“Amethyst Brook Conservation Area, Amherst.” Meet 9:00 AM at the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area parking lot off of Pelham road in Amherst, 169-191 Pelham Rd, Amherst, MA GPS: 42.376479, -72.486283. Pelham Road (also referred to as Amherst-Pelham Rd) runs between the center of Amherst and Route 202. Hike will be about 5 miles with some uphills and downhills. We will be on the Robert Frost Trail for part of the hike, but rather than heading up to Mt Orient, we will be heading to another view point. Bring microspikes and snowshoes.Dog friendly. Leader: Juliana Vanderwielen JVoutdoors1@gmail.com.
“Penwood State Forest” - Meet at 8:00 AM at Benny's, 562 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT for breakfast. Meet for the hike at 9:00 AM in the Penwood parking lot, Penwood State Park, off of Rt. 185 ( left about 1.6 miles from Rt. 202) Simbury, CT. HIke has beautiful news from the cliffside. About 6 miles with roughly 800 ft. elevation gain with some steep climbs. Dog friendly if dogs are nimble.
Leader: Tom Copp text to (860) 573-0328 or downryder_TRC@hotmail.com
“Minnechaug Mt, Hampden, MA Meet at 8:30 AM for breakfast (Kris not attending) at Reid's Corner, Hampden Mini-Mall, 20 E. Longmeadow Rd, Hampden, MA. Kris will meet everyone at 9:30 AM to caravan to the trailhead. Kris Jackson (413) 782-0247, cell:413-386-7027, nausetrose3@gmail.com.
“McCann Family Farm and Whitaker Woods” Breakfast at 8:30 AM at the Hometown Kitchen. 9:30 AM Hike at McCann Family Farm, 734 Main St, Somers CT. Aiming for about 5 miles but the distance and pace will be dictated by the group. Dog friendly. Gentle warmup and short steep climbs in the first half. Leader: Dave Dunn (860) 597-1940 call or text.
“Ashley Reservoir Hike” – Meet 10:00 AM at the Holyoke Elks Lodge parking lot, Whitney Ave., Holyoke. A pleasant 4-5 mile hike around and along the causeways of Ashley Reservoir. Traction aids may be required. Bring lunch. Sorry, no dogs allowed. If we have sufficient snow, we will ski Notchview in Windsor, MA instead. Bring lunch, stay the day. No dogs allowed at Notchview. Please call, text or email the day before if in doubt. Leader: Glenn Barnes 201-625-2744 (call or text) or Glenn1998_11@Yahoo.com .
“Quabbin Reservoir Hike” – Meet for breakfast at 8:00 AM at Crystal Springs Dairy Bar, 166 West St, Ware, MA. Spot Cars at Gate #40, hike from Gate 43 at Quabbin Res. Visit https://www.mass.gov/locations/quabbin-reservoir for more information. NO DOGS ALLOWED. Leader: Douglas Young (413) 267-9785, Kodi1young@gmail.com.
“Hike Peaked Mountain , Monson, MA.” Meet at 9:00 AM at the Miller Forest Tract parking lot,138 Butler Rd., Monson, MA. On a clear day Mount Wauchsett and New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock can be seen from Peaked's 1227 foot summit. The total distance is about 4.5 miles. Dog friendly. Leader: Mike Cronin (413) 432-9912 (cell)
“Hike Bear Mountain Salisbury CT” – Meet at 10:00 AM at the Appalachian Trail Head Parking Lot at Under Mountain Rd (Rt 41), Salisbury, CT. Hike the Appalachian Trail to Bear Mt, 5.24 miles with 1500 ft of elevation gain. Spectacular views from Bear Mt. It is a long commute but definitely worth the drive. Can carpool if needed. Dog Friendly. Call Leader: Kerry Goguen (413) 525-4029 or Dyna309@charter.net.
“Mt. Warner” - Meet at 9:30 AM. Park at the Porter Phelps Huntington Museum, 130 River Drive, Hadley; limited parking available across the road on the grass at the Dyer Conservation area trail head (123 River Drive). 3 ½ - 4 miles, with a short section to be walked on the road to Mt. Warner. Leader: Ann Morin (413) 592-4123 (H) or (413) 374-1040 (C) or morinann@hotmail.com.
“Castle Craig” Meet at Friendly's in Enfield, 94 Elm St, Enfield, CT. Park in the Enfield Mall parking lot behind Friendly's. Breakfast at 8:00 AM. Car pool at 9:00 AM to Hubbard Park, 999 W. Main St,
Meriden, CT. I can take 3 people with me. It's about a 42 minute drive. Hike from Hubbard Park
past Mirror Lake up along the mountain edge with beautiful views all the way. The hike
is about 5 miles with 843 ft elevation gain. A couple of small ravines but nothing too difficult
with great views. Bring water and snacks. Leader: downryder_trc@hotmail.com or (860) 573-0328 prefer text.