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REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED FOR THE MAY 4TH HKE-EVENT FULL * JOIN US FOR ANOTHER UPCOMING WIDOWWALKER HIKE

Join the Friends of the Blue Hills along with our partners Widowmaker Brewing and ARC’TERYX at the 2025 Widow Walkers Hike Series.  All hikes will meet at Widowmaker Brewing, 200 Wood Road Braintree and the group will walk to the Blue Hills trailhead.

The registration cost is $10 per person which includes a free beverage after the hike and a donation to the Friends of the Blue Hills.

The hikes will vary month to month but most are 2-4 miles and geared towards a slower social pace – nothing strenuous.

NOTE NEW START TIME.

Do you want to help care for the Blue Hills and have a great time? Then join us for Green Up the Blue Hills, our annual stewardship event that celebrates Spring! This family-friendly event is a great chance to help get a handle (literally!) on one of the most prolific invasive plants in the park — garlic mustard. We’ll also be having some groups help with brushing and raking. It’ll be a full day!

Why worry about garlic mustard? This plant is very damaging to other plants in the forest because it releases a poison into the soil so native plants do not survive. Thankfully, it is easy to remove by hand. By pulling as much garlic mustard as possible, you and other volunteers will help keep the forest healthy for the endangered species that live at Ponkapoag Pond — and all the plants and wildlife.

Bring along a post-event picnic–we’ll supply the dessert thanks to Fratelli’s Pastry Shop in Quincy and Sweet Piglet in Randolph! You’re welcome to round our your day of giving by picnicking with your fellow volunteers at the AMC Cabins lodge. 

Here’s how to prep for the event:

• Park at the Fisherman’s Cove parking area.
• Check in at the table as you enter Acton Path heading east toward the work site.
• We’ll be working at the AMC Cabins area, which is about a 3/4 mile walk in from the lot.
• We’ll provide all the tools and training you’ll need.
• Bring your gardening gloves if you have them.
• Wear close-toed shoes.

Thank you for helping to protect the park!

Event sponsored by:

Join Mardi and the Friends of the Blue Hills for a screening of the award-winning 11-minute documentary “Mardi and the Whites” at the Milton Library on May 8th at 7 PM. Following the screening, Mardi will offer remarks, and there will be an opportunity for discussion.

“Mardi & the Whites” is a peek into Mardi’s relationship with the White Mountains, the great outdoors, and the community that surrounds them; Above all, it’s a celebration of Black liberation in the wild.

Mardi Fuller advocates for racial equity through writing, speaking and community building. Mardi is a lover of nature and her mission is to support communities of color to self-determine in outdoor recreation and in the conservation movement.  A lifelong backcountry adventurer, in January 2021 she became the first known Black person to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s high peaks in winter.    She is a contributing writer to Outside magazine, SKI magazine, NRDC, Melanin Basecamp and more. She lives in Boston and works as a freelance writer, marketing expert and DEI consultant. She organizes hike, ski and climb events centering Black people and communities of color and serves as a board member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. 

Check the website below for information!

Website: https://www.paulachampagne.com/mardiandthewhites

Find more information about event here on the Milton Library Website: Here 

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This event will be a part of our “Be Kind” series.

Have you ever noticed rocks in the trails that do not look like natural placement? Curious about trail maintenance or how trails are designed. Or are you interested even becoming a volunteer for the Friends of the Blue Hills? This hike is for you! Come hike with a former trail maintenance worker to get the behind the scenes experience of how trails are designed. Oh, and little work done along the way too!

John Harrell who will be leading this hike has over 5 years of experience in trail maintenance with the National Forest Service. He has created trails in Yellowstone National Park and Five National Forests in the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming! We will be doing simple trail maintenance and learning about the structures of trails in the Friends of the Blue Hills. 

Trail work helps preserve natural habitats by managing foot traffic and minimizing impact. Regular maintenance ensures the trail stays clear and enjoyable for hikers, bikers, and others. Well-maintained trails improve outdoor experiences while reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, trail work supports local ecosystems by controlling invasive species and preventing soil erosion.

For your safety and comfort, please wear long pants, sturdy gloves, and closed-toe shoes or boots. Be sure to dress appropriately for outdoor work. After the event, we also recommend checking for ticks as a precaution. We also recommend bringing a water bottle and dressing appropriately for outdoor conditions.

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