Day 44, What in Blue Blazes?

There are a few things that make hiking on the East Coast different. One is the surface of the trails. Instead of soft decaying pine needles or clay soil, we have been hiking on rocks left behind by glaciers. So a one mile trail with 300 feet of elevation may well be rated moderate dependent on how difficult it is to pick your way through the rocks. 
Another is the type of forest. They are thick with deciduous trees. So thick that the trail can sometimes be difficult to find and follow. To help you find your way, different trails are marked with different colors. Sometimes, the blazes are found on trees. Other times they are painted dots on rocks or painted sticks stuck in the ground. I think part of the fun is the challenge to not get lost.

Today, we hiked a trail that is not too far out of Boston. Blue Hills Reservation State Park is easily accessible by public transportation. There are 125 miles of trails in the park. There is also lots of parking so it is really popular with families, couples with dogs, trail runners, and people like us who are just out to get some exercise in the lovely nearly-fall weather.

The trail we took takes you up to the oldest continuously running weather observatory in the nation. It is currently being renovated but the work of monitoring weather and the climate continue to go on.


There is also an observation tower. One of the vistas was a lovely view of Boston.
So worth the ankle-turning hike. Once again, grateful for good hiking boots.
Location: Blue Hills Reservation, 695 Hillside St, Milton, MA 02186, USA

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