Western MA Exchange Archive

See The Dark Open House

[11‑Jul‑2025] If you're planning to head up to Maine this month, consider checking out this awesome family-friendly event at Little Lyford Lodge in Greenville on July 26th. LEARN MORE »

48 Miles, 3 Hikers, 1 Epic Trail!

[10‑Jul‑2025] Congratulations to these incredible hikers for completing all 48 miles of the Robert Frost Trail! From the rugged ledges of Mt Toby to the quiet beauty of the Holyoke Range, they've walked every step - and earned their RFT Completion Badges with pride.

Mt Tom Hike

[09‑Jul‑2025] The weather was warm and sticky, but that didn't prevent this group of hikers from enjoying their outing at Mt Tom yesterday. At least it didn't rain!

Noble View Wood Day

[07‑Jul‑2025] 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.

Activity of the Month: Paddling at Littleville Lake

[06‑Jul‑2025] 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. VIEW ARTICLE »

The Right Time to Bail

[06‑Jul‑2025] Whether you're a seasoned hiker or are planning your first trip, understanding when to call it quits can mean the difference between a great story and a dangerous rescue. Here are some outdoor safety tips that will help you know when it's time to bail. AMC RESOURCES »

Join the 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group!

[04‑Jul‑2025] Are you in your 20s or 30s and looking to connect with other AMC members in western MA? Join our 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group to hear about upcoming hikes and socials! Complete this form, and the confirmation page/message will contain the invite link. We hope to see you at an event soon!

Happy July!

[03‑Jul‑2025] Summer is in full swing, and we have a jam-packed schedule of adventures to join in - hiking, paddling, climbing, cycling and even some yoga on the mountain.

Trail Magic: Well Intentioned But Potentially Problematic

[29‑Jun‑2025] Five things to know about food and drinks left along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) and at road crossings and how you can support hikers and the A.T. ATC »

Relax and Recharge With Us

[29‑Jun‑2025] 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. VIEW ARTICLE »

Privy Moves

[28‑Jun‑2025] 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. VIEW ARTICLE »

Commemorating Juneteenth

[25‑Jun‑2025] The Chapter organized a beautiful hike at Bartholomew's Cobble last Thursday to commemorate Juneteenth. This property was chosen because it was once part of Col. John Ashley's estate where Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mumbett, was enslaved for 35 years.

Committee Reports

[24‑Jun‑2025] From planning and leading recreational activities to seasonal trail work – here's what our committees were up to last month. VIEW ARTICLE »

Happy Summer Solstice!

[20‑Jun‑2025] We hope you've been enjoying the extra hours of light and getting outdoors a lot. Looking for new places to go exploring? Check out the Member Favorites page for interactive maps of some of our members' favorite places to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Just pick a map then tap on each pin icon to see what's there - hiking, paddling, cycling, or climbing. Lots of great places to go!

AT Hike Series: Tyringham to Becket

[17‑Jun‑2025] The Chapter's A.T. Hike Series continued Sunday with Section 7, a 9-mile stretch from Tyringham to Route 20 in Becket. This section goes around Upper Goose Pond and across the Mass Pike near the end in Becket. The mountain laurels were just beginning to pop, adding another lovely feature to the hike. This series continues along the A.T. northbound on consecutive weekends through September. Visit the Hiking Committee's webpage to register for the next section hike.

June 2025 Volunteer Spotlight: Hiking Committee

[15‑Jun‑2025] Each month, we highlight one of the committees in the Western MA Chapter, to showcase who our volunteers are and what they do, and to highlight Chapter programs, recreational activities, and volunteer opportunities. This month we're featuring the Hiking Committee.

Find Your Wild: Explore Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness

[14‑Jun‑2025] Hike, bike, paddle, and stargaze. From secluded cabins to waterfront stays, AMC's Maine destinations put you in the heart of it all. AMC MAINE »

Save the Date: Women’s Weekend 2025

[11‑Jun‑2025] Mark your calendars for the AMC Western MA Chapter's fourth annual "Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature", a women's only retreat on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA.

Robert Frost Series #5

[10‑Jun‑2025] The Chapter's Hiking Chair, Mike April, led a group of hikers on the fifth hike in the Robert Frost Trail Series on a sunny day (yay...no rain) in Amherst and Leverett. The group took a short detour to check out a heron rookery along the way. There are spots available on the two remaining hikes in this series. Click here for details and to register, and to see what else we're offering in Western Massachusetts. MORE PHOTOS »

Paddling on Cheshire Reservoir Rescheduled

[10‑Jun‑2025] The paddling outing on Cheshire Reservoir scheduled for last Saturday has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 15th at 2:00 PM. Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate Father's Day! Yes, this photo was taken at Cheshire Reservoir with gorgeous views of Mt. Greylock! REGISTER »

ATC and the Land and Water Conservation Fund

[09‑Jun‑2025] Our beloved public lands and trails are already underfunded. And now the administration is proposing to cut the National Park Service budget by 33%, the USDA Forest Service budget by 75%, and to redirect funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (#LWCF). Learn how to support funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. ATC »

National Trails Day

[09‑Jun‑2025] 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. VIEW ARTICLE »

A.T. Section Hike Series

[06‑Jun‑2025] Eleven hikers enjoyed beautiful views of the mountains, forests and wildflowers on Sunday's hike on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Great Barrington. This was the fifth hike in the Chapter's A.T. Section Hike Series.

June is Here!

[03‑Jun‑2025] In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different. -John Steinbeck

Activity of the Month

[03‑Jun‑2025] AMC's mission is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. To that end, we will be posting an activity of the month to share some of the amazing places to go adventuring in western MA.

National Trails Day Celebration

[01‑Jun‑2025] There is still time to register for our National Trails Day celebration activities. Whether you like to hike, paddle, ride or work on the trails, we have something for you. And don't forget to stop by the AMC table at Diane's Twist, 13 Main St in Cheshire or the Holyoke Range State Park in Amherst so say hello, grab some swag, and learn more about the AMC Western MA Chapter. We look forward to celebrating with you! VIEW ACTIVITIES »

AMC Launches First Adventure Travel Trip for 20s/30s

[01‑Jun‑2025] AMC is thrilled to launch the first-ever Adventure Travel trip for 20s/30s Young Members - and it's one of the best hikes in the world: Switzerland's breathtaking Via Alpina. Running from July 18-26, 2026, this 9-day trip will focus on the heart of the Swiss alpine region. Photo by Steve Cohen. AMC RESOURCES »Spring 2025 »
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