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 Spring Schedule
April-May-June
Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Bear Mountain - Salisbury CT 🐕 On Leash
B-3-B: Let’s celebrate spring by hiking up Bear Mountain from the south side using the Undermountain trail and the AT. This hike is approximately 5 miles round trip with 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Our pace will be moderate but steady. Dogs on leash.
Leave: Undermountain trailhead on Conn 41, Contact Leader for meeting time by 3/26.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com, or call 919-576-6109. No calls after 8pm
Saturday April 11, 2026 - Tom Ball Mountain, Alford, MA 🐕 On Leash
C-3-C: Hike a lollipop loop of 3.4 miles, 702 ft. elevation gain, dogs on leash are welcome.
We will hike the Longview Loop through dynamic forested terrain with elevation changes and uneven footing.
Switchbacks bring us up the steep section to the top of the ridge where we will have some views of Long
Pond.
Leave: 9:30 AM from the Tom Ball Mountain Reserve parking lot on Alford Road.
Leader: Tracy Rakin - Contact Tracy to pre-register – arahowtato@gmail.com or 845-416-4536
Saturday, April 25, 2026 - Perry's Peak Loop, Richmond, MA 🐕 On Leash
C-3-B: Perry's Peak Trail is a 3.8-mile loop with 885 ft elevation gain. It is rated as Moderate due to elevation gain, not distance. This trail leads to Scotty’s Overlook then to Perry’s Peak.
Leave: 10:00 AM from parking lot on Perry Peak Road. Parking is limited so please pre-register so that we can coordinate a carpool.
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, call or text 413-822-2818
Saturday, May 9, 2026 - Jug End to Mt. Everett. Sheffield, MA
A-3-B: This will be an out and back hike on the Appalachian Trail from Jug End Road to the summit
of Mt. Everett. The mileage is 9.2 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 2,600 feet. This
will be a good workout with excellent views along the way.
Leave: Contact Russ for meeting details by Thursday, May 7.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com or 919-576-6109.
Sunday, May 10, 2026 - Mt Greylock, Stony Ledge and Roaring Brook - Williamstown, MA - 🐕
B-3-B: This will be approximately a 5.5-mile loop hike with 1529 ft elevation gain. Hike up Stony Ledge Trail to Roaring Brook Trail via Sperry Road. There is a very nice lookout at Stony Ledge. Dog Friendly.
Leave: 10:00 AM from the Roaring Brook Road Trailhead off Route 7 in Williamstown.
Leader: Melanie Levitan – melaniedr@aol.com or call 413-446-3952
Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Sunset Rock Trail in Taconic State Park in Mount Washington - 🐕
C-3-B: Hike 4 miles with about 1,050 ft. elevation gain. Hike along a creek with small falls. We will have a rock scramble and some stream crossings so bring sturdy hiking boots as it may be wet. Nice view at the top. Dog friendly, Rain Cancels.
Leave: 8:45 AM Meet at Bash Bish Falls parking lot and leave for the trail at 9:00 AM.
Coleader: Evelyn Gonzales - callingevelyn@yahoo.com
Coleader: Tim Wright - tim@timothywright.net or text 413-242-4744
Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Ragged Mountain Loop, Greylock Mountain, Adams MA
C-3-B: 4.5 mile loop with ~1,400’ elevation gain. Starting at Greylock Glen on the Glen Meadow loop, we will
semi-circle the pond for .8 miles, walk Thiel Road for a short distance before turning onto the Thunderbolt
Ski trail, then onto the Ragged Mountain trail for almost 1 mile climbing steadily to the summit. Ragged
Mountain is a prominent, craggy feature on the eastern side of Mount Greylock with incredible views where
we will enjoy our lunch. After all the climbing, we will head downhill on the Bellows Pipe trail for about 2
miles and back to Greylock Glen. I will scout the trail prior to the hike and let you know more details or changes. Severe weather cancels. Contact leader if necessary.
Please contact leader to register for this hike or if you have any questions.
Leave: 9:30 AM Google Maps Address: Greylock Glen Center, Adams, MA 01220
Leader: Trish Johnston: patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/txt
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - Trustees Property Two Bridges and Chapel Falls plus Chapel Ledge,
Conway/Ashfield, MA 🐕 On Leash
C-3-C: Parking at the Bullitt Reservation parking lot we will take the Two Bridges trail to Chapel Falls, then
explore Chapel ledge before heading back on this out and back hike. Total hike is 4.8 miles with an elevation
gain of 692 feet. The trail provides excellent birding, a beautiful waterfall, and wide variety of woodlands. This
hike is dog friendly, BUT dogs must be on a leash on Trustee properties! Due to the need for a Trustee pass,
we will arrange a car shuttle to ensure all can enjoy!
Leave: Contact Jim Solon by May 15 for meeting time and place.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aol.com or call 630-881-5343
Saturday June 13, 2026—Mt. Greylock Circular – Mt Greylock State Reservation, Williamstown
MA
AA-3-A: This will be a circular hike covering Mt. Prospect, Mt. Williams, Mt. Fitch, Mt Greylock
and Stony Ledge. The mileage is 13 miles with an elevation gain of approximately 3,000 feet.
The climb up Mt. Prospect is challenging.
Leave: Contact Russ for meeting details by Thursday, June 11.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro - russcann@yahoo.com or 919-576-6109
Saturday, June 20, 2026 - Flag Rock Hike, Monument Mtn, Gt Barrington MA - 🐕 On Leash
C-3-C: This hike is less than 4 miles and should take approximately 2–3 hours. Dogs allowed if leashed. Bring water and a snack.
Meet at McDonald’s parking lot in Great Barrington, 302 Stockbridge Road. Park your car facing Route 7
Leave: 10:00 AM from McDonald’s parking lot.
Leader: Thea Baker - lpplanding12@gmail.com
Saturday, June 27, 2026 - Berlin Mountain - 🐕
B-3-B: Hike on 6/27 from the Petersburg Pass trail head in Petersburg off
of Rt 2. The hike is about 5.5 miles out and back, B-3-B. Head south on the Taconic Crest trail, elevation gain
1230 feet. Dog friendly. Rain cancels.
Leave 10:00 AM
Leader: Tim Wright - tim@timothywright.net or text 413-242-4744
Sunday, June 28, 2026 - Dunbar Brook Tail Lollypop/Loop-Monroe, MA - 🐕
B-3-B: Near North Adams in the Monroe State Forest, this is a 7-mile moderate rated trail. It
passes by streams, brooks, and great vistas! If on the trail early, good chance of wildlife sightings.
Please advise leader of intent to join the hike. Dog friendly.
Leave: 9:45 AM from Dunbar Brook OR 8:30 AM from Allendale Shopping Center to join carpool.
Leader: Jim Solon - jsolon3680@aol.com or call 630-881-5343
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 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.
