Hiking & Outdoors Group - Since 1977
Berkshire Knapsackers
COVID 19 NOTICE: Since most COVID 19 restrictions have been lifted at the time of this printing, the committee is not imposing any of its own. The hike leader may determine any restrictions for the hike (such as the size of the group, pre-registration, masks, social distancing, etc.) with the restrictions being specified in the hike write-up. Anyone is welcome to wear a mask, of course, if desired. Hikers will be expected to comply with future state or federal COVID 19 regulations or mandates if enacted.
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2023 Fall Schedule
Saturday, September 2, 2023 -
Huckleberry Point, from Steenburg Road Parking area (Huckleberry Point Trailhead) - Elka Park, NY
B-3-B: Out and Back. ~4.5 mi, +1,200 ft. We can add on another 2.0 miles +350 ft by going up to the East View
overlooking Plattekill Creek, and the Black Chasm Falls. Dogs on leash are welcome. Leaders are planning on dining after the hike. If anyone would like to join, let them know.
Leave: Contact Leaders for time and meeting place.
Leader: Thea Baker - 413-429-5989 call/text;
Co-Leader: Greg Shields - Greg.shields@protonmail.com or 518-248-2178 voice/text.
Saturday, September 9, 2023 - Bike Ride - West Stockbridge and Alford, MA
BIKE RIDE: 18-mile loop from W Stockbridge to Alford and back. This is a moderate hilly ride, and we will stop when
needed. The ride should take approximately 2 hours. Bikers should wear helmets, bright colors and/or blinking
lights. Please bring water and snacks.
This ride will be limited to 6 bikers, so please register to hold your spot. Rain cancels.
Leave: 10:00 AM from West Stockbridge. Contact Linda Gunderson to register and for details on the meeting spot in
West Stockbridge.
Leader: Linda Gunderson - lmgunderson@gmail.com, or text 701-330-0232
CANCELLED Sunday, September 10, 2023 - Kayak Trip - Somerset Reservoir – Somerset/Stratton, VT.
PADDLE: This outing is not for beginners. Somerset Reservoir is the largest wild body of water in the state of
Vermont. Currently there is no water skiing or jet skiing allowed on Somerset Reservoir, and a 10-mph speed limit is in place. The lake is prone to big waves (2 ft. plus), and it only takes a breeze of 5-10 mph and being in the wrong location on the water to cause problems. The lake is remote, accessed via a 10-mile dirt road, with an undeveloped shoreline and limited cell coverage. The nearest help is 15+ miles away if they can be contacted. Inclement weather cancels the outing. Lifejackets must be worn. Start time: 8:30 am (why - waves/wind typically develop midday). Length of paddle: 2.5-3 hours at a leisurely pace; Location: 42°58.43'N 72°56.53'W.
Leave: Contact leader.
Leader: Scott Latvalla at latvalla@aol.com or 413-446-6399.
Saturday, September 16, 2023 - Mt Greylock and Stony Ledges – Williamstown, MA 🐕
A-3-B: We will climb Mt Greylock using the Hopper Trail and the AT. Our return route will include a walk on Sperry Rd. to Stony Ledges and the Haley Farm trail. Approx. 10 miles and 2,600 feet elevation gain. Dog Friendly.
Leave: Contact leader for time and meeting place.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com or call/text 919-576-6109
Saturday, September 23, 2023 - Becket Quarry & Forest - Becket, MA 🐕
B-3-C: We will hike approximately 5.5 miles exploring the historic Chester-Hudson Quarry, which played a key role in
the early development of Becket and the surrounding area. Granite from this quarry was used throughout New England, as it operated from the 1860's through 1960. There are a series of trails that explore many of the remaining artifacts, as well as the quarry, and the forest that surrounds the area. Dog friendly. Rain Cancels.
Leave: Carpool offered from Fred Garner Park off Pomeroy, departing at 9:00 AM; from the Becket Quarry Trailhead at 9:45 AM.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aol.com
Saturday, September 30, 2023 - South Pinnacle, Dolomite Ledges WMU - Sheffield, MA
B-3-B: Out and Back. 5 mi, +1800 ft. The top of the trail is kind of a bedrock scramble and is steep and challenging. There is a survey obelisk on the peak but is hard to find as the area is overgrown. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Leave: Contact leader for time and meeting place.
Leader: Greg Shields - Greg.shields@protonmail.com or 518-248-2178 voice/text.
Saturday, October 7, 2023 - Deerfield Ridge Trail via Haystack Mt. - Wilmington, VT 🐕
AA-3-B: This will be an 11.5 to 12 mile hike, elevation gain of 2,400 feet that is out and back through the Green Mtn
National Forest. We will take the Haystack Mt. Trail to the peak of Haystack (3425 ft.) for some nice views & a snack.
Then we will descend back down to the Ridge trail to continue on to the peak of Mt. Snow (3583 ft.), have lunch and then head back. It's a nice hike along the ridge and I am hoping for some nice fall colors. Dog friendly, but there is only one little stream in the beginning, so bring plenty of water for the pooch too.
Leave: We will meet at Shaw's Grocery Store in Wilmington on Rt. 9 at 8:45 AM. Then we will take a couple cars to trail
head. Let me know if you plan to hike it! The hardest part is the distance.
Leader: Julie Kraus - juliekraus77@gmail.com or text 413-579-4325.
Sunday, October 8, 2023 - Indian Ladder - John Boyd Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY 12186
B-3-C: At least 6-7 EASY miles along the Escarpment trail and over to the Hang-Gliding overlook, and back, around ~
250 ft of elevation gain. The views extend north, east, and west many, many miles and have 5 star views. There is a $6.00 per vehicle entrance fee. Dogs on a leash are welcome.
Leave: Contact Leaders for time and meeting place.
Leader: Greg Shields - Greg.shields@protonmail.com, or 518-248-2178
Monday, October 9, 2023 - Catskills – Blackhead and Black Dome, Greene County, NY
B-3-A: We will do a loop hike on parts of the Black Dome Trail, the Blackhead Mountain Trail, the
Escarpment Trail, and the Batavia Kill Trail for a total of about 6.2 miles. Elevation gain is 2,245 feet.
Leave: 9:30 AM from the I-87 Exit 21 parking area on the NY Thruway and carpool to the trailhead. A
local carpool in Pittsfield will be set up later.
Leader: Harold Moon – moonharold@aol.com or 413-464-4995
Saturday, October 14, 2023 - Round, Frissell and Brace Mtns - Mt Washington State Forest, MA 🐕
B-3-B: We will hike over these 3 peaks covering 3 separate states. There will be some rock scrambling on
Round Mtn. Approximately 6 miles round trip. Dog friendly.
Leave: Contact leader for time and meeting place.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com Cell 919-576-6109
Saturday, October 21, 2023 - Mahanna Cobble and Yokun Ridge Trail - Pittsfield, MA
B-3-B: Hike Mahanna Cobble Trail to Yokun Ridge Trail to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
This will be an out and back hike approximately 6.5 miles. Elevation gain is approximately 1,400 ft.
Yokun Seat has a beautiful view of Richmond and Pittsfield. Dogs are not permitted on this property.
If there is interest, after the hike, we will go to Balderdash Cellars on Rt 41 in Richmond.
Leave: 10:00 AM from the Bousquet Ski Area Parking Lot, 101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA.
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, 413-822-2818
Saturday, November 4, 2023 - Jug End Reservation - Egremont, MA
C-3-C/D: This is a 4.1 mile loop with about 574' elevation gain at the former site of the Jug End Barn Resort. Some hills
but pretty gentle terrain, very beginner friendly. If the ground isn't frozen or snow covered then expect lots of mud there. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Leave: Contact Leader for start time from Jug End Reservation parking lot on Jug End Road in Egremont.
Leader: Tracy Rakin - arahowtato@gmail.com or text 845-416-4536
Sunday, November 12, 2023 - Berlin Mountain - Berlin, NY 🐕
B-3-B: About 5.5 miles to the summit of Berlin Mountain and back. Elevation gain of 1230 ft. We’ll leave from the
trailhead at Petersburg Pass on Rt. 2 and head south on the Taconic Crest Trail. Dog friendly.
Leave: 10:00 AM at the trailhead at Petersburg Pass on Rt. 2
Leader: Mary Vadney, 518-894-2011 or twoblu2@aol.com
Saturday, November 18, 2023 - CT NET, Sections 20 & 21 - East Granby, CT 🐕
B-3-C: This will be a point-to-point hike of 7.4 miles that is a moderately challenging hike. Total elevation gain should be less than 1000 ft. We will begin the hike in East Granby, CT and finish just inside the MA border. We will cross one road, so keep that in mind if you would like to bring your dog.
Leave: Leave Time: 9:30 AM at NET parking on Rising Corner Road in Southwick, MA. (42.03826,-72.71555) This is
where we will finish. We will spot cars from here at the beginning in East Granby.
Leader: Julie Kraus - Let me know if you plan to hike it. juliekraus77@gmail.com or text at 413-579-4325.
Saturday, December 2, 2023 - Alander Mountain - Mt. Washington, MA 🐕
B-3-B: Hike from Washington Mtn. Headquarters, 3 miles up and 3 miles back down. The elevation gain is approximately 1200 ft. Dog Friendly. Rain Cancels.
Leave: 10:00 AM from Washington Mtn. Headquarters.
Leader: Janice Robbins - janicerobbins14@gmail.com or 917-679-5820
(NEW DATE) Saturday, December 9, 2023 - Pittsfield State Forest, Shaker Trail - Pittsfield, MA
B-3-C: Lollipop Loop. 5.7 miles, about 1400' elevation gain.
We will meet at the Shaker Trail parking lot. I'm sure many of you have already been there. It's right across the street from the Hancock Shaker Village off Route 20. We will start at the North Family Trail to Shaker Mountain Trail to summit to Shaker Brook Trail to Holy Mount Trail and back to North Family Trail to the trailhead. Constructed and maintained by the Boy Scouts of America, this circuit travels wooded, streams, and hilltop sites key to a 19th-century Shaker society. Hancock Shaker Village is a landmark destination of 750 acres, 20 historic Shaker buildings, and over 22,000 Shaker artifacts. On the National Historic Register, it is the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site in the world, and the oldest working farm in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. For more info, check out:
https://hancockshakervillage.org/home/about-hancock-shaker-village/.
It's worth a visit--open April through December.
Leave: 9:00 AM Google Maps Address: Shaker Trail - Trailhead Pittsfield, MA
Leader: Trish Johnston - patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/text
Saturday, December 16, 2023 - Tolland State Forest - Tolland, MA 🐕
B-3-C: Hike 7 miles through Tolland State Forest, along Farmington River, up through CCC camp, and then along Otis
Reservoir Gilmore Trail onto Sawmill Trail, back down to the Farmington River. If snow conditions permit, the hike will be changed to a 5 mile snowshoe. Dog friendly.
Leave: 9:15 AM from Tolland State Forest roadside pull off, Rt. 8, just over the Otis-Sandisfield town line.
Leader: Joe Doboszynski - dobojc@aol.com or 413-448-8359
Saturday, December 23, 2023 - Indian Head Mtn, from Prediger Road Parking area - Elka Park, NY
B-3-A: Out and Back. We will proceed up the Jimmy Dolan Notch and back. ~ 6.3 mi, +1,650 ft. 5 Star views on top.
Dogs on a leash are welcome!
Leave: Contact leader for meeting time.
Leader: Greg Shields - Greg.shields@protonmail.com or 518-248-2178 voice/text
About Us
Berkshire Knapsackers was founded in Sept 1977 by Kay Wood, Jack Murphy, Eric Teet, Stanley Wilk, Ann Fitz & Betty Conover. Kay Wood and Jack Murphy among others sent out requests to join and 60 members were signed up, many of whom are still members today. Activities the first year consisted of 21 hikes covering 132 miles. The original group celebrated their 10th anniversary in 1987 at the Audubon Society in Lenox, and their 25th anniversary at October Mountain Lake.
We currently have over 50 outings between September and June with more than 100 members, ranging in age from 20's to 80’s, who value healthy living and an appreciation of nature and the beauty of the Berkshires fostered by outdoor exercise in a social group setting. Outings consist of Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Kayaking & Biking as well as an annual New Years Day potluck.
We carry on their legacy with the original hiking club shaped into what it is today.
In Memory of:
Kay Wood, Tom Conry, Jack Murphy, Ted Thorne, Pat Plue
Richard King, Bern Collins, Harry Oswain, Rudy Hoeltzel, Mike Monico
