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Appalachian Trail Management Committee

The AMC Western MA Appalachian Trail Management Committee (A.T. Committee) is responsible for the maintenance, management, and protection of that portion of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) located in Massachusetts. This section of the A.T. encompasses nearly 90 miles of trail. The A.T. Committee coordinates the extensive volunteer effort that keeps the trail open, overnight sites maintained, and the trail lands and natural resources protected.
The Committee works in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Park Service. Each year from April to September, we organize regular work parties for maintenance and improvement of the footbed, trail shelters, signs, and so on.
Projects vary in complexity, but all include activities for both first timers and seasoned maintainers. Contact a project leader or look in AMC's Outdoor Connector to join in the fun. No experience is necessary to participate! We also have some open positions for regular trail maintainers, corridor monitors, and natural resource volunteers. Our committee meets regularly at the Mt. Greylock Visitors Center in Lanesboro, MA.

Donations

Donations are gratefully accepted! Please send your check made out to "AMC" with a note designating the gift is for the Western MA A.T. Committee. Checks can be mailed to:
Appalachian Mountain Club
Attn: Rachel Sensenig
10 City Square, Suite 2
Boston, MA 02129

Upcoming Activities

Click or tap on the Register links to learn more and/or register for activities.

Vernal Pool Monitoring, Hubbard Brook Area

Location: Great Barrington, MA
Date: 24‑Mar‑2026
Register »
Spring has sprung and the vernal pools should be active. On this occasion we'll monitor the vernal pools in the Hubbard Brook Area documenting what species are active, number and type of egg masses that have been laid, etc. We will also do some wildlife tracking while in the area.
We will be off-trail most of the time, pace will be slow with plenty of time to observe and document our findings . We'll be out for the better part of the day. Dress for the expected weather and conditions. Muck boots recommended if you have them. Bring lunch/snack and water to drink. No experience necessary, just bring your curiosity!

Vernal Pool Monitoring, Beartown State Forest Area

Location: Great Barrington, MA
Date: 31‑Mar‑2026
Register »
Spring has sprung and the vernal pools should be active. On this occasion we'll monitor the vernal pools in the Beartown Mountain SF Area documenting what species are active, number and type of egg masses that have been laid, etc. We will also do some wildlife tracking while in the area.
We will be off-trail most of the time, pace will be slow with plenty of time to observe and document our findings . We'll be out for the better part of the day. Dress for the expected weather and conditions. Muck boots recommended if you have them. Bring lunch/snack and water to drink. No experience necessary, just bring your curiosity!

Vernal Pool Monitoring, Belmont Reservoir Area

Location: Washington, MA
Date: 04‑Apr‑2026
Register »
Spring has sprung and the vernal pools should be active. On this occasion we'll monitor the vernal pools in the Belmont Reservoir area of Hinsdale documenting what species are active, number and type of egg masses that have been laid, etc. We will also do some wildlife tracking while in the area.
We will be off-trail most of the time, pace will be slow with plenty of time to observe and document our findings . We'll be out for the better part of the day. Dress for the expected weather and conditions. Muck boots recommended if you have them. Bring lunch/snack and water to drink. No experience necessary, just bring your curiosity!

A.T. Corridor Boundary Work - Dalton Day #1

Location: Dalton, MA
Date: 10‑Apr‑2026
Register »
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. We will be working between Grange Hall Rd and Tully Mountain in Dalton. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. We will be working off-trail, mostly in remote areas.
Pace will be slow, route includes moving up and down hills, and brush may be heavy at times. Stooping required to clip brush as we walk along. We hike 1 mile on the Appalachian Trail past the Kay Wood Shelter before moving off into the would to follow the boundary. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.
Dress in layers for the expected weather. Wear sturdy boots for steep off-trail grades, and long pants. Long sleeves are recommended. Bring work gloves, an extra layer and rain gear. Bring your own loppers if you have some but leader will have some to borrow. Note for those who choose to paint that the yellow boundary paint cannot be removed from clothing, so don't wear your best trail duds. Carry lunch/snack and plenty of water to drink. Take precautions against ticks by treating outerwear with permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions. Check for ticks soon after arriving back home.

A.T. Corridor Boundary Work - Dalton Day #2

Location: Dalton, MA
Date: 12‑Apr‑2026
Register »
Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us for the second day of this project maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working between Grange Hall Rd and Tully Mountain in Dalton. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. We will be working off-trail, mostly in remote areas.
Pace will be slow, route includes moving up and down hills, and brush may be heavy at times. Stooping required to clip brush as we walk along. We hike 1 mile on the Appalachian Trail past the Kay Wood Shelter before moving off into the would to follow the boundary. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.
Dress in layers for the expected weather. Wear sturdy boots for steep off-trail grades, and long pants. Long sleeves are recommended. Bring work gloves, an extra layer and rain gear. Bring your own loppers if you have some but leader will have some to borrow. Note for those who choose to paint that the yellow boundary paint cannot be removed from clothing, so don't wear your best trail duds. Carry lunch/snack and plenty of water to drink. Take precautions against ticks by treating outerwear with permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions. Check for ticks soon after arriving back home.

Wildlife Transect: Vossburgh Hills Area

Location: Great Barrington, MA
Date: 21‑Apr‑2026
Register »
Making another attempt to get out and do some wildlife monitoring in this area as foul weather cancelled our previous date. In any event we will be checking on our trail lands in the Vossburgh Hills area of Sheffield to see what the wild residents of our Appalachian Trail lands are up to.
We will be out all day so dress for the expected conditions (bad weather cancels). Wear sturdy shoes. Bring lunch/snacks and water to drink. No experience necessary, pace is slow, off trail with plenty of time to examine spoor to see what the residents are doing. Total distance covered: ~3 miles on moderate terrain.

Work Day on Tyringham Cobble

Location: Tyringham, MA
Date: 25‑Apr‑2026
Register »
We will work with local Cobble volunteers on Tyringham Cobble to clip brush, and maintain the iconic vistas on this property. The A.T. runs right over the summit of the Cobble with several views in the "New England Vernacular".
We'll be using hand tools and battery powered clippers. Some work may be on sloping ground in heavy brush, other work will be on less challenging terrain.
Dress for the expected weather (anything from sunny and warm to snow showers), wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Long sleeves and work gloves are also recommended. Take precautions against ticks by treating outerwear with permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions.
Bring lunch/snacks and water to drink. 3/4-mile hike to worksite on moderate terrain with some short, steep sections.

Compass Skills for A.T. Corridor Monitors

Location: Monterey, MA
Date: 02‑May‑2026
Register »
This compass class is designed for Appalachian Trail (A.T.) corridor boundary monitors but others are welcome if space is available. We will be working off-trail in National Park Service lands surrounding the A.T. in Great Barrington/Monterrey, MA. We will be using compasses and original survey maps to locate the trail land boundaries and survey monuments, ignoring the yellow paint markings.
Each participant will have a chance to plot and follow a compass course between monuments. Bring your own compass if you have one, but additional compasses will be available for use. We will also spend some time working with GPS phone apps (Gaia and Google Maps) to plot a route from the boundary to the trail and vice versa.
Dress in layers for the expected weather. Wear sturdy boots for hilly off-trail grades, and long pants. Long sleeves are recommended. Bring an extra layer and rain gear. Carry lunch/snack and plenty of water to drink. Take precautions against ticks by treating outerwear with permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions. Check for ticks soon after arriving back home.

A.T. Corridor Boundary Work - Gulf Rd

Location: Dalton, MA
Date: 03‑May‑2026
Register »
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. We will be working north of Gulf Rd. in Dalton. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a clear line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. We will be working off-trail, mostly in remote areas.
Pace will be slow, route includes moving up and down hills, and brush may be heavy at times. Stooping required to clip brush as we walk along. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.
Dress in layers for the expected weather. Wear sturdy boots for hilly off-trail grades, and long pants. Long sleeves are recommended. Bring work gloves, an extra layer and rain gear. Bring your own loppers if you have some but leader will have some to borrow. Note for those who choose to paint that the yellow boundary paint cannot be removed from clothing, so don't wear your best trail duds. Carry lunch/snack and plenty of water to drink. Take precautions against ticks by treating outerwear with permethrin following the manufacturer's instructions. Check for ticks soon after arriving back home.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin Maintenance Day

Location: Lee, MA
Date: 09‑May‑2026
Register »
The day before it opens for the season, we'll perform maintenance at the Cabin and adjacent campsites. In addition to other general maintenance this will include replacing the roof and some rotting siding on one of the privies and then applying a fresh coat of stain. Work will not involve contact with human waste, but will involve some light carpentry, painting and carrying materials up hill for a short distance.
Approx 1/2 mile walk to the work area on moderate trail. Dress for the expected weather, wear sturdy shoes bring lunch/snacks and water to drink. Work gloves recommended. With enough time and personnel we may also install the dock on this trip, or wait until the following day.

Open Upper Goose Pond Cabin for the Season

Location: Lee, MA
Date: 10‑May‑2026
Register »
We'll open this iconic hiker stop for the season. Work will include removing and storing shutters, installing the dock, setting up the kitchen and dishwashing station. General sweeping and cleaning of the Cabin.
Dress for the expected weather (most work will be out of doors). Bring lunch/snacks, and water to drink. Wear sturdy shoes. Work gloves recommended. If you would like to participate working on the dock, bring footwear and clothing suitable for wading in the pond. Most of the day's work does not include installing the dock.

Activity Schedule

All activities are subject to cancellation due to poor weather conditions. Check activities on outdoors.org for up-to-the-minute additions not yet shown here. Not all activities may be posted yet.

Committee Members

All committee members are volunteers. Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.
Executive 20s/30s A.T. Management Bicycling Communications Conservation Family Programs Hiking Membership Mountaineering Net Management Paddling
Trail crew at work
  JOHN TAVARES
Tyringham boardwalk repairs
Three bears
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT

Did You Know?

The 250,000-acre corridor of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and its surrounding landscape are rich in natural and cultural resources. These high elevation lands provide critical habitat for plants, animals and fungi, including hundreds of rare species. The Western MA A.T. Management Committee runs a robust program to catalog, monitor, and manage natural and cultural resources on A.T. land in our state. READ MORE »
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