Berkshire Knapsackers
Hiking & Outdoors Group - Since 1977
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*** 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
2026 Fall Schedule
September-October-November-December
Sunday, September 6, 2026 - Bike Ashuwilticook Rail Trail - Lanesboro, MA
Bike: Leisurely ride the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. About 15 miles at 10 mph.
Leave: 12:00 Noon - from the Route 7/Route 8 connector road parking lot near the Berkshire Mall outside the rest rooms.
Leader: Richard Kinnas - rk01201@hotmail.com
Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Two Bridges and Chapel Falls plus Chapel Ledge, Conway/Ashfield 🐕 On Leash
C-3-C: Total hike is 4.8 miles with an elevation gain of 692 feet. We will start up to Chapel Ledge for a great scenic view, before retracing our steps over to Chapel Falls. From Chapel Falls, we will hike out and back through the woodlands to the Trustees property Bullet Reservation, where we will have a snack before heading back. The trail provides excellent birding, a beautiful waterfall, panoramic view, and a wide variety of woodlands. This hike is dog friendly, BUT dogs must be on a leash on Trustees properties. Due to the need for a Trustees pass, we will arrange for a carpool to ensure all can enjoy! Parking at Chapel Falls Trailhead located on Williamsburg Rd. We will also have a carpool leaving from the McDonald's at Allendale. This one had to be cancelled this past Spring, so we are offering it again for Fall!
Leave: 8:30 AM - from Allendale Shopping Center for carpool, or 9:30 AM from trailhead.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aol.com or call 630-881-5343
Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Pisgah Ridge and Reservoir Loop - Hinsdale, NH
B/A-3-B: This 8.2 mile loop features a mix of terrain, including rocky sections, soft forest floors, and some gentle stream crossings, adding variety to the hike. The hike is moderately challenging with a few steep sections - elevation gain is 1,148 ft.
Leave: 10:00 AM from Kilburn Road, Hinsdale, NH 03451. Coordinates are 42.84156 N, 72.48348 W
Leader: Julie Kraus - Let me know if you are joining this hike - juliekraus77@gmail.com or text me at 413-579-4325.
Sunday, September 20, 2026 - Upper Goose Pond Hike, Lee/Tyringham MA 🐕
C-3-B/C: Moderate to challenging hike with a steep incline on the way to the pond and a steep decline coming back down. Approximately 4.1-4.6 miles, elevation gain 715 feet, approximately 3.5 hours. Destination: Lunch and swim at Upper Goose Pond. Dog Friendly.
Leave: 9: 30 AM Appalachian Trail Parking area on Route 20 which is on your right coming from Lee (about 5 miles from Lee)
Co-Leaders: Evelyn Gonzalez - callingevelyn@yahoo.com, andMelanie Levitan - melaniedr@aol.com, 413-446-3952. Email or call leaders with questions or details.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 - State Forest: Lulu Cascade - Pittsfield, MA 🐕
B-3-C: This triangular loop, of 5 miles and 1000 feet of elevation gain, boasts a trifecta of water attractions, lovely cascades along Lulu Brook and two of the state's highest natural bodies of water, scenic Berry Pond and Tilden Swamp, a former bog turned Beaver Pond. Along the trail you'll enjoy a variety of landscapes, from shaded woodlands to open areas with stunning views of the surrounding hills. Dog Friendly!
Leave: 9:30 AM - from the trailhead.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aolcom or call 630-881-5343
Sunday, September 27, 2026 - Field Farm, Williamstown, MA 🐕
C-4-D: Hike 3+ miles at Field Farm. Weather Permitting. Dog friendly.
Leave: 10:00 AM from 554 Sloan Rd.,Williamstown, MA. Meet at the pond.
Leader: Richard Kinnas - rk01201@hotmail.com
Saturday October 3, 2026 - BNRC Hoosac Range Trail, North Adams, MA 🐕
B-3-C: We will hike about 6 miles out and back to a 180 degree view of Mount Greylock State Reservation at the top of Spruce Hill. The elevation gain is about 900 feet according to alltrails.com. Car pool from Allendale shopping center in Pittsfield (behind McDonalds) leaving at 8:30. Alternatively meet at the BNRC parking lot at 9:00. Route 2 East out of North Adams, driving up past the Western Summit; BNRC parking lot trail head is on the right. Please consider carpooling due to autumn colors. Rain cancels.
Leave: 8:30 AM - from McDonalds at Allendale; or 9:00 AM from BNRC parking lot, Rt. 2 East out of North Adams, driving up past Western Summit, parking lot on right. Consider carpooling. Rain cancels.
Leader: Tim Wright - tim@timothywright.net or 413-242-4744
Saturday, October 10, 2026 - Mahanna Cobble and Yokun Ridge Trail, Pittsfield, MA
B-3-B: Hike Mahanna Cobble Trail to Mahanna Cobble view point, a bit steep for .25 mile but then gradual elevation gain. Beautiful view at the top. We will continue on from Mahanna Cobble to Yokun Ridge Trail and hike to Yokun Seat View point for lunch for a total elevation gain of 1,483 ft. This will be an out and back hike approximately 6.5 miles total.
Leave: 10:00 AM - from the Bousquet Ski Area, 101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA.
Leader: Sue Snyder - ssnyder160@gmail.com; 413-281-3303
Monday, October 12, 2026 - Greylock Ramble
B-4-C: Cheshire Harbor Trail up, Gould Trail down, 6.4 miles and 2,000 feet elevation. Hike is weather permitting.
Leave: 9:00 AM - from Adams Visitor Center parking lot/bus stop to take the free bus ride to the trail head. 3 Hoosac St, Adams, MA, 9 AM. Dogs are not allowed on the bus.
Leader: Richard Kinnas - rk01201@hotmail.com
Saturday, October 17, 2026 - Kennedy Park, Lenox, MA 🐕 On Leash
C-3-C: This is a moderate hike of about 3.5 miles or so. Meet at Arcadian Shop parking lot at 9:15. Leaving trailhead 9:30. Takes about 1.5 hrs. Dogs on leash are allowed there. Bring poles, bug spray, and water. Text or call Sandy Moon to confirm.
Leave: 9:30 AM - from Arcadian Shop parking lot.
Leader: Sandy Moon - smoonkayak@gmail.com, 413-242-4397
Saturday, October 24, 2026 – Bash Bish side of Alander Brook Trail, Mount Washington, MA
Saturday, October 31, 2026 - Guilder Pond and Mount Washington Lookout Trail 🐕 On Leash
C-3-C: Length 3.8 miles; elevation ~ 925 feet; Route type - loop. AllTrails writes: "This well-maintained trail goes around the beautiful Guilder Pond and to the top of Mountain Everett. There are tree canopies most of the hike. The trail is mostly on the dirt with some rocky sections in parts. On the way to the summit, there is a bench where you can take in the panoramic views. You can park by the Guilder Pond to avoid walking on the gravel road.” Dogs on leash welcome.
Leave: 9:00 AM - From 125 East Street, South Egremont, MA 01258
Leader: Monique Rinere - monique.rinere@gmail.com
Saturday, November 7, 2026 - Harvey Mountain - Austerlitz, NY 🐕
C-3-B/C: A loop hike of 4.5 miles and elevation gain of 900 feet. Harvey Mt
is the highest point in Columbia county with rare views of the Taconic Plateau. Dog friendly.
Leave: 9:30 AM - from Harvey Mountain trailhead (42.326133,-73.439762),
521 East Hill Road, Austerlitz, NY
Leader: Mary Vadney - Twoblu2@aol.com or 518-894-2011
Sunday, November 15, 2026 - Alander Mountain Trail 🐕 On Leash
B-3-B/C: The summit of Alander Mountain is just east of the Massachusetts/New York border. The trail is rolling for the first two miles before the more continuous climbing begins to the top. The route is mostly wooded and crosses a stream at the beginning before the views start to open up the closer you get to the top. Elevation gain: 1,220 ft., Route type: Out & back. Dog friendly on leash.
Leave: 9:00 AM - 162 East Street, Mt. Washington, MA 01258
Leader: Monique Rinere - monique.rinere@gmail.com
Saturday, November 21, 2026 - Pine Cobble Mountain and AT, Williamstown, MA 🐕
B-3-B: Hike Pine Cobble Trail to Pine Cobble Mountain viewpoint, 1200 ft elevation gain. Continue
to Appalachian Trail and on to Vermont border (another 500 ft elevation gain). Return on AT and
Class-of-98 Trail. Total mileage is approximately 7 miles. Parking lot at trailhead is small - would like to arrange for carpool. Dog friendly.
Leave: Contact leader for meeting time and place.
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, 413-822-2818
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - Harvey Mountain and Pinnacle Point Loop
B-3-C: Hiking in Harvey Mountain State Forest is defined by dense woodlands, historic stone walls, and summit viewpoints. Just over the border from West Stockbridge, MA we will hike to the summit of Harvey Mt. It is a steady climb of about 1.8 miles to the summit where you will enjoy views south (southern Taconic range), west and north. We will continue another 1.4 miles with some ups and downs to Pinnacle Point and eventually continue on the loop downhill and back to our cars enjoying the lush woods along the way. I will definitely scout the trail prior to the hike and let you know more details or changes. Severe weather cancels. Please contact leader to register for this hike and/or if you have any questions.
Leave: 9:30 AM - from GM Address: 42.330503871539506, -73.44109591174397 (close to East Hill Road but parking lot is off Route 22)
Leader: Trish Johnston - patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/txt.
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 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. Historic facts can be found on the following web site: https://www.mass.gov/doc/shaker-trail-guide/download.
Leave: 10:00 AM from the Trailhead parking lot on Rt 20 in Pittsfield, across from Shaker Hancock Village (42.43149, -73.34028)
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, 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, Bob Balboni
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 Household 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 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.
