Conditions in Blue Hills (or anywhere around Boston)

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I will be in Boston on Friday and Saturday, and would like to go for a quick hike, probably in the Blue Hills.

Any idea what I should expect, and hence what I should bring? Sorels, gaters, snowshoes, four point crampons, all of the above, none of the above?????

The most recent Trail Conditions report is dated 3/3, no longer very useful

Thanks.

 

[HAMTERO]

I rode my road bike thru there yesterday. From the road it looks like a few inches of snow left. I think bareboots, maybe gaiters and the 4 pointers would cover it.
I am going back tomorrow and will take a better look.

 

[HikerAmiga]

Mohamed,

Greetings!

While you await Hamero's first hand assessment, the following link from the Blue Hills Meterological Observatory provides a daily discussion on the weather conditions at the reservation to include snow amounts: http://www.bluehill.org/discussion.txt

It states there are 3 inches on the ground. I can tell you that I was there (from the Trailside Museum-Red Dot Trail Loop to Great Blue Hill) about three weeks ago and there were several inches of packed snow with lots of patches, large and small of ice. I barebooted then but really should have used stabilicers at the least as it was tricky negotiating certain parts especially on the descents.

Enjoy!

 

[Jasper]

Blue Hills Condition

I went for a lunch hour walk up the eastern end of the Skyline Trail today. It was a mix of conditions: patches of rock and bare ground then 3 to 4 inches of crusty snow. Stabilizers on hiking boots should be sufficient. We are expecting some rain tonight and there is more warm weather on its way later in the week. Accordinly, you may see mud and wet conditions on the weekend.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Thanks for the input; I had been hoping that snow was gone from the Boston area. Sorels plus stabilicers seem the obvious recipe.

 

[McRat]

Did about 5 miles in the Middlesex Fells Reservation last night, figure conditions are similar to the Blue Hills.

Trails were generally covered with 3-4" of mostly frozen hardpack, with some occasional muddy patches.

Very little solid ice. I carried stabilicers but didn't feel the need to use them.

 

[Stan]

Given the weather forecast, rain and warming, I'd be prepared for mud season at this latitude.

 

[griffin]

Given the weather forecast, rain and warming, I'd be prepared for mud season at this latitude.

I was gonna say...I was in the Fells with my dog this morning (over by the Pine Hill tower). There was still snow on the ground, but it was already getting soft and there are a lot of wet spots.

I think we're looking at major mud by tomorrow as all the snow melts. Unless the forecast is wrong and it freezes, in which case it'll be luge runs everywhere.

 

[HAMTERO]

My buddy says he went for a trail run in the blue hills yesterday and no traction is needed.

 

[HikerAmiga]

My buddy says he went for a trail run in the blue hills yesterday and no traction is needed.

With all due respect, it certainly can't hurt for him to carry some traction.

We don't want Mohamed to "be a thread" like your wife says and to have to write his own accident report in Appalachia!

Have fun, Mohamed! I really loved your lecturing at the recent winter hiking/camping course!

 

[Quietman]

I climbed up the old Prospect Hill ski area in Waltham today at lunch time and enjoyed a nice breeze but 3"-6" of very sloppy wet snow, melting quite quickly. I was still better than mud!

 

[Jasper]

Blue Hills Conditions

Just back from a lunch hour walk up the Sawcut Notch Path to the 'Great Dome'. I started at the skating rink. Some ponding on the trail in a few spot, especially at the lower elevations. One or two icy/slushy points. Other then that, the trail is in good condition.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Wet!!

Yesterday (Friday) I hiked in the Middlesex Fells. A late start guaranteed warm weather (almost 60F at trailhead at noon), and it seemed doubtful that traction would be required. But since my stabilicers were already in my pack I left them there. That is where they stayed all day.

There were a few areas where I was walking in over an inch of running water; Sorels are ideal for that. Much more very wet mud, and also still many patches of snow. Most were mushy, but a few were hard enough to require some care (but never enough to even think of putting on my stabilicers).

The important point to note is that the snow, while widespread, was clearly fading fast. Given the current forecast I expect it to be gone by next weekend.