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 Spring Schedule
CANCELLED - Saturday, March 25, 2023 Hand Hollow/Kinderhook Creek - East Chatham/East Nassau, NY
B-3-C: Hand Hollow in East Chatham NY (3 miles) and Kinderhook Creek in East Nassau (5 miles). The 2 hikes are 5 miles apart. Two beautiful areas in nearby New York. Hand Hollow relatively flat goes past wetlands and a beautiful pond. https://clctrust.org/public-conservation-areas/hand-hollow/. Kinderhook Creek Preserve is a five mile loop along the creek with one steep uphill.https://www.renstrust.org/explore/preserves/public-preserves/13-kinderhook-creek-preserve. The plan is to drive from one to the other so that both can be appreciated.
Dog friendly. Rain cancels.
Leave: Contact Vicky Singer vsinger30@gmail.com for meeting place and time
Leader: Vicky Singer - vsinger30@gmail.com
Sunday, March 26, 2023 Bear Mountain - Salisbury CT.
B-3-B: Hike approximately 6 miles to Bear Mountain Summit, 1683 ft elevation gain (Connecticut's tallest peak at 2,323 feet). We will do a loop hike going up Paradise Lane Trail to AT (rock scramble) and down Undermountain Trail. Please bring your spikes. It may be icy this time of year. If conditions are too icy, we will go up/down on Undermountain Trail.
For those interested, after the hike, we can stop at the historic Stagecoach Tavern at Race Brook Lodge for brunch and/or beverages (just down the road from trailhead).
Leave: Contact Leader for leave time. Trailhead is on Route 41 in Salisbury CT, about 2 miles from Mass/CT border traveling South from Mass. (GPS 42.02876, -73.42887)
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com or 413-822-2818
Saturday, April 1, 2023 South Pinnacle, Dolomite Ledges, Wildlife Management Unit – Sheffield, MA
B-3-B: Out and Back. 4-5 mi. +1500 ft. The top of the trail is kind of a bedrock scramble and is challenging. Dogs on a leash are welcome! We will meet on Salisbury Rd (parking on Salisbury Rd, Near Race Brook Trailhead) to consolidate cars (if needed) and then go to the tiny trailhead for Dolomite Ledges Wildlife Management Unit. ~1.5 mi up the road.
Leave: 9:00 AM from 1522-1588 Salisbury Rd, Sheffield, MA 01257(42.088763, -73.409655)
Leader: Greg Shields - Greg.shields@protonmail.com or 518-248-2178 voice/txt.
Saturday, April 8, 2023 Mt Greylock Loop – Adams, MA
B-3-A: We will do a loop hike to the Summit of Mt Greylock via the Gould Trail Connector, the Bellows
Pipe Trail, the AT, and the Gould Trail. The mileage will be about 6.6 miles. Dog Friendly
Leave: 10:00 AM from the Gould Trailhead parking lot on West Mountain Rd in Adams.
Leader: Harold Moon - moonharold@aol.com or 413-464-4995
Saturday, April 15, 2023 Otis State Forest - Otis, MA
B-3-C: Hike approximately 7-8 miles along sections of Upper Spectacle Pond and Lower Spectacle Pond through the Otis State Forest. This will be an “in and out”. Dog Friendly
Leave: 9:15 AM at the Otis State Forest parking area on Rt. 23 in Otis.
Leader: Joe Doboszynski - dobojc@aol.com or 339-222-7203 (cell)
Sunday, April 16, 2023 Mt. Greylock via The Hopper Trail - Williamstown, MA
A-3-B: Hike to the summit of Mt. Greylock via the Hopper Trail and the AT. 9 Miles, elevation gain 2,390'. Return via the same route and Money Brook Trail. Expect a full day. Severe weather cancels. This is a Dog Friendly hike
Special thanks to Michelle Filiault for leading this hike last year.
Leave: 9:30 AM from trailhead on Hopper Road, Williamstown, MA.
Leader: Dennis Goff – k2bmjb@gmail.com or 518-339-8782 (cell)
Sunday, April 23, 2023 Money Brook/Hopper Trail Loop Mt Greylock - Williamstown, MA
C-4-C: Hike 3.5 miles on mostly a moderate slope. The steep stretch is in the middle of the hike. We will be hiking at a leisurely pace.
Leave: 9:30 AM at the Haley Farm Trailhead, 1033 Hopper Rd, Williamstown (GPS: 42.65618, -73.20566).
Leader: Karen Gorss Benko – karengorssbenko@gmail.com or 413-652-9913 (cell)
Saturday, April 29, 2023 Jug End to Mt Everett – Sheffield MA
A-3-B: We will hike the AT from Jug End Rd to the summit of Mt Everett and back. Mileage is 9.2 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 2,600 feet. This will be a good workout with some excellent views along the way.
Leave: Please contact me for meeting details.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com or 919-576-6109
Sunday, April 30, 2023 Berkshires Natural Resource Council (BNRC) High Road - Lenox, MA
B-3-B: This is an 8-mile end-to-end hike, so we have to do a shuttle. Elevation gain is between 1000-1200 feet. We will start hiking at the Brothers Trail with a steady uphill to intersection with Burbank Trail and hiking down to Reservoir Road. Crossing the road, we pick up Dunbar Road climbing the Yokun Ridge trail and reaching a tower on Lenox Mt. overlooking Richmond Lake. Continuing on the Yokun Ridge trail, our next viewpoint is Yokun Seat with views of Greylock. Mahanna Cobble and the bench is our next landmark with great views. From here, it’s downhill to the Bousquet ski area, where we cross the slopes and follow the signage back to our cars.
Leave: 9:00 AM from Bousquet Sport, 100 Dan Fox Dr, Pittsfield, MA 01201, across from Bousquet Mountain Ski area (GPS: 42.42086, -73.27664).
After you turn into Bousquet Sport, there is a sign in the parking lot where to park for Mahanna Cobble (BNRC). We will then drive about 13 minutes to the Brother’s Trail on Richmond Mountain Road and start the hike there.
Leader: Trish Johnston - patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/text
Saturday, May 6, 2023 AT from Guilder Pond to Jug End Overlook - Mount Washington, MA
B-3-C: This is an out and back hike on the AT starting at Guilder Pond in the Mt Everett State Reservation off of Mt Washington Road. We’ll hike to the Jug End overlook and return the same route with an added loop around Guilder Pond (7-8 miles). Dog friendly
Leave: 10:00 AM from the parking area at Guilder Pond
Leader: Mary Vadney - twoblu2@aol.com or 518-894-2011
Sunday May 7, 2023 Sanderson Brook Falls Loop – Blandford, MA
B-3-B: We will hike 5-6 miles with the first mile being very steep. On the return, we have the option to add on the trail that goes along Sanderson Brook and down the goat path alongside the falls. Very cool views, especially this time of year. If this doesn’t thrill you, some can choose to take the regular trail to the falls and meet us there. Dog friendly
Leave: 9:30 AM from Sanderson Brook Falls parking lot in Chester Blandford State Forest off route 20 across from Bannish Lumber.
Leader: Julie Kraus – juliekraus77@gmail.com or 413-579-4325 voice/text
Saturday May 13, 2023 Blackhead and Black Dome – Catskills - Maplecrest, 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. Elev. gain 2,245 feet.
Dog Friendly
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
Sunday, May 14, 2023 Stony Ledge & Roaring Brook Trails – Mount Greylock- Williamstown, MA
B-3-B: Hike up the Stony Ledge trail to Stony Ledge (beautiful view). Hike down Roaring Brook trail. This is a loop hike. Dog Friendly
Leave: 10:00 AM at the trailhead on Roaring Brook Rd (off of Rt 7) (GPS: 42.63848, -73.22058)
Leader: Melanie Levitan – melaniedr@aol.com or 413-446-3952
Saturday, May 20, 2023 Becket Quarry & Forest Exploration - 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 was operational 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: Contact Jim Solon, jsolon3680@aol.com for meeting place and leave time.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aol.com or 630-881-5343
Sunday, May 21, 2023 Hoosac Range Trail and Busby/Lost Pond/Blackburnian Loop/
Old Florida Road Trails – Florida, MA
B-3-B: We will hike approximately 5 miles with less than an 800 ft elevation gain. This is an end-to-end hike so we have to do a shuttle. This land, and all of the present-day Berkshires, is the ancestral homeland of the Mohican people, who were forcefully displaced to Wisconsin by European colonization. These lands continue to be of great significance to the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation today.
The Hoosac Range trail is a 2.6-mile long ridge trail along the Berkshires’ northeastern wall, and the Range includes several dramatic vistas (Sunset Rock), including the one to the west at the trail’s Spruce Hill destination. Once we reach Spruce Hill, we will pick up the Busby and the other trails listed above.
Leave: 9:00 AM from Busby trailhead, 20 Poirot Rd, Florida, MA 01247 (GPS: 42.65813, -73.05573). We will then carpool 7 minutes to the Hoosac Range Trail, 2441 Mohawk Trail, North Adams, MA 01247
Leader: Trish Johnston patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/text
Saturday, May 27 Sunrise Paddle on the Housatonic – Lenox, MA
Paddle casually up the Housatonic River from Decker Landing in Lenox to observe the river coming to life in the spring and in the early morning. Dog friendly
Leave: 5:30 AM -? from Decker Canoe Landing, New Lenox Rd., Lenox, MA.
Leader: Joe Doboszynski - dobojc@aol.com, 339-222-7203 (cell), 413-448-8359 (home)
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Mt Prospect, Mt Williams and The Hopper – Mt Greylock State Reservation, Williamstown MA
A-3-B: From the Hopper Rd. trailhead we will hike to Mt Prospect and then do an out and back hike on the AT to Mt. Williams. We will return using the Money Brook Trail. This hike is about 9 miles and with an elevation gain of approximately 2,600 feet.
Leave: Please contact me for meeting details.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com or 919-576-6109
Sunday, June 4, 2023 Mohawk Trail State Forest – Charlemont, MA
B-3-C: Hike to the hard-to-find old growth stand with the tallest white pine in Massachusetts (167 ft). Some bushwhacking may be involved to get to the Mohican-Mohawk trail to circle back to cars. Hike is approximately 5 miles. Bring lunch and water. Dog Friendly Rain cancels.
Leave: Contact Vicky Singer - vsinger30@gmail.com for meeting place and time
Leader: Vicky Singer - vsinger2@yahoo.com
Saturday, June 10, 2023 Dunbar Brook Trail Lollipop/Loop - Monroe, MA
B-3-B: Near North Adams, in the Monroe State Forest, this is a 7-mile "moderate" rated trail that passes by streams, brooks, and great vista views! If on the trail early, good chances of wildlife sightings.
Dog friendly Rain cancels.
Leave: 8:30 AM from the Allendale Shopping Center, or meet at 9:45 am from Dunbar Brook Trailhead.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aol.com or 630-881-5343
Sunday, June 11, 2023 Shaker Mountain Loop - Hancock MA
B-3-B: This is a 6.5-mile loop trail with a 1165-foot elevation gain. The full loop hike (up Shaker Brook Trail and down Holy Mount Trail) takes you to the North Family sites, then to both holy sites atop Shaker Mountain and Holy Mount. Dog Friendly Historic facts can be found on the following web site: https://www.mass.gov/doc/shaker-trail-guide/download.
For those interested, after the hike, we will go to Balderdash Winery on Rt 41 in Richmond MA, about 5-minute drive from trail. Balderdash is dog friendly both inside and outside for well behaved dogs and on leash.
Leave: 10:00 AM from the Trailhead parking lot on Rt 20 in Pittsfield, across from the Shaker Hancock Village (42.43149, -73.34028)
Leader: Scott Hansen - jscotthansen31@gmail.com
Co-Leader: Sally Partridge – skpartridge@gmail.com or 413-822-2818
Saturday, June 17, 2023 Deerfield Ridge Trail via Haystack Mt – Wilmington, Vermont
AA-3-B: This will be an 11.5 (or so) out and back hike through the Green Mt. National Forest. We will take the Haystack Mt. trail to the peak of Haystack (3425 ft.) for some nice views. Then descend back down to the Ridge Trail to continue on to the peak of Mt. Snow (3583 ft) and back. Dog friendly
Leave Time: 9:00 AM from 42.89992, -72.91096 which is off Upper Dam Road. I will have better directions after I scope it out.
Leader: Julie Kraus – juliekraus77@gmail.com or 413-579-4325 voice/text
Sunday, June 25, 2023 Keystone Arch Bridges Guided Tour - Chester MA
C-4-C: Hike the Keystone Arches trail for 5 miles (in/out 2.5 miles each way) with a small elevation gain of 501 feet. The Keystone Arches are a series of stone arch bridges built in 1840. They were designated as National Historic Landmarks in 2021, for their connection to the Western Railroad, which was the first Railroad over a mountain and first through wilderness.
A guided hike has been scheduled from Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. Dave Pierce. If you are interested, please contact Sally by June 1. There is a $5 per person charge for the tour. We need a minimum of 10 people.
Dogs on leash are welcome.
Leave: 10:00 AM from Chester Railway Station & Museum, 10 Prospect Street, Chester MA (GPS 42.28052, -72.97854). We will carpool to the trailhead - Parking is limited. The trailhead is located on Middlefield in Chester MA (GPS 42.31152, -72.99265).
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com or 413-822-2818
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
