AMC Western MA 20s/30s

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/a5UVX000001CgKf
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Join other folks in their 20s/30s for an early evening walk at the Cole Conservation Area. We'll take a relaxed 1.75-mile loop — easy and flat, but plan on getting wet. About a quarter mile of the route goes through knee-deep water and mud, with some small downed trees to navigate over and around. Bring a change of footwear for after.
After the hike, we'll head down the road to 3 Amigos for dinner — and may make a stop at Herrell's for ice cream. Both optional, both encouraged.
Dogs are allowed, and must be leashed at all times; please let the leader(s) know if you intend to bring your pup!
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Hew Hart (he/they): Hew lives in South Deerfield, and is a hiking, backpacking, paddling, and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. He thru-hiked the AT in 2022, has completed the NH48, and enjoys building community centered around the outdoors.
Rosie Lacas (she/her): Rosie lives in Amherst, MA and is a hiking, biking, 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.
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Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! • Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Community 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: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000002C49x
Register By: 7/8/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike in Rhododendron State Park, learning about rhododendrons, black gum trees, the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, and many signs of previous agriculture along the way. Starting at the parking lot, we will take a meandering route amongst the Rhododendron State Park at a slow pace, allowing for education and discussion about the interesting ecological aspects of this hike. We will then hike at a conversational pace to Little Monadnock Mountain before returning to the trailhead.
The hike will be about 3.1 mile in total with a flat track in the Rhododendron Area and a steady incline to Little Monadnock Mountain. I recommend bringing a small day pack with plenty of water for a summer hike, a snack, and perhaps some binoculars or hiking poles if desired. I welcome you to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the trailhead after our hike.
Please wear appropriate footwear for a slightly uphill hike like sneakers or hiking boots. 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 the NH State Parks website)

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Social | Local Socials
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Stephanie Muldrew, Roseanna Lacas
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001Cd0D
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join AMC Western Mass 20s/30s for our third book club meetup! Either hike with us or meet us at the summit of Mount Holyoke on July 12th to discuss our next selection, which is the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Following the life cycle of sweetgrass, Kimmerer shares a collection of indigenous wisdom, science and personal stories that offer hope for our relationship with the natural world. If you do not have a copy, physical copies are available at local libraries and bookstores throughout western MA as well as in eBook and audiobook form.
Those who wish to hike will meet at Hockanum Road at the base of Mount Holyoke in Hadley , MA. Hikers will follow Taylor's Notch Trail (2.3 miles roundtrip) which has a steady elevation gain of 705 ft. Pace will be brisk enough for conversation and slow enough for us to stay together. Those who wish to drive can meet us in the parking area at the summit. Parking at the summit is $5 for MA license plates and $20 for out of state plates but please reach out if this is a barrier.
We will enjoy 360 summit views, a light lunch (bring your own) and a book discussion at the top, then return the way we came back to the parking lot.
This meetup is open to all, whether or not you have finished the book. Interest in the book is the only prerequisite! ****
Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s! • Join our 20s/30s WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups • Follow us on Instagram @AMCWesternMA20s30s
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA 20s/30s. ******** Stephanie Muldrew (she/her): Based in Northampton, Stephanie is a hiking and social leader for the Western MA Chapter. She loves creating spaces where people can share joy and learn from each other, as well as hiking, swimming, crafting, yoga and dancing in her spare time.
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. Image by Anna Romanova

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Ethan Guertin, Josh Reynolds
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001CW5B
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join some folks in their 20/30s on a hike up North Sugarloaf and along the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail!
This hike will be approximately 3 miles with around 650 feet of elevation gain. We are aiming to complete this hike in two hours, so we will be maintaining a steady pace with water breaks and stops at notable vistas.
After the hike, those who are interested in a bite to eat or something to drink will be welcome to join us at Bridgeside Grille in Sunderland.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!