Training for the Whites right in my backyard

I've lived in Boston 27 years, and I finally discovered the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton/Quincy, MA. The park offers more than 125 miles of scenic trails -- mostly for hiking but some also for mountain bikers. It's said to be good training ground for people planning to hike the White Mountains in New Hampshire; I can see why, as there are many ascents and descents, with some steep and rough sections.

There are quite a few vistas of Boston and the harbor on the eastern part of the Skyline Trail. The weather observatory on the top of Great Blue Hill provides 360 degree views. The through-hike from Shea Rink in the east to the Trailside Museum and zoo in the west only took about 5 hours. Mike and Anna and I agreed to get together for future hikes and winter snowshoeing in the Whites.

~8 miles; ~2,500 ft. elevation gain
Summit: Great Blue Hill = 635 feet
Route: Skyline Trail from the Shea Rink to the Trailside Museum