Upcoming Chapter Activities

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Turners Falls - Northfield Bike Ride

This is a moderately challenging ride starting in downtown Turners Falls. The ride is 24 miles in length over rolling terrain. Total elevation gain on the ride will be about 1300 feet. All roads are paved. When we reach Northfield (the northern most point on our route), we'll stop at Mim's Market and the Northfield Creamie for lunch. We'll return via beautiful rural roads before we descend back into Turners Falls. The pace will be relaxed at 12-14 mph average, and we will keep the group together, regrouping at various points along the way.

Hemlock Shelter Maintenance

The Hemlocks Shelter on the A.T. is in need of some exterior cleaning and painting. It was last painted 20 years ago. There will be some ladder work, but most of the painting can be done at ground level. There is an easy 1/2 mile hike with one short steep section on bare rock between the meeting location and the work site.

Cycling the Berkshires: Tyringham Valley

Join us for a challenging 33-mile cycling tour on quiet country roads in the southwest corner of the Berkshires. The scenery is spectacular and well worth the sweat. From our starting point in Lee, MA, we'll ride through the breathtakingly beautiful Tyringham valley. When we reach the end of the valley, we'll be glad we're warmed up as we tackle a demanding one-mile climb (7% average grade - steep!) up to the plateau.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 6

Section 6: Beartown Mountain Road to Main Road Tyringham (6.8 miles). Elevation change: 950 ft. Rain date: June 22. After crossing Jerusalem Rd, past the Shaker Campsite, the AT enters the Tyringham Valley, a stunning area of rolling pastures and historic farmland. The trail soon begins a gradual climb up to Tyringham Cobble, a rocky ridge offering one of the best viewpoints in the Berkshires. The view from Tyringham Cobble overlooks Tyringham Valley, with its farms, historic homes, and distant ridgelines.

Intermediate Rock Climbing Class: Weekend 2 of 2

This is the second weekend of our Intermediate Rock Climbing Course. Weekend 2 will put the skills from the first session into practice on multi-pitch climbs in the Gunks. Participants will reinforce the core systems of seconding a leader, including belaying, following and cleaning gear, anchor transfers, belay station management, rope handling, rappelling, and efficient movement as a team on longer routes.

DAR State Forest Exploration

The DAR State Forest has over 15 miles of trails. On this just-past Solstice hike, we will be trying to see how much of the trail network we can cover in a single day! If you're up for a long and fairly brisk hike, and have a sense of adventure, this hike is for you!

Mount Toby Explorer

We will explore part of Mt Toby State Forest by taking the Robert Frost Trail from the Reservation Road parking area up to the top of Mt Toby. Hopefully, they will no longer be working on the fire tower, and we will have the option to climb up for a view. It will likely be a bit early for lunch so we can have a snack before starting down the other side toward Tower Road.

Weeknight Easy and Fun Ride

Join us for an early evening bike in the Amherst/Hadley/Sunderland Area on Wednesday, May 6! We'll meet at 5:30 PM for a relaxed 1.5-hour bike. We'll take a 15-mile tour through the farmlands of Hadley, Amherst, and Sunderland. Expect easy terrain, great company, and a chance to unwind outdoors.

[20s/30s] Bikes, Books, and Bwimming

The best activities all iterate with Bs. Bikes (15 miles, all paved), books (stopping at 8 different little free libraries along the route), and bwimming (a swim or dip of the feet in the Mill River along the bike path).

Weekday Easy 19-Mile Bike Ride

Enjoy an easy, pleasant, and mostly flat bike ride through Hatfield, Deerfield, and Whately, with views of farms, farms, and farms.

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. We're calling this TGIF! — Thank Gays It's Fife! Float down the river in your preferred vessel: kayak, standup paddleboard, inner tube, canoe, inflatable rainbow unicorn, or whatever your heart desires. No prior training required!

Holyoke’s Historic Canals and Dam Tour

Join the park interpreter for a 2-hour walk along Holyoke's canal system. Explore the history of this fascinating planned industrial city. Tour starts with a bit of historical background. Along our route see headraces, tailraces, intakes, a Boyden Turbine assembly, flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of the Holyoke dam complex. Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 7

Section 7: Main St Tyringham to Rte 20 (8.5 miles). Elevation change: 975 ft. Rain date June 28. The hike begins at the trail crossing on Main St in Tyringham, MA. The trail enters a peaceful forest of rolling hills with occasional clearings with scenic views of the Tyringham Valley. The trail continues through dense forest, with gradual ups and downs and as you near Rte 20, the terrain becomes slightly rockier with occasional roots. The descent leads to the road crossing at Rte 20 in Lee, MA, near the Mass Pike (I-90).

Walling Mtn, A.T. Repairs: Day 1

We'll start repairs on an eroded section of the A.T. on the north side of Walling Mtn in October Mtn State Forest. Work on site will include digging with hand tools and moving rocks weighing up to 100lbs on sloping ground.

[LGBTQ+] Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking Weekend

Join other LGBTQ+ kayakers for this 2-day skills clinic on the Deerfield River in MA to celebrate Pride Month. This clinic is for people who already have experience whitewater kayaking at any level, from beginner through advanced. Refer to the registration page for eligibility criteria and more information.

AMC Harvard Cabin White Mtns Weekend: Hiking & Community Building

This weekend is an opportunity to hike together, share ideas, and strengthen the connective tissue of our chapter — on and off the trail. We hope you'll join us for a weekend that's not only fun, but energizing — where you might just discover a gem in the Whites, perfect for future trips and shared adventures. Hikes will explore the greater Mount Washington area, with options ranging from easy/moderate to vigorous depending on interest. There may also be an optional Friday afternoon hike for early arrivals.

Walling Mtn, A.T. Repairs: Day 2

If necessary, we'll complete the work started on June 27th and bring back the tools from the work site. Work site is an approximately 1.3 mile hike on flat ground from the October Mountain State Forest ORV parking on Becket Rd in Becket MA. Work will include digging with hand tools and carrying rocks weighing up to 100lbs on uneven ground.

New England Trail of Massachusetts - Section 15

Join us for a hike of Section 15 of the New England Trail. Approximately 6 miles of meandering terrain, this hike will start and end at Lake Wyola, Shutesbury, MA. We will venture through scenic woodlands and old woods roads over to Wendell State Park where we will check out Ruggles Pond and Lynn Falls and then loop back to Lake Wyola. No car spotting!

[20s/30s] Social at Powder Hollow Brewery

Join other folks in their 20s/30s for a casual social at Powder Hollow Brewery in South Deerfield. We plan to sit outside, weather permitting. Beer and non-alcoholic beverages are available, along with personal-size pizzas (including vegan and gluten-free options) and wraps.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 8

Section 8: Rte 20, Lee to County Rd (5.8 miles). Elevation change: 800 ft. Rain date: July 5. This 5.8-mile trail offers a rewarding mix of scenic beauty and physical challenge with an 800-foot elevation gain. The journey begins on Rte 20 and quickly crosses Yokum Pond/Becket Rd. The trail then ascends steadily, reaching Becket Mountain at 2175 feet, before continuing its climb toward the summit of Wailing Mountain. Along the way, hikers pass by the serene and beautiful Finerty Pond and cross the gently flowing Mountain Brook. The route culminates on County Rd.

Race Brook Falls Trail to Mt Race

From the parking lot, we will follow the Race Brook Falls Trail to the Appalachian Trail (~1.9 miles), crossing the stones below Race Brook Falls and meandering through the Race Brook Falls campsite. Once on the Appalachian Trail, we will head south to the summit of Mt Race (~1.0 miles) for 360 degree views.

Field Edge Maintenance, A.T. Lands

We will be working with young people from Overland Summers to clear brush, small trees and overhanging branches that are encroaching on the edges of an open field maintained for the A.T. If this is not cleared regularly, mechanized equipment cannot fully cut and maintain the field. Open areas create important "edge habitat" where fields meet the tree line. This supports a diverse mix of species, creating habitat for both forest dwellers and those that prefer grasslands.

Paddle Colebrook River Lake

Ply peacefully over the waters of Colebrook River Lake, which covers the lost village of Colebrook River. Surrounded by roughly 5,500 acres of dense forest (4,300 in CT + 1,200 in MA), the area is a prime wildlife viewing area for deer, black bear, red fox, raccoon, mink and muskrats, osprey, heron, egrets, turkey and bald eagles.

Repairs at Crystal Mtn Campsite

The picnic table at Crystal Mtn Campsite needs repair or replacement. We will be carrying some tools and materials. Once at the site, we will remove the broken parts of the table and replace them with more durable ones using hand tools. Picnic tables are important tools to concentrate cooking and social activities at our overnight sites. The work at the site will take at most a couple of hours before we head back down the steep route to our vehicles.

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: Rhododendron State Park

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike in Rhododendron State Park, learning about rhododendrons, black gum trees, the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, and many signs of previous agriculture along the way. Starting at the parking lot, we will take a meandering route amongst the Rhododendron State Park at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike. We will then hike at a conversational pace to Little Monadnock Mountain before returning to the trailhead.

Tour of the Pioneer Valley Hamptons Bike Ride

Enjoy a 28-mile ride at a moderate pace (11-13 mph average) across all four of the Pioneer Valley Hamptons. Soon after we get started, you'll experience some enjoyable long and steady climbs with complementary descents. However, most of this ride is on rolling terrain with quiet roads surrounded by farms and thick woods. We will stop for a break at Outlook Farm at about mile twenty. Our group will be kept together.

NH Hikes: North Pack and Pack Monadnock

Summit North Pack and Pack Monadnock out and back from the north. On a clear day enjoy views from both summits with the opportunity to climb the fire tower on Pack Monadnock during lunch. Distance is approx. 7.5 miles with 2,150 elevation gain. Moderate pace with breaks for viewpoints, interesting flowers, wildlife and photos.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 9

Section 9: County Rd to Blotz Rd (7.3 miles). Elevation change: 245 ft. This trail begins with a short but steady climb to the summit of Bald Top Mountain, offering rewarding views before leveling out along a ridgeline. Hikers traverse the expansive and picturesque October Mountain State Forest, winding through a mix of hardwoods and evergreens that provide shade and a peaceful atmosphere. The route passes the October Mountain Shelter, a popular rest stop for thru-hikers, before crossing Pittsfield Road in Becket.

[Women’s+] Crag Day!

Join the AMC Western MA Chapter for a Women's+ Crag Day at Chapel Ledge in beautiful Ashfield, MA. This will be a top rope climbing activity, and several routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.10- will be set up prior to participant arrival. We expect to climb in pairs, take breaks as needed, and connect with other adventurous, like-minded climbers. Whether you're looking to build skills, make new friends, or simply enjoy a day outside, this is a great opportunity to experience some of the best climbing Western MA has to offer.

[20s/30s] Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking

This two-day clinic is a true introduction to whitewater kayaking for members of the AMC 20s/30s affinity group. No experience is necessary or expected — this course is designed for complete beginners with little or no prior kayaking experience. If you've ever wanted to try whitewater but didn't know where to start, this is the clinic for you.

Trail Maintenance Near Blue Hill Rd

We will make repairs to the A.T. through a wet area adjacent to Blue Hill Rd in Monterrey. Work will include carrying lumber and rock weighing up to 100lbs short distances on flat, but muddy ground. Some light carpentry. Footing will be wet and muddy. Work will be with hand tools.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 10

Section 10: Blotz Rd to Dalton Gulf Rd (8.5 miles). Elevation change: 956 ft. This section of the Appalachian Trail blends forested ridgelines with an urban passage through Dalton, MA. The trail begins with a brief climb to the summit of Warner Hill, where hikers are rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding valleys. From there, it follows a gentle ridgeline, passing through a mix of woodlands before reaching the Kay Wood Shelter. The journey continues over the rolling terrain of Day Mountain before descending toward Dalton. In contrast its typical wilderness setting, the trail winds through the town to Gulf Rd.

Berkshires Cycling: Stockbridge-Alford Ramble

Join us for a challenging 32-mile ride that begins in the center of Stockbridge, MA. We will cycle on quiet but hilly roads through Stockbridge, Housatonic, Great Barrington, Alford, West Stockbridge, and Lenox. These are among the most picturesque towns in the Berkshires.

A.T. Backpacking from CT border to Shays’ Monument

Have you ever wanted to section hike on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.)? Join us for a weekend backpacking adventure along the A.T. from the CT border into the Berkshires — where mossy ravines, rushing waterfalls, and ridgeline views make each mile feel earned.

Trail Maintenance North of Home Rd

We will work with youth from Overland Summers clipping back brush and clearing water bars on this popular section of the A.T. We'll be moving slowly on this moderate to steep terrain, covering as much as 2 miles of trail. Work will be with hand tools to clip back encroaching brush and clear clogged drainage channels to reduce erosion.

[Women+] Sunset Flat Water Paddle on Littleville Lake

Ply peacefully over the waters that cover the lost villages of Dayville and Littleville. Join us for an Affinity, Women+, Class 1, Flat Water Paddle on Littleville Lake located on the middle branch of the Westfield River in Chester and Huntington MA. With a perimeter of 4.8 miles, this lake was created when the Littleville Dam was constructed for flood control. On this approximately 2-hour paddle along the edge, we will talk history, view wildlife and enjoy the sunset.

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. We're calling this TGIF! — Thank Gays It's Fife! Float down the river in your preferred vessel: kayak, standup paddleboard, inner tube, canoe, inflatable rainbow unicorn, or whatever your heart desires. No prior training required!

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 11

Section 11: Dalton (Gulf Rd) to Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Cheshire (8.0 miles). Elevation change: 1180 ft. Rain date: July 26. Section 11 of the AT series offers a mix of forested climbs, scenic ridgelines, excellent wildflower viewing at Gore Pond, and a small amount of walking back into town. Starting from Gulf Rd in Dalton, the trail passes by Crystal Mountain Campground before ascending North Mountain, a moderate, steady climb that rewards hikers with forested views. The trail then winds through The Cobbles, a geologic formation offering stunning panoramas of the Hoosiers River Valley. Descending into the town of Cheshire, the trail follows a mix of roads, including Furnace Hill Road, East Main St, and Main St, before reaching Railroad St, the location of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

Overnight Site Maintenance, Wilbur Clearing

We will do some basic maintenance and cleaning at the popular Wilbur Clearing Campsite near Mt Greylock. We'll do some regrading and defining of the tent pads, installing some signs, clip some brush, clean up the shelter and fire ring area, and maybe paint some stuff too.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 12

Section 12: Cheshire Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to Greylock Summit (8.5 miles). Elevation change: 2500 ft. Rain date: August 2. The journey begins on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, following Church Street and School Street, passing landmarks such as the Father Tom Campsite and the Big Cheese Monument before crossing Rte 8 and Outlook Ave. From here, the trail takes on a strenuous and steady climb up Mt Greylock, the tallest peak in MA at 3,491 feet.

[20s/30s] Mt Monadnock

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s to hike Monadnock the non-traditional way - via Cliff Walk! Starting at the Old Toll Rd trailhead, we will hike to the Cliff Walk trail, along which we will be treated with excellent view points and points of interest like Thoreau's Seat and Bald Rock.

Basic Self Rescue: Schistmas in July

This two-day course is designed for trad and sport climbers who want to build practical self-rescue skills for real problems that can arise on a climb. Through hands-on instruction and practice, participants will work on ascending a rope, escaping the belay, improvised rappelling methods, and other techniques that can help a leader or second respond effectively when plans go wrong. The course will also cover gear removal, and rope management.

New Member Hike at Chesterfield Gorge

This hike at the Chesterfield Gorge is designed to give new members a chance to get outdoors, meet fellow members, learn more about AMC, and receive an introduction to group hikes. The hike will be led by two AMC-trained leaders and an AMC staff member. While this hike is designed for new members, all are welcome.

Trail Maintenance, A.T. on Mt Williams

We will be working with youth from Overland Summers to perform routine maintenance on the section of the A.T. north of Mt Williams. We will focus on clearing debris and rebuilding drainage channels that direct rainwater off of the trail, reducing erosion. Work will be primarily digging with hand tools and occasionally carrying rock weighing up to 50lbs. We may also clip back some brush from alongside the trail. Work will extend as far as 1 mile uphill on rough trail from the meeting location.

Painting Upper Goose Pond Cabin: Day 1

We'll be painting the south facing side of Upper Goose Pond Cabin, a much beloved overnight facility for hikers on the A.T. Work will consist first of scraping off any loose paint, then applying a fresh coat of bright red paint. Some work will be on ladders, but there's plenty of square footage that can be covered standing on the ground.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 13

Section 13: Summit of Mt Greylock to Rte 2/State Rd, North Adams (6.3 miles). Elevation change: 2800 ft. Rain date: Sunday, August 9, 2026. This northernmost section of the MA AT features a long, steady descent from the summit of Mt Greylock (3,491 ft) to the valley below. The trail first descends toward Mt Williams, offering occasional viewpoints, continuing past the Wilbur Clearing Shelter, thence on to Mt Prospect, another scenic ridge along the route. The trail descends steeply past the Mt Williams Reservoir. As the trail nears North Adams, it transitions from the forested ridges to more developed terrain, following Phelps Avenue to Rte 2 (State Road), where there is an AT trail parking area.

[20s/30s] Camping Weekend @ Noble View

Join other folks in their 20s/30s for a casual camping weekend at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA — an AMC property tucked into the hills of the Westfield River watershed with a big trail network, shaded tent sites and platforms, open fields, and fire rings. The weekend is unstructured: hike the trails, head out to the nearby climbing areas, play yard games in the field, lounge at camp, or some combination of all of the above. We'll come together Saturday evening for a shared meal/group cookout around the fire. We have the full site to ourselves - it'll be an all 20s/30s crowd.

Painting Upper Goose Pond Cabin: Day 2

We have this second day of painting work in case we get rained out on Saturday, or if there's more painting to do. Same info applies. Approx 1/2 mile uphill moderate hike to the work site. We'll plan on some swimming time after we wrap up work for the day.

AT Hike Series 2026 Section 14

Section 14: Rte 2 to VT border (8.2 miles). Elevation change: 1760 ft. Rain date: August 16. This section marks the transition from MA to VT with a challenging but rewarding ascent. Beginning at Rte 2, the trail climbs steeply through dense forest, passing the Sherman Brook Campsite. As it winds through Clarksburg State Forest, the path offers a mix of rugged terrain and shaded woodlands before reaching Eph's Lookout, a scenic viewpoint with expansive vistas. The journey continues to the Vermont border.

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: Bartholomew’s Cobble

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike at Bartholomew's Cobble, a National Natural Landmark, learning about ferns, the ecological diversity that happens when multiple soil types are present, unique insects, a very large cottonwood tree, and floodplain forests along the way. Starting at the parking lot, we will take a route initially along the Housatonic River and the floodplain forest at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike. We will then ascend a moderate incline to the scenic vista at the top of Hurlburt's Hill. After taking in the view and breaking for water and conversation, we will return to the trailhead via Tractor Path.

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. We're calling this TGIF! — Thank Gays It's Fife! Float down the river in your preferred vessel: kayak, standup paddleboard, inner tube, canoe, inflatable rainbow unicorn, or whatever your heart desires. No prior training required!

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. We're calling this TGIF! — Thank Gays It's Fife! Float down the river in your preferred vessel: kayak, standup paddleboard, inner tube, canoe, inflatable rainbow unicorn, or whatever your heart desires. No prior training required!

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: Monument Mountain

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike to Monument Mountain, learning about the chestnut blight, pillows and cradles, old growth trees, a historic cave, pine weevils, and signs of past agriculture along the way. Starting at the Monument Mountain Trailhead on Stockbridge Rd, we will take the Hickey Trail at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike. We will then take Peeskawso Peak Trail along the ridge, stopping at the peak for water, snacks, and views. We will continue south and join up with the Mohican-Monument Trail to return to our cars, learning more ecology on the way.

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: Vernon Town Forest

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike to the black gum swamps in the Vernon Town Forest, learning about the chestnut blight, the great New England hurricane of 1938, and some very old black gum trees along the way. Starting at the Basin Rd Trailhead, we will take a meandering and rolling route through the Vernon Town Forest. We will visit several old growth black gum swamps throughout our hike.

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: Pisgah State Forest

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike in Pisgah State Forest, learning about grafting, the great New England hurricane of 1938, old growth forest, and pillows and cradles along the way. Starting at the Kilburn Pond Trailhead, we will take a route up to Mount Pisgah, before looping along the Pisgah Ridge and Town Forest Trail.

Chapter Chair, Family Programs

The AMC Western MA Chapter is looking for a Volunteer Family Programs Chair to join our Executive Committee! We're an active, welcoming chapter, and this role is a great opportunity to support family-friendly outdoor adventures across western MA.

Chapter Conservation Chair

Are you passionate about conservation issues and the outdoors? Come help support the AMC and Western MA Chapter's conservation mission and goals as chair of the Conservation Committee. The Conservation Chair is a member of the Western MA Executive Committee responsible for organizing and directing the Conservation Committee, coordinating conservation events, managing related budgets and supplies, and serving as the liaison to the Chapter Executive Committee.

AMC 150th Anniversary Challenge

Are you up for a challenge? The Western MA Chapter wants YOU! To help celebrate AMC's 150th anniversary in 2026, we challenge you to participate in 150 miles "worth" of activities between January 1 and October 31, 2026. Those who meet the challenge will receive a special commemorative patch and a shout-out at our Fall Social and Annual Meeting.

Outdoor Leader Fundamentals

Interested in becoming an AMC Outdoor Leader? This on-demand virtual, self-paced course provides core information and application activities on fundamental topics such as participant review, leadership and interpersonal skills, conservation, and emergency management. It's intended to convey our expectations about the responsibilities and essential interpersonal and judgment skills of being an Outdoor Leader and prepare you for additional training and guided practice. By the end, you will have planned your first activity as an AMC Leader in Training.