What we're about
Our trips page lists a variety of events, including hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, skiing, and many other outdoor-related activities club members are leading. Chiltern events are open to members and non-members alike, and activities range anywhere from an easy garden walk to a strenuous backpacking trip in the White Mountains. We welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds, so there's no need to feel intimidated if you're new to an activity.
Chiltern is an all-volunteer group that strives to create a relaxed environment for people to experience the outdoors together and bond as a community.
***
The purpose of this group is to create a safe space where queer folks can get outside, make friends, and have fun exploring what beautiful New England has to offer! If you identify as queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, questioning, or anything in between, please join us!
People of all skill levels are encouraged to join. We encourage all members to plan their own hikes, overnight trips, and other fun events and suggest them to the group. Please feel free to ask me if you need any help in planning or posting an event of your own.
You must read the trail descriptions and pass requirements thoroughly, understanding that they may not be complete. Please bring a little cash for a daily stamp for your car if need be. Please also bring enough water, snacks and warm clothing for yourself.
***
Chiltern Mountain Club (CMC) was founded in 1978 by Sturgis Haskins. At the time he lived in Boston. He posted an ad in a local paper asking follow gay men and lesbians to join him for a hike up Mt. Wachusett in central Massachusetts. Since then, the club grew into New England's largest and only gay and lesbian outdoor recreation club.
***
How to pay your dues.
From your profile unique to this group in the left column, you can click on the "$25.00/year" link below the "Member Dues" to securely pay your dues online. You should have received an email from Meetup with instructions.
Alternatively, you can mail a check to PO Box 461, Danielson, CT 06239. We can manually update your dues expiration on Meetup once we receive payment. Please be aware that if we do not receive your check in time, Meetup may automatically remove you from the group for nonpayment. Simply rejoin and we will update you expiration manually.
Upcoming events (4+)
Join Chiltern Mountain Club, the LGBTQ Meetup of Central MA, and the Cambridge Men's Group for our annual Beach Day at Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport Point, MA.
Typically, about 35-45 people come to the CMC's annual beach day. Members and guests come from CT, MA, NH, RI, & VT. The club is planning to have a canopy tent for shelter from the Sun. While the event starts about 10am, people show up slowly all morning long, so join us anytime.
Parking
The parking fee is $13 per car for MA residents and $40 per car for non-residents.
What to bring?
Most importantly, sunscreen, plenty of water, and of course your bathing suit. If you're able, please bring snacks and liquid refreshments (non-alcoholic, of course) to share.
How to find us on Horseneck Beach?
The beach is nearly 3 miles long and parking is approximately in the middle. From the bathhouse and snack bar, take a right at the end of the boardwalk, heading west (towards RI). Follow the paved road (partially covered by sand) and pass through the second major opening in the dunes to the beach, and we usually set up near here on the beach. We may not be able to display any signage (it's against reservation policy), but we are usually the only group with a large.
Info & Traveling:
Click here (https://www.mass.gov/locations/horseneck-beach-state-reservation) for complete details about the beach and reservation. If you're on Facebook, please use the event wall to post comments if you are looking to carpool or find a ride if you don't have a car. Click here (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation) for a map of park-and-rides throughout Massachusetts.
Directions:
Many people today have GPS devices or use online maps and directions service, so I'll spare the detailed directions. Briefly, to get to Horseneck Beach State Reservation, make your way south via I-95, I-495 or Route 24 to I-195 near Fall River, MA. From I-195 take exit 10 for Route 88 south and that’ll bring right to the reservation!
Calls
Please do NOT wait to call Saturday morning. Please plan if you need more information.
Contact Josiah if you have any questions. You can reach me by cell/text,[masked] or [masked].
- Josiah R.
- Allan
- Bill B.
- 16 attendees
Join Liz and the gang for another long weekend of camping at Lamoine State Park in Lamoine, Maine. The campground is a secluded, wonderful place across Frenchman Bay from Acadia National Park. We have reserved a large group area. The campground has great showers and facilities. Acadia National Park affords great opportunities for hiking, biking, and kayaking in both Frenchman Bay and local lakes. Rentals are available for biking and kayaking.
On Saturday night we will get together for a cookout including local lobsters bay side. Everyone helps out with the shopping and cooking. The cost for the weekend will run around $40-$50 for camping four nights and the cookout. The cost depends on the number of campers.
- Elizabeth W.
- Allan
- Denny D.
- 7 attendees
Join Jim and Neil for the first day of our Burlington, VT-area biking weekend, a moderate difficulty ride along Lake Champlain. We'll bike 30-miles round trip from the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington to the Allenholm Farm in South Hero and back. We'll ride the Burlington Bike Path and the Colchester Causeway. This includes a very short ride on the bike ferry across a gap in the Causeway. (The ferry is free, but donations are gladly accepted.) This route affords great views of Lake Champlain and the Green and Adirondack Mountains, and is entirely flat. While most (2/3) of our route is paved, 1/3 of it is hard-packed crushed limestone. Road bikers should be able to manage the unpaved portion of the route, but if you have concerns about this, consider renting or borrowing a hybrid (preferably) or mountain bike.
While we won't have a formal lunch stop, we will make periodic rest stops. Bring snacks and plenty of water. A sweatshirt or light jacket would be advisable as well. If there is interest, the group will have dinner at a restaurant in Burlington afterwards. We’ll discuss that during the trip.
Watch for updates about this ride in the coming weeks.
Directions to the meeting place will be provided to registered participants the week before the trip.
- Neil
- 1 attendee
Join Jim and Neil for the second day of our Burlington, VT-area biking weekend. We'll do a 20-mile round trip ride from Oxbow Park in Morrisville to Old Mill Park in Johnson and back. We'll ride the picturesque Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which follows the Lamoille River through north central Vermont. The route is relatively flat, though there are some rolling hills. The trail surface is compacted crushed stone, OK for most bikes, but best suited for hybrid or mountain bikes. Consider borrowing or renting one if you have a road bike.
We won't be making a formal lunch stop, so bring snacks and plenty of water. A sweatshirt or light jacket would be advisable as well. If there is interest, the group will have dinner at a restaurant in Morrisville or Stowe afterwards. We’ll discuss that during the trip.
Watch for updates about this ride in the coming weeks.
Directions to the meeting place will be provided to registered participants the week before the trip.
- Neil
- 1 attendee
Past events (26)
- Kay
- 1 attendee
