AMC Western MA 20s/30s/40s

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Hew Hart
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001M1Xx
Audience: 20’s & 30’s; Adults

Description: Join other folks in their 20s/30s/40s for an early morning hike up South Sugarloaf in South Deerfield! We'll make the short walk up the auto road to take in the sunrise from the summit. The round trip is under 1.5 miles on a paved road with steady elevation gain.
Dress for a cold morning, and consider bringing a mug or cup for tea! The leaders will bring hot water, cocoa mix, instant coffee, and teas to choose from.
After the walk, you're welcome to join for coffee or breakfast at Wild Roots Café just across the river in Sunderland.
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, bicycling, 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.
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Stay Connected with AMC Western MA 20s/30s/40s! • Join our WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

Activity Type: Social | Local Socials
Difficulty: 1 - Accessible
Trip Leader(s): Ethan Guertin, Robert Williams
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001KOyT
Audience: 20’s & 30’s; Adults

Description: Join other folks in their 20s/30s/40s for an evening at Mike's Maze Beer Tasting at Warner Farm in Deerfield — a flashlight-lit maze crawl with local craft beer tasting stations hidden throughout. As dusk falls, we'll navigate the corn maze, track down brews from local Western MA breweries, and work through themed trivia along the way.
If you plan to drink, tickets (~$45) must be purchased in advance — this event sells out. Click here to purchase tickets (choose October 30) . Must be 21+ with valid ID.
There are non-drinking tickets ($16) available at the door.
No dogs, please (Mike's Maze policy).
https://www.mikesmaze.com/beer-tasting-mazes/
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Stay Connected with Western MA 20s/30s/40s! • Join our WhatsApp Community for upcoming events and informal meetups
We always welcome feedback on your experience with AMC Western MA.

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/a5UVX000001H5fR
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 colder fall 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: 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 Oct 31 Elder’s Grove 11am Sunday Nov 1 Vernon Town Forest 11am Saturday November 21 Pisgah State Forest 11am Red denotes change from original schedule **** 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!

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/a5UUN000002C4wL
Register By: 10/31/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join other folks in their 20s and 30s on a hike to the black gum swamps in the Vernon Town Forest, learning about the chestnut blight, the great New England hurricane of 1938, and some very old black gum trees along the way. Starting at the Basin Rd Trailhead, we will take a meandering and rolling route through the Vernon Town Forest. We will visit several old growth black gum swamps throughout our hike.
The hike will be 2.0 miles in total with approximately 400 ft elevation gain. The trail does include at least one footbridge but wet trails may be expected. We will be going slow to allow for ecological education. I recommend bringing a small day pack with plenty of water and a snack. You may also want to bring binoculars.
Please wear appropriate footwear for a relatively flat 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: 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 Oct 31 Elder’s Grove 11am Sunday Nov 1 Vernon Town Forest 11am Saturday November 21 Pisgah State Forest 11am Red denotes change from original schedule
**** 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 Vernon town website)

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!