Upcoming Chapter Activities

Sort form

  Title   Activity   Difficulty   Date    

Paddling Instruction at Barton Cove - Strokes and Safety

Paddling instruction class offered for beginners and those who have been paddling but without prior formal instruction. Also suitable for those who want to brush up on their paddling and safe boating skills. Participants will be given instruction on land initially, then together we will venture into the cove. This class will be led by AMC Western MA paddle leaders who have been trained as paddling instructors by the American Canoe Association. The day will include instruction and practice in the basic paddle strokes (forward and reverse strokes, turns using sweep strokes or rudders, draw strokes for lateral travel) and a paddle trip around the cove. Paddling games on the water will reinforce skills.

MA Appalachian Trail Blotz Road to Dalton (Gulf Road)

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. We depart our wilderness setting and walk onto Depot Street and the required stop at Sweet Pea's Ice Cream before continuing through town to our cars on Gulf Road.

Tour de Ponds - Backpacking Southern VT

Join us for a pond-hopping adventure in the Green Mountain National Forest! While the cyclists of the Tour de France begin their race along the roads of Europe, we'll embark on our own "Tour de Ponds". Our two-day backpacking trip will wind through the forest and past three beautiful ponds: Stratton, Bourne, and Branch.

Mt Tom Hike to the Eyrie Ruins

We will meet at the Visitors Center at Mt Tom and hike on Section 6 of the NET to Goat Peak with views of Easthampton, then go up the fire tower for a 360-degree view of the Connecticut River Valley and the Holyoke Range. This section is short but fairly steep. From there, we will continue on the NET to Nonotuck Peak with views of the Oxbow on the Connecticut River, then on to view the Eyrie Ruins, the remains of a hotel that was built in 1861 and burned down in 1901. We will then head back to the parking lot on the McCool Trail.

Repair the A.T. at West Rd

We will restore the sidehill treadway on approx. 200 yards of the Appalachian Trail near West Rd in Sheffield. We will be working with youth from the Overland Adventures service crew. Work includes digging with hand tools to level the treadway and restore it to its original profile to provide a stable walking surface and reduce erosion.

Robert Frost Series #7, Sections 13 & 14

This final stretch of the Robert Frost Trail, Sections 13 & 14, climbs twice, first up Stoddard Hill's open, rocky woodlands - complete with vernal pools and birch groves-then, after a steep ridge scramble and stream crossing, descends to Rt 63. A brief road link brings you to Spaulding Brook Rd, where Section 14 ascends Spaulding Brook's gorge to the dramatic Pigpen Ledges rock amphitheater. North of the ledges, the trail follows a rolling ridge through hemlock and mountain-laurel forests before dropping out to East Chestnut Hill Rd and ending at Wendell State Forest HQ on Wendell Rd. Along the way, enjoy panoramic summit views, rich bird habitat, and a real taste of central New England's rugged backcountry.

[20s/30s+] Mount Warner and Scoops at the Silos

Join other folks in their 20s/30s+ for an early evening hike as we explore the wooded trails of Mt Warner in Hadley! This leisurely 2-mile hike will take us through gentle terrain, perfect for active beginners. We'll meet at 5pm at the trailhead and plan to wrap up our walk by 6:30pm. After our hike, we'll head over to Hadley Scoops at the Silos for grilled cheese and ice cream!

[Women’s+] Climbing Day

Join us on Saturday July 12th for a Womens+ climbing day in 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 (including a longer lunch break) and stay together as a group. The approach to the crag is short but please be prepared to hike on an incline on some uneven terrain.

A.T. Hike Series 2025 Section 11

Section 11 of the A.T. 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 Road 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 Street, and Main Street, before reaching Railroad Street, the location of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

Overnight Site Maintenance: Race Brook and Hemlocks

We will clear water bars on the access trail to Race Brook Campsite, then clean accumulated debris off the roof of Hemlocks Shelter. Work at Race Brook will be clearing accumulated dirt and stones from the access trail, and minor tidying at the campsite. We'll then drive to Guilder Pond, and hike a half mile down to Hemlocks Shelter, where we'll sweep 5 years of accumulated leaves and branches off the roof.

Examine the Local Effects of Climate Change

Climate change has a global impact, as well as affecting many local areas. We will explore with a guest presenter from Williamstown Rural Lands. We'll hike three miles along the Taconic Crest & Shepherd's Well Trails while we learn how the local climate has shifted through the history of Williamstown, MA. From views across Mt Greylock and along the Taconics, we see evidence of wildly different past climates. At the weather station, we will observe how scientists monitor climate change today.

Replace and Repair Bog Bridges Near Pittsfield Rd

We will be replacing, resetting and relocating bog bridging near Pittsfield Rd in Washington, MA and other sites further south. Work will involve carrying lumber up to 1/4 mile on uneven, wet and/or muddy ground, some light carpentry, and digging with hand tools.

Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Set amidst more than 1,000 lush acres in the Berkshires, the Pleasant Valley's varied trails wind through forests, meadows, and wetlands. Our hike will ascend the Trail of the Ledges which is a steep 800' climb of 1.4 miles to the summit of Lenox Mt. We will continue on the Yokun Ridge to Yokun Seat with views of Mt Greylock, where we will have lunch enjoying the scenery. We return to Lenox Mt and pick up the less steep Overbrook Trail down the mountain, connecting to Laurel Trail and eventually to the Hermit Thrush Loop. We join up with the Yokun Trail where you will see evidence of the sanctuary's wildlife resident, the beaver, via dams, dens, or lodges and then take the Bluebird Trail back to the beginning.

Clear Waterbars on A.T. North of Mass Ave

We will clear approximately 10 waterbars crossing the Trail above Sherman Brook Campsite. These critical trail structures drain water across the trail to minimize erosion. If they are not regularly cleared out, water just flows directly down the footpath. We will dig and move accumulated debris with hand tools (we may also clip back some encroaching laurel bushes).

A.T. Hike Series 2025 Section 12

Cheshire Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to Greylock summit 8.5 miles, elevation change 2500 feet, rain date: July 20. The ascent winds through dense hardwood forests, offering occasional overlooks as it gains elevation. At the top, the Mt Greylock summit rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views stretching across multiple states. The summit features the Veterans War Memorial Tower, a historic landmark, and a lodge offering seasonal amenities. This challenging yet rewarding hike is a highlight of the Massachusetts section of the Appalachian Trail.

Clear Waterbars Near Guilder Pond

This project will be classic trail maintenance - no prior experience is required. We'll be joining Overland folks in clearing multiple waterbars (drainage ditches) along a half-mile of the A.T. near Mt Everett. Work involves bending and digging to remove accumulated dirt and debris from drainage channels that cross the trail. When these are clogged, water can run down the trail, significantly increasing erosion.

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people and allies to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. Multiple opportunities are available between May 23 and September 19. Refer to the registration page for more information.

Bennington Trailfest

Join me at this free event for hikers and the community! Free food and entertainment, info tables, used gear swap, "trail of fortune" prize giveaway, and more. Learn about the amazing hiking resources in southern VT and northern MA, learn tips and tricks from thru-hikers and community members, and more. Stop by the Appalachian Mountain Club - Western Massachusetts table to learn more about our activities!

Yoga on the Mountain

Spending time in nature is a great way to counteract stress and yoga is a wonderful activity to relax the body and calm the mind. Come and enjoy the gentle movements and soothing breathing exercises of yoga in a lovely meadow, surrounded by beautiful trees, with amazing views. Pre-registration is required for this free program.

A.T. Hike Series 2025 Section 13

Summit of Mt Greylock to Rte 2/State Rd, North Adams 6.3 miles, elevation change 2800 ft. Rain date is Sunday July 27. This section of trail 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, then 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 Rd), where an A.T. trail parking area is available.

Tour of the Pioneer Valley

Enjoy a 29-mile ride at a moderate pace (12-13 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 on quiet roads surrounded by farms and thick woods.

Basic Self Rescue Course - Schist-mas in July

Learn basic self-rescue skills for trad and sport climbers. When an unexpected situation or emergency arises, know the skills that both the leader and second can use to get out of trouble. Learn the following self-rescue skills during this class: • Ascending a rope • Other assisted climbing/hoist methods • Escaping a belay • Improvised rappelling methods.

Basic Self Rescue Course - Schist-mas in July

Learn basic self-rescue skills for trad and sport climbers. When an unexpected situation or emergency arises, know the skills that both the leader and second can use to get out of trouble. Learn the following self-rescue skills during this class: • Ascending a rope • Other assisted climbing/hoist methods • Escaping a belay • Improvised rappelling methods.

Paint Upper Goose Pond Cabin

More "Trail Adjacent" than regular trail work. We'll scrape and paint the east side of this iconic A.T. hikers stopover. The front of the Cabin is looking a bit shabby and needs a fresh coat of paint. Work will include both ladder work and work at ground level. We'll be working with paint scrapers and water-based (latex) paint. While this will easily wash off skin, it will not come out of clothes when it dries - so don't wear your favorite trail duds. Do wear comfortable, close-toed shoes (no need for heavy footwear on this one). There is a half-mile moderate hike from to the work site on smooth trail.

Cycling the Berkshires: Tyringham Valley

Join us for a challenging 31-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 up to the plateau. We'll head west through Monterey and cross into Great Barrington, turning north to cycle through the scenic Monument Valley to Stockbridge. A few short but stiff climbs still await us as we finish the last few miles of our route and return to our start point in Lee. In total we will climb approximately 2,000 feet over the course of the ride.

Great Barrington to Mill River Bike Ride

If you've never experienced the Berkshires on a bicycle, it's about time you did! This delightful ramble takes place in the southwest corner of the Berkshires, starting in the bustling town of Great Barrington. This ride is 27 miles in length, over rolling terrain with a total elevation gain of 1450 feet. We'll cycle primarily on quiet rural roads with beautiful scenery.

[20s/30s+] Camping Weekend at Mt Greylock and Film Night at Tanglewood

Join us for a classic Berkshires weekend designed for 20s/30s+! We'll pitch our tents at Pittsfield State Forest Friday evening and spend Saturday hiking to the summit of Mount Greylock, MA's highest peak (3,491 ft), via the scenic Cheshire Harbor Trail. Expect a steady climb through mixed hardwood forest and a rewarding summit view that stretches across five states.

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people and allies to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. Multiple opportunities are available between May 23 and September 19. Refer to the registration page for more information.

Mohawk Trail State Forest

This lollipop loop hike is about 7 miles with 1600' elevation gain. Mohawk Trail State Forest was originally established to preserve the scenic landscape. The central feature is its old growth forest with many trees that are between 200 and 400 years old. In addition, it has one of the tallest forests in the Northeast with many white pines over 150 feet tall. The Mohican-Mohawk Trail runs through parts of the old growth forest and several of the tall pine groves. Initially, we climb the steep Thumper Mt trail to the summit and then drop down onto Cold River Road and start our second climb of 1,000 ft on the Mahican-Mohawk Native American/Indian trails to the summit of Indian Head Mt (Todd Mt) which afford incredible views. We will reverse our hike and head back down the Indian/Mahican-Mohawk trails and pick up the Elder Grove trail/Cold River Road/Mahican-Mohawk trails that follow the Deerfield/Cold Rivers and eventually back to our cars.

Cycling the Berkshires: Stockbridge - Alford Ramble

If you've never experienced the Berkshires on a bicycle, it's about time you did! This challenging 32-mile ride begins in 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. The planned route will involve approximately 2000 feet of total elevation gain (about 62 feet per mile), and there are several sections with grades over 5%.

[20s/30s+] WhatsApp Group

Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group, where we post upcoming events, share photos, and connect for informal non-AMC outings! Feel free to introduce yourself when you join - including your name, where you're from, what outdoor activities you enjoy, and (if you like) a photo and the name of a pet you love.

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. We will take breaks for viewpoints, interesting flowers, wildlife and photos.

NH Hikes: 52WAV Mount Cube

Hike to Mount Cube on the Appalachian Trail. 7.5 miles on mixed terrain, with some steep sections, including rock scrambles and approx. 2,800 elevation gain. Moderate pace with breaks to enjoy viewpoints. On the NH 52 with a view list, the summit offers far views of the surrounding mountains.

[LGBTQ+] River Trip

Join LGBTQ+ people and allies to enjoy the Deerfield River (lower Fife Brook/Shunpike/Zoar Take out section, class 1-2) for a late afternoon Friday river trip. Multiple opportunities are available between May 23 and September 19. Refer to the registration page for more information.

Chapter Vice Chair

Are you someone who likes to see the big picture? Spend time getting to know your Chapter operations and how the larger AMC organization works while preparing to take over the role of Chapter Chair. You need to be good in motivating people to work as a team, have great organizing skills, be able to delegate tasks, and most importantly, have a passion for AMC. If this sounds like you please contact the Western MA Chapter Chair at chair@amc-wma.org.