Berkshire Knapsackers
Hiking & Outdoors Group - Since 1977
<--follow us on Instagram
*** BE PREPARED ***
For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress
appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike
leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact the
hike leader with any questions.
Some hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” Dogs are allowed only
on these hikes and if leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a
dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children
under 14, please contact the hike leader to ask if it is permissible to bring them.
Please be sure to review the ratings for each hike as to
Distance, Pace, and Terrain.
*** Hike Ratings - Contact Hike Leader with any Questions ***
Distance Pace Terrain
AA - Over 10 miles 1 - Very fast A - Very strenuous
A - 8-10 miles 2 - Fast B - Strenuous
B - 5-8 miles 3 - Moderate C - Average
C - Under 5 miles 4 - Leisurely D - Easy
Hikes leave from the trailhead promptly at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
Berkshire Knapsackers
2025 Fall Schedule
September-October-November-December
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Littleville Lake, Huntington, MA
Kayak/Canoe Outing: The lake has an undeveloped 4.8-mile shoreline. Motorized boats are limited to 10 hp. Meeting location: Boat launch, 44 Goss Hill Road, Huntington, MA (42.268105, -72.877028); A leisurely 2 hours. Life jackets required.
Leave: 9:30 a.m. from the boat launch
Leader: Scott Latvalla - latvalla@aol.com
Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Sages Ravine and Race Mt, Mt Washington State Forest
A-3-B: Hike to the AT from Mt Washington State Forest and then hike the AT northbound to
Race Mtn. We will hike through Sages Ravine and cross Sawmill Brook. Excellent views from the ridge of Race Mt. About 8.5 miles on this out-and-back hike.
Leave: Contact leader by Thursday September 18 for details.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro – russcann@yahoo.com or call 919-576-6109 No calls after 8:00 pm.
Sunday, September 28, 2025 – Kennedy Park, Lenox MA
C-4-D: Gentle hike of the perimeter of beautiful Kennedy Park. Approximately 2 hours with a stop for vista views. No real elevation. Bring water and snacks. After-hike: As the group decides, maybe Chocolate Springs Cafe. Rain Cancels.
Leave: 2:00 pm from Arcadian Shop parking lot, 91 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA 01240
Leader: Fran Hurley – FrancesKayHurley@gmail.com or call 617-290-7209
Saturday, October 4, 2025 - West Mountain and Smith Mountain Loop, Pittsfield State Forest, Pittsfield, MA
B-3-C: 5.1 miles, 1056’ elevation gain. Starting on Lebanon Springs Road to the West Mountain Trail on a counterclockwise loop hiking a somewhat steep climb (about 750’ in .9 mile) to the summit of West Mountain where there are views to the east. Continuing on the trail for another 1.2 miles (300’ elev. gain), we will reach the summit of Smith Mountain at 2175’. Then it’s basically all downhill following the Smith Mountain trail and then intersecting with the Taconic Skyline trail reaching a pond at 3.4 miles. We then pick up the CCC trail for about 1 mile where it intersects with the Lebanon Springs Road and back to our cars.
Please contact leader to register for this hike or if you have any questions.
Leave: Meet at trailhead 9:30 a.m. Google Maps Address: 700-798 Lebanon Springs Road, Pittsfield. Looks like there is limited parking so suggest carpooling if possible.
GPS Coordinates: 42.45924, -73.32687
Leader: Trish Johnston - patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/txt
Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Alander Mountain, Mt Washington MA 🐕 ON LEASH
B-3-B: This will be an out and back hike from Mt Washington Park Headquarters. Approximately 6 miles and dogs on a leash are welcome.
Leave: 9:00 AM from Washington Mtn Headquarters.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com or call 919-576-6109 No calls after 8pm.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Alander Mountain, Mount Washington, MA 🐕
B-3-B: Bash Bish and Alander Mtn by Alander Brook trail, down to Mt. Washington state forest headquarters; ~ six miles, ~1,200’ elevation gain. Dog friendly. Meet at Mt. Washington State Forest headquarters. We will spot cars to the trailhead for Alander Brook Trail.
Leave: Possible 10 a.m. but call leader Melanie Levitan for specifics.
Leader: Melanie Levitan – melaniedr@aol.com or call 413-446-3952
Saturday. November 1, 2025 - Yoakum Preserve in Lakeville, CT
B-3-C: Wolf Hill Loop Trail at the Yoakum Preserve – a 241 Acre Preserve managed by the Salisbury Association Land Trust. The forested preserve, historically known as Wolf Hill, is on the south side of the Mt Riga uplands. The loop trail, plus access road, is about 5 miles of old forest roads with 787' elevation gain. We can add a short bushwack up to the summit of Mt Riga. There were no views at all when I did this, I don't know if that will change with the trees being bare, but it is still a nice walk in the woods. No dogs are allowed on this property. Parking is at the end of Reservoir Rd in Lakeville, on the right-hand side
Leave: Contact leader for time.
Leader: Tracy Rakin - arahowtato@gmail.com or 845-416-4536 Text, call or email to register
Saturday, Nov 8, 2025 – Section 7 of the New England Trail (Seven Sisters) – Amherst/Hadley MA 🐕
B-3-A: We will be spotting cars and hiking 6 - 6 1/2 miles from the Notch in Amherst, up Bare Mountain, (which is a Bear!) and along the ridge that has many ups and downs to Skinner Mountain and then back to our cars. This hike has many beautiful views and is a great workout. Dog Friendly. Meet off route 47 in Hadley, on the Mountain Road trailhead, to spot cars. (42.29122,-72.59995). We will then drive to the Notch on route 116 Amherst Rd (42.30499,-72.52852) where we will begin the climb up Bare Mountain. (Anyone interested in hiking both directions for a 12+ mile hike, let Julie know).
Leave: 9:30 AM
Leader: Julie Kraus - juliekraus77@gmail.com or 413-579-4325. Let Julie know if you’re up for the hike.
Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Mount Greylock via Bellows Pipe Trail – Adams, MA 🐕
B-3-B: 5.8 miles out-and-back with a 2240’ elevation gain.
Location: Parking area at end of Gould Road, Adams, MA. 42.626998, -73.144881
Leave: 9:00 am
Leader: Sue Snyder, ssnyder160@gmail.com or 413-281-3303
Saturday, Nov 22, 2025 – Honolulu Trail, Pittsfield State Forest, Pittsfield, MA 🐕
B-3-B: This hike is approximately 6 miles with a 1,036 ft elevation gain. Hike Honolulu Trail to Honwee Mountain and return via Churchill Brook/Balance Rock Trails. This is a trail that was cleared by mountain bikers, featuring many switchbacks to make the elevation gain more gradual. Dog friendly.
Leave: 9:30 AM from Lulu Brook parking lot. Google Maps Address: 57 Shamrock Blvd, Pittsfield, MA, GPS Coordinates: 42.49302, -73.29914
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com or 413-822-2818
Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Tyringham Cobble Loop/the AT - Tyringham, MA 🐕
C-3-C~: Hike Tyringham Cobble and a small section of the AT – in and out hike about 4.5 miles and 800 feet elevation gain. Park at the small AT parking lot on Main Road in Tyringham (there’s space for about 6-7 cars). The first mile in (and last mile out) is a lowland/wetland area with wood board crossings over the water and a climb over a barbed wire fence to reach the Cobble; then a climb over a wood “ladder,” to cross Jerusalem Road and pick up the Cobble Loop Trail which will bring us back down to that spot about 2 miles later to return the same way we came in. Beautiful woodsy hike throughout with a variety of twists and photo ops. Definitely bring micro-spikes or traction for feet! Dog friendly but have leashes ready when we cross Jerusalem Road twice. Please let us know if you are coming if possible. RAIN or Bad Weather CANCELS.
Leave: 10:00 AM from Parking lot on Main Road, Tyringham (not the Red Barn Parking lot on Jerusalem Road).
Leader: Kate Alexander – katesday@gmail.com or text or call 413-822-3396
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
Join Us
How to Join: Dues are $10.00 per person per year from September through June. Make check payable to Berkshire Knapsackers and mail to the treasurer - Harold Moon, 35 Dodge Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Please include your name, local address, phone number and email address. You may also now pay online at the below PayPal link.
Current Members: Reminder! Please check the mailing label for your membership expiration date. Dues are $10.00 per person per year. Make check payable to Berkshire Knapsackers and mail to the treasurer, Harold Moon, at the address noted above, or pay by PayPal. Please include any changes in your information.
Pay Now with PayPal: Click the below PayPal Logo to join or renew your membership online. In the payment note, please provide your contact information and let us know if you would prefer to receive hard copies of the schedule, or go paperless.
