Upcoming Chapter Activities

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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, and flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of the Holyoke dam complex. Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles.

Wildlife Transect, County Rd to Finerty Pond Area

On this occasion, we'll be checking what the wild residents of our Appalachian Trail lands are up to in the County Rd to Finerty Pond area of October Mtn SF. This area has an interesting mix of forests of various types, open and wooded wetlands and of course Finerty Pond. Thus we are apt to find a wide variety of wildlife sign.

Fall Wood Splitting Day at Noble View

Join us at Noble View Outdoor Center for a beautiful day of splitting logs! It's right around that season where we're harvesting our wood and stockpiling for the fall and winter season. Help us out by splitting and organizing our firewood for our campground and cabins!

Hudson River Gorge Whitewater Paddling

This paddling trip runs down the Indian River and through the Hudson River Gorge for 15.4 miles. It begins on the Indian River and flows ~3 miles to its confluence with the Hudson River. This is a classic scenic trip in the Adirondacks and the fall foliage should be a bonus.

Close Upper Goose Pond Cabin

Autumn is soon upon us, and it's time to close up Upper Goose Pond Cabin for its winter nap. We'll sweep and clean, install shutters, carry the dock out of the water, put the canoes away, take down the "Cabin Open" sign and do some minor maintenance.

Cycling from Bernardston MA to Guilford VT

Join us for a delightful 38-mile road ride from Bernardston to Guilford VT and back. We will be travelling on beautiful rural roads with low traffic. The route is almost entirely on paved roads, but we will travel on a 1.5-mile dirt road through Fort Dummer State Park to reach our mid-ride lunch break at the Guilford Country Store. The dirt section is hard packed and should be fine for regular road bikes with regular tires and wheels (i.e., no gravel biking equipment needed). In total we will climb approximately 1900 feet over the course of the ride with some steep grades over 9%.

Art On The NET - Hiking and Creating

Create art of nature with AMC Staff and the New England Trail's artist-in-residence, Alex Salsberg! Join us for a peaceful ~3 mile out-and-back hike through the hemlock forests of Northfield Mountain to a scenic overlook on the Erving Ledges. We will be drawing our surroundings; the plants, animals, views, and whatever else you may see on the trail!

Robert Frost Trail Sections 2 & 3

From Notch Visitor Center the RFT follows the NET up toward Mt Norwottuck. The RFT branches off from the NET just east of the Horse Caves skirting the north slope of Mt Norwottuck. It then cuts south and reconnects with the NET in the saddle between Mt Norwottuck and Rattlesnake Knob. There are sweeping views in three directions from Rattlesnake Knob.

Gym Climbing at CRG Hadley

Work week got you down? Please join the Mountaineering Committee for some midweek climbing! We will meet at 6:00 PM at Central Rock Gym in Hadley for a few hours of laid-back climbing and socializing.

[30s/40s] Social | Food Truck Friday

Come join other AMC folks for food truck Friday behind Abandoned Building Brewery in Easthampton! Bring your own camp chair so we can make a dedicated AMC circle for our group. The tables go fast!

[20s/30s] Interchapter Fall Fest: Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail Quorum Venture

Join other folks in their 20s/30s for an afternoon gravel ride around the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail and the Quinebaug River Rail Trail! We will start in Southbridge and make our way through Dudley - eventually sneaking across the border into CT before heading back. The rail trails also have a few interesting connections to old railroad lines that we will take breaks at to explore. On our way back from Dudley, will we explore the newest addition to the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail in Southbridge before returning to the trailhead.

The Fabulous World of Fungi: A Beginners Guide

Step into the secret world of fungi! On this leisurely walk, we'll discover mushrooms, brackets, puffballs, lichens, and other fungi hiding in plain sight. Along the way, we'll learn simple tricks for identifying what we find and explore the remarkable lives of these often-overlooked organisms.

[20s/30s] Apple Picking & Art in the Orchard

Join other folks in their 20s/30s for an afternoon at Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton: apple picking, large-scale outdoor sculpture, and good company. Park Hill's Art in the Orchard is a self-guided sculpture trail winding through the fruit gardens, featuring 30+ works by local and regional artists. Stroll through at your own pace, pick some apples, or just come hang out.

Harlem Valley Rail Trail Harvest Venture

Join us for a beautiful autumn bike ride on the paved Harlem Valley Rail Trail! A leisurely, 26-mile (out and back ride) through towns of Copake Falls and Millerton to explore the northern half of the full trail. The trail goes through a mix of open fields, forest, and wetlands!

A.T. Corridor Boundary Maintenance, Boardman St

Enjoy the backstage side of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight. Paint blazing of some sections of the boundary may be performed. Paint will wash off skin, but permanently mark clothing.

A.T. Corridor Boundary Maintenance, Rt 23

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight.

Alander Mountain

This is a 6-mile in-and-out hike with approximately 1,220 feet of elevation gain up the Alander Mountain Trail in the Mt Washington State Forest. Alander Mountain is arguably the most spectacular summit in the region.

[20s/30s] Autumn Arcadia Adventure

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a relaxed midweek mixed surface evening ride! Starting and ending in downtown Northampton, we'll make a peanut shape loop on a variety of surfaces. A majority of this ride will be on bike path and low- or no-traffic gravel through the scenic Northampton Meadows and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.

[30s/40s] Roberts Hill Conservation Area | Moon Hot Cocoa

Come on out for this short easy night hike! This is a 1.5 mile out-and-back in Leeds. Please bring a headlamp. Red light is preferred. I try to go 'lights off' whenever possible (to preserve our night vision) but also want to be sure everyone is comfortable! There will be an (almost) full moon up.

Kayak CT River Sunderland Bridge

Join us for a relaxing late-afternoon paddle on the Connecticut River, launching from the Sunderland Bridge at 4:00 PM on Friday, October 23. We'll paddle at an easy, social pace, enjoying the river, surrounding farmland and forest, and the changing colors of late October. As the afternoon light fades, we'll have a chance to experience the quieter side of the Connecticut River and hopefully catch some beautiful fall reflections along the way.

Top Rope Anchors Refresher/Hands-on Practice

Join the AMC Western MA Chapter for a one-day Top Rope Anchors Refresher & Hands-on Practice day at Rose Ledge in Erging, MA! This course is specifically for climbers who have taken our Anchors Course in the past year, and who wish to get supervised hands-on experience and mentored anchor building practice. Participants must have a basic working knowledge of the gear/materials required for anchor building, SERENE principles, building and cleaning anchors on bolts (especially the quad), and building and cleaning natural anchors (especially the v-rig with tether), which were all taught in our Anchors Course.

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, and flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of the Holyoke dam complex. Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles.

Trail Stewardship Day on the NET

Join us for a hands-on stewardship day of trail work on the New England National Scenic Trail! With this project, we will be constructing a rock staircase to improve trail sustainability. This event offers a welcoming introduction to the community while giving you a chance to get outside and make a direct impact on the trails you'll come back to again and again.

[30s/40s] Kiddo Friendly | Camp Chesterfield | Fall Wilderness Campout

Come join us for a kiddo friendly campout weekend at the Ashmere Project's Camp Chesterfield Wilderness Camp. I can't wait to enjoy the lean-tos after mosquito season is over! Plan 'A' is to park across the lake and do a short paddle (with camp's boats) to the lean-tos. It is also possible to drive to the lean-tos and camping areas from a separate gated entry.

Wildlife Transect, Cady Brook Area

It will be a bit over a year since we last looked in this area, but a check is in order because of prior history. This area has been inactively used by wildlife for a number of years, after years of activity by beaver, moose, otter, etc. So, we'd like to keep an eye on this area more frequently than we typically do.

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, and flywheels, and get an eyeball tour of the Holyoke dam complex. Maps of the canal system are available. Distance: 2.0 miles.

Prep A.T. Tool Shed for Winter - No Costume Required

We'll be cleaning and organizing tools, emptying trash and generally tidying up for the winter season. If weather permits, a new coat of stain will be applied to the south side of the shed.

New Members Volunteer Stewardship Day

Are you a new member of the AMC Western MA Chapter? This hands-on stewardship day on the New England National Scenic Trail is a great way to get started. Designed with our first-year members in mind, this event offers a welcoming introduction to the community while giving you a chance to get outside, meet fellow members, and make a direct impact on the trails you'll come back to again and again.

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: Elders’ Grove

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike to Elders' Grove in Mohawk Trail State Forest, learning about basal fire scars, stump sprouts, spring ephemerals, and exceptionally tall trees along the way. Starting at the Zoar Picnic Area, we will take the Elders' Grove Trail along the river at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike.

[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.

A.T. Corridor Boundary Work - Home Rd to Boardman St #1

The A.T. is protected by a Federally purchased land corridor. To preserve the A.T. hiking experience these Corridor lands must be monitored on a regular basis and their boundaries maintained. We will go places hikers have never been.

Trails of Southampton, MA

Let's take some time to explore some of newer trails that have been developed in Southampton, MA. Starting with Wolf Hill Santuary, we will complete the 1.2-mile loop to Alder Pond (164 feet of elevation gain). Moose sightings are possible! Once back to the cars, we will drive 2 miles down the road to Breakneck Brook Conservation Area for a little more challenging hike up to Breakneck Mountain with views of the Seven Sisters Trail and Mt Tom. This loop is 3.8 miles with 830 feet of elevation.

Wildlife Transect - Mass Pike / AT Bridges Area

We've been studying how wildlife are using our trail lands in the Mass Pike / AT Bridges area for a couple of years now with periodic wildlife transects and trailcam monitoring. But it's time to redo our wildlife transect in the area to get an updated picture of how wildlife are using the area. So if this is an aspect of conservation you're interested in, please join in the effort.

Gym Climbing at CRG Hadley

Work week got you down? Please join the Mountaineering Committee for some midweek climbing! We will meet at 6:00 PM at Central Rock Gym in Hadley for a few hours of laid-back climbing and socializing.

[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.

Wildlife Transect - Jug End Ridge, West Side

At this point we're well into fall and the wild residents of our trail lands are preparing for winter. With that in mind we'll be looking for fresh signs of that activity as well as older durable sign from earlier in the year. We've not done a transect in this area so could be some interesting stuff.

[30s/40s] Camp Chesterfield | Pre Thanksgiving Wilderness Campout

Come join us for a campout weekend up at the Ashmere Project's Camp Chesterfield Wilderness Camp. We're gonna eat turkey in the woods! There are two camp sites: The upper site with 4 lean-tos (Adirondack shelters), latrine, nearby running cold water spigot, and fire pit will be for folks who want a quieter site. The lower site with 3 lean-tos (Adirondack shelters) is where folks will likely be up later in the evening. Communal meals will be prepared at the lower camp (a few hundred yards away from the upper camp).

Wildlife Transect - Beartown SF, Wilcox North Area

Getting to be winter time and most if not all the leaves are down making a fresh pallet on the forest floor on which to view and interpret tracks and sign. This can be a bit challenging but also rewarding as older tracks and sign are covered up so what we see is relatively fresh. This time we'll check on the activities of our wild residents in the Wilcox North shelter area.

Social and Annual Meeting

It's that time of year again! Let's gather to share stories about our adventures in 2026 - the 150th anniversary of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Join us for a FREE social gathering and short business meeting of the Western MA chapter. We'll honor outgoing Executive Committee members, elect our new committee chairs, review the year's accomplishments, and share plans for 2027. We'll also honor this year's Most Valuable Committee members and present the Appie, which recognizes a volunteer's ongoing, long-term service to and leadership in the chapter.

[20s/30s/40s] Friendsgivingmas at Lonesome Lake Hut

Join other Western MA folks in their 20s/30s/40s for our inaugural Friendsgivingmas Potluck at Lonesome Lake Hut in Franconia Notch State Park! If you've been curious about winter hiking/camping, this is about as approachable an introduction as it gets. We have the whole hut reserved for the night (sleeps 48). The hike in is a gentle ~2 miles. The main hut is heated by wood stove through the evening, with unheated bunkrooms right next door. There's a full kitchen with ovens and a range; the leaders will arrive early to roast a turkey or ham. Bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Gym Climbing at CRG Hadley

Work week got you down? Please join the Mountaineering Committee for some midweek climbing! We will meet at 6:00 PM at Central Rock Gym in Hadley for a few hours of laid-back climbing and socializing.

Wildlife Transect - AT June Mtn Area

Last of the year chance to get out and see what the residents of our trail lands are up to on the first day of winter. Our transect area will be in one of the more remote areas of our trail lands with a wide variety of terrain and habitat so we're apt to see a wide variety of sign of different wildlife.

AT Shelter Adopter, Wilbur Clearing

The AT Committee is seeking an Adopter for the Wilbur Clearing Shelter and Campsite on Mt Greylock. Duties include several visits between April and November, with more or less monthly visits during peak use (June, July and August). The adopter will check on condition of the facility, remove any accumulated trash, service the moldering privy and promptly report their trip to their Coordinator.

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.

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.

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.