Return to the Blue Hills!
posted June 15, 2017 12:15 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Sun July 9 at 10:00 AM, Blue Hills Reservation / Shea Rink lot
651 Willard St, Quincy, MA, USA (Map & Directions)
CHANGE OF DATE! Last time we went was six (!) years ago and we had a lot of fun. Let's go back and do another hike in the Blue Hills, Greater Boston's favorite hills!
Please note the date has changed to Sunday, July 9th due to a better weather outlook.

We’ll wander around for 5-ish miles with a stop for lunch at some point.

Hiking will be a moderate to easy pace suitable for beginner hikers. Terrain in the Blue Hills can be rocky but we'll take our time getting up things. We'll emphasize being social over getting a good workout, though we'll also try to have a goal to reach.

What to bring:
  • Comfortable clothing suitable for the weather
  • Walking shoes. Boots preferred. Sneakers are fine. Sandals / Keens not recommended (terrain can be rocky)
  • Lunch and snacks
  • Water. At least a liter. More if temperature is hot.
  • Sunblock
  • Bug spray
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Personal medications (Epi Pen, etc)
  • Backpack or fanny pack in which to carry these things.
  • Trail map (print or download PDF here)
Optional:
  • Snacks to share
  • Rain jacket (if weather looks iffy)
Please arrive by 9:45 AM so that you don't get left behind. Rain date will be July 9th. Watch this thread the morning of the hike for any changes.

Getting there:
651 Willard St, Quincy, MA

*Please note this is not the main Blue Hills ski area / trailside museum lot, but is located at the eastern end of the reservation.

Carpooling is a possibility. If you can offer a ride, please say so and from where you will be coming. If you need a ride, please enquire in thread or via MeMail.

MBTA: (please take it upon youself to verify bus routes and schedules): Red Line to (Braintree Line) Quincy Center. Take the Bus #238 outbound. Exit at West Street and Willard Street, across from the Shea Skating Rink. Cross the skating rink parking lot to St. Moritz Pond Nature Trail. Bus runs hourly 7 days/week. Call MBTA for details.

Please MeMail me for contact info if you need it.
posted by bondcliff to Meetup (47 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

Final date matters, of course, but I think I'm in (even though I am a terrible hiker and will probably die of rocks).
posted by maryr at 12:19 PM on June 15, 2017 [1 favorite]


all i remember about last time was the oreos WERE INSIDE OF THE CHONKLIT SHIP COOKY
posted by not_on_display at 12:18 AM on June 16, 2017 [2 favorites]


And with any luck see a UFO!
posted by sammyo at 3:22 AM on June 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


This sounds like so much fun! I'm a 'maybe' if it's on July 2, 8, or 9. But don't rule out July 1 on my account, as my 'maybe' will swing to 'no' in the likely event that it's hot, because 5 miles is long for me in the best of weather. But I trust that if I do come, the amazing powers of cookies will pull me through.
posted by daisyace at 6:36 AM on June 16, 2017


The five miles is just an estimate, we can adjust based on how the group is doing.

all i remember about last time was the oreos WERE INSIDE OF THE CHONKLIT SHIP COOKY

The folks down at the lab are currently working on figuring out how to insert a third cookie.
posted by bondcliff at 6:52 AM on June 16, 2017 [1 favorite]


oooh! I'm a maybe if it's the 1st or the 2nd; I'm away the 8th and 9th.
posted by Old Kentucky Shark at 9:53 AM on June 16, 2017


Sounds like fun!
posted by Sheydem-tants at 10:48 AM on June 16, 2017


July 8th and 9th work for me! And not July 1 or 2. Is this a doodly pole?
posted by not_on_display at 9:14 PM on June 16, 2017


I've always been interested in hiking because it seems like anyone can do it while still being a form of "exploring". I'll try to make this one.
posted by ignignokt at 6:10 AM on June 17, 2017 [1 favorite]


4th of July weekend is out. Other weekend would work.
posted by jessamyn at 8:28 PM on June 17, 2017


Hey I remember this! This was a lot of fun. I could do the 8th or 9th, probably.
posted by mstokes650 at 7:36 AM on June 18, 2017 [1 favorite]


Ok, I'm probably going to call it for the 8th, with a rain date for the 9th. I'll probably do the Shea Rink area again since it's easiest for public transportation.

Unless... is public transportation even a concern? Will people most likely be driving and/or carpooling? I don't want to limit options if the T isn't even a factor.
posted by bondcliff at 7:40 AM on June 20, 2017


We will definitely be driving.
posted by jessamyn at 8:56 AM on June 20, 2017


Anyone recall how long the wait and ride for the bus from Mattapan to the East Area was? If it's a hassle, I might carpool.
posted by ignignokt at 12:52 PM on June 21, 2017


I will almost definitely drive so I can bring others, especially if I already know where they live.

re Oreos: There are these if you want a different cookie-in-cookie experience. Well, there were those, that's from last July. They were pretty good!
posted by maryr at 1:31 PM on June 21, 2017


I will be happy to pick people up (up to 3, 4 if y'all wanna be friendly in the back seat) at Riverside station at the end of the Green Line.

I think there are slightly better options to hike in the Blue Hills so if the T isn't necessary for most people I may start the hike more in the middle of the reservation.
posted by bondcliff at 1:36 PM on June 21, 2017 [1 favorite]


You should probably update this IRL to include a decided date.
posted by maryr at 1:52 PM on June 22, 2017


Update coming soon, but I'm planning it for the 8th.
posted by bondcliff at 2:17 PM on June 22, 2017


I'm a maybe! Not sure yet when I'm moving in, but I'd love to go!
posted by ChuraChura at 6:48 AM on June 23, 2017 [2 favorites]


YES BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MONKEYS?
WERE THEY ALLOWED ON THE LEASE?
posted by not_on_display at 3:54 PM on June 26, 2017 [2 favorites]


The monkey deposit was exorbitant, so they've agreed to stay in the forest and wait patiently.
posted by ChuraChura at 6:38 AM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]


I will be happy to start a GoFundMe if it means we get to hike with a monkey.
posted by bondcliff at 7:22 AM on June 28, 2017


I'm happy to bring along some dried monkey feces as a sort of monkey synecdoche.
posted by ChuraChura at 8:21 AM on June 28, 2017


"snacks to share" are optional, but certainly welcome.
posted by bondcliff at 8:55 AM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]


FECES TO THROW! NOT TO EAT!
SILLY HUMAN
posted by not_on_display at 9:32 PM on June 28, 2017


Alas, malaria recovery has made me good for nothing but naps and having cats sit on me, so I will have to join in for another hike another time.
posted by ChuraChura at 4:39 AM on July 5, 2017 [1 favorite]


Oh, man! Seems like it's more of a casual thing for you, but I'm still freaked out to hear it! I hope that goes well!
posted by ignignokt at 7:55 AM on July 5, 2017 [1 favorite]


Keeping an eye on the weather but right now there's about a 50% chance of a thunderstorm right in our hiking window. Not calling anything yet, just tossing this out there...

...how do people feel about Sunday? Flexible?
posted by bondcliff at 4:48 PM on July 5, 2017


Also, ChuraChura I'm sorry to hear that but having cats sit on you is a close second. I hope to do more of these later in the summer and/or fall.
posted by bondcliff at 4:56 PM on July 5, 2017 [1 favorite]


Totally flexible with Sunday and pretty sure n_o_d is too. Get well soon C2
posted by jessamyn at 5:46 PM on July 5, 2017 [1 favorite]


Very flexible re Sunday!
posted by maryrussell at 9:47 PM on July 5, 2017 [1 favorite]


Ok, date changed to Sunday due to weather on Saturday. I hope this doesn't inconvenience anyone.
posted by bondcliff at 6:45 AM on July 6, 2017


ChuraChura - you sure you don't want to trade that malaria in for some Lyme Disease? The sleeping and fever are just about the same. And maybe, just maybe, if magic wins over science, they'd battle and cancel each other out.

And yeah, Jessamyn and I are planning on Sunday now.
posted by not_on_display at 10:02 AM on July 6, 2017 [2 favorites]


I'm planning to come. I'll be driving from Arlington and have room for others, but I probably won't complete the whole hike. So if you're happy either way I decide -- turning back early or not -- then you're welcome to a lift. See you all soon!
posted by daisyace at 7:59 AM on July 8, 2017


How long is the entire hike? I could drive from Cambridge and have room for 3.
posted by ignignokt at 10:55 AM on July 8, 2017


I originally said five miles but given the heat I might cut it short a bit. We'll see how the group is doing. I'd plan on being out at least three hours?

Again, I'm totally flexible. It's really up the the group.
posted by bondcliff at 11:03 AM on July 8, 2017


BTW I'll try to be at the parking lot a bit early. I drive a charcoal grey, almost black, Subaru Forrester and I look like a suburban dad.
posted by bondcliff at 11:03 AM on July 8, 2017


OK! I can swing 10-1. See you there!
posted by ignignokt at 11:23 AM on July 8, 2017 [1 favorite]


I'm going to have to tag out on this one. Looking forward to it but the timing won't work. Will probably send n_o_d in my stead. Have fun!
posted by jessamyn at 2:50 PM on July 8, 2017


I'm coming from Somerville and have room for a couple more!
posted by maryr at 7:33 PM on July 8, 2017


We're here, but going to Walgreens — will be on-time!
posted by ignignokt at 6:48 AM on July 9, 2017


maryr ignignokt and I are here, but we stepped out to run to a Walgreen's
posted by firechicago at 6:48 AM on July 9, 2017


Jinx!
posted by firechicago at 6:49 AM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]


I'm here too, parked along the trees by the tennis courts.
posted by daisyace at 6:49 AM on July 9, 2017


Thanks for coming, everyone! Good hike with good people. Here's our group photo.

I hope to run another one some time in the late summer or fall, if I can get some time, or I'll be happy to join anyone else's outdoorsy meetup.
posted by bondcliff at 12:12 PM on July 9, 2017 [2 favorites]


Thanks again, bondcliff! I've never done proper hiking, and that was good times. I added photos. Here's you guys walking down the hill really fast. And it was great to meet those of you I hadn't met before!
posted by ignignokt at 1:25 PM on July 9, 2017 [2 favorites]


Yeah, thanks bondcliff for organizing and for bringing the best during- and after-hike snacks, too! That was a lot of fun. And thanks for documenting it ignignokt -- wow, we were cruising ;)
posted by daisyace at 2:58 PM on July 9, 2017 [3 favorites]



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