20s/30s Committee

Upcoming Activities

[20s/30s] Sugar Shack Breakfast & Chesterfield Gorge Hike

Join other folks in their 20s/30s for a spring equinox outing that combines a classic Western MA sugar shack breakfast with a scenic hike at Chesterfield Gorge. We will start the morning at High Hopes Farm for an all-you-can-eat hearty sugar shack buffet. High Hopes Farm is a rustic sugar shack with a fireplace and beautiful river views. The buffet is $20 per person (+ tax) and typically features pancakes, french toast, eggs, home fries, sausage and bacon. After breakfast, we will drive about 7 minutes to Chesterfield Gorge for our hike.

[20s/30s] Bray Lake Role-Play Ramble

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on Saturday, March 29 for an easy 2-mile loop around Bray Lake in Holyoke. This mostly flat, wooded trail circles the lake and offers peaceful water views and a pleasant early-spring setting. Late March conditions may include mud, lingering ice, or wet sections, so please come prepared for variable footing.

[20s/30s] Eastman Brook Conservation Area and 3 Amigos

Join other folks in their 20s/30s+ for an early evening walk/hike along the Robert Frost Trail to the Eastman Brook Conservation Area on Thursday, April 9! We'll meet at 5:30 PM at the trailhead for a relaxed 1.5-hour walk. Expect easy (but potentially wet!) terrain, great company, and a chance to unwind outdoors. After the hike, we'll head down the road to 3 Amigos for dinner — totally optional but a great way to keep the conversation going.

[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: Wantastiquet Mountain

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike along Summit Trail at Wantastiquet Mountain, learning about basal fire scars, stump sprouts, and glacial and flooding impacts along the way. Starting at the Wantastiquet Monadnock Trailhead, we will take the Summit Trail, at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike. We will then take an old carriage road along the Connecticut River to a viewpoint looking south along the river.

[20s/30s] Backpacking the Appalachian Trail

Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a spring weekend backpacking trip along a quiet, forested stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires. Over two days, we'll hike nearly 19 miles through classic New England woods, with rolling ridgelines, seasonal stream crossings, and peaceful sections of remote trail.

[20s/30s] Intro to Backpacking Workshop

Curious about backpacking, but not sure where to start? Join us for a relaxed, hands-on introduction at AMC's Noble View Outdoor Center. This weekend workshop blends practical skills with friendly, low-key instruction to help you gain confidence and comfort in the backcountry. Refer to the registration page for more information.

[20s/30s] Wessels Series: William Cullen Bryant Homestead

Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike in the William Cullen Bryant Homestead Forest, learning about old growth forests, signs of previous agriculture, and pine weevils along the way. Starting at the parking lot, we will take the Rivulet, Pine Loop, and Sugarbush Trails at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike.

[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.

[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.

[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.