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 Winter Schedule
January-February-March
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Morning Hike at Kennedy Park in Lenox followed by Knapsackers New Year’s Day Gathering at the Lenox Sportsmen's Club, Lenox, MA 🐕 On Leash
C-4-C: After dropping off your covered dish for the gathering at the Lenox Sportsmens Club meeting, go to the Arcadian Shop Parking lot/trailhead for the hike. This will be a casual 4 mile hike at Kennedy Park in Lenox (trails to be determined). Please bring microspikes in case of snow/ice. Dogs must be on leash.
Leave for Hike: 10:00 AM from Arcadian Shop parking lot
Leader: Melanie Levitan – melaniedr@aol.com or call 413-446-3952
Annual New Year’s Day Gathering - Lenox Sportsmen’s Club - 258 New Lenox Road, Lenox
Pot-luck lunch: 1:00 PM. Please bring an appetizer, dessert, salad, or entree to share. Please bring your own place setting and serving utensils. The Club will provide tea, coffee, and hot cocoa. A short but fascinating business meeting and program of interest will be held following lunch. If not doing the hike, please drop off your pot luck between 9:30-12:00.
New Year’s Day Program: Dee Dice, who is a Berkshire Knapsackers member, will do a presentation about the Alps trip last June as well as a sneak peek at a few other past and future trips.
Saturday, January 10, 2026 - Old Mill Trail – Hinsdale, MA
C-4-C: Hike old mixed woods and along part of the Housatonic River. We’ll pass by noteworthy stonework and see remnants of 19th century woolen mills. Bring liquids and snacks. Approx 3 miles.
Meet: Trailhead on Rt 8, left at bridge, across from Hinsdale Trading Company
Leave: 10:30 AM
Leaders: Sue and Tim Snyder, ssnyder160@gmail.com or call 413-281-3303 (cell)
Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Stony Ledge via Haley Farm Trail
B-3-B: Fun hike with rewarding views in Greylock State Reservation. We'll begin at Hopper Trail then to Haley Farm Trail and then Stony Ledge Trail for a steady climb to Stony Ledge viewpoint. If conditions are warranted, bring micro spikes and snowshoes. Up and back for a total of 4.3 miles and 1,459 ft elevation gain. Plan for about 3.5 hours. Bring water, snacks, and cold weather gear.
Parking lot and portable bathroom is directly across from Haley Farm. Bad Weather Cancels. Please, NO DOGS.
Leave: 9:30 AM from the Haley Farm Trailhead. DCR Map: Trailhead at 1136 Hopper Road, Williamstown (01267): 42°39'19.56"N, 73°12'18.63"W
Leader: Lee Forest - leeam101@proton.me or 339.235.0307 voice/text
Co-Leader: Scott Latvalla - latvalla@aol.com
Saturday Evening, January 31, 2026 – Full Moon Hike at The Boulders – Pittsfield/Dalton, MA
C-3-C: Hike approximately 3.5 miles under a full moon, from Dalton Avenue up the trail to The Boulders overlooking Pittsfield. It will be a snowshoe if conditions warrant. Cancel for rain. Possible debrief after the hike at Applebee’s.
Leave: 6:30 PM from Boulders Parking Lot on Dalton Ave. near the Hubbard Avenue traffic light and next to Taco Bell.
Leader: Joe Doboszynski – dobojc@aol.com, or call 339-222-7203 (cell), 413-448-8359 (home)
Saturday, February 7, 2026 – The Boulders and Brewery – Pittsfield/Dalton, MA
C-3-C: Hike a casual 5 miles up and around The Boulders in Dalton, MA, with lunch to follow at the Wandering Star Brewery (11 Gifford Street, off Merrill Road in Pittsfield, about a mile east from The Boulders parking area). for those interested. The Wandering Star Brewery does not have restaurant capability, but they have seating for dining, sampling, and savoring at least 8 of their brews on tap. We can bring our lunches in or pick up a lunch en route.
Leave: 9:30 AM from Boulders Parking Lot on Dalton Ave. near the Hubbard Avenue traffic light and next to Taco Bell.
Leader: Joe Doboszynski – dobojc@aol.com, or call 339-222-7203 (cell), 413-448-8359 (home)
Sunday, February 8, 2026 – Pittsfield State Forest – Pittsfield, MA 🐕
C-4-(B-C): Strenuous at first going to average. We will slowly make our way up Hawthorne trail, the steepest part (1/2 mile) but 1-mile total estimate. We take pine mountain trail towards Tilden Swamp (1 mile estimate). We would take Parker Brook trail (2 miles estimate) back to the headquarters. I estimate it to be 4 miles with one moderately difficult uphill and the rest being moderate to easy. Bring either micro spikes or snowshoes for this hike. Bring water and snacks. Rain cancels. Dog friendly.
Leave: 1:00 PM at Pittsfield State Forest Ski Lodge Parking Lot
Co-Leaders: Tim Wright tim@timothywright.net and Evelyn Gonzalez callingevelyn@yahoo.com
Saturday, February 14, 2026 - Olivia's Overlook – Stockbridge, MA
We will hike 3-5 miles (depending on weather) on the Burbank, Charcoal, and Brothers trails. Details to follow.
Leave: 10:00 AM
Leader: Sue Snyder, ssnyder160@gmail.com or call 413-281-3303 (cell)
Saturday, February 21, 2026 - Taconic Skyline Trail Loop - Pittsfield State Forest
B-3-C: 5.8 miles, <1000’ elevation gain. We will be starting on Rt. 20 at ORV (Off Road Vehicle) Parking lot just before the trailhead for TCT (Taconic Crest Trail), Hancock, MA, GPS Coordinates. 42.4349470, -73.3698289
We will start a gradual ascent on the Taconic Skyline trail for about 2.5 miles, picking up the Shaker Brook trail and climbing for about .5 miles. We will intersect with the Holy Mount trail for almost a mile and lastly hike the Griffin trail for about 2 miles back to our cars. We will hike at a comfortable pace to keep the group together. Micro spikes and/or Hillsound crampons may be necessary or even snowshoes depending on the conditions. I will check out the trail beforehand to determine what will be needed for the hike. No cotton/jeans should be worn in winter conditions. Dress appropriately for the weather--winter boots, insulated pants, extra layer for when we stop for lunch and hiking poles are suggested. Remember your lunch and/or snacks and water and/or hot drink.
You must register for this hike so please contact the hike leader if you have any questions!
Leave: Meet at the trailhead at 9:30 AM
Leader: Trish Johnston - patcjohnston@gmail.com or 832-649-0372 voice/txt
Saturday, February 28, 2026 - Hand Hollow Conservation Area - New Lebanon, NY 🐕 On Leash
C-3-D: This hike is approximately 4.5 miles with very little elevation gain (less than 400)
The area provides an extremely varied wildlife habitat which includes a pond, a lake, wetlands, marshes, and streams. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Leave: 10:00 AM from trailhead at 4079 CR 9, New Lebanon, NY
Leader: Mary Vadney - twoblu2@aol.com or 518-894-2011
Saturday, March 7, 2026 - Perry's Peak Loop, Richmond, MA 🐕 On Leash
C-3-B: Perry's Peak Trail is a 4.9-mile loop with 885 ft elevation gain. It is rated as Easy on AllTrails. Depending on the trail conditions, we will either hike (may need spikes) or snowshoe. An email will be sent the day prior to the hike.
Leave: 10:00 AM; from parking lot on Perry Peak Rd. Please pre-register for carpool-limited parking.
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, Call or Text 413-822-2818
Saturday, March 14, 2026 - Otis State Forest - Otis, MA 🐕
B-3-C: Hike approximately 7-8 miles along sections of Upper Spectacle Pond and Lower Spectacle Pond through the Otis State Forest. This will be an “in and out.” Dog Friendly.
Leave: 9:30 AM at the Otis State Forest parking area on Rt. 23 in Otis.
Leader: Kate Alexander – katesday@gmail.com or 413-822-3396 to call or text
Please contact leader to “register.”
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - Mahanna Cobble and Yokun Ridge Trail, Pittsfield, MA
B-3-B: Hike Mahanna Cobble Trail to Yokun Ridge Trail to Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
Elevation gain is approximately 1,400 ft. This will be an out and back hike approximately 6.5 miles.
Yokun Seat has a beautiful view of Richmond and Pittsfield.
Depending on the trail conditions, we will either hike (may need spikes) or snowshoe. An email will be sent the day prior to the hike.
Leave: 10:00 AM from the Bousquet Ski Area Parking Lot, 101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA.
Leader: Sally Partridge - skpartridge@gmail.com, Call or Text 413-822-2818
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 around 5 miles round trip with 1,600 feet 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.
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.
