About us
Welcome! We’re the 20s/30s/40s Committee of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Western MA Chapter — a fun, friendly group for people in their 20s, 30s and 40s who love the outdoors and want to explore Western Mass and New England with others.
Whether you’re new to hiking, just moved to the area, or have years of outdoor experience, you’ll find a welcoming community here. We organize group hikes, paddles, ski trips, campouts, social gatherings, trail work days, and more — all with a focus on community, inclusivity, and shared adventure.
You don’t need to be an AMC member to join our Meetup group or come to events (though we love it when you become one!). Most of our activities are free or low-cost and are led by trained volunteers who are excited to share their passion for the outdoors.
Join us to explore new trails, meet like-minded folks, and build lasting connections — both on and off the trail.
Upcoming events
16
(20s/30s) Monroe State Forest Backpacking Trip
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Backpacking | Backpacking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Ethan Guertin, Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001E22z
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for an early fall backpacking trip in Monroe State Forest! Over two days, we’ll hike around 9 miles over some rolling hills, along some babbling streams, and up Spruce Mountain, where we will find views of the valley below.
This is a self-supported backpacking trip designed for hikers with prior independent experience. We are capping the group size for this hike at 5 hikers and 2 leaders. Participants should be confident in carrying all necessary gear, managing their own shelter, food, and water treatment, and hiking sustained mileage over two days. Expect spring trail conditions, including mud, bugs, and cool overnight temperatures.
We’ll coordinate gear checks, car shuttles, and group communication with confirmed participants prior to the trip.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
(20s/30s+) Wessels Series: Monument Mountain
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C4Rh
Register By: 9/23/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: 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.
The hike will be 2.5 miles in total with approximately 750 ft elevation gain and will be slightly more difficult than the other hikes in the Wmass 20s/ 30s+Wessels Series thus far. The Hickey Trail is the shortest but steepest trail to gain the summit. We will be going slow to allow for enjoyable pacing for all and ecological education. I recommend bringing a small day pack with plenty of water and a snack. You may also want to bring binoculars.
We will still hike in light rain but heavy rain will cancel the hike. Light rain will cause us to take the Mohican-Monument Trail at Inscription Rock Junction to divert off the ridge. Participants are welcome to join for dinner in Great Barrington after the hike.
**** This hike is part of the WMass 20s/30+ Wessels Series in which we will use Tom Wessels’ New England’s Roadside Ecology as a guide to talk about the interesting ecological aspects of the WMass /Southern NH/Southern VT area. Here is the full series schedule: Sunday April 19 Elder’s Grove 10am Saturday May 16 Wantastiquet Mountain 11am Saturday June 6 William Cullen Bryant Homestead 5pm Saturday July 11 Rhododendron State Park 11am Saturday August 15 Bartholomew’s Cobble 4pm Saturday September 26 Monument Mountain 2pm Saturday October 10 Vernon Town Forest 11am Saturday November 21 Pisgah State Forest 11am
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where participants share upcoming events, photos, and occasionally connect around informal, non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.
**** Rosie Lacas (she/her): Rosie lives in Amherst, MA and is a hiking and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. She has special interests in plant and wildlife ecology and the history of rural New England. She is working on her NH48 and takes great joy in planning outdoor adventures.
(activity photo courtesy of Trustees website)Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
(20s/30s) Apple Picking & Art in the Orchard
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Social | Local Socials
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001HeGb
Audience: 20’s & 30’sDescription: Join other folks in their 20s/30s for an afternoon at Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton: apple picking, large-scale outdoor sculpture, and good company.
Park Hill's Art in the Orchard is a self-guided sculpture trail winding through the fruit gardens, featuring 30+ works by local and regional artists. Stroll through at your own pace, pick some apples, or just come hang out.
Apple picking is $30/peck or $20/half-peck; splitting a bag with others is possible. Picking is optional, and the sculpture trail is free and open to all.
Dogs are not allowed in the PYO orchard area. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the sculpture trail.
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Hew Hart (he/they): Hew lives in South Deerfield, and is a hiking, backpacking, paddling, bicycling, and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. He thru-hiked the AT in 2022, has completed the NH48, and enjoys building community centered around the outdoors.
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Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! • Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups • Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA 20s/30s.Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
(30s/40s) Amethyst Brook Conservation Area
Location not specified yetActivity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001Itn3
Audience: 20’s & 30’s; AdultsDescription: Join other folks in their 30s and 40s for an early evening walk/hike fin the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area. We’ll meet at 5:30 PM for a relaxed 1.5-hour hike. Expect just under 2 miles of hiking, with modest elevation gain.
After the hike, we’ll optionally head somewhere nearby for food + drink.
Dogs are allowed, and must be leashed at all times; please let the leader(s) know if you intend to bring your pup!
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Hew Hart (he/they): Hew lives in South Deerfield, and is a hiking, backpacking, paddling, bicycling, and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. He thru-hiked the AT in 2022, has completed the NH48, and enjoys building community centered around the outdoors.
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Stay Connected with Western MA 30s/40s! Join our WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MAReminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!
1 attendee
Past events
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