(20s/30s+) Wessels Series: Elders' Grove

Activity 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/a5UUN000002C3KL
Register By: 4/16/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike to Elders' Grove in Mohawk Trail State Forest, learning about basal fire scars, stump sprouts, spring ephemerals, and exceptionally tall trees along the way. Starting at the Zoar Picnic Area, we will take the Elders' Grove Trail along the river at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike.
The hike will be 2.3 miles in total with a gradual uphill grade in each direction with some flat portions. A total of 354 ft of elevation gain is across the whole trip. I recommend bringing a small day pack with water and a light snack or perhaps a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic area at the end of our hike.
Expect wet spring conditions including wet trails and chilly temperatures. Consider wearing waterproof footwear as well as carrying a rain jacket and rain pants. We will still hike in light rain but heavy rain will cancel 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!
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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 Mass DCR website)

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!