The Western MA Exchange Archive

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It's been a big year for our Chapter, and the momentum just keeps building! From brand new committees full of energy, to unique training opportunities, to special weekends designed to connect people with nature and each other – there's something for everyone on the horizon. Whether you're looking to meet new friends, grow your outdoor skills, or simply spend more time outside, the Western MA Chapter has plenty in store. Read on to see just a few highlights of what's happening and how you can get involved!
Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Committee Highlight: Western MA 20s/30s Committee is on the Rise!

The Western MA 20s/30s Committee has seen incredible growth and energy in the past year, transforming from a dormant group into one of the most active in the Chapter, now boasting over 160 members. This young-member community hosts a wide variety of events, from hiking and paddling to cross-country skiing, film nights at Tanglewood, backpacking, whitewater kayaking, and climbing trips. Many of the outings are capped off with relaxed, social gatherings, such as grabbing a beer at a local brewery or enjoying ice cream together after a hike. It's a great way to connect with others who enjoy the outdoors and are looking to build community along the way. If you or someone you know is in their 20s/30s, the best way to get involved is to join the committee's WhatsApp group where upcoming events are announced and informal activities are organized. There's also the @amcwesternma Instagram page and the 20s/30s committee page on the Chapter website if you'd like to connect in that way.

Southern New England Trail Skills College

We are happy to announce that the registration for the First Annual Southern New England Trail Skills College is now open! This 3-day event on September 10-21, 2025 at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA is filled with a variety of trainings and workshops that any trail or outdoor enthusiast would love. We are lucky to have a robust selection of courses and grateful to have so many of the industry's best providing instruction. This collaborative event is for the entire trails community – volunteers and professional trail stewards alike – with all levels of experience. Whether you're just starting out and looking for ways to get involved, or a professional looking to further your skills and build your network, this event offers opportunities for everyone, and all are welcome. Learn more and register here. Thanks to all the instructors and event planning team for putting this together! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our Trails Training Programs Supervisor, Erik Samia at esamia@outdoors.org. We hope to see you at this year's "Fall Semester"!

Western MA Fourth Annual Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature Weekend

This year's Women's Weekend will be held on September 6, 2025, 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM, at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA. We've scheduled a variety of traditional and non-traditional outdoor pursuits in the hope of attracting women to the joy and rejuvenation provided by experiencing the outdoors. This is a women-only event that uses an inclusive definition of women. We respectfully welcome all women including non-binary, gender non-conforming, trans-women and individuals who identify as a woman as the best expression of themselves. Some of the planned activities include forest bathing, watercolor painting, bird walking, yoga, plant/tree identification, hiking, and a campfire with music. Two big changes this year are that we will not have the cottages for overnight accommodations and our activities will be held on Saturday only. We invite women to stay over Friday, September 5^th and Saturday, September 6^th at the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center campsites. Campsites include a raised platform to place your own tent and supplies on. Please be aware that AMC Noble View's cottages are now the summer home of the AMC Professional Trail Crew (mixed gender) and that Noble View is open to the public. However, we will be the sole occupants of the campsites during Women's Weekend. Click here for details and to register.

Help Put Nature on the Ballot in 2026

AMC is leading the charge to put nature on the ballot in 2026 through the Protect Water and Nature Initiative and Nature for MA Coalition, which would dedicate $100 million annually to land and water conservation, climate resilience, and outdoor recreation – without raising taxes. To get there, we must collect 90,000 signatures this fall, and we need your help! Sign up for a signature collection training today and be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect nature and expand access to the outdoors. Questions? Email amcconservation@outdoors.org.

Yesterday Dave, Russ, Ted, Cosmo and Lauri performed a potpourri of work at and near Wilbur Clearing Shelter and Campsite. First on the list was moving the privy. The resting bin was ready to distribute, so we emptied it and moved the outhouse over the empty crib. From there, we moved on to installing a new site map on the kiosk, which required a bit of rearranging of existing signage. We then installed numbers on most of the tent sites and tent platforms. We also did a bit of re-benching on one tent pad; more work needs to be done here to make it suitable for pitching a tent. We also moved the bear boxes out of the site and located them at the junction of the site trail and the Money Brook Trail, so they aren't quite so close to the tenting areas (though the bear probably won't really notice the difference). We then headed uphill to the Mt Prospect Overlook. Two weeks ago, we had a teen crew cut down all the saplings and brush that had grown up into the view. Today, we moved most of the cut saplings to the sides of the opening, so they won't be underfoot as much when we clear this site again in a few years. The viewpoint was cleared last in 2014, so hopefully we have some time before another visit. Upcoming projects:

• 06-Sep-2025: Brushing back laurel north of Sherman Brook Campsite
• 19-Sep-2025: Boundary maintenance near Blotz Rd, Hinsdale
• 20-Sep-2025: Boundary mmaintenance near Cheshire
• 20-Sep-2025: Wildlife transect, Cady Brook. Register now, attendance is limited to 10 people
• 30-Sep-2025: Open area maintenance near Shays' Rebellion Monument
• 12-Oct-2025): Close Upper Goose Pond Cabin
• Oct-2025: Boundary maintenance (multiple dates)

If you're interested in getting involved in helping to maintain the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, view upcoming activities on the committee's webpage. More Photos »

AMC has three professional teams from the Southern New England (SNE) Pro Crew working on western MA trails and parks this year, and we'd like to share the impressive list of projects they've completed so far. Many thanks to the crews for their hard work to improve the trails in our area!

Noble View APT Add-Ons

Funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the crews installed two rest areas with accessible picnic tables on the Noble View All Person's Trail (APT), and addressed drainage issues on the trail itself.

Long Mountain

The crews installed 21 new rock steps on Long Mountain in Amherst on the New England Scenic Trail (NET). This project was carried over from last year's MassTrails Grant with Mass Audubon and the MA Department of Conservation & Recreation, which funded our timber box step work on Mt Norwottuck.

Bash Bish Falls Staircase

The crews built a 26-step, stone staircase to repair damage from Hurricane Helene, making it safer for hikers.

Roving Maintenance for Mass Audubon

The crews spent 3 weeks performing trail assessments and critical trail maintenance on 5 different Mass Audubon sanctuaries in central and eastern MA.

Clarksburg State Park Beaver Brook Bridge

The crews replaced a pedestrian bridge across Beaver Brook and repaired a bog bridge.

DAR State Forest

The crews deconstructed, then rebuilt, two Diamond Pier boardwalks.

Pittsfield State Forest Tranquility Bridge

The crews built a new bridge over a stream on the Tranquility Trail.

NET Section 9

The crews worked with a teen crew from Holyoke to build a box step staircase on Section 9 of the NET. The project will be completed in late September.

Baldpate State Park

Yesterday, the crews completed a 170+ ft long diamond pier boardwalk at Baldpate Pond State Park. The final report for this work will be released next week.

Projects in Progress

Greylock Bellows Falls. The crews are currently replacing two pedestrian + snowmobile bridges on the Bellows Falls trail in Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS) Goldsmith Woodlands. APT, Andover. The crews just wrapped up construction of a new APT in Andover, MA for AVIS. Greylock Hopper Bridge. The crews are replacing a bridge on the Hopper Trail for access to Sperry Road Campground on Mt Greylock. View more photos on Facebook.

AMC's Southern New England (SNE) Pro Crew has been hard at work on western MA trails this summer. One project included supervising a teen crew, recruited by our partners at the MassHire Holyoke Career Center. AMC provides compensation and project work. The teen crew primarily works on the New England National Scenic Trail (NET). This season, they constructed a box step staircase on the Section 9 junction with Bay Road in Belchertown. This is part of a concurrent project with the SNE Pro Crew to re-align the trail near the road crossing to make the trail safer and more sustainable for those hiking the NET. The crew built 29 steps during their two weeks on this project, a huge accomplishment to them and a testament to their growing skill sets as trail maintainers for the future! This project - currently unfinished - will be completed this fall by the SNE Pro Crew. MORE PHOTOS »

September 10-21, 2025
Noble View Outdoor Center, Russell, MA This collaborative event is for the entire trails community - volunteer and professional trail stewards with all levels of experience. Whether you are just starting out and looking for ways to get involved, or a professional looking to further your skills and build your network, this event offers opportunities for everyone, and all are welcome! We are lucky to have such a robust selection of courses and grateful to have so many of the industry's best providing instruction. For safety and best teaching practices, there will be set capacities for day programs and will be able to open up our evening programs to all who would like to participate. If you have any questions or need any email confirmations, please feel free to reach out to our Trails Training Programs Supervisor, Erik Samia at esamia@outdoors.org.

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From planning and leading recreational activities to seasonal trail work – here's what our committees were up to last month.

20s/30s

The 20s/30s+ WhatsApp group has over 100 members! ✧ Recent events: Tour de Ponds - Overnight backpacking in southern VT (07/05); Mount Warner & Scoops at the Silos (07/08); Chesterfield Gorge & Northampton Brewery (07/15); MacLeish Field Station (07/22); Cole Conservation Area & 3 Amigos (07/29); Camping weekend: Greylock and Film Night @ Tanglewood (08/08)

A.T. Management

The most recent A.T. Committee meeting was May 5 ✧ Seasonal project work continues in full swing. Projects since the last report include switching the cribs on 2 moldering privies and digging new pits for 2 others, grass mowing along the trail in open areas, installing and repairing bog bridges, clearing water bars, painting the east side of Upper Goose Pond cabin, removing numerous trees blown down across the trail and clipping of vegetation that grows into the treadway. See the Outdoor Connector for details of specific projects and how to volunteer ✧ Upper Goose Pond Cabin remains open with a steady number of overnight visitors ✧ Seasonal project work is ongoing; see the Outdoor Connector (OC) for details on upcoming A.T. projects and information on how to volunteer with us ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs include trail maintainers, corridor monitors, and three coordinators: shelter, communications and group outreach ✧ Next meeting: August 25, 2025. The Committee will review work done so far this season and discuss upcoming projects ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs include trail maintainers, corridor monitors, and three coordinators (shelter, communications, and group outreach)

Bicycling

July 26: Tour of the Hamptons (29.9 miles) ✧ August bike rides are listed on the AMC Outdoor Connector (OC) and include: Berkshires Ride - Stockbridge to Alford (37.7 miles/2518 ft); Bernardston to Guilford, VT Ride (38 miles/1900 ft) ✧ Tentative plans to lead an AMC 150 relay (May 30, 2026) are under consideration

Communications

The Chapter's social media accounts continue to gain new followers- 29 new followers on Facebook and 51 new followers on Instagram since May. The Chapter’s Facebook account had a total of 9110 views, an increase of 18%. All the data points for Facebook increased in July despite fewer posts. July saw our highest number of users to date and third highest views on the website. The Chapter's social media accounts continue to gain new followers. Facebook: 9110 views (up 18%). All the data points increased in July despite fewer posts. Top post: Mt Tom hike to the Eyrie Ruins. Instagram: 18 posts with 5547 views (up 12%). Top post: 20s/30s hike to Chesterfield Gorge and brewery. Email messages sent: 3895. ✧ Ongoing web work included activity postings, updates to the Western MA Exchange, new photos, and regular site maintenance

Membership

We have 75 new members! ✧ Recent events: Guided hike with Williamstown Rural Lands examining local effects of climate change (07/12); Bennington Trailfest, a free event for hikers and the community for which we provided info about AMC Western MA, a Leave No Trace activity, and snacks (07/26) ✧ Planning is underway for the ExCom planning meeting in September and the chapter's annual meeting in October

Paddling

The Paddling Committee last met on 07/08 ✧ We have adopted two paddling legs of the AMC150 relay: Westfield River (Russell/Westfield line to Robinson State Park) on 24-May-2026 and the Connecticut River (Hatfield to Northampton Oxbow) on 27-May-2026 ✧ Recent events: 20s/30s Hike and Paddle at Tully Lake (06/04); Cheshire Reservoir (06/15); LGBTQ+ trip on the Deerfield River, Class I-II (06/27); beginner kayak instruction at Barton Cove (07/05); LGBTQ+ trip on the Deerfield River, Class I-II (07/25) ✧ Find upcoming trips on the OC

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This month's Committee Highlight focuses on the 20s/30s Committee. Under the leadership of Hew Hart, it has grown from a defunct committee to a thriving, growing group of over 150 members. The 20s/30s Committee engages in a variety of activities from hiking and paddling to film nights at Tanglewood. They've been cross country skiing and are looking into doing some backpacking and climbing events. Often the activity is followed by a social gathering at a brewery or ice cream at a local ice cream shop. Hew started a WhatsApp group for the 20s/30s members as a way to share photos, ideas and comments about the trips. So if you'd like to connect with others who enjoy the outdoors and socializing, visit the committee's webpage, join us on WhatsApp, or follow us on Instagram.

We started with a crew of three, Russ, Jess, and Cosmo. We met Kenney, recently back from 800 miles of AT hiking, who had missed us at the initial meeting point, but hiked over Mt Everett to meet us at Race Brook. We cleared long-neglected waterbars uphill of the Race Brook campsite, then cleaned up the main fire ring at the site. We removed a recent blowdown on the Race Brook Trail. We then hiked back over the mountain for a quick lunch at the Guilder Pond parking area and headed down to the Hemlocks shelter to clear off several inches of accumulated needles and branches. Footing was a bit tricky, but we managed to get things pretty well cleaned up w/o having to climb on the slippery roof. Russ provided valuable service by clearing out the deer flies as we hiked to each site. Basically a simple piece of double stick tape. We'll continue our drainage clearing work over the next couple of weeks. Our full project list can be found here.

The group hiked from North Adams to the VT border, the start of the Long Trail. Several participants logged over half of the 14 hikes in the series, while others joined in on several sections. We are grateful for Hiking Chair Mike April and Chapter Chair Kathy Martin, who planned the series, and for all the other hike leaders who volunteered to lead a section of the series! MORE PHOTOS »

Choose your ride length (20, 50, or 100k), on trails opened exclusively for this weekend. You'll ride through a nationally-renowned system of logging and sporting camp access roads through rugged landscapes and a flourishing wilderness. We're planning a full weekend of activities and fun to complement your rides, including bike rafting, a family movie night, and stargazing. We hope you'll join us for this unique opportunity in Maine's pristine North Woods! REGISTER NOW »

They met the caretaker "Vobster" and heard thru hikers rave about his pancakes. Some took a quick dip in the pond before returning to their cars. The Chapter leads a hike every Tuesday and all are welcome! View upcoming hikes and find your next outing! MORE PHOTOS »

You can now check out all of our upcoming activities in several ways:

• The Chapter activities mosaic. Use the buttons on this page to see our scheduled activities or activities by committee (BOLDED) in mosaic format.
• Our list of upcoming activities. Use this page to display upcoming activities in list view, show additional information provided by the leader, or to sort activities by type, date, difficulty, and title.
• The new activities calendar. This calendar displays upcoming activities downloaded directly from AMC's Outdoor Connector.
• AMC's Outdoor Connector. Use this link to go directly to Western MA's activities on AMC's website.

Chose your favorite way to search for activities and come join the fun! We hope to see you outdoors!

The Clean Air Act is a vital part of our country's bipartisan climate progress. This promise to preserve our air must be upheld. Because of these standards, our country's power sector has been on track to achieve a 75% reduction in harmful emissions by 2035. We can't afford to lose this progress! Through AMC's long-term environmental monitoring program, our dedicated scientists have documented climate impacts, including warmer winters and increasing heavy rain in the summers. Removing emission regulations will amplify negative impacts and endanger our environment. When our community of 90,000 members speaks up, policymakers listen. Your voice is powerful, and we need you to use it to fight for healthy air!

Let's eat and be merry! We'll provide the food, and a cash-only bar will be available. This event will be held at the Polish American Citizens Club, 46 South Main Street, South Deerfield, Massachusetts. So mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information and registration details.

We'll take turns giving a mock "trip talk," lead short 10-minute walks, and explore real-life leadership scenarios through role plays and discussion. Expect laughs, insights, and a chance to connect with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts! After completing this training, participants will co-lead two mentored hikes with an experienced hike leader, before being able to independently lead hikes on their own. Completion of the online course is a prerequisite for the in-person training. The online course will take approximately 2-3 hours. A link to the course will be sent to you upon registering. For questions send a message to training@amc-wma.org. REGISTER »

The AMC professional trail crew at Noble View Outdoor Center is offering several training opportunities for those interested in honing their skills.

Axe Training

On Saturday, 08/02, we'll be hosting an axe training workshop at Noble View. This single day course will focus on the history of the axe, reviving old axes, rehanging, sharpening, safety, and axe use for trail maintenance purposes. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own axes if they have them available and can use the opportunity to give them a good tune-up! Other axes and tools will be provided otherwise.

Rock Work

Another opportunity to consider is a 2-day rock work training class at Noble View. This course will focus on identifying trail needs for rock features, how to safely move and relocate rocks to the project site, and how to build various rock structures to protect the trail from erosion and provide a safe recreation experience for trail users. This course is fantastic for developing a niche skill set in dry stone masonry to build trail features that last generations!

Trail Skills College

One more event to throw on your radar is this fall's Trail Skills College at Noble View. This 3-day event will offer similar trail workshops as well as options for critical maintenance, trail assessment and developing your "trail eye", trail realignment, chainsaw use, and more! Something to think about as we get closer to cooler weather! Mark your calendars if interested and stay tuned for the registration link. These workshops are a great opportunity for both seasoned trail workers and newcomers who are looking to build up their skill sets. It's also a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships throughout the Southern New England trail world.

At AMC, we integrate Leave No Trace principles into every facet of our programming, and we encourage everyone to practice these principles as a way to protect and preserve the environment. Click here for more information, links to informative resources for Leave No Trace, and a fun interactive quiz about how long it takes for materials to break down.

The group ran into a northbound thru-hiker, Ikea, and his trail cat. Ikea met the cat in Georgia and it started to follow him, and it's been Ikea's hiking companion ever since. Ikea keeps it on a leash, but it prefers to ride in the backpack. Kathy summarized the hike: Thanks to everyone for a wonderful hike today! The conversations were great! Great comradery! Susan's brownies were out of this world wonderful! The temperatures couldn't have been better! A pace that suited everyone's style! Thanks to Russ for taking the lead position and to Joanne for sweeping! MORE PHOTOS »

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Whether you're gathering with fellow members at our annual social event, enjoying the outdoors with your family through our engaging Family Programs, or discovering your next adventure with our interactive trail maps, the AMC Western Massachusetts Chapter offers something for everyone. Join us as we celebrate our community, foster a love for the outdoors, and help you make the most of every season. See you outdoors!
Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Save the Date: Free Social Gathering and Annual Chapter Meeting

Please join us for a FREE social gathering and the annual business meeting of the Appalachian Mountain Club Western MA Chapter on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. We'll recognize the Chapter's Most Valuable Committee Members, elect our new slate of officers, review the year's accomplishments, and share plans for 2026 – the 150^th anniversary of AMC! Let's eat and be merry! We will provide the food and a cash-only bar will be available. This event will be held at the Polish American Citizens Club, 46 South Main St, South Deerfield, MA. So mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information and registration details.

AMC Western MA Chapter's Fun Family Programs

The Family Programs Committee schedules adventures in western MA every month throughout the year. These adventures include family friendly hikes, experiential outdoor activities that teach outdoor skills and conservation concepts, seasonal crafts and games, camping, family nights and much more. We strive to instill confidence, collaboration, understanding and an appreciation of the outdoors so as to foster, respect and stewardship of our planet and all living things. Our focus is to get everyone outdoors. Children of all ages and their families (including grandparents) are invited to join us. AMC requires that a parent/guardian (18 years of age or over) attend with children at all events. We also work with other organizations to increase our reach and ability to offer interesting programs for families. An example of this kind of collaboration is the ongoing, self-guided StoryWalk® available year round at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center, in Russell, MA that we offer in collaboration with The Hiltown Family Center. The story changes each month and often reflects a nature theme. A StoryWalk^® offers families an active outdoor reading experience, where a children's picture book has been deconstructed and then placed page by page along the accessible trail at Noble View. Families walk, read and talk their way through the story. To find the trail, follow directions to the Noble View Outdoor Center, 635 South Quarter Road in Russell. Follow the gravel road about one mile to the parking lot where the all persons trail starts. Visit our Family Programs webpage to learn more, view upcoming activities, and find fun resources for getting children outside.

Interactive Maps to Help You Find Your Next Adventure

Are you getting bored with hiking your favorite trail and looking for something new? Check out our Member Favorites page! This is a treasure trove of lists of hikes and bike rides suggested by our members that have been turned into interactive maps. Each list includes a map with pins identifying the location of the activity. When you click on the pin, you find the name of the place, a photo, a description and a website when available. Whether you're looking for an accessible hike, hikes in the fall, hikes in NH, CT, the Berkshires, or the Connecticut River Valley, we have it covered. Visit our activities page to plan your next adventure. And, if you want to share your list of favorites, we'll make an interactive map and add it to this page. Send your list to info@amc-wma.org.

AMC is hosting a summer gravel biking event in Maine's North Woods from August 1-3. The first of three gravel biking events in 2025, the Summer Gravel Weekend - based out of Medawisla Lodge and Cabins - blends adventurous gravel bike routes with opportunities to cool off in remote ponds and soak in the wild beauty of the 100-Mile Wilderness. From free pack rafting excursions to live music and guided stargazing, it's an opportunity to experience Maine's famous woods, waters, and mountains in a new way and to connect with other cyclists of all levels, from experts to beginners. AMC RESOURCES »

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,405 acre wildlife sanctuary located in Lenox, MA, owned by the MA Audubon Society. There are 7 miles of trails and a large pond on Yokun Brook. The Overbrook Trail leads to the summit of Lenox Mountain. Check out our upcoming events and come join the fun!

Dr. Alice Bradley, Associate Professor of Geosciences at Williams College, shared how scientists measure weather in the Hopkins Memorial Forest, and how the Taconic and nearby mountain ranges impact weather patterns in the tri-state area. WRL »

The Noble View Caretaker got some help from volunteers and an AMC trails crew on Friday for the semi-annual Wood Day. Those who came out helped hauling, splitting, and stacking wood to use in the wood stoves of the cottages at the Noble View Outdoor Center. Many thanks to those who helped out in the steamy weather!! MORE PHOTOS »

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Mike April, left, the Chapter's Hiking Chair, planned and led the RFT hike series. Barb and Tom Lane were the only two hikers to complete the entire series with Mike. Here's to perseverance, friendship, and the love of the trail!

The hikers were treated to beautiful views of the Connecticut River Valley and the Berkshires, along with a cooling breeze, from the top of the Goat Peak fire tower. After hiking a bit further on the New England National Scenic Trail, they stopped to enjoy the view of the Oxbow on the Connecticut River, then explored the Eyrie Ruins on Mt Nonotuck, the remains of a hotel popular in the mid to late 1800s that burned down in 1901. The Chapter regularly leads hikes throughout the year. Check out the Hiking Committee's webpageto see what's coming up. Hope you can join us! MORE PHOTOS »

Noble View is looking for help from friends and neighbors, AMC members or non-members, to help with moving, splitting, and stacking wood for the fall season. Join us on July 11 and/or July 12, 2025 at Noble View Outdoor Center, 635 S. Quarter Rd, Russell, MA from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Snacks & drinks will be provided! Email (laura.stinnette@gmail.com) or text (413-454-3232) Laura to let her know you will be coming. We appreciate any time you can donate...even an hour. Choose the day best for you.

AMC RESOURCES »

The Littleville Lake reservoir is located just off Route 112 in Huntington and offers a beautiful, serene location for paddling. The reservoir was created by the Littleville Dam, constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s as a flood control and water supply project. The Littleville Dam impounds the Middle Branch of the Westfield River, forming the lake. It serves as a backup water supply for Springfield and helps mitigate flooding in downstream communities along the Westfield River and the Connecticut River. There is a boat launch in the main parking lot in Huntington or you can launch kayaks or canoes at the upper end of the reservoir at the Dayville Area parking lot in Chester. Motorboats are restricted to 10 horsepower, so you will not find loud jet skis or other large, motorized boats. As you paddle in the reservoir, you will be surrounded by pristine wooded areas with no houses or private properties. Swimming is not allowed because it is a water supply. If you want to get out and stretch your legs, you can hike on the old cart roads that run along each side of the lake. There is a small picnic area near the dam at the main parking area. For a scenic, peaceful paddling experience, add the Littleville Lake to your adventure list.

Check out the activities page or the new activities calendar to see all of our upcoming activities and come join the fun! Book mark these pages for easy reference and please share to get the word out. Happy adventuring!

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When I stepped outside this morning to grab the newspaper, it was already over 80 degrees – and the forecast is calling for triple digits over the next few days! With this heat, my mind turns to cooler, more peaceful ways to relax and recharge. Below are a few upcoming activities that offer just that: gentle ways to slow down, reconnect with nature, and find a little calm in the midst of summer. Yoga on the Mountain – unwind with gentle yoga in a beautiful meadow at AMC's Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA. Or, come paddling with the AMC – all summer long! Beat the heat with a quiet water or whitewater paddling trip organized by the AMC Western MA Chapter. No experience? No problem! We'll provide instruction and gear. It's a refreshing way to spend a summer day. And mark your calendar for our annual Women's Weekend Retreat in September – a women-only day retreat at Noble View. Enjoy journaling, hiking, music, and more at "Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature." A perfect day to relax and recharge in great company. And don't forget to check our Activities Calendar regularly to see what's happening in the Chapter. We hope you'll join us for one – or all! – of our peaceful escapes into nature. Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Yoga on the Mountain

Come and experience the gentle movements and soothing breathing of yoga in a lovely meadow at Noble View. Surrounded by tall trees, singing birds and amazing views of the valley, Sally Barber, from the Westfield Yoga Center, will lead a family yoga class on July 26, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, as she has done for many years. This event is open to all abilities and experience, but we recommend children be at least seven years old. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in and bring a mat or blanket to cover the ground. Afterward, plan to explore the miles of beautiful trails or walk the All Persons Trail and read the current StoryWalk^® book.

Paddling with the AMC Western MA Chapter

The Paddling Committee organizes quiet water and whitewater canoeing and kayaking training opportunities and trips from April through October. We love to get people on the water and can provide instruction for new paddlers. We are offering a paddling instruction event at Barton Cove on July 5, 2025 where we will teach the basics of boating safety and effective paddling. We are blessed to have a variety of places to paddle in our region, from quiet ponds to larger lakes, mellow rivers, and whitewater rivers. The Connecticut River offers long and short paddle trips and even water-accessible campsites. Whitewater paddling means canoeing and kayaking on moving water with rocks, waves, and other features. We paddle local rivers such as the Deerfield which is dam controlled and allows for whitewater paddling April through October. Quiet water paddling means scenic canoeing or kayaking on lakes, ponds, and gentle rivers. Western MA has some splendid rivers and lakes for quiet water paddling. We'll take you there, and we can even help provide you with a boat and gear. We teach the basics of boating safety and effective paddling at our annual instructional program. We also educate paddlers on water quality and identification of invasive species. In conjunction with AMC's Conservation Committee, we organize river stewardship events to remove invasive water chestnut plants from local rivers. Click here for more information, including upcoming trips and a list of resources for paddlers.

Save the Date: Women's Weekend 2025

Mark your calendars for the AMC Western MA Chapter's fourth annual "Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature", a women-only retreat on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Noble View. This event encompasses a variety of activities throughout the day including hikes, music, yoga, journaling, singing, paddling, and more. The cottages at Noble View will not be available for lodging this year, but anyone interested in camping may do so in the tent site area on Friday and Saturday nights. Stay tuned for more information and a registration link or check the Chapter Activities page for updates.

A.T. volunteers Russ, Dave, Tom, and Cosmo got a lot of useful work accomplished on the A.T. pit toilets last Saturday – a rain-free day on the longest day of the year. Here is Cosmo's report. At Shaker the pit was full to the top. We cut down a small dead tree and moved the outhouse about 6ft to the right (when facing the door). As usual at this site, digging was easy, and the depth of the pit was only limited by the mechanics of getting the loosened dirt out of the waist deep hole. We also replaced a few boards on the picnic table and applied a fresh coat of stain to the top. I think this is the 2^nd repair to this table since it was installed. Much longer, and we will have replaced nearly every part of it. Hopefully, we will be able to close this campsite (which is in fragile habitat, contains a cultural site, and is visited by neighboring bears a few times a year) and build a new one a few miles to the north in a couple of years. We then travelled to the back door access to South Wilcox Shelter and hiked down for a quick lunch at the old shelter before starting work on the privy (also full). Because the ground is slightly sloped, we cut a bit of a flat bench for the privy to sit on then dug the pit. We did encounter a few large rocks, which we left protruding into the new pit, rather than risking collapsing the sides by removing them. Once we got the outhouse settled at its new home, we added some rock steps to make access a bit more comfortable. Hopefully, this and other pit-type privies on the A.T. in MA will be replaced with moldering types in the next 2-3 years – pending Federal funding for the work. While we were working, we met Adam Morris – DCR South Berkshire Regional Supervisor – who was showing a new staff person around the park (Beartown State Forest). We had a nice conversation about how the A.T. works within the state forests, among other topics. We are coming up to a bit of a hiatus in our work schedule around the holiday, and we have some open dates on the calendar in July. If you think there are projects we should undertake, there is room to add them to the schedule – just let me know. Go to our committee webpage to view and register for upcoming work. More Photos

In 1781, Elizabeth, with an enslaved man named Brom, petitioned the Court of Common Pleas in Great Barrington, with legal support of lawyer Theodore Sedgwick, for their freedom. They won their suit. Their success paved the way for the end of slavery in the state of Massachusetts two years later. You can visit Sheffield's statue of Elizabeth Freeman and her gravesite in the Sedgwick Family Plot in Stockbridge. MORE PHOTOS »

From planning and leading recreational activities to seasonal trail work – here's what our committees were up to last month.

20s/30s

The 20s/30s+ WhatsApp group has over 100 members! ✧ Recent events: 02/22: XC Skiing at Notchview (w/ Worcester); 03/08: XC Skiing at Notchview (w/ Worcester); 03/29: Hike at Mt. Toby State Reservation; 04/19: Hike at Mt. Tom State Reservation; 04/30: Social at Treehouse Brewing; 05/17: Hike at Quabbin Park; 05/17: Interchapter Social at Rapscallion Brewery (WMA, CT, Narragansett, Worcester); 06/04: Another Spring Social at Powder Hollow Brewing; 06/14: Paddle+Hike at Tully Lake; 06/22: Outdoor Leadership Training

A.T. Management

The most recent A.T. Committee meeting was May 5 ✧ Seasonal project work is in full swing. Projects since the last report include removal of 2 deer stands on Park Service land near the trail, grass mowing along the trail in open areas, repairing the picnic table at Wilcox North shelter, corridor boundary maintenance in Tyringham, clearing invasive plants along the trail, leveling the boardwalk around Hop Brook in Tyringham, clearing brush around Reynolds Rock in Cheshire on National Trails Day and helping the Green Mountain Club rough cut an Appalachian Trail relocation at the MA/VT border ✧ Upper Goose Pond Cabin has been open for 4 weeks and is seeing an increasing number of overnight visitors as the season moves along ✧ Seasonal project work is ongoing; see the Outdoor Connector (OC) for details on upcoming A.T. projects and information on how to volunteer with us ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs include trail maintainers, corridor monitors, and three coordinators: shelter, communications and group outreach ✧ Next meeting: August 25, 2025

Bicycling

The Spring Warm-up for Experienced Cyclists and the 25 Miles of Farms & Quiet Roads Warm-up were cancelled due to rain ✧ June, July and August bike rides are listed on the AMC Outdoor Connector (OC) and include: Turners Falls to Northfield Ride (23.9 miles/1240 ft), Tour of the Hamptons (29.9 miles/1638 ft), Berkshires Ride - Tyringham Loop (32.6 miles/2043 ft), Berkshires Ride - Great Barrington to Mill River (26.8 miles/1223ft), Berkshires Ride - Stockbridge to Alford (37.7 miles/2518 ft)

Communications

The Chapter's social media accounts continue to gain new followers. The Facebook account had a great month due to the popularity of a post about the adaptive hike with All Out Adventures. Instagram data remained fairly stable ✧ We created a poster and an event on Facebook to promote the National Trails Day events throughout western MA ✧ On the website, this month's analytics registered the highest users (1,487) and views (3,713) since we started tracking web data! ✧ Facebook: 28 posts (top post: All Out Adventures Adaptive Hike) ✧ Instagram: 20 posts (top post: Lady Slipper Season) ✧ Ongoing web work includes activity postings, updates to the Western MA Exchange, new photos, and site maintenance

Community Engagement

Katherine Brainard and Dawne Piers-Gamble are leading a Women+ Juneteenth Reflection Hike on June 19 ✧ The Paddling Committee will have our new transfer bench for use on the rescheduled Cheshire paddle on June 15, in the Berkshires ✧ Interested AMC volunteers can sign up to volunteer with AOA here ✧ The Interchapter Community Engagement Committee meets bimonthly on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5-6 PM. Our next meeting is Thursday, June 26, 2025 ✧ We're planning hikes on the New England Scenic Trail (NET) with Miriam Maistelman, to be led with AOA as part of a grant received by AMC ✧ Save the date for 4th annual Women's Weekend on Sept 6, 2025. Planning for this retreat is underway

Family Programs

May 18, Family Wildflower Hike at Noble View ✧ The May/June StoryWalk^® is "Fairy House" by Tracey Kane ✧ Family Outings members, Paddle Committee members and NV Stewards Council members created fairy houses for the StoryWalk^® APT Trail. 9 houses are displayed ✧ Created a Family Scavenger Hunt Bingo handout and other family pamphlets for National Trails Day in Cheshire ✧ Late summer and early fall program preparation continues

Membership

We are working with Kevin Pelosky re: a NET Tabling event in Cheshire, MA. Information, swag, snacks, and maps will be available ✧ We are scouting potential "front country" hikes in Williamstown, Pittsfield, North Adams, and Adams ✧ Upcoming events, now scheduled on AMC's Outdoor Connector, include a guided hike with w/Williamstown Rural Lands to examine the local effects of climate change and a tabling event at Bennington Trailfest. Feel free to join us or share information about your committee with the Membership Chair

NET Management

May 17: AOA (All Out Adventures) event at Bright Water Bog property owned by the Kestrel Land Trust; NET/AMC and NPS staff assisted ✧ 173 Volunteer hours are reported, including the Pioneer Valley Hiking Club's installation of a new set of stairs on Section 2, north of the Springfield Reservoir ✧ Planning continues for Wendell SF Shelter Project scheduled for mid July ✧ Attended a National Trails Day event at Holyoke Range SP, which included tabling and a guided hike The next NET Committee meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2025

Paddling

The Paddling Committee last met on 03/19; committee goals and plans for 2025 were discussed ✧ Deb attended the Interchapter Paddling Committee meeting on May 15 with discussion of the Outdoor Connector and new Leader Fundamentals course. Much of the meeting concerned the AMC150 relay for 2026 with discussion of the paddling legs. Western MA expects to run the Westfield River day trip and a 2- day trip on the Connecticut River in Northampton. Hoping to involve All Out Adventures in one day of AMC150. ✧ May 23: LGBTQ+ river trip on the Knightville section of the Wesetfield River [moved from Deerfield due to high water), led by Ann Gillard Find upcoming trips on the OC

Training and Education

T/E members met to discuss how to best support learned knowledge on new online training platform by identifying ways to check LIT understanding of content ✧ Supported in planning a 20s & 30s affinity space in hosting a leadership application day for June ✧ Continued to support new LIT's, both from Western MA and other chapters to identify paths to full leadership status

Under the leadership of Hiking Chair Mike April, we lead guided hikes throughout the year, but summer is perhaps our busiest season. Most hikes occur on weekends, but we do have a tradition of Tuesday hiking trips as well. The Tuesday Hikers have been hiking together for over 25 years. This year for the first time, we are offering two hiking series - a section hike of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) through MA and a section hike of the Robert Frost Trail through the Connecticut River Valley from South Hadley to Wendell. The A.T. series is led by different hike leaders on consecutive weekends May through October, while the Robert Frost Trail series is led by Mike April. We also offer affinity hikes for families, people in their 20s and 30s, and women. We have hikes that commemorate special days throughout the year, like the Summer Solstice, National Trails Day, and Juneteenth, and hikes that feature waterfalls, spring wildflowers, and mountain laurels. We do easy hikes, accessible hikes, and more challenging hikes - something for everyone. Check out the Hiking Committee page to learn more about the committee, register for upcoming hikes, access resources (including gear, trail guides, and beginner options), and to find out how to become a leader. We are grateful to all the volunteer leaders who make these experiences possible! We hope you will join us on the trails!

AMC MAINE »

This annual event encompasses a variety of activities throughout the day including hikes, music, yoga, journaling, singing, paddling and more. The cottages at Noble View will not be available for lodging this year, but anyone interested in camping may do so in the tent site area on Friday and Saturday night. Stay tuned for more information and a registration link or check the Chapter Activities page.

REGISTER »

MORE PHOTOS »

Once again it rained on a Saturday, which derailed many of the activities that the Chapter had planned for National Trails Day. However, our Appalachian Trail Management and New England Trail Management Committees were able to proceed with their plans.

A.T. Committee: Brush Clipping at Reynolds Rock, Cheshire
Cosmo Catalano

Still, we had a stalwart group ready to work today. Russ, Dave, Lauri, Peter and Art started off in the damp under gloomy skies to clip back brush from around the Rock. Maintaining (which is what we do) much of the work that was accomplished last summer. See the before and after photos taken by Lauri (yes, it looks like we're looking at Dave's backside, but we're not). Sitting on top of the rock to the left is a likely 200-year-old maple tree. We were also able to mow the Trail through the field to keep it open for the incoming bubble of hikers - we met a couple of them (one sporting a sling for an arm she broke in Pennsylvania) today despite the looming weather. The white flowers in the background are raspberry plants just finishing their flowering. Many immature fruits are on the bushes - a future feast for birds, bears - and hikers. Eventually it started to rain for real and we called it a day around 11am. Russ and Cosmo (fools that they are) stayed on another hour to mow the field near School St (which really didn't need it) and the field and trail north of Rt 8 - which did. We also cut back the brush at the bog bridges south of Rt 8.

NET Committee: New England Trail Hike on Mt Norwottuck
Kevin Peloski, Committee Chair

We decided to buck the trend and continue full steam ahead with tabling and a hike at the wet Notch Visitor Center in Mt Holyoke Range State Park. Given the forecast, it definitely was pretty quiet at a location when, on a normal Saturday, it is loaded with hikers, walkers, and trail runners. Lots of AMC/NET and information on invasive forest pests were available at our table, which we staffed from 10-1, when the rain really picked up and we decided to call it a day. Five hikers plus Bex the dog spent 1.5 hours hiking 3 miles of the NET and the Robert Frost Trail - cutting the hike short because of increasing intensity of the rain.

Thank You!

Thank you to all who worked hard to plan this event throughout western MA, and a special thanks to the A.T. and NET Committees that made it work despite the rain. We have plenty of opportunities to get involved in guided hikes, paddling, cycling and climbing outings, as well as trail maintenance opportunities. Go to the activities page to see what's happening and come join the fun!

ATC »

The A.T. Section Hike Series offers section hikes in order through MA on the weekends this spring, summer, and fall. There is still room available on some of the hikes for those wishing to join in the fun. View upcoming hikes on the Hiking Committee's webpage. Registration is required. MORE PHOTOS »

Today's adventure is hiking at Mt Toby in Sunderland and Leverett. Mt Toby has an elevation of 1269 feet with a fire tower to climb at the top. You can hike to the top via the Robert Frost Trail or a number of other trails, including a gravel road. If you follow the Falls Trail off the road, you'll come to a beautiful cascade waterfall. This walk from the parking lot would be considered easy and suitable for most ages and abilities, although not considered accessible. You can continue on that trail up a steep slope along some huge boulders and caves, back to the gravel road, that then leads to the summit. One trail from the parking lot leads to the Sunderland Caves that you can actually crawl through if you dare! Consult your favorite hiking app and plan your next hike. You will not be disappointed. MORE PHOTOS »

June is finally here, bringing the first day of summer and lots of sunshine! The mountain laurels are in bloom all month throughout the woodlands of western Massachusetts and we have plenty of hikes planned for you to see them. Paddling and cycling season are in full swing, and we have some climbing events too. And if trail maintenance is your thing, we have that too. VIEW ACTIVITIES »

AMC RESOURCES »

VIEW ACTIVITIES »