Blue Hills Reservation: The Importance of Flexible Plans
The day we hiked Blue Hills Reservation was so hot and humid that when I first stepped outside, it was even difficult to breathe. The temperature was in the mid-90s and the humidity felt similar to that of the Everglades in Florida. I was already considerably more nervous than my usual hiking demeanor considering this was my first hike of the summer and the first time I’ve brought along regular (non-camp) friends to hike with me. I have never made my own plans and maps for hiking and my friends were depending on my ability execute the hike the way I had planned. Adding to all this stress, the heat certainly put an edge on the experience.
My initial hiking plan was Little Bigelow Mountain in Maine, but as the group was making final plans, it became apparent that the parents were nervous about the long drive to Maine. Highway driving was new to this group of 17-year-olds. I was determined, however, not to give up. I didn’t want to fail on my first hike of the season, so I scrambled to find a mountain closer to home. I was not happy with the change of plans, especially the day before the hike. Looking ahead at my meticulous spreadsheet detailing a summer of hike trips, I was worried this would mess with my carefully curated schedule. I had to take a deep breath and a big step back. I knew this wouldn’t be the only scheduling debacle, so I had to relax and problem solve with a clear mind. While my goal was to complete 100 miles in a summer, the friends I’ve recruited to hike with me were in it to have a new experience and enjoy being together. I needed to remind myself that, although I had an ambitious goal, this summer was not just about racking up miles, but about being outside and rediscovering my love for an activity I have always enjoyed. Once I opened my mind to the possibility of hiking an easier mountain closer to home, I came upon the in Blue Hills Reservation, a series of trails just a short drive outside of Boston, MA. For this hike, I had to accept the inevitable change in plans and trust it would be worth it.
The group of friends I was hiking with that day are athletic, but rarely hiked, so choosing an easier trail, such as the North and South Skyline trails, paid off. We were able to chat while we hiked and even run from rock to rock while laughing and enjoying the woods. We talked about everything from school finally being over, to how much we were craving the Dunkin Donuts we passed at the base of the mountain before we started our hike. Even though these were hills not mountains, we still got a few spectacular views, including the Boston skyline. The trail was rocky and steep at the start, but once we got to a certain elevation, it was smooth sailing. The trail was outside of Boston, so we were not expecting to come across any interesting creatures, but we ended up running into a variety of wildlife, including frogs in the streams we crossed and a snake that slithered across the path in front of us.
I was pretty bummed and slightly stressed when this group’s parents decided we had to hike closer to home, and looking ahead, I was worried that more trips would be in jeopardy, but I am glad I persevered with a new plan. Flexibility is key and it was a lesson I’m sure I’ll learn over and over this summer. Blue Hills was a great alternative and I’m so glad we did it. I loved being with my friends, experiencing something outside of our small oceanside town. We ended up getting a good 8.6 miles of hiking in and it was a great way to kick off my 100 mile journey.
This adventure, and the moments leading up to go-time, show me and the rest of my group that it’s not how far you go to hike a mountain (or a hill). If hiking is dependent on distance to the mountain, then it can feel like too much work. Sometimes you just need the motivation, some good friends to share the journey, and a really good PB&J.
For Those Who Wander 