The Blue Hills were so named by early European explorers who, while sailing along the coastline, noticed the bluish hue on the slopes when viewed from a distance. Then in 1893, the Metropolitan Parks Commission purchased the lands of the Blue Hills Reservation as one of the first areas set aside for public recreation. Located only minutes from Boston , the reservation stretches over 7,000 acres from Quincy to Dedham, and Milton to Randolph, Mass, has 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain and 125 miles of multi-use trails running through the property.

Arriving at the parking lot north of the Trailside Museum on Route 138, we were greeted with an inch or so of new fallen snow. Heading up the Wolcott Path to the Summit Road, the group from Blackstone Valley Outfitters cut over along the Red Dot Trail to be the first humans to break trail that day. Stopping to admire the several deer tracks that crossed the trail the group arrived to the summit of the Great Blue Hill as the clouds from that night's storm were dissipating. Climbing to the top of Elliott Tower, a hazy 360 degree view could be seen of the surrounding area.

Returning to the trail we descended the Great Blue along the Skyline Trail heading east. During our trek down into a col and the climb up Wolcott Hill the group spotted the tracks of a bob cat and more deer in the snow. While reaching the top of Wolcott Hill, you could look across the wooded valley below to the summit of the Great Blue Hill. While up here the group was shown a letterbox that had been hidden there and they signed in. Once again we descended into a wooded valley and take our time climbing up the rocky trail to the top of Hemingway Hill. At 488 feet this hill offers some great views of Boston and Boston Harbor. While up here we ran into a group of a dozen or so members of the AMC hiking our route back to the Great Blue. Following a slick ledge surface the trail drops into a pine forest till it reaches Hillside Street and the State Police Headquarter and information center.

After a break here, we cross the road and continue to follow the Skyline Trail. Entering a hardwood forest of Beach, Maple and Oak the trail continues on a long steep climb to the top of Tucker Hill. Following the ridge line, excellent views of the area we just traveled through could be seen. Again this rollercoaster of a trail drops into a col then climbs over North Boyce Hill descending once more, then makes a steep rocky assent to the summit of Buck Hill. Although the hill is only 500' above sea level the forest changes here from hardwoods to alpine growth of scrub pine and low bushes. Heading over to the north/east corner of the summit we have lunch with clear views of the Boston skyline and harbor in the background. The visibility was so good that the tops of building in Providence, RI could be seen peeking above the horizon to the south.

For our return trip the group headed down the Skyline Trail and turning southwest along the Spring Trail. Hiking through hardwoods, we take another right, heading northwest along the green blazed Bugbee Path. Skirting along a wooded wetland area the trail brings us to Houghton Pond. Heading to Hillside Road we watch a family skip rocks across the thin layer of ice on the pond. Crossing the road once more a steep climb up Houghton Hill awaits us. Following the blue blazes of the Lower Skyline Trail as it drops into a boulder filled slot with dry creek beds. At our final ascent of the day, a hiker and his golden retriever come up from behind. Waiting for us the two companions have a good view of the group struggling to get over the ice covered rock ledge. Stopping to see if the dog would need our help, I watch them climb passed us with little effort. Reaching the summit of the Great Blue we head over to Elliot Tower and climb to the top of the tower for the second time that day. We are greeted with clear skies the lights of Boston's profile and a warm sunset. Check out our website at www.bvori.com for pictures of the trip.