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
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
CANCELLED - 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. Please register with leader Trish Johnston via email patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/text.
RESCHEDULED TO THIS DATE Thursday, May 25 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
NEW HIKE: Saturday, July 8, 2023 Flag Rock - Gt. Barrington, MA
C-3-C: Hike 4.2 miles out and back on the Willow Trail, a gradual climb (300ft) from entry on Route 183 just after Taft Farm. The Trustees recently added this local trail to the Monument Mountain track. It has a glorious view of Mt. Everett, the village of Housatonic, and the Catskills. Dogs are also able to hike this trail but must be under control. Parking is very limited at trailhead, so meet at 10:00 AM at McDonald’s in Great Barrington (on Rt 7 near Marshall’s/aka K-Mart plaza) to carpool. Dog Friendly 🐕🐩
Leave: 10:30 AM Flagrock Parking lot off of Rte 183 (just north of Taft Farm)
Co-Leaders: Thea Baker - lpplanding12@gmail.com or 413-429-5989;
Greg Shields - greg_shields@outlook.com or 518-248-2178
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
