With the Right Tools and Tips, Enjoy Breakheart Reservation in the Winter

It has been a tough winter, I’ll give you that, but you don’t have to spend it entirely inside. Kids love the outdoors, so let them have at it! Our snowy January produced a winter wonderland in our very own state park, and there’s adventure aplenty there. With a little prep and planning, you can get out and create some great family memories.

First Things First - Gear Up Without Spending Lots of Money
The outdoors is always more enjoyable when you are dressed appropriately. This does not mean that you need to spend a lot of money at a fancy sports store buying “technical” clothing that your children will outgrow in a year. The simple concept of layering works perfectly. 

Choose a layer close to your skin that is form-fitting, preferably non-cotton. For kids, you could get a polyester turtleneck for about $10 at a big box store. Next, pile on a fleece sweatshirt, which will retain your child’s body heat even if it gets wet. If it’s really cold, you could add a fleece or quilted vest, but generally just a winter coat will do for the outer layer. 

Apply the same layering concept to the lower body, with non-cotton long underwear followed by snow pants. A good pair of woolen socks under winter boots, insulated mittens, and a hat which covers the ears will complete your child’s cold-weather attire. 

Bundle them up and you’re ready to go! 

Breakheart Reservation
Lucky for us, Breakheart Reservation has plowed the roads which run through it, producing the perfect winter adventure venue. Through the two main entrances - the Visitor’s Center in Saugus and the end of the Voc. Tech parking lot off of Farm Street in Wakefield, there are adventurous options for an outing. Pack a snack and some water and go! 

If you park at the Visitor’s Center in Saugus, you can choose to walk the plowed paths - 3 miles on the outer loop or 2 miles for the inner loop. Maps are available at the Visitor’s Center. The 2 mile loop is terrific for kids, as there are pretty little streams to view, hills to climb up and run down, wildlife footprints to examine. Bring the magnifying glass for examining the winter snow fleas, the tiniest animals you might have ever seen in the snow. Or pack a pad of paper to draw pictures and create a field guide.

If you‘re up for a little hill hike through the woods, boot through the snow packed hard by other hikers up Breakheart Hill. The path starts directly behind the Visitor’s Center. This is great bang for the buck, as it is only about 15 minutes to the top. For your efforts, you will enjoy expansive views of Boston and the ocean beyond. It’s a great place to sit and eat your snacks! There’s also an antique rusted car engine set atop Breakheart Hill which was once used to power a rope tow for a ski hill that once operated there ... a great discovery to fuel a child’s imagination.

If you enter from the Voc Tech instead, go left at the Breakheart entrance to get to the beach and playground area; go right to follow the 3 mile loop road. Going right, you may see a sign for the Fern Trail. This is another great hike for kids, as it traverses the outer edge of Crystal Lake, and is well-traveled and usually packed hard, making it not necessary to bring snowshoes. There are two brook crossings for hopping rock to rock! They are not difficult to cross, but wear the waterproof snowboots, just in case! Set aside at least an hour for this hike. 

Make some memories! Get the kids out! There are so many terrific adventures to be had in our own Breakheart Reservation.