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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2024 Spring Schedule
NOTE: For hikes listed as “Dog Friendly” please contact the hike leader in advance for any special details. Generally, state parks require that dogs be on leash and are picked up after. Please be prepared to comply with these requirements.
(NEW DATE) Saturday March 30, 2024 - Three Mile Hill Trail, Great Barrington, MA
C-3/4-C: This will be a 3.5 mile loop, including sidewalk and paved path. We will start at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center parking lot and get the paved walking out of the way first. We have a short stroll through a meadow and into the woods. We will take a slight detour to see Fountain Pond and Monument Mountain. The rest is a lovely walk through the woods ending up back at our cars. Elevation gain is about 350', some hills but not strenuous. If there is enough snow to snowshoe we will just do this as an out and back to Fountain Pond and skip the pavement, then it will be 4 miles total.
We meet at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center on Crissey Rd, Great Barrington,
at the pretty bench by the trailhead kiosk.
Text or email Tracy for start time arahowtato@gmail.com 845-416-4536. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Leave: Berkshire South Regional Community Center on Crissey Rd, Great Barrington, at the pretty bench by the trailhead kiosk. Contact leader for time.
Leader: Tracy for start time arahowtato@gmail.com 845-416-4536
***CANCELLED*** Saturday, April 13, 2024 - Mahican-Mohawk Trail to Indian Trail Lookout, Charlemont,
B-3-B: Lollipop Loop. 5-6 miles, around 1300' elevation gain. Enjoy this challenging counterclockwise loop hike starting at the parking lot on Cold River Road in Mohawk Trail State Forest. Mahican-Mohawk Trail winds through woodlands and meadows, and climbs the side of Todd Mountain where it traverses what is thought to be a portion of the original Native American trail. We will start on Cold River Road and connect with the M-M trail for 2.8 miles where we will leave the M-M trail and turn left onto the Indian trail for our .4 mile climb to the summit of Todd Mountain where we can enjoy our lunch with a view. We will backtrack down the trail to the intersection and turn left continuing to follow the Indian trail which descends steeply to the campground road where we will walk the road back to our cars.
Leave: 9:30 AM Google Maps Address: 42.6372, -72.9348 Charlemont, MA
Leader: Trish Johnston, patcjohnston@gmail.com, 832-649-0372 voice/txt; Please register for this hike.
Monday, April 15, 2024 – Bear Mountain, Salisbury, CT 🐕
B-3-B: Beautiful 6 mile hike on Connecticut's highest mountain with fabulous views and a little rock scrambling to make it fun. We'll hike the Undermountain Trail to the Paradise Trail to the AT and back to the Undermountain Trail. This is a popular hike so let's go early. Please contact me in case there are last minute changes. Rain cancels. Dog friendly.
Leave: 9:00 AM at trailhead on Rt 41, 1.5 miles south of MA border, parking is on west side of the road.
Leader: Janice Robbins, janicerobbins14@gmail.com, 917-679-5820
Saturday, April 20, 2024 – Flag Rock, Great Barrington, MA 🐕
C-3-C: Hike 4.2 miles in and back on the Willow Trail, a gradual climb (300’) from parking 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. Dog friendly.
Leave: Meet at Great Barrington McDonald's parking nearest Rte 7 at 10AM. Leave 10:15 AM carpool to Flag Rock parking.
Leader: Thea Baker, lpplanding12@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 – Mohonk Rock Scramble, New Paltz, NY
AA-3-A: A is for scrambles, B for trails. The exact date will be determined by weather and group availability .We will hike using trails/carriage roads and do three to four fun rock scrambles to reach the ridgeline. This hike will also include a walk by Lake Mohonk. Hikers must be comfortable with rock scrambles. The hike will be about 10 -11 miles. Max. group size is 12, min. group size is 4. Mohonk Preserve visitor fee of $15 is required unless you are member of the preserve. Free passes will lower the cost and be shared. If interested please let me know by April 12th.
Leave: Please contact Russ for meeting details.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro, russcann@yahoo.com or call 919-576-6109 before 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 27, 2024 – Clam River (BNRC Property), Sandisfield, MA 🐕
B-3-C/B: Beautiful, often secluded, hike along the Clam River. Approx 5.5 miles. Rain cancels. Dog friendly. Leave: 9:30 at Sandisfield Town Hall Trailhead, 66 Sandisfield Rd, Sandisfield
Leader: Janice Robbins, janicerobbins14@ gmail.com, 917-679-5820
Saturday, May 4, 2024 – Bear Mtn & Lions Head, Salisbury, CT
AA-3-A: A is for scrambles, B for trails. This hike will include a rock scramble up the north side of Bear Mtn. and another scramble up Lions Head. We will pick up the AT using the Paradise Lane trail and then hike over Bear Mtn. to Lions Head. After lunch our return hike will be on the AT northbound to the Undermountain trail back to the cars. The hike will be around 12 miles with approx. 2,300 ft elevation gain. The section of the AT between the two mountains is mainly level.
Leave: Please contact me for meeting details by Thur., May 2.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro, russcann@yahoo.com or call 919-576-6109 before 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 12, 2024 – Mother’s Day Mt. Greylock Stony Ledge, Williamstown, MA 🐕
B-3-C: From the Roaring Brook parking lot, hike up Stony Ledge Trail to the view, then through the campground, looping down the Roaring Brook Trail. Dog friendly.
Leave: 10:00 AM from Roaring Brook Road parking lot.
Leader: Melanie Levitan, melaniedr@aol.com,423-446-3952
Saturday, May 18, 2024: - Dunbar Brook Trail Lollypop/Loop, Monroe, MA
B-3-B: Near North Adams in the Monroe State Forest, this is a 7-mile "moderate" rated trail 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.
Leave: 8:30 AM from the Allendale Shopping Center, or meet at 9:45am from Dunbar Brook picnic
area in Florida, MA. Please advise leader of intent to join the hike.
Leader: Jim Solon, jsolon3680@aol.com
Saturday, May 25, 2024 – Mount Alander, South Egremont, MA
B-3-B: This hike has 7.5 miles of travel with 1,800’ of elevation gain. The first 3 miles take us to the summit of Alander with beautiful views to the south and west. From the summit we hike south and down a ridge line to the Mount Alander Loop Trail and back to the cars. Pre-registration is requested.
Leave: 9:30 AM from East St. Egremont Trail Head (162 East St., South Egremont. 42.08625, -73.46208)
Leader: Paul Glazebrook, p.glazebrook@yahoo.com or text 617-852-1975
Monday, May 27, 2024 – Mahican-Mohawk Trail to Indian Trail Outlook on Todd Mt – Mohawk Trail State Forest, Rowe, MA
B-3-B: This is an out & back hike of 6.4 miles (unless we choose to add a quick trek up Thumper Mt too) with an elevation gain of 1358 ft. or more, if we add Thumper. This hike will be quite challenging after we enjoy an easy start along Cold River, Deerfield River, pass thru some pretty woods & a meadow, but the view at the top is nice.
Leave: 9:30 AM from Parking area along RT. 2/Mohawk Trail at entrance to Cold River Rd (42.63697,-72.93491)
Leader: Julie Kraus, juliekraus77@gmail.com or text at 413-579-4325
Saturday, June 1, 2024 - North Pond, Blackburian, Old Florida, Busby, and Lost Pond Loop, Florida, MA
A-3-B: Beginning at North Pond trailhead, the hike takes us past Tower Swamp, then up to Swamp Hill.
This is an 8.2 mile loop trail located near Florida, MA, that features a lake and is rated as a moderate hike. There is a 1358-hike elevation gain, with great views.
Leave: 9:00 AM from the Allendale Shopping Center, or meet @ 10am from the North Point Trailhead in
Savoy Mountain State Park Pond Beach.
Leader: Jim Solon, jsolon3680@aol.com
Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - Wittenberg (3,740 ft) and Cornel ( 3,860 ft), Woodland Valley, NY
A-3-B: The exact date will be determined by weather and group availability. We will climb these two Catskill peaks from Woodland Valley. There are rock scrambles on the climb to Wittenberg and there is a steep ledge to navigate just before the Cornel summit. Round trip mileage is 9.4 miles with an approx. elevation gain of 2,600ft. Max. group size is 12, min. group size is 4. If interested please let me know by May 26. There may be a parking fee at the Woodland Vallley campground.
Leave: Please contact me for meeting details.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro, russcann@yahoo.com or call 919-576-6109 before 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 8, 2024 - Pine Cobble, Class of 98, and AT to Vermont Border, Williamstown, MA 🐕
B-3-B: Hike Pine Cobble Trail to Pine Cobble Mountain viewpoint, 1200 ft elevation gain. Continue to the 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 the trailhead is small - a carpool will be arranged. Dog friendly.
Leave: 9:00 AM from Pine Cobble Rd Trailhead (42.71615,-73.18531). Please Contact leader if you will be joining the hike.
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, 413-822-2818
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 – Canoe/Kayak, Upper and Lower Goose Pond , Lee, MA
Paddle Upper and Lower Goose Ponds. Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours; Distances: 6.5 miles; Pace: Leisurely. Rating: Easy flat water
Leave: 6:00 PM @ Ridge St, Lee, MA (42.274404, -73.200955)
Leader: Scott Latvalla, latvalla@aol.com or 413-446-6399
Saturday, June 15, 2024 - Cheshire Habor Trail to Mount Greylock, Adams, MA
B-3-B: This is the easiest and shortest ascent route from the base to the summit Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. There are some spectacular views at the summit. Signs at the top call out points of interest that are visible on a clear day, including the Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire and Mount Wachusett in Massachisetts.
This is a 6.2 mile out and back hike with an elevation gain of 1916 feet.
Leave: From Big Y Parking lot at 9am, or 9:45am at the Cheshire Habor trailhead, W Mountain Rd, Adams
Leader: Jim Solon, jsolon3680@aol.com
Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Canoe/Kayak - Buckley Dunton Reservoir, Becket, MA
Paddle 1 to 1.5 hours on Buckley Dunton Reservoir;
Distance: 3.5 miles; Pace: Leisurely. Rating: Easy flat water.
Leave: 6:00 PM @ 42.312419, -73.131996 (Becket, MA)
Leader: Scott Latvalla, latvalla@aol.com or 413-446-6399
Saturday, June 22, 2024 - Mt. Greylock State Reservation, Williamstown, MA
A-3-B: We will climb Mt. Greylock using the Hopper Trail and the AT. Our return route will include a
walk on Sperry Rd. to Stony Ledges and the Haley Farm trail.
Leave: Please contact me for meeting detail by Thur. June 20.
Leader: Russ Cannizzaro, russcann@yahoo.com or call 919-576-6109 before 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 30, 2024 - Ascutney Mt. via Weathersfield Trail, Perkinsville, VT
B-3-B: This will be a 5.2 mile+ hike to the summit of Ascutney Mt.(Elevation Gain 2185 ft.) At the top, I would like to add a loop to Ascutney North, Brownsville Rock & Castle Rock. If that's not enough for everyone, we have the option to pop over the Ascutney South as well. Dogs on leash.
Leave: 9:30 AM from Weathersfield Trailhead on High Meadow Rd. (43.42675,-72.46610)
Leader: Julie Kraus, juliekraus77@gmail.com or text at 413-579-4325
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
