What could be more spectacular than fall foliage? Viewing this foliage from the top of Great Blue as the sun sets! Enjoy the season’s finest colors from the summit of the region’s highest hill.
On Saturday, October 26, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., the Friends of the Blue Hills and Blue Hill Ski will be sponsoring a free self-guided hike to the top of Great Blue. Complimentary hot cider and apples will be served at the top of the mountain, and hikers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy at the summit. Sunset will be at 5:47 p.m. This is a self-guided hike, so feel free to arrive anytime. (You’ll just want to give yourself time to hike to the top to see the sunset!
This is the only opportunity to hike down Great Blue at night. After sunset, the ski area lights will be on to guide the way. For safety reasons, all hikers should check in at the ski area at the base of the hill before and after the hike. Hikers are encouraged to bring flashlights if they have them. The Blue Hill Observatory will be open from 4:30-7:00 p.m. and will provide tours and viewing for a nominal charge. Free parking is available at Blue Hills Ski Area, 4001 Washington Street, Canton.
Photo by Rita Stuopis of Canton.
This sounds great. I was curious as to fitness level required for the hike and also suggested footwear to wear. I am totally ‘not in shape’ but would love to do it. Would love to hear more about this, as I’m
sure others would too. Any additional info would be great. Thank you so much. Looks like a fab event!
It’s great you’d like to hike on Saturday!
Let’s start with footwear… you’ll need either hiking boots or sturdy sneakers. You should also bring a water bottle, although we’ll have some at the bottom for those that forget – and we’ll have hot cider at the top.
It is a challenging hike if you are not used to hiking, but it is also a fairly short distance: about a mile. There are different paths to get to the top. I would suggest you take the Abigail Adams Trail. That’s the most gradual trail. (It’s also a pretty one!) After you check in at the Blue Hill Ski Area, you’ll go back to the parking lot to the Red Dot trailhead. There’s a split in the trail with an interpretive sign about Abigail Adams and you’ll take the trail to the left. You have to pay attention while you’re walking because at marker 1082 you take a sharp right. The marker numbers are on the trees as well as on the map, so you can orient yourself that way. We should have maps for you at the check-in table. You can pick up maps at the Trailside Museum as well.
On the way down the ski slope is very steep. You can always take the same path that you came up on — or the service road from the Observatory — if you want. But neither of those will be lighted, so it’s a good idea to bring a flashlight. Most people walk down the ski slope. That’s the most direct route and we’ll turn on the ski slope lights as well. You can check it out to see you’re comfortable with the slope.
I hope you come and try it! Let us know if you have other questions.