The Western MA Exchange

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 »

FAMILY PROGRAMS »

ATC »

PADDLING COMMITTEE »

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 »

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 »

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!

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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MORE PHOTOS »