Appalachian Mountain Club Western Massachusetts Chapter

06/19/2026

Easy way to distinguish poison ivy from other 3-leaved plants.

As a public service, I offer an easy ID point that I learned in college. It’s amazing how many people don’t know how to identify poison ivy on their property and differentiate from other benign species.
Please see three leaves, central one is serrated or jagged. On both edges. Two adjacent leaves are smooth facing central leaf and serrated only on outer edge. That’s your dead giveaway.

06/18/2026

This past Saturday AMC Staff Benji van der Hulst led an educational hike on Section 8 of the New England Trail. Hikers were led from the Notch Visitor Center in Amherst, to the summit of Mt. Norwottuck, and down through the Horse Caves along the mountain. They learned about the importance of a sustainable trail; why they exist, why they are maintained, and the role that trail crews play in keeping them sustainable.

We have more Trails Sustainability Hikes planned on this section of the trail in July and August, so stay tuned on AMC Outdoors Connector for further postings!
Login | AMC Outdoors Connector https://activities.outdoors.org

06/17/2026

We have been sharing information about the Senate's America the Beautiful Act and have been handing out postcards at recent Chapter events for folks to fill out to send a message to their representatives to support the bill. We want to share an update on the status of the Act, which reauthorizes the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) to provide resources addressing the substantial backlog of maintenance projects we have on our public lands.

The US Senate officially introduced their bi-partisan bill, the "America the Beautiful Act," a few weeks ago and it is up to 64 co-sponsors — which is above the number needed to pass the bill in the Senate. The US House just introduced their bi-partisan bill Monday. They are calling it the "Great American Outdoors Act 250". The House committee leading this effort held a hearing in Hot Springs Arkansas recently complete with moving testimony from Kevin Costner (at minute 37). You can view that video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it6SCrH3izw

A fact sheet on the House bill is available here. https://naturalresources.house.gov/uploadedfiles/gaoa_250_-_one_pager.pdf

The Senate and House bills both reauthorize LRF at the same funding level though have some differences in implementation and other details. There will have to be agreement between the versions once each bill passes each chamber, but both bills are very constructive. The timing for when we can expect either bill to pass is uncertain but we will keep you posted.

If you sent in some postcards to your representatives, we thank you! And if you would like to send out some post cards, let us know and we will find a way to get them to you. Just send a message to
[email protected]

06/11/2026

Activity of the Month- the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts

Every month we like to highlight a place for recreating outdoors to give our followers new ideas for their outdoor adventures. This month we would like to highlight the entire Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts that offers many opportunities for hiking and backpacking.

The Appalachian Trail stretches 2190 miles from Springer Mountain Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Thousands of thru hikers attempt to hike the entire trail in a single season, but only 25-30% finish it, roughly 700 people. The Massachusetts portion in just over 90 miles starting in Salisbury, Connecticut and ending in Clarksburg State Forest on the Vermont border.

There are many places along the trail to do a day hike, or perhaps an overnight backpacking trip. One option is to drive to the top of Mt. Greylock and hop on a section of the AT that passes through the summit.

Another moderate hike is to head up to Upper Goose Pond starting on Route 20 in Becket. This 3.5-mile round trip hike starts near the Mass Pike in Becket and brings you up to a beautiful pond. You can continue south on the AT if you're looking for a longer hike.

And in Cheshire, you can hike the Cobbles Trail that brings you to an overlook with views of Cheshire Reservoir and Mt. Greylock.

Another option is to join the Chapter on the AT Hike Series. We are leading a series of hikes on the AT on consecutive weekends, starting on the Connecticut border up to Vermont. Go to our website for details and to register for the remaining hikes.
https://www.amc-wma.org/activities.cgi

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is the organization that manages the AT. Since 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has been leading the management and conservation of the Appalachian Trail and its landscape. Their website is a great resource for planning your Massachusetts AT adventure with maps, suggested day hikes, shelters, and other helpful resources.
https://appalachiantrail.org/experience/hike-the-trail/explore-by-state/massachusetts/

There are many ways to enjoy this national treasure! We hope you get a chance to get out there and see for yourself. And don't forget to tag us in your posts.

06/10/2026

Seventeen hikers joined hike leader Jeannette Pierce on a hike at the Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell to enjoy the blooming mountain laurels and two waterfalls along the Pitcher Brook Trail. We were also treated to a sweet fawn scampering away and a garter snake slithering off the trail.

After a picnic lunch in the meadow overlooking the valley below, they walked along a trail to a neighbor's beautiful perennial and mountain laurel garden. Lovely day!

We have a wide variety of hikes on the schedule this summer from easy historical walks in Holyoke to overnight backpacking hikes and everything in between. Click the link to check it out and come join us.
https://www.amc-wma.org/activities.cgi

06/09/2026

Paddling leaders-in-training got a little wet during the Paddling Leader Training on Saturday in Cheshire. Five LITs and 7 current leaders practiced how to get back in their kayak in open water and various rescue techniques. The scenarios, discussions, and rescue practice was valuable for all.

06/08/2026

Twelve hikers joined Chapter Chair and hike leader Kathy Martin on yesterday's Appalachian Trail Hike Series #4 near Great Barrington. This 6+ mile section led the group through the area of the Butternut fire two years ago and folks were happy to see how well it had recovered, with ferns everywhere! They also marveled at the ice gulch, a half-mile ravine with steep 100 foot cliffs and glacial boulders. Thanks to Kathy and all who joined her!

The AT series continues through August. Go to the Chapter Activities page of our website to browse all upcoming activities.
AMC Western MA: Chapter Activities https://share.google/rdPNk6ka00aIWl5H4

06/07/2026

Yesterday, on the Western Mass Chapter came together to celebrate in a big way! Under the phenomenal leadership of Membership Chair Kathy Kindness, Chapter activity leaders led three hikes, a bike ride, a trails maintenance activity, and a paddling outing and leadership training on the Cheshire Reservoir.

The day started with snacks and National Trails Day pledge to protect the trails at the AMC WM table set up on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Cheshire, then the groups went off on their respective activities.

Kathy and Kathy Martin, Chapter Chair, staffed the table and shared information and donuts with folks on the bike path.
All participants were rewarded with a delicious ice cream cone from Diane's Twist upon their return.

A huge thank you to Kathy for organizing our NTD celebration, to all the leaders for stepping up to lead an activity, and to all those who came out to help us celebrate!! What a great day!

06/05/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $951,000 to Protect Forest Reserves in Three Western MA Communities

The Healey-Driscoll Administration today awarded $951,000 in grants to permanently protect 430 acres to be managed as forest reserves. Three projects in the communities of Belchertown, Huntington, and Wendell have been awarded grants through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Acquisition for Forest Reserves Grant Program to offer outdoor recreational opportunities, store carbon to mitigate climate change, and protect habitats important to biodiversity.

“Our forests are some of our most valuable natural resources. Protecting them means cleaner air, healthier wildlife, and more places for people to get outside,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Allowing forests to grow older and stronger will help them absorb more pollution and carbon from the air, supporting healthier communities for the future.”

We are very grateful for the support of our outdoor spaces from the Healey-Driscoll administration! Click the link to read the full article, including the specific properties that will benefit from this grant.
https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-awards-951000-to-protect-forest-reserves