We will trail run a 7.9mi (960ft vert) out-and-back route starting at the Neponset river reservation Burma Rd trailhead, going south along Neponset river, east into the Blue Hills reservation, make a stop at the Blue Hills weather observatory, and head back roughly along the same route (we descend the hill on a different side).

We'll do a guided tour of the weather observatory that has been continuously operational since the 1890s! There is a tour fee that will be covered by MITOC! We'll learn about how the weather observatory functions and go to the top to look at the views. The observatory will also serve as a rest stop: there are restrooms and snacks or purchase.

Weather + Gear

It will be cold! (-1°C / 30°F). Remember that the woods make it even colder.

• So, make sure to wear non-cotton base layers, and maybe double up with an additional base layer or a synthetic shirt or shorts on top. We will carry a fleece/insulating layer as well so make sure you have a way to carry one with you when you're not wearing it (likely most of the time). Remember that running generates heat, but running with a group can involve breaks and slow you down, making you cold.
• You should plan to wear warm socks, trail runners (or running shoes), a warm hat/buff, and gloves. You should also bring extra socks if you don't have waterproof shoes.
• Consider bringing hand warmers if you tend to get cold hands.
• Plan to bring 0.5L of water (which you can refill at the observatory).
• We'll run without traction, but if it snows enough by then, we'll bring microspikes (rentable from MITOC at office hours). If you have nanospikes, consider bringing them as they'll be the most appropriate form of traction given some snow or ice (not rentable).

Is this trip appropriate for me?

The distance and the weather makes this trail run moderate/difficult. Think back to running a similar distance on road in similar weather. That said, we will take a 30-45min break at the weather observatory itself, which is indoors, making this more like two back-to-back trail runs. We will run a comfortable 13:00ish/mi pace and this will be a no-drop run, so we will go at the pace of the group.

Itinerary

• 9:15 am: Start at Burma Rd trailhead
• ~11:45am-1pm: return to trailhead (you can easily kill time until the next train by hanging out at a cafe in Readville)

Getting there

The official trip starts at the trail head.

Please put down your name in the ride share sheet either if you'd like a ride or if you can offer a ride. Plan to chip in about $5-10 to your drivers for gas. Note that you'll have to coordinate with others in the sheet if you plan to hitch a ride.

The commuter rail (weekend pass: $10) has a stop at Readville close to the Burma Rd trailhead (1mi). There is a an 8:20am train leaving from South Station that reaches Readville at 8:48am, just in time for our start time at 9:15 after a 15min walk. On the way back, there are trains from Readville at 12pm and 1:30pm. As a bonus, you can use your weekend pass for unlimited travel on the commuter rail this weekend through Monday due to it being a long weekend!

Your TODOs

• There will be no pre-trip meeting
• However, we ask that you please confirm with the leaders to let us know you're coming. We have limited spots on this trip.

Trivia

• What is the Neponset river named after?
• Why are the Blue Hills called the Blue Hills?
• When was the Blue Hills observatory constructed?
• How far can you see on a clear day? What if you are at a height? What's the furthest you can see from the Blue Hills?

Thanks

• to Raymond for suggesting this location!
• to Rachel for helping scope it out in advance!