INTRODUCTION

Welcome to 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Boston. If you’re new to hiking or even if you’re a seasoned trailsmith, take a few minutes to read the following introduction. It explains how this book is organized and how to use it.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDEBOOK

THE OVERVIEW MAP AND OVERVIEW MAP KEY

Use the overview map on the inside front cover to assess the exact locations of each hike’s primary trailhead. Each hike’s number appears on the overview map, on the map key facing the overview map, and in the table of contents. As you flip through the book, a hike’s full profile is easy to locate by watching for the hike number at the top of each page. The book is organized by region as indicated in the table of contents. A map legend that details the symbols found on trail maps follows the overview map.

REGIONAL MAPS

The book is divided into regions, and prefacing each regional section is an overview map of that region. The regional provides more detail than the overview map, bringing you closer to the hike.

TRAIL MAPS

Each hike contains a detailed map that shows the trailhead, the route, significant features, facilities, and topographic landmarks such as creeks, overlooks, and peaks. The author gathered map data by carrying a Garmin eTrex Venture GPS unit while hiking. This data was downloaded into the Topo! digital mapping program and processed by expert cartographers to produce the highly accurate maps found in this book. Each trailhead’s GPS coordinates are included with each profile.

ELEVATION PROFILES

Corresponding directly to the trail map, each hike contains a detailed elevation profile. The elevation profile provides a quick look at the trail from the side, enabling you to visualize how the trail rises and falls. Key points along the way are labeled. Note the number of feet between each tick mark on the vertical axis (the height scale). To avoid making flat hikes look steep and steep hikes appear flat, height scales are used throughout the book to provide an accurate image of the hike’s climbing difficulty.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES

To collect accurate map data, each trail was hiked with a handheld GPS unit (Garmin eTrex series). Data collected was then downloaded and plotted onto a digital USGS topo map. In addition to rendering a highly specific trail outline, this book also includes the GPS coordinates for each trailhead in two formats: latitude/longitude and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). Latitude/longitude coordinates tell you where you are by locating a point west (latitude) of the 0-degree meridian line that passes through Greenwich, England, and north or south of the 0-degree (longitude) line that belts the earth, aka the equator.

Topographic maps show latitude/longitude as well as UTM grid lines. Known as UTM coordinates, the numbers index a specific point using a grid method. The survey datum used to arrive at the coordinates in this book is WGS84 (versus NAD27 or WGS83). For readers who own a GPS unit, whether handheld or on board a vehicle, the latitude/longitude or UTM coordinates provided on the first page of each hike may be entered into the GPS unit. Just make sure your GPS unit is set to navigate using WGS84 datum. Now you can navigate directly to the trailhead.

Most trailheads, which begin in parking areas, can be reached by car, but some hikes still require a short walk to reach the trailhead from a parking area. In those cases, a handheld unit is necessary to continue the GPS navigation process. That said, however, readers can easily access all trailheads in this book by using the directions given, the overview map, and the trail map, which shows at least one major road leading into the area. But for those who enjoy using the latest GPS technology to navigate, the necessary data has been provided. A brief explanation of the UTM coordinates from Blue Hills: Skyline Trail follows.

UTM zone 19t
Easting 326699
Northing 4675115

The UTM zone number 19 refers to one of the 60 vertical zones of the Universal Transverse Mercator projection. Each zone is 6 degrees wide. The UTM zone letter T refers to one of the 20 horizontal zones that span from 80 degrees south to 84 degrees north. The easting number 326699 indicates in meters how far east or west a point is from the central meridian of the zone. Increasing easting coordinates on a topo map or on your GPS screen indicate that you are moving east; decreasing easting coordinates indicate you are moving west. The northing number 4675115 references in meters how far you are from the equator. Above and below the equator, increasing northing coordinates indicate you are traveling north; decreasing northing coordinates indicate you are traveling south. To learn more about how to enhance your outdoor experiences with GPS technology, refer to GPS Outdoors: A Practical Guide for Outdoor Enthusiasts (Menasha Ridge Press).

HIKE DESCRIPTIONS

Each hike contains seven key items: an “In Brief” description of the trail, a key at-a-glance box, directions to the trail, trailhead coordinates, a trail map, an elevation profile, and a trail description. Many also include a note on nearby activities. Combined, the maps and information provide a clear method to assess each trail from the comfort of your favorite reading chair.

IN BRIEF

A “taste of the trail.” Think of this section as a snapshot focused on the historical landmarks, beautiful vistas, and other sights you may encounter on the hike.

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

The information in the key at-a-glance boxes gives you a quick idea of the statistics and specifics of each hike.

LENGTH The length of the trail from start to finish (total distance traveled). There may be options to shorten or extend the hikes, but the mileage corresponds to the described hike. Consult the hike description to help decide how to customize the hike for your ability or time constraints.

CONFIGURATION A description of what the trail might look like from overhead. Trails can be loops, out-and-backs (trails on which one enters and leaves along the same path), figure eights, or a combination of shapes.

DIFFICULTY The degree of effort an average hiker should expect on a given hike. For simplicity, the trails are rated as “easy,” “moderate,” or “difficult.”

SCENERY A short summary of the attractions offered by the hike and what to expect in terms of plant life, wildlife, natural wonders, and historic features.

EXPOSURE A quick check of how much sun you can expect on your shoulders during the hike.

TRAFFIC Indicates how busy the trail might be on an average day. Trail traffic, of course, varies from day to day and season to season. Weekend days typically see the most visitors. Other trail users that may be encountered on the trail are also noted here.

TRAIL SURFACE Indicates whether the trail surface is paved, rocky, gravel, dirt, boardwalk, or a mixture of elements.

HIKING TIME The length of time it takes to hike the trail. A slow but steady hiker will average 2 to 3 miles an hour, depending on the terrain.

ACCESS A notation of any fees or permits that may be needed to access the trail or park at the trailhead. City and county parks typically do not require any permits or parking fees.

MAPS Here you’ll find a list of maps that show the topography of the trail, including Green Trails Maps and USGS topo maps.

FACILITIES What to expect in terms of restrooms and water at the trailhead or nearby.

DIRECTIONS

Used in conjunction with the overview map, the driving directions will help you locate each trailhead. Once at the trailhead, park only in designated areas.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES

The trailhead coordinates can be used in addition to the driving directions if you enter the coordinates into your GPS unit before you set out. GPS coordinates.

DESCRIPTION

The trail description is the heart of each hike. Here, the authors summarize the trail’s essence and highlight any special traits the hike has to offer. The route is clearly outlined, including landmarks, side trips, and possible alternate routes along the way. Ultimately, the hike description will help you choose which hikes are best for you.

NEARBY ACTIVITIES

Look here for information on nearby activities or points of interest. This includes parks, museums, restaurants, or even a brew pub where you can get a well-deserved beer after a long hike. Note that not every hike has a listing.

WEATHER

Bostonians, or rather New Englanders as a whole, pay eager attention to forecasts while simultaneously regarding them with stubborn disdain. This is due both to something in their disposition and to the weather’s high degree of variability, not just season to season but by minute by minute. A 20° drop or upward lurch in temperature is not unheard of either on a sultry summer evening or on a silvery afternoon in winter. Often the most reliable weather predictor is a stiff wind, for it likely signals a shift from humid to dry, hot to cool, or vice versa.

Average temperature by Month

JanFebMarAprMayJun

High

36º39º46º56º67º77º

Low

22º24º31º41º50º59º

Mean

28º29º37º47º57º67º
JulAugSepOctNovDec

High

82º80º73º62º52º42º

Low

65º64º57º46º38º28º

Mean

72º71º64º54º43º32º

Boston’s proximity to the sea and all that travels along the Gulf Stream from the Gulf of Mexico to Newfoundland and on across the Atlantic Ocean largely explains its weather’s fickle temperament. In summer, the soggy winds of occasional Caribbean-born hurricanes add muscle and heft to the otherwise modest surf that smacks at the shore. These winds are known to drag in heat and humidity that settles on Boston’s neighborhoods like a stifling blanket. Other storms like Canada-bred nor’easters deftly carve out the heat and replace perspiration with goose pimples. Bear in mind, too, that on any given day, the temperature at the shore is well below that of inland locations.

While there is no disagreement that a brilliant sunny day with the temperature between 65°F and 70°F is ideal for a hike in the hills, in today’s GORE-TEX age, a pleasant hiking experience can be had in almost all conditions. Indeed, facing the elements when properly dressed is a distinctly satisfying pleasure. To ensure that you are in league with the weather when you set out on a hike, be sure to pack extra clothing. Having a Windbreaker or dry T-shirt to change into after a sweaty climb or cloudburst can make all the difference.

WATER

How much is enough? Well, one simple physiological fact should persuade you to err on the side of excess when deciding how much water to pack: a hiker working hard in 90°F heat needs approximately 10 quarts of fluid per day. That’s 2.5 gallons—12 large water bottles or 16 small ones. In other words, pack one or two bottles even for short hikes.

Some hikers and backpackers hit the trail prepared to purify water found along the route. This method, while less dangerous than drinking it untreated, comes with risks. Purifiers with ceramic filters are the safest. Many hikers pack the slightly distasteful tetraglycine-hydroperiodide tablets to debug water (sold under the names Potable Aqua, Coughlan’s, and others).

Probably the most common waterborne “bug” that hikers face is giardia, which may not hit until one to four weeks after ingestion. It will have you living in the bathroom, passing noxious rotten-egg gas, vomiting, and shivering with chills. Other parasites to worry about include E. Coli and cryptosporidium, both of which are harder to kill than giardia.

For most people, the pleasures of hiking make carrying water a relatively minor price to pay to remain healthy. If you’re tempted to drink “found water,” do so only if you understand the risks involved. Better yet, hydrate prior to your hike, carry (and drink) 6 ounces of water for every mile you plan to hike, and hydrate after the hike.

CLOTHING

Nothing is certain about the weather in Boston and surrounding areas but its changeability. If it is a brilliant blue-sky morning when you prepare to head for the hiking trail, grab a sweater, or if you prefer, a warm, moisture-wicking, hightech equivalent for later in the day when temperatures dip, especially in the deep shade of woods. Taking along a waterproof all-weather jacket made of GORE-TEX or the like is always an excellent idea. A mood- and possibly lifesaver, when weather conditions take a turn for the worse, a lightweight jacket also offers excellent protection against voracious bugs.

A cotton T-shirt is great to hike in on warm days when there’s little change in temperature. But on longer, more challenging hikes, you are guaranteed to break a sweat no matter the season, and once damp, cotton loses utility and charm. Therefore if you are an incurable jeans and T-shirt type toss a back-up T in your knapsack, if only to have something to change into after hiking should you stop at an air-conditioned diner on your trip back home.

The person who packs a hat and mittens may get some teasing, but he or she may wind up the envy of all when icy winds blow down from Canada, catching your hiking party unprepared. The same can be said of wind and rain pants. Hypothermia can set in even when thermometers register temperatures above freezing.

Anyone who has gotten a blister or stubbed a toe knows the importance of appropriate footwear. The best shoes for hiking are boots with solid ankle support. The sneakers or sandals you wear every day may feel more comfortable, but their flimsy soles mean more work for your feet and ankles when hiking over rough terrain.

THE TEN ESSENTIALS

One of the first rules of hiking is to be prepared for anything. The simplest way to be prepared is to carry the Ten Essentials. In addition to carrying the items listed below, you need to know how to use them, especially navigation items. Always consider worst-case scenarios like getting lost, hiking back in the dark, broken gear (for example, a broken hip strap on your pack or a water filter getting plugged), twisting an ankle, or a brutal thunderstorm. The items listed below don’t cost a lot of money, don’t take up much room in a pack, and don’t weigh much, but they might just save your life.

FIRST-AID KIT

A typical first-aid kit may contain more items than you might think necessary. These are just the basics. Prepackaged kits in waterproof bags (Atwater Carey and Adventure Medical make a variety of kits) are available. Even though there are quite a few items listed here, they pack down into a small space.

HIKING WITH CHILDREN

No one is too young for a hike in the outdoors. Be mindful, though. Flat, short, and shaded trails are best with an infant. Toddlers who have not quite mastered walking can still tag along, riding on an adult’s back in a child carrier. Use common sense to judge a child’s capacity to hike a particular trail, and always assume that the child will tire quickly and need to be carried.

When packing for the hike, remember the child’s needs as well as your own. Make sure children are adequately clothed for the weather, have proper shoes, and are protected from the sun with sunscreen. Kids dehydrate quickly, so make sure you have plenty of fluid for everyone. To assist an adult with determining which trails are suitable for children, a list of hike recommendations for children is provided.

GENERAL SAFETY

Feeling unease at the unfamiliar is a universal human response—which explains why crickets and birds are as jarring to city slickers counting sheep as street noises are to country folk longing for sleep. And though one of the pleasures of hiking is exploring the unknown, getting away from it all can have its stressful moments. The surest way to avoid danger and to ensure enjoyment on any hike, be it in an urban setting or remote mountain region, is to be prepared and to keep a level head at all times. The following are tips to improve your safety and enjoyment while hiking.

ANIMAL AND PLANT HAZARDS

TICKS

Ticks are often found on brush and tall grass waiting to hitch a ride on a warm-blooded passerby. Not so common in urban areas, they are, however, active and ubiquitous most everywhere else in all seasons except winter. Ticks come in several varieties of varying shapes and sizes, but the two species that raise the most concern are dog ticks and deer ticks, both of which latch onto humans as readily as they attach to any animal or bird. Although both these ticks are known to be carriers of disease, bear in mind that not every tick is infectious. Furthermore, to transmit a pathogen an infectious tick must be attached to the skin for several hours. By and large, the larger dog ticks are easy to detect since they tend to tickle as they creep under clothes. However, deer ticks, which can harbor Lyme disease, are often tiny and therefore nearly undetectable. There are a number of strategies for fending off tick attack. My personal favorites are to wear light clothing (to help make wandering ticks easier to spot), using natural insect repellent, and showering soon after hiking. If you do find a tick attached to a part of you (they prefer the softer places), stay calm and remove with tweezers. Fortunately or not, the first evidence of Lyme infection is an unmistakable mark that looks like a big red bulls-eye with the dot-sized tick at its epicenter. If you develop such a rash after hiking, visit a doctor immediately. Caught early, Lyme disease is easily treated with antibiotics.

SNAKES

Spend some time hiking in Boston and surroundings and you may be surprised by the variety of snakes you encounter. Most snakes sighted will be garter snakes, black racers, brown snakes, harmless water snakes, and perhaps the flashy, slender eastern ribbon snake. All but 2 of Massachusetts’s 14 native snake species are harmless. The state’s two venomous species, the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead, are not only shy and reclusive, but also woefully rare. Despite great efforts to protect them, both snakes are listed as “endangered” and therefore it is illegal to harass, kill, collect, or possess them. To calm your fears or add interest to your hiking experience, consider spending a few minutes studying snakes before heading into the woods. If you do have the good fortune of spotting a snake while hiking, treat it with respect, give it a wide berth, and let it go its way.

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POISON IVY/POISON OAK/POISON SUMAC

Recognizing poison ivy, oak, and sumac and avoiding contact with them is the most effective way to prevent the painful itchy rashes associated with these plants. In the Northeast, poison ivy ranges from a thick, tree-hugging vine to a shaded groundcover, three leaflets to a leaf; poison oak occurs as either a vine or shrub, with three leaflets as well; and poison sumac flourishes in swampland, each leaf containing 7 to 13 leaflets. Urushiol, the oil in the sap of these plants, is responsible for the rash. Usually within 12 to 14 hours of exposure (but sometimes much later), raised lines and/or blisters will appear, accompanied by a terrible itch. Refrain from scratching, because bacteria under the fingernails can cause infection. Wash and dry the rash thoroughly, applying a calamine lotion to help dry out the rash. If itching or blistering is severe, seek medical attention. Remember that oil-contaminated clothes, pets, or hiking gear can easily cause an irritating rash on you or someone else, so wash not only any exposed parts of your body but also clothes, gear, and pets.

MOSQUITOES AND OTHER FLYING KILLJOYS

One of the advantages of hiking in fall, winter, or early spring is absence of biting insects. Boston is certainly well represented by winged tormentors. As a rule, conditions that suppress bugs include stiff breezes, dry air, and frost. Conversely, these six-legged killjoys love windless, humid air. When preparing for a hike, approach the bug issue as you would the weather: dress appropriately. Wearing a long-sleeved cotton shirt and loose cotton pants gives excellent protection from the swarms of mosquitoes that materialize around wetlands and elsewhere when the heat of the sun subsides in the later afternoon. Greenheads—a fierce variety of horsefly—unlike mosquitoes, gnats, deerflies, and no-se-ums, pose a threat only in areas near the salt marshes where they breed. Greenhead season on Crane Beach and Plum Island usually runs from mid-July through the first week of August.

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Some swear by DEET, but years ago a hepatologist I met in the Peruvian Amazon persuaded me to stay clear of the powerful chemical. According to this scientist, DEET is a powerful solvent capable of dissolving nylon, and furthermore is lethal to amphibians. Though the EPA deems DEET to be safe, the agency advises people who use the repellent to limit its use and to wash if off when its protections is no longer needed.

Before you reach for insect repellent, I recommend striking out on the trail just as you are if only to test for need. I enjoyed each one of the 60 hikes in this book without using any synthetic repellent at all. When on occasion I do apply bug repellent, I use a natural formula called Lewey’s, bottled by Alison Lewey, a native Maliseet and Passamaquoddy from Maine. Having a refreshing scent of peppermint, thyme, lemongrass, and other herbs, Lewey’s works wonderfully and is a true pleasure to wear.

TOPO MAPS

The maps in this book have been produced with great care and, used with the hiking directions, will direct you to the trail and help you stay on course. However, you will find superior detail and valuable information in the United States Geological Survey’s 7.5-minute series topographic maps. Topo maps are available online in many locations. A well-known free service is located at www.terraserver.microsoft.com, and another free service with fast click-and-drag browsing is located at www.topofinder.com. You can view and print topos of the entire United States from these Web sites and view aerial photographs of the same area at terraserver. Several online services such as www.trails.com charge annual fees for additional features such as shaded-relief, which makes the topography stand out more. If you expect to print out many topo maps each year, it might be worth paying for shaded-relief topo maps. The downside to USGS topos is that most of them are outdated, having been created 20 to 30 years ago. But they still provide excellent topographic detail.

Digital topographic map programs such as Delorme’s TopoUSA enable you to review topo maps of the entire United States on your PC. Gathered while hiking with a GPS unit, GPS data can be downloaded onto the software, letting you plot your own hikes.

If you’re new to hiking, you might be wondering, “What’s a topographic map?” In short, a topo indicates not only linear distance but elevation as well, using contour lines. Contour lines spread across the map like dozens of intricate spiderwebs. Each line represents a particular elevation, and at the base of each topo, a contour’s interval designation is given. If the contour interval is 20 feet, then the distance between each contour line is 20 feet. Follow five contour lines up on the same map, and the elevation has increased by 100 feet.

Let’s assume that the 7.5-minute series topo reads “Contour Interval 40 feet,” that the short trail we’ll be hiking is 2 inches in length on the map, and that it crosses five contour lines from beginning to end. What do we know? Well, because the linear scale of this series is 2,000 feet to the inch (roughly 2 inches representing 1 mile), we know our trail is approximately four-fifths of a mile long (2 inches are 4,000 feet). But we also know we’ll be climbing or descending 200 vertical feet (five contour lines are 40 feet each) over that distance. And the elevation designations written on occasional contour lines will tell us if we’re heading up or down.

In addition to the outdoor shops listed in the Appendix, you’ll find topos at major universities and some public libraries, where you might try photocopying the ones you need to avoid the cost of buying them. But if you want your own and can’t find them locally, visit the United States Geological Survey Web site at topomaps.usgs.gov.

TRAIL ETIQUETTE

Whether you’re on a city, county, state, or national park trail, always remember that great care and resources (from nature as well as from your tax dollars) have gone into creating these trails. Treat the trail, wildlife, and fellow hikers with respect.

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