Easy Access Hiking & Smartphone Photography Series: Moore State Park

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Joseph Abbascia Jr., Susan Serra, Renee Pittelli
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001L6Hx
Audience: Everyone

Description: Out and About: Capturing Autumn Colors at Moore State Park Welcome back to the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Easy Access Hiking and Photography Series ! Today, we are exploring the historic and vibrant trails of Moore State Park in Paxton, Massachusetts. Whether you are packing a heavy DSLR camera body or simply shooting high-resolution frames with your phone, this location offers an incredible blend of structural history and cascading landscapes. These two short, easy-access loops are designed to maximize your time behind the lens without demanding a grueling climb.
📸 The Route Maps & Telemetry Hike 1: The Garden & Mill Loop Distance: 2.16 miles Elevation Gain (Ascent): 209 feet Terrain: Maintained dirt paths, grass paths, wooden footbridges, and historic stone steps. Featured Trails: Azalea Path, Sawmill Area, Old Brigham Path, Stairway Loop, Judy's Secret Garden Loop, and the Enchanta Trail. Photography Focus: Pacing your shots across over two miles of trail. The first half winds tightly around the historic core and water features, while the second half opens up into an immersive, quiet woodland walk. Use the descent down the lower river banks to capture layered compositions—shooting through the tree branches down toward the water levels below. Hike 2: The Ridge & Hillside Loop Distance: 1.42 miles Elevation Gain (Ascent): 154 feet Terrain: Wide rolling park paths with gentle, gradual elevation changes up the hillside. Featured Trails: Laurel Loop and Davis Hill. Photography Focus: Utilizing a very modest and steady climb to capture the changing density of the forest canopy as you move higher up the ridge. Use the sweeping, curving nature of the Laurel Loop to your advantage—framing your hiking partners ahead of you on the path to create a strong sense of journey and scale against the rising hillside backdrop. 🪵 Photo Spot Highlights The Historic Sawmill & Waterfall The crown jewel of Moore State Park is its beautifully restored sawmill. Composition Tip: Use a slow shutter speed (or "Long Exposure" live photo mode on your phone) to turn the rushing waterfall into a silky white veil against the dark timbers of the mill structure. Lighting: Early morning or late afternoon light helps avoid harsh glares off the tumbling water. Judy's Secret Garden & The Enchanta Trail Tucked away on the western loop, these paths feel like stepping into a hidden storybook corridor. Composition Tip: Look down! The moss-covered stone steps and low-growing ferns contrast beautifully with the fallen orange and yellow leaves. Use a wide aperture (Portrait Mode) to isolate a single bright leaf against a soft, blurred forest floor. Davis Hill Canopy Climbing gently along the Laurel Loop up toward Davis Hill gives you a completely different vantage point. Composition Tip: Point your camera straight up into the branches. The converging trunks of the oaks and maples act as natural spokes pointing toward the sky, creating a stark, graphic pattern against the blue or overcast backdrop. ☕ After-Hike Social: The Goods Bakery & Cafe Once we pack up our gear, we will head over to The Goods Bakery & Cafe (320 Main St, Spencer, MA) to warm up, download our photos, and chat about our favorite shots over artisanal coffee and scratch-made pastries! They offer an incredible selection of seasonal specialty drinks, cinnamon rolls, and fresh breakfast sandwiches in a cozy, welcoming space. (Please note: Their Saturday hours are 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, so we will time our morning wraps to make sure we get there before closing!)
🌧️ Weather & Cancellation Policy Photography and hiking are best enjoyed when our gear (and our bodies) stay reasonably dry! In the event of heavy rain or severe weather, the hike will be canceled. We will monitor the forecast closely leading up to the event. A final cancellation notice will be emailed to all registered participants by 7:00 PM the evening before the hike . If it is just a light, misty drizzle, pack your rain covers and lens cloths—we will still head out, as damp conditions can make autumn foliage colors look incredibly rich and saturated! 📌 Registration & Logistics To keep the trail group size manageable and ensure everyone gets quality time for photography guidance, registration is required. Exact parking coordinates and the final morning meet-up time will be emailed at a later date strictly to official registrants. In addition, I will send a photography tip cheat sheet to prepare for our trip. Required equipment and gear: Any smartphone, digital camera or polaroid instant camera 🙂 Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip Chilly weather layers Rain jacket and gear covers Water and snacks 🥾 AMC Leave No Trace Reminders Stay on Designated Paths: The azaleas, laurels, and historic garden beds have fragile root systems. Stepping off-trail for a better photo angle can compact the soil and damage future spring blooms. Respect the Structures: Do not climb on top of the historic stone foundations or mill walls to secure a shot. Pack it Out: Keep our state parks pristine by making sure no lens caps, wrapper corners, or trash are left behind on the trail.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!