Hiking and More with AMC’s Southeastern Mass Chapter

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Diane Simms, Paul Brookes
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001HFtJ
Register By: 10/8/2026
Audience: Adults

Description: Please join us for our saturday conditioning hike in the Blue Hills. This hike is for intermediate and advanced hikers who are looking to maintain their conditioning level. Participants should be in good shape with recent hiking experience. You can expect the hike to be about 4 hours and approximately 7 miles with an elevation gain of1,500 feet. The pace will be 1.5- 2 mph, a bit faster on flat to low grade surfaces and a bit slower when ascending/descending steep inclines. The routes will include uneven terrain, rock scrambles and ledges in the Chickatawbut area os the Blue Hills. The specifics including the meeting location and route will be notified to the participants a few days before the hike.
Participants should bring sturdy footwear, a backpack, layered clothing suitable for hiking in the fall, rain gear, at least 2 liters of water, a lunch or snacks and sun block. Trekking poles are optional but recommended. Meet up time is 9:30am and end time is around 2PM. The hike is open to everyone and you do not need to be a member of AMC to participate. However, on-line registration is required.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Biking | Road
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Paul Brookes, Hiroko Hardebeck
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001KIjN
Audience: Everyone

Description: Join the AMC Southeastern MA Chapter for a 20-mile, out-and-back bike ride on the Blackstone River Bikeway. We will start and end at the River's Edge parking lot in Woonsocket, RI.
The scenic route follows the river down to Lincoln, passing by rolling dams and through the Blackstone River State Park. The ride is mostly on a paved bike path , with a brief 0.2-mile segment on a street when we stop at a café in Cumberland for a mid-ride break.
Bikers must have biked similar distances recently and be able to maintain a moderate 10 mph to 12 mph, have rear lights, wear a helmet, bring a spare tube, snack, and water.
Registration is limited to 6 participants.
For more information of the Blackstone River Bikeway: https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/exploring-the-blackstone-river-valley/maps-tours-guides/blackstone-river-bikeway/

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 1 - Accessible
Trip Leader(s): Paul Brookes, Jeannine Audet, Michael Michalewich
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001EIMH
Register By: 11/2/2026
Audience: Everyone

Description: Join us for an evening of friendship, celebration, great food, and inspiration as we gather for the 50th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Whether you're a longtime member, a recent participant in one of our activities, a friend of the chapter, or simply curious about what we're all about, you are warmly invited to be part of the event.
The gathering will take place at The Chateau in Norton, MA. Festivities begin at 4:30 PM with a social hour featuring free appetizers and cash bar. The Annual Meeting will be called to order at 5:30 PM. Following the official chapter business, the SEM Annual Dinner will commence.
🌟 Why Attend? This is much more than a business meeting . It's one of the chapter's most anticipated events of the year, a chance to: Connect with fellow AMC members and friends Celebrate the past year's adventures and accomplishments Participate in the governance of the Chapter Enjoy a delicious dinner Hear from an engaging guest speaker Find out who will receive this year's Distinguished Service Award Be part of our 50th Anniversary festivities and raffle Share an evening of community, laughter, and inspiration
🎈 Celebrating 50 Years of SEM AMC This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Chapter, making this Annual Meeting and Dinner especially meaningful. Throughout the evening we'll celebrate five decades of outdoor adventure, leadership, and community. In addition, we'll hold our 50th Anniversary raffle featuring many great prizes . Each qualifying 50th Anniversary activity you attended earned you one entry in the raffle. And that's not all: we have a few special surprises planned that we're keeping under wraps for now!
🕓 Evening Schedule 4:30 PM – Social Hour, Complimentary Appetizers & Photo Slideshow 5:30 PM – SEM Annual Meeting , and AMC Update 6:30 PM – Dinner and Evening Program 9:00 PM – Farewell
🗳️ Annual Meeting Highlights The SEM Annual Meeting is an opportunity to learn about the chapter’s accomplishments, celebrate our volunteers, and participate in the governance of the chapter. Attendees will hear updates from chapter leadership and participate in voting on the slate of Executive Committee officers for the coming term. Additionally, a beautifully printed, full‑color Annual Report will be available at each table.
📚 Featured Speaker: Author Joan Griffin and Audience Q&A Author Joan Griffin lives in the Northern California foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada, a landscape she loves exploring. A retired educator and current instructor of literature and history, Joan is the author of Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail . She is currently writing her second memoir, Strangers in My Blood , the story of her journey growing up adopted, which is scheduled for release in 2027. Joan on Facebook
🏆 Distinguished Service Award One of the highlights of the evening will be the presentation of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award , recognizing outstanding volunteer service and dedication to the chapter.
This year will also feature the traditional passing of the Chapter Vase to the incoming Chapter Chair, symbolizing the transition of chapter leadership. Because Chapter Chairs serve two-year terms, this special ceremony takes place only every other year.
🥂 Everyone Is Welcome All SEM members, participants in our activities, family members, friends, partners, and anyone interested in learning more about the chapter are warmly invited to attend. The Social Hour is open to everyone and features complimentary appetizers, a cash bar, and a photo slideshow celebrating the year's adventures and activities. The Annual Meeting is open to everyone, although only SEM Chapter members may vote on official chapter business. Attendance at the Annual Dinner and evening program are available to registered paying guests at any of our pricing levels. 💲 Dinner & Pricing Options We want everyone who would like to attend to be able to join us.
To help make the evening accessible, we are offering several pricing options . The first two rates are subsidized by the chapter to help keep the event affordable, while the Supporter Rate includes an extra contribution that will be dedicated to Leader Appreciation and Chapter Scholarship .
Please choose the option that best fits your circumstances. Our goal is simple: we want you there. 📍 Location: The Chateau, Norton Based on feedback from our members and participants, this year's event will be held at The Chateau in Norton, Massachusetts.
We’re excited to try a more central , off-Cape location to make attendance easier and more convenient for members from across our chapter’s region.
Highlights include: Bright, adjacent parking with well-lit walkways leading directly to the Tuscany Room. A delicious Italian-inspired menu, and we may even have a fun dessert surprise in the works. Plenty of room to gather, socialize, and celebrate our 50th Anniversary together. A wider, less-deep room layout, plus we plan to use two screens, one on each side of the podium. 🥕 Dietary Restrictions If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, you will have an opportunity to let us know during registration. We will work with the venue to accommodate requests whenever possible.
We Hope You'll Join Us Our 50th Anniversary only happens once
Come celebrate the people, friendships, adventures, and community that have made the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter so special for the past five decades.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Paul Brookes, Annemarie McKee
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001IoNZ
Register By: 12/14/2026
Audience: Everyone

Description: Crisp air and changing leaves make fall an amazing time to explore the outdoors. And what better way to experience it than with a fun hike with friends. SEM is once again kicking off our Fall Hiking series in the Blue Hills. These hikes are part of a series that will run every Tuesday morning starting on September 22nd and ending on December 15th. Each week the hike in a different section of the Blue Hills. The hikes will be approximately 5-7 miles and include up to 1,200' of elevation gain. We will try to hike at an average pace of 1 1/2 mph but will be a bit slower on steep inclines/descents and a bit faster of level sections. Periodic rests will be taken along the way and there will be time for a light lunch. The route will include uneven terrain and some rock scrambles. Appropriate hiking clothes for fall weather conditions, sturdy footwear, lunch/snacks, 2 liters of water and a small backpack are required. Weather can change dramatically around this time of year, so please check before coming to the hike. Registration is required for each weekly hike but you are not required to attend each session. The hike is open to everyone and you do not need to be a member of AMC to participate. However, on-line registration is required.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!