Wilderness Wanderings: Middlesex Fells

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Middlesex Fells - Boston

Skyline Trail -> Silver Mine Path -> Middle Road - Skyline Trail
Distance: 3.63 mi.
Elevation Gain: 341 ft.
Start Time: 7:07am
End Time: 8:01am

Trip Report:
The Middlesex Fells Reservation north of Boston is a treasure trove of trails that all Boston-ites should consider themselves lucky to have. As a guest, I also found it wonderfully easy to access and enjoy. I did a minimal amount of research on the trails, stumbling upon the Skyline Trail first of all to get an understanding of what I might want to do. There are also a number parking lots providing immediate access to the trails. I opted to park on the very southeast side to gain quick access to the Skyline Trail.

"Trailhead" from the parking lot

From my parking I had a quick jaunt up one of the doubletrack roads until I accessed the well marked Skyline Trail with the white blazes. There were also signs at major intersections. I was immediately surprised how rocky the trail was. This would continue to be a theme for my morning run. I would classify the Skyline as more of a hiking trail than a trail-running trail. There are plenty of ups and downs full of rock that make for very slow going. I also found navigation to be a challenge at times. I was worried going in that with so many trails and intersections they would be largely unmarked and it would be difficult to distinguish them. I've been in places like this before. That wasn't the case here. The blazes on the trees and rocks as well as signs at junctions made distinguishing trails from each other fairly easy. The challenge was at times seeing the next blaze when a quick turn was made or when a hill was topped or bottomed and the trail would turn. Two or three times I lost the trail momentarily and spent a few moments finding it once more.

Great signage for the Skyline Trail

At the southeast corner of the Fells, along the Skyline Trail is Wright's Tower. This is definitely one of the highlights of the area. The Tower itself was closed when I arrived. I didn't see if there were particular hours where individuals may be able to go up into it. But the views near the tower offered a great look to the southeast to the skyline of Boston. What an eye-opening reminder that though the Fells themselves providing a moment of respite from the hustle and bustle of the city -- the city is not far away. The loud sounds of the nearby interstate also helped with that.

I followed the Skyline Trail north and had slow going because of the rocky and hilly terrain. It was also very muggy and buggy which added to the nuisance of things. I went up to Silver Mine Hill and decided this would make a good turn around. I noticed on the map the Silver Mine Path which was more double track and would allow me to create a loop run instead of just backtracking everything I had just done so I took it. While the Skyline Trail was foot traffic only the Silver Mine Path was more for bikers and I followed it west. It was double track at first and then at a hill narrowed to single track as it switchbacked down the hill. At the bottom was a double track dirt road that I briefly took north to get to the shore of the South Reservoir. The Reservoirs are drinking water for local communities so they don't allow people in them. I followed the road south again until it met up with the western segment of the Skyline Trail and ran that again south til I returned to my starting point. It made for a good 3.6 mile loop. The mugginess left me drenched and the bugs gave me plenty of motivation for speed and haste to finish. The terrain of the Fells would be great for any trail runner aspiring to work on their footing in technical uphills and downhills. It is also nice in that there is a variety of trail types to attempt. From rocky single track to relatively mellow and easy double track you can take in whatever you want.