AMC Western MA 20s/30s+

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Kevin Morgan-Rothschild, Jakob Palches
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000012OfB
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s/30s on Saturday, March 21 for a spring equinox outing that combines a classic Western Mass sugar shack breakfast with a scenic hike at Chesterfield Gorge.
We will start the morning at High Hopes Farm for an all-you-can-eat hearty sugar shack buffet. High Hopes Farm is a rustic sugar shack with a fireplace and beautiful river views. The buffet is $20 per person (+ tax) and typically features pancakes, french toast, eggs, home fries, sausage and bacon.
After breakfast, we will drive about 7 minutes to Chesterfield Gorge for our hike.
The hike is 5.24 miles with approximately 812 feet of elevation gain. Expect a steady climb, scenic river views, and quiet forest terrain. The group pace will be moderate and social, with short breaks along the way.
Estimated hiking time: 3 to 3.5 hours with breaks
Let us know if you have any questions. Looking forward to a cozy meal and a beautiful day on the trail.
Leaders: Kevin & Jakob
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Kevin Morgan-Rothschild (he/him) : Kevin grew up in Amherst, MA and moved back a couple years ago after a 17-year hiatus in Louisiana, France and the Netherlands. He enjoys bike touring, hiking, cooking anything from pancakes to New Orleans cuisine, gardening, sustainability, and of course exploring woodsy Western MA.
Jakob Palches (he/him): Jakob loves multisport activities in the valley and making sure every trip is a little bit of an adventure! Please wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. They will do both of those things. When not in the woods Jakob is in the woods at Camp Chesterfield working on renovations as the new camp Ranger for The Ashmere Project.
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Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Group 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: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart, Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000010sZJ
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on Saturday, March 29 for an easy 2-mile loop around Bray Lake in Holyoke. This mostly flat, wooded trail circles the lake and offers peaceful water views and a pleasant early-spring setting. Late March conditions may include mud, lingering ice, or wet sections, so please come prepared for variable footing.
This hike will move at a slow, conversational pace and include frequent stops. In addition to enjoying the trail, we’ll be incorporating structured leadership practice as part of AMC’s hands-on Outdoor Leadership Training. Leaders-in-training will take turns guiding short portions of the hike, offering brief trail talks, and working through realistic leadership scenarios.
All participants should expect: Periodic stops for short leadership exercises and group discussion To take part in light, pre-assigned role-play scenarios that simulate common trail situations A slower pace than a typical 2-mile hike If you’re open to a slightly different kind of trail experience—one that actively supports and develops new volunteer leaders—this is a great way to contribute to the AMC community while still enjoying time outdoors.
Distance: ~2 miles Elevation gain: Minimal Pace: Slow and conversational Estimated time: ~2-3 hours
Expect typical New England early-spring conditions (mud, wet leaves, possible ice). Sturdy waterproof footwear is strongly recommended. Trekking poles and traction may be helpful depending on conditions.
This outing helps prepare new AMC hike leaders, who will go on to co-lead mentored hikes before leading independently. We appreciate your flexibility, patience, and good humor as we create a supportive learning environment on the trail.
More details will be shared closer to the date.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000011twL
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s/30s+ for an early evening walk/hike along the Robert Frost Trail to the Eastman Brook Conservation Area on Thursday, April 9! We’ll meet at 5:30 PM at the trailhead for a relaxed 1.5-hour walk. Expect easy (but potentially wet!) terrain, great company, and a chance to unwind outdoors.
After the hike, we’ll head down the road to 3 Amigos for dinner—totally optional but a great way to keep the conversation going.
Dogs are allowed, and must be leashed at all times; please let the leader(s) know if you intend to bring your pup!
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where participants share upcoming events, photos, and occasionally connect around informal, non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C3KL
Register By: 4/16/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike to Elders' Grove in Mohawk Trail State Forest, learning about basal fire scars, stump sprouts, spring ephemerals, and exceptionally tall trees along the way. Starting at the Zoar Picnic Area, we will take the Elders' Grove Trail along the river at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike.
The hike will be 2.3 miles in total with a gradual uphill grade in each direction with some flat portions. A total of 354 ft of elevation gain is across the whole trip. I recommend bringing a small day pack with water and a light snack or perhaps a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic area at the end of our hike.
Expect wet spring conditions including wet trails and chilly temperatures. Consider wearing waterproof footwear as well as carrying a rain jacket and rain pants. We will still hike in light rain but heavy rain will cancel the hike.
**** This hike is part of the WMass 20s/30+ Wessels Series in which we will use Tom Wessels’ New England’s Roadside Ecology as a guide to talk about the interesting ecological aspects of the WMass /Southern NH/Southern VT area. Here is the full series schedule: Sunday April 19 Elder’s Grove 10am Saturday May 16 Wantastiquet Mountain 11am Saturday June 6 William Cullen Bryant Homestead 5pm Saturday July 11 Rhododendron State Park 11am Saturday August 15 Bartholomew’s Cobble 4pm Saturday September 26 Monument Mountain 2pm Saturday October 10 Vernon Town Forest 11am Saturday November 21 Pisgah State Forest 11am
**** Join the Western MA 20s/30s+ WhatsApp Group , where participants share upcoming events, photos, and occasionally connect around informal, non-AMC outings!
Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s !
We always welcome your feedback on this activity and your experiences with the AMC Western MA 20s/30s+ community.
**** Rosie Lacas (she/her): Rosie lives in Amherst, MA and is a hiking and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. She has special interests in plant and wildlife ecology and the history of rural New England. She is working on her NH48 and takes great joy in planning outdoor adventures.
(activity photo courtesy of Mass DCR website)

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!