The Western MA Exchange

MASS.GOV »

The day started with snacks and the National Trails Day pledge to protect trails at the AMC Western MA table set up on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Cheshire, then the groups went off on their respective activities. Kathy and Kathy Martin, Chapter Chair, staffed the table and shared information and donuts with folks on the bike path. All participants were rewarded with a delicious ice cream cone from Diane's Twist upon their return. A huge thank you to Kathy for organizing our NTD celebration, to all the leaders for stepping up to lead an activity, and to all those who came out to help us celebrate!! What a great day! MORE PHOTOS »

The relay continues and you can follow the progress and see photos here.

Topics typically cover current initiatives, opportunities for local advocacy in your area, and an open discussion driven by your interests in our conservation mission. Planned topics in this session: (1) AMC's America the Beautiful Act, (2) postcard campaign, (3) federal legislative update, and (4) open Q&A. To request topics and submit questions in advance, send an email to: amc.ccc.1876@gmail.com with the Subject "Coffee Chat Q&A". This will ensure we have the right staff members present to discuss topics thoroughly. Join the meeting on Zoom.

Led by hike leader and Chapter Communications Chair Jeannette Pierce, the group hiked 5 miles on the A.T. from the Shays' Rebellion monument to the Homes Rd trailhead parking area. Views of meadows filled with wildflowers, mountains in the distance, the Housatonic River, and a colony of beautiful Pink Lady's Slippers delighted the happy hikers. The A.T. series continues into August with consecutive hikes every weekend. Check it out on the Chapter Activities page and come join the fun!

Eleven hardy hikers traversed Section 7, aka the Seven Sisters, then continued on to hike Section 8 from the Holyoke Range State Park to Harris St in Belchertown, a total of 11 challenging miles. Thanks Mike and fellow hikers for doing your part to carry the official AMC 150 banner along the relay route!

MORE PHOTOS »

On Sunday the group carried the official relay banner down the Westfield River, from Russell to Westfield. The rain did not stop these three hardy folks - Deb, Dawne and Bill, from getting the banner to its destination. Then yesterday, with sunny weather and blue skies, the Western MA paddlers, joined by staff and clients from All Out Adventures, paddled down the Connecticut River from Hatfield to the Oxbow in Northampton. Thanks to all the volunteers, and especially our AMC 150 Coordinator, Parker Depond, who helped make these outings possible! MORE PHOTOS »

We've planned an array of activities so you can choose your own adventure. We'll start the day at Diane's Twist in Cheshire at 8:30 AM for snacks, beverages, and a NTD pledge. Then groups will take off for paddling, hiking, cycling, and trail maintenance activities. After the activities, we invite participants to come back to Diane's Twist to enjoy a free ice cream cone. Here are your options:

• Trail Maintenance at Cheshire Cobble
• Cheshire Reservoir Morning Paddle
• 20s/30s Hike to Rounds Rock
• Family Hike on the NET (Mt Tom, Holyoke)
• Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Ride
• AT Cheshire Hike

We hope to see you on June 6 to help us celebrate National Trails Day!

Four folks did all 9 miles of the combined sections, and 8 others joined them for the afternoon hike on Section 5. The clouds cleared out and it was a beautiful afternoon. The group enjoyed beautiful views of farmland and the hills to the west, and there were plenty of wildflowers including red columbine, wild azalea, and pink lady's slippers. Tomorrow the relay traverses Mt Tom on NET Section 6. MORE PHOTOS »

If you have ever been to Mt Greylock, or even driven by it in the valley below, you have seen the majestic monument on its 3491 foot peak, the highest in MA. Completed in 1931, the 92-foot tower was officially dedicated to honor the courage, endurance, loyalty, and self-sacrifice of all MA veterans. On the tower is a plaque honoring those who fought in wars. This is what it says: "A Beacon Standing for Peace"

In 1931, construction began on a memorial to honor Massachusetts men and women who had died during the World War. Designed by Boston architects Maginnis & Walsh, the 92-foot tower was built with blocks of Quincy granite by John G. Roy & Son of Springfield. It was formally dedicated by Governor Joseph B. Ely in 1933 before a crowd of 1200 people.

The tower's beacon, possibly the most powerful light in Massachusetts, was intended to "shine each night, perpetually, to honor the memory of fallen heroes and to guide aviators in their lone night-time journeys over the treacherous mountain range." Except for a few weeks in spring and fall, when the light is dimmed to avoid confusing migrating birds, the beacon continues to shine each night as a memorial to casualties of all wars. There are several ways to get to the peak of Mt Greylock. The road to the top is open from May to October so you can drive or ride a bike up it (yes, you will find cyclists riding up on a daily basis). And, there are several trails leading to the summit for those wanting to hike up, the easiest being the Cheshire Harbor Trail. Here's a great list for planning your hike. We hope you have a nice Memorial Day with family, friends, and time outdoors, and that you take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

What can you do in June with the AMC Western MA Chapter? Hike, bike, paddle, volunteer, celebrate National Trails Day, enjoy free ice cream, meet new friends, and spend time outdoors across some of the most beautiful places in western MA. In other words... June is going to be busy - in the very best way possible! As we continue celebrating National Bike Month, our Bicycling Committee is offering rides for all interests and skill levels, from relaxed social rides to challenging Berkshire adventures. National Trails Day on June 6 will bring together hikers, cyclists, paddlers, and trail volunteers for one of our biggest outdoor celebrations of the year. We are also excited about the New Member Trail Stewardship Workday at Noble View, designed to welcome newer members to the AMC community and introduce them to trail stewardship and volunteerism. We love welcoming new members and helping people discover their first AMC activities, so whether you are brand new to the Chapter or a longtime participant, we hope you'll join us for some outdoor fun this June! Kathy Martin, Western MA Chapter Chair

Celebrate National Trails Day with Us

We invite you to join the AMC Western MA Chapter for our biggest outdoor celebration of the year! On National Trails Day (NTD), June 6, 2026, we have planned an array of activities to enjoy the trails in western MA so you can choose your own adventure. We'll start the day at Diane's Twist at 8:30 AM for snacks, beverages, and a NTD pledge. Then groups will take off for paddling, hiking, cycling, and trail maintenance activities. After the activities, we invite participants to come back to Diane's Twist to enjoy a free ice cream cone. Below are the options for NTD activities. Registration is required for all activities. We recommend you register now as space is limited.

• Trail Maintenance at Cheshire Cobble
• Cheshire Reservoir Morning Paddle
• 20s/30s Hike to Rounds Rock
• Family Hike on the NET (Mt Tom, Holyoke)
• Ashuwillticook Rail Trail Ride
• AT Cheshire Hike

We hope to see you on June 6th to help us celebrate National Trails Day!

Happy National Bike Month!

The month of May is National Bike Month - a perfect time to highlight the work of the Chapter's Bicycling Committee. Under the leadership of Chair Robyn Maislin, the Committee plans a variety of rides from April through October. The Committee has recently trained five new leaders and they are offering everything from gravel rides and social time to challenging rides in the Berkshires. For more information, visit the Bicycling Committee's page which has lots of general information about joining a bike ride with the Chapter, group ride policies, resources such as Safe Cycling Tips, and all of the upcoming guided rides with the Chapter. Here is a sample of some upcoming rides:

• 07-Jun-2026: Berkshires - Great Barrington to Connecticut (rated moderate)
• 13-Jun-2026: Columbia Greenway Rail Trail Ride and lunch in Westfield (rated relaxed)

View all Western MA bike rides »

New Member Trail Stewardship Workday

Are you a new member of the AMC Western MA Chapter? AMC staff have planned a new member trail stewardship workday at Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, MA on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Designed with our first-year members in mind, this event offers a welcoming introduction to the community while giving you a chance to get outside, meet fellow members, and make a direct impact on the trails you'll come back to again and again. Spending time supporting our trails will give you a clear sense of what AMC is all about. While this is designed to introduce new members to trail stewardship, everyone is welcome to attend. No prior trail work experience is necessary and the necessary tools will be provided. Learn more »

Today's AMC 150^th Celebration went off without a hitch, with the exception of some earlier-than-expected rain showers. A crew of dedicated volunteers showed up at 10:30 and with a flurry of activity, had all the tents, tables and displays set up by 12:30. Meanwhile, the 27 mile AMC 150th Relay bike ride started around 10:00 in Washington, MA and arrived at Noble View at 1:15 with a rousing welcome from the crowd. And, a trails crew headed out to work on the Noble View trails at 9:00, finishing up around 1:00. In all, about 100 folks came to help celebrate the AMC's 150^th anniversary, enjoying an historical display of Noble View, nature journaling, a silent raffle of old trail signs, some advocacy for the outdoors, and a delicious lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs, and, of course, an anniversary cake! Steve Smith, a long-time volunteer with the Western MA Chapter on the Appalachian Trail Committee, was recognized for his many years of volunteer service to the AMC with the Volunteer Leadership Award. A huge shout out to all the volunteers and AMC staff who worked hard to make this such a successful event! View more photos here.

If you've been out in the woods recently, you may have come across a Lady's slipper. This beautiful member of the orchid family - Cypripedium - is a striking, long-lived native wildflower celebrated for its unique pouch-shaped blossom. In MA, these highly specialized wild orchids are currently in peak bloom across New England woodlands, generally flowering from mid-May through June. Fun fact: Lady's slippers survive by tricking local insects. The flower lures bumblebees inside its pouch using its color and sweet scent. Once inside, the bee discovers there is no nectar reward. The rolled petals prevent the bee from escaping the way it entered, forcing it to squeeze through a tight exit at the back of the flower. As it escapes, it is forced to rub against the flower's reproductive organs, successfully depositing and picking up pollen. If you see these lovely flowers, remember that they are protected under the Native Plant Protection Act. Gathering them or digging them up is illegal. In addition, they share an intricate, symbiotic relationship with the fungi in the soil to get nutrients. If you dig them up, they lose this life-support system and will die in your garden. Hopefully, you have a chance to get outdoors this weekend and search for these lovely orchids. This photo was taken on the New England National Scenic Trail Section 5 last Friday.

• Unlimited outdoor adventures. Join thousands of free member-led hikes, paddles, climbs, and community events all year long.
• Discounts. Up to 20% off AMC lodging, merchandise, AMC guides and maps.
• Your voice in conservation. Take action to protect the mountains, rivers, forests, and trails of our region.
• Skills and leadership training. Access expert-led classes in outdoor safety, navigation, trail stewardship, and more.
• AMC Outdoors magazine. Enjoy a free subscription to AMC Outdoors, featuring trip ideas, conservation updates, inspiring essays, and more.
• Stay in the loop. Receive monthly e-newsletters, event invites, and stories that celebrate our community and mission.
• A membership that gives back. As a nonprofit, 100% of your dues and donations are tax-deductible and go toward fostering the enjoyment, protection, and understanding of the outdoors.

Join today! Your dollars will be put to work to protect the outdoors for generations to come.

FACEBOOK »