Western MA Hiking/Paddling/Biking (& more)

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Dawne Piers-Gamble, Kathy Martin, Debra Weisenstein, Laura Stinnette, Bonna Wieler, Jeannette Pierce
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001E3qH
Register By: 9/4/2026
Audience: Women+

Description: Women please join the Appalachian Mountain Club’s, WMA Chapter’s Fifth Annual, Connecting Women, Connecting with Nature , women’s only, weekend retreat from 5:00 PM, Friday, September 18th until 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 20th 2026 at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation in Russell, MA. (on the Russell Pond not far from Noble View) We have scheduled a variety of traditional and non-traditional outdoor pursuits in the hope of attracting women to the joy and rejuvenation of the outdoors.
This is a women-only event that uses an inclusive definition of women. We respectfully welcome all women including non-binary, gender non-conforming, trans-women and individuals who identify as a woman as the best expression of themselves.
We have an interesting slate of new and revered activities including, A Writing Workshop, Watercolor Painting, Bird Walking, Yoga, Open Fire Cooking, Plant/Tree Identification, Animal tracking as well as hiking, paddling, and a campfire with music. For your entertainment there will also be a Freestyle Canoe demonstration and a Book Talk before dinner on Saturday.
Stay- We invite women to stay over Friday and Saturday night at Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation . This is a more rustic lodging experience, as the rooms are set up with multiple bunks per room in cabins. (as a result there will be less privacy, but no one needs to use a top bunk except for storage :) Guests should bring their own pillows and bed linens and or sleeping bags. Tent camping will offer more privacy, as you can pitch your own tent on a grassy space near the “Training Lodge.” There are two bathrooms with showers and a full kitchen with running water in the Training Lodge. This is where we will have our meals. We ask that you bring a plate, cup and utensils, as the lodge is not equipped with kitchen or dining utensils. We have also rented the bathhouse for the weekend for your convenience.
Meals- We will be providing a Friday evening light Dinner, on Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Dinner and on Sunday Breakfast, Snack and Lunch. This event will happen rain or shine.
Lodging- It is our intention to make this weekend affordable to all women who would like to participate. With that said, the full cost of a cabin bed, food and activities for the weekend is $185.00. A tent site is $125.00 with food and activities for the weekend.The cost of food and activities is $85.00. Food alone costs $50.00. We would like to offer the option for women to pay what they can for the weekend within that range. ($50 - $185) Our goal is to be able to cover all of our expenses, so as to be able to offer this experience again next year. Contributions above that range will enable us to make this weekend affordable to even more women, and we thank you for your generosity if you choose to do so. You will be prompted to pay when you register below. We will only be able to refund registration money up to three weeks before the event. When we receive notice of your AMC registration, we will send out a weekend planning questionnaire. It is important to complete the questionnaire as soon as possible to hold your spot and to help the leaders plan for the event with your needs and choices in mind. Directions to Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation and specific instructions for the weekend will be sent via email two weeks before Women’s Weekend commences.
Russell Pond- we have access to boating on the waterfront during scheduled Women’s Weekend paddles only, feel free to bring your own boat, paddle and pfd or you can borrow. Shore fishing is also permitted with a MA fishing license and your own pole. Swimming will not be permitted as we do not have a certified life guard available, as required by Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation .
Parking- is available near the cabins and Training Lodge.
The Horace A. Moses Scout Reservation is a massive 1,295 acre campus, so while we have rented specific spaces for Women’s Weekend, there is the possibility that other coed groups or individuals will be there over the weekend.
Registration closes Friday, Sept 4th Map link below: https://www.wmascouting.org/files/12801/Map--Camp

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Backpacking | Backpacking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Ethan Guertin, Michael April
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001G3W1
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join AMC Western MA 20s/30s for a late summer backpacking trip in the Green Mountain National Forest! Over two days, we’ll hike around 15 miles over some rolling hills, "tour" some secluded ponds, and climb up Stratton 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 late summer trail conditions, including mud, bugs, hotter days and cool overnight temperatures.
We’ll coordinate gear checks, car shuttles, and group communication with confirmed participants prior to the trip.
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Ethan Guertin (he/him): Ethan lives in Turners Falls, MA and is a hiking, backpacking, and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. He grew up spending time outside and enjoys activities such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, and paddling.
Mike April
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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!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Jeannette Pierce
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001Hcpt
Audience: Adults

Description: Come celebrate the autumnal equinox aka the first day of fall with a hike up to the peak of Mt. Holyoke that will provide gorgeous views of the Connecticut River, Mt. Tom, and the mountains to the west and north. We will start on Section 7 of the New England Trail in South Hadley and climb to the Skinner Mountain House at the summit of Mt. Holyoke. The trail is a steady climb with a few rock scrambles. We'll enjoy the views and some snacks on the summit, then head down the other side continuing on the NET until we cross the road and pick up the Dry Brook Trail. This will give us a relaxing hike back down to the starting point. The total distance is 4.3 miles with an elevation gain of 932 feet.
What to wear: wear comfortable, sturdy shoes/boots and clothing made of synthetic, moisture-wicking fabrics that dry quickly What to bring: at least 2 liters of water, snacks/lunch, poles if you use them, rain jacket/poncho if rain is possible Where to meet: 41 Old Mountain Rd, Hadley, MA the NET Section 7 trail head parking area. Parking is limited so please carpool if possible.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Trail Work | Trail Work
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Cosmo Catalano
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001FU8T
Audience: Adults

Description: We will be converting the privy at the Crystal Mountain campsite from a pit privy to a moldering type. This involves constructing a ±2ft tall “crib” of stacked lumber on the ground to hold the waste, rather than it being deposited into a pit. Contained above the ground, the waste can decompose (moulder) relatively quickly, in a pit, it will linger for years--even decades. Using a moldering privy keeps the environment cleaner, smells less and doesn’t require a new pit to be dug every three to four years. Nearly all privies on the AT are of this type.
Crystal Mountain is one of our most remote overnight sites (~5 trail miles from any road crossing). The work description says "Moderate",because the construction is pretty easy. but accessing the site requires a steep climb up a nearby utility corridor . We do this slowly and it takes about 45 minutes. After that, the work is moderate (followed by the steep descent back down the corridor).
For this project, National Grid has offered to carry the materials up the utility corridor to a point relatively close to the campsite. From there, volunteers will hand carry the lumber, tools and supplies to the campsite. The exact distance depends on the conditions in the corridor, if it’s very wet, the vehicle will not get as close to the site, and we’ll need to carry the materials further.
At the site, construction of the crib is pretty straightforward using basic hand tools. The tricky part is lifting the existing privy off of the pit and placing it onto the crib. At least four people are needed for this step.
Dress for the expected weather, wear sturdy shoes. Bring lunch/snacks and water to drink. Work gloves are recommended for handling the lumber we will be using. The utility corridor is fully sun-exposed. Hat and sunscreen is recommended.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!