Space for Public Use Chickatawbut Overlook. Both offer scenic views of the arrowheads. Note the many Native American American place place names names ChickatawbutBoston skyline Overlook. and surrounding Both offer area. scenic views of the Atlantic white cedar bog. Look Today thethe DepartmentDepartment of ConservationConservation andand RecreationRecreation Boston skyline and surrounding area. throughout the the Blue Blue Hills,Hills, aa tributetribute toto thethe first peoplepeople of thisthis for thethe carnivorouscarnivorous pitcherpitcher plantsplants  land. preserves and maintains thisthis living greengreen museummuseum for Q Picnicking and sundews which capturecapture insects toto the useuse andand enjoyment enjoyment of of the the public. public. PicnickingA limited number of picnic tables and charcoal grilles are Aavailable limited numberat Houghton’s of picnic Pond tables and and Chickatawbut charcoal grilles Overlook. are supplement their their diet diet in in this acidic andand Look forfor ParkPark Rangers Rangers onon available at Houghton’s Pond and Chickatawbut Overlook. sterile environment.environment. The Colonists Picnic sites at Houghton’s Pond are in great demand during the trailstrails oror stopstop by by the the Picnicthe summer. sites at Plan Houghton’s accordingly. Pond Please are in call great the demand reservation during Of Axes and Ploughs theheadquarters summer. Plan at (617) accordingly. 698-1802 Please for more call information the reservation or to OLHKX\HY[LYZH[ MVYTVYLPUMVYTH[PVUVY[V The Meadow Seventeenth century century Europeans Europeans and their descendantsdescendants settled in Park Headquarters Headquarters at at reserve a picnic site. Permits are required for group use of YLZLY]LHWPJUPJZP[L7LYTP[ZHYLYLX\PYLKMVYNYV\W\ZLVM the Blue Hills,Hills, introducing introducing orchards orchards and and honeybees, honeybees, houses houses andand 695 Hillside StreetStreet 25 or more persons. A Pioneer 25 or more persons. barns. They logged the hillsides for lumber while clearing fields barns. They logged the hillsides for lumber while clearing fields in Milton forfor moremore  Imagine the BlueBlue Hills ReservationReservation clearedcleared forfor fieldsfields andand pasturespastures for pasture. Look for the stone walls, which once separated Q Ranger Programs for pasture. Look for the stone walls, which once separated information. RangerDCR Park Rangers Programs offer free educational and recreational with an occasional wooded area area or or small orchard. Such waswas thethe scenescene DCR Park Rangers offer free educational and recreational these fields,fields, stillstill winding throughoutthroughout the the Blue Blue Hills. Hills. programs throughout the year. Look for program schedules programs throughout the year. Look for program schedules in thethe mid-1800’s. Red Red fox fox could could be be seen seen feeding feeding onon wildwild grapes grapes andand posted on park bulletin boards, call (617) 698-1802 or visit posted on park bulletin boards, call (617) 698-1802 or visit brambles. White-tailed deerdeer frequentedfrequented thethe appleapple orchards.orchards. Since www.mass.gov/dcr for details. Colonial times, times, much much of the the Blue Hills Hills has has reforested, reforested, although although Quincy Granite www.mass.gov/dcr for details. open fieldsfields and meadows remain remain an an important habitat habitat for for fox, fox, deer, The Birth of Two Industries Q Rock Climbing The Birth of Two Industries Rock climbing Climbing is popular at the Quincy Quarries Historic turkey, mice andand songbirds. songbirds. Rock climbing is popular at the Quincy Quarries Historic Site off Ricciuti Drive in Quincy. Proper safety equipment The granitegranite hillshills at at the the east east end end of of the the reservation reservation launched launched thethe :P[LVMM9PJJP\[P+YP]LPU8\PUJ`7YVWLYZHML[`LX\PWTLU[ is required. Special use permit required for groups. birth of two two industries, industries, large-scale large-scale granite granite quarrying in 1825 1825 PZYLX\PYLK:WLJPHS\ZLWLYTP[YLX\PYLKMVYNYV\WZ Visit www.mass.gov/dcr The Forests and the firstfirst commercial railroadrailroad in 1826. QuincyQuincy granitegranite waswas Visit www.mass.gov/dcr used in thethe constructionconstruction of some of thethe mostmost impressiveimpressive granitegranite Q Skiing, Cross-country Of Oak and Hickories buildings, monuments,monuments, sculptures andand fortifications across thethe Skiing, Cross-country Cross-country skiing is permitted on trails throughout the Today, oaksoaks andand hickories aboundabound nation, including customs houseshouses inin Boston, Savannah, New YLZLY]H[PVU^P[OZ\MÄJPLU[ZUV^JV]LY(MYLLIYVJO\YLVMreservation with sufficient snow cover. A free brochure of throughout the the Blue Blue Hills, Hills, pa partic-rtic- Orleans and SanSan Francisco.Francisco. suggested Cross-Country Ski Routes is available at the reservation headquarters. ularly onon south facingfacing slopes. Prior YLZLY]H[PVUOLHKX\HY[LYZ to the the 1940’ 1940’s,s, the the once mighty mighty  The Blue Hill Weather Observatory Q Skiing, Downhill American chestnutchestnut dominateddominated thethe On the west side of Great Blue Hill, the William FF.. Rogers Ski woodland canopy. The chestnut Of Kites and Clouds A Precious Resource… Slopes offer the nearest downhill skiing to the metropolitan The Blue HillsHills Reservation Reservation isis a a fragile fragile ecosystem ecosystem underunder heavyheavy use. Boston area. Call (781) 828-5070. blight, aa damaging fungus fungus from from In 1885, meteorologistmeteorologist Abbott Abbott Lawrence Lawrence We ask you to extend special special respect respect to to the the parkland, parkland, please: please: Boston area. Call (781) 828-5070. China, reducedreduced the American chest-chest- Rotch established one one of of the the f firstrst Q Swimming nut population to sprouting trees, weather observatories observatories in in the the country country is Carry outout all trash.trash. Swimming is allowed only at Houghton’sHoughtons PondPond beachbeach withwith usually ableable toto grow nono taller thanthan atop GreatGreat BlueBlue Hill.Hill. RotchRotch usedused kites is Stay on marked trailstrails toto preventprevent erosion. erosion. DCR lifeguard supervision. Seasonal restrooms are provided. 20 feet. The oak-hickory forest produces a wealth of acorns and 20 feet. The oak- hickory forest produces a wealth and balloons,balloons, strung strung with with piano piano wire, wire, to to is Leave plants and animalsanimals undisturbed. undisturbed.  nuts which provide food for hungry gray squirrels, chipmunks Q TrailWatch of acorns and nuts which provide food for hungry gray squirrels, study thethe winds winds and and clouds clouds high high above above is Keep pets onon aa leashleash at at all all times. times. Blue Hills TrailWatch is an all-volunteer organization of chipmunksand wild turkeys. and wild Look turkeys. for the Look broken for the shells broken identifying shells identifying where a Blue Hills TrailWatch is an all-volunteer organization of Great Blue. is Comply with all visitorvisitor regulationsregulations listed on the concerned recreational trail users whose goal is to promote wheresquirrel a maysquirrel have may enjoyed have a enjoyed meal. a meal. reverse sideside ofof thisthis brochure.brochure. safe and cooperative trail use by acting as an educational liaison between reservation managers and the public. For Rocky Hilltops Important Contacts: more information, call (617) 698-1802. DCRDCR Blue HillsHills Reservation Reservation (617)(617) 698-1802 698-1802  695695 HillsideHillside Street, Milton, MA 0218602186 Q Visitor Center A Windswept World The Houghton’sHoughtons PondPond VisitorVisitor CenterCenter featuresfeatures parkpark informationinformation

Lowbush blueberry and huckleberry can can tolerate tolerate the the dry dry acidic acidic soils and exhibits highlighting the human history of the Blue Hills. DCRDCR 24-hour24-hour RadioRadio DispatchDispatch (508) 820-1428820-1428 Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities are provided. of thethe wind-swept hilltops.hilltops. Snack Snack onon wildwild blueberries inin latelate JulyJuly Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities are provided. BlueBlue HillsHills TrailsideTrailside Museum Museum (617)(617) 333-0690 333-0690 while enjoying the sun-bakedsun-baked vista vista atop atop Buck Buck Hill Hill or Houghton’sHoughtons ForFor accessibilityaccessibility details,details, callcall DCR atat (617)(617) 698-1802 698-1802 Q Weather Observatory and Science Center Hill. Early Early spring spring and and fall fall are are great great times times to to watch for for hawks, Perched atop the summit of Great Blue Hill, the Blue Hill Ob-Ob- falcons andand other birds winging over thethe hilltops onon theirtheir seasonalseasonal Check DCR Website for updates: www.mass.gov/dcr servatory and Science Center featuresfeatures continuous weather study from 1885 through today. Educational programs and migration. Over 160 bird species maymay bebe seenseen inin thethe Blue Blue HillsHills InIn case case of of emergency, emergency, call 911911 oror contact thethe State State Police, Police, during thethe year. year. tours are offered. A fee is charged. Call (617) 696-0562 or BlueBlue HillsHills Barracks atat (617)(617) 698-5840.698-5840. visit www.bluehill.org for more information.