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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250811T090000
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DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250715T131347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T131347Z
UID:51578-1754902800-1755273600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Find Your Authentic Voice in Plein Air
DESCRIPTION:Transform your plein air painting skills in this week-long outdoor workshop. \nEasily accessible from New York or Boston\, the Berkshires have some of the most amazing scenery in the northeast\, along with a wide variety of accommodations. \nMy workshops help painters refine their personal technique in watercolor\, pastel\, oils\, gouache\, and acrylics. You will find your own voice and style without becoming anyone’s clone. These are intensive classes\, with morning and afternoon on-site painting sessions and lunch-time discussions and demos. \nWe will cover: \n\nColor theory\nComposition\nMixing colors\nFinding your own voice\nAuthentic brushwork\n\nWe stress strategies\, protocols\, and best practices in painting to get you good results with the least amount of wasted time. That means more attention on drawing\, brushwork and observation. You will learn to paint boldly\, using fresh\, clean color. You’ll learn to build commanding compositions\, and to use hue\, value and line to draw the eye through your paintings. \nBasic painting experience is required. Students will need to bring a portable easel as well as the other art supplies necessary for painting. A list will be sent to registrants. \nCost: $750. This covers all painting instruction\, room and board are the responsibility of the student. \nSkill level: Early-intermediate to Advanced. \nRequirements: Portable plein air easels\, paints\, brushes\, etc.\, rain jackets\, plein air umbrella\, sunscreen\, insect repellent\, stool suggested. Be prepared in case of rain. \nMaximum: 14 participants/workshop. \nMediums: All mediums are welcome: oil\, acrylic\, pastel\, watercolor. \nTime: 9 – 4 pm each day. \nLocation: 5 beautiful outdoor locations in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/find-your-authentic-voice-in-plein-air/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250823T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250823T140000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250814T131525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T131525Z
UID:67707-1755943200-1755957600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Wild Acres Pittsfield Group Hike
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike \nWild Acres Pittsfield \nAugust 23rd at 10:00 am \nParking: 500 South Mountain Road\, Pittsfield\, MA 01201 \nHike Rating: Fun! Easy 2 miles\, several loops \n  \nJoin us for a fun hike at Pittsfield’s hidden oasis\, Wild Acres.  A large parking lot with pavilions for events makes this a great family friendly destination for a day out and a place to picnic lunch and there is so much more….Short and easy hiking loops great for dog walking and children\, wetlands and ponds for wildlife viewing in all seasons all with many benches. There is a surprise around every bend here including a lookout tower that overlooks a marsh with wide views of the Yokun Ridge.  Probably the most fun here is getting up close to the Pittsfield Municipal Airport where you can watch the planes take off and land\, watch from the ground or from the tower all with an excellent view of the Berkshires. Bring the family and a picnic lunch let’s go have some fun! \nWe will hike rain or shine. Registration required.  Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up on www.HilltownHikers.com. \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches and bags will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/wild-acres-pittsfield-group-hike/
LOCATION:Wild Acres\, 500 South Mountain Road\, Pittsfield\, 01201
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250907T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250907T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250819T193359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250819T193359Z
UID:67771-1757246400-1757260800@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Writing For The Wild
DESCRIPTION:WRITING FOR THE WILD\nSundays\, September 7 & 14\, 12:00 – 4:00 pm  \nNature writing is not just a genre\, it’s an ongoing conversation with Earth. A way of listening\, remembering\, and belonging. This immersive two-part workshop with Vanessa Chakour invites writers of all levels into deeper conversation with the wild within and around us. We’ll explore the many facets of nature writing while cultivating intimacy with the more-than-human world and expanding ecological literacy. \nTogether\, we’ll reflect on what compels us to write on behalf of the wild\, who we’re writing for\, and how to shape poetry and prose that honor our interdependence. We’ll explore memoir\, poetry\, and research-driven science writing\, as well as imaginative approaches like writing to and from the perspective of other species. \nWhether sitting with a white pine on the Mount grounds during our outdoor writing sessions\, or drawing on a memory that lives in your body\, this workshop invites you to slow down and write from a place of deep attention. Through readings\, writing prompts\, intimate discussion\, and outdoor activities\, we’ll explore how nature writing can foster healing and amplify the voices of our more-than-human kin. \nBetween sessions\, writers will be encouraged to continue our practices\, to keep a nature journal\, and bring writing to share the following week. We’ll also discuss pathways to publication and how to become an advocate for Earth in a time of ecological crisis — when wild neighbors desperately need our voices. \nABOUT VANESSA: \nVanessa Chakour is a naturalist\, author\, and land steward who builds emotional and ecological bridges between humans and nature. Through writing\, immersive retreats\, and collaborative storytelling\, she invites deeper connection with plants\, animals\, and land. Her books\, Awakening Artemis and Earthly Bodies\, blend memoir with calls to kinship\, exploring the interdependent paths of personal and ecological healing. Vanessa has collaborated with organizations like the Wolf Conservation Center and Jaguar Rescue Center\, and as a Project Coyote ambassador\, facilitates conversations that inspire reverence for our multispecies family. A devoted student of nature\, Vanessa continually seeks creative and regenerative pathways toward coexistence. \nDISCOUNT CODE IN HONOR OF MONARCH MIGRATION: \nOur time together coincides with the peak monarch butterfly migration through Massachusetts — an incredible phenomenon that unfolds across thousands of miles and multiple generations. Monarchs travel 50–100 miles a day\, guided not by maps\, but by genetic memory. It takes up to three generations to complete their journey to Mexico\, each butterfly continuing on a path they have never flown before. \nTo honor their extraordinary migration\, we’re offering a special discount through September 1. Type MONARCH60 into the registration link to receive $60 off and join an intimate circle of voices writing on behalf of the wild.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/writing-for-the-wild/
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ORGANIZER;CN="The Mount":MAILTO:info@edithwharton.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250907T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250907T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250814T134355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T134355Z
UID:67713-1757250000-1757260800@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Chester and Becket Railroad Tour\, The Granite Line
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Tour \nChester and Becket Railroad Tour\, The Granite Line \nSeptember 7th@1:00 pm \nParking: On Hampden Street at the Chester and Becket Trailhead Chester 01011 \nDirections:  From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee\, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester/Becket town line\, turn right on Hampden Street to the trailhead. GPS 42.279567\, -72.988070 \nHike Rating: Easy 2.5 miles in and back\, mostly flat terrain on dirt with options for more\, guided tour with handouts \nJoin us to walk on a section of the Chester and Becket Railroad. Built in 1896 as a 5.25-mile spur off the Boston & Albany Railroad to deliver granite from the Becket Quarries to the Chester finishing works. Both Chester and Becket issued bond stock in the quarry company to help in building this line because there was money to be made from the “Chester Blue Granite” for monuments and gravestones. This railroad was blasted out of the steep and winding side of the Walker Brook Valley. The first locomotive to run on this line was a wood burner\, eventually upgraded to a coal burning locomotive. We will see the remains of a wooden trestle still standing on the trail and also learn how this route was used in Chester’s Emery and Granite industry. Optional continuation on the railbed to the Boston and Albany Connector (3 miles).   Donations for the newly conserved Chester Granite Company Finishing Works property are greatly appreciated. \nWe will hike rain or shine. Registration required.  Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up on www.HilltownHikers.com. \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches and bags will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/chester-and-becket-railroad-tour-the-granite-line/
LOCATION:Chester and Becket Railroad Trailhead\, Hampden Street\, Chester\, MA\, 01011\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250913T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250913T110000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250407T165918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250407T165918Z
UID:4438-1757754000-1757761200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Guided Hike: Field Farm in South Williamstown
DESCRIPTION:This hike is a loop on Field Farm’s North Trail that will include the Caves Trail. Expect flat terrain that is great for all skill levels and is family friendly. \nField Farm is a nature preserve in South Williamstown owned and managed by the Trustees of Reservations. Williamstown Rural Lands holds a conservation restriction (CR) on part of the property that includes a series of caves and ledges along the Caves Trail. This hike will lead you along the property’s varied landscape: active farmland\, upland forest\, rock ledges\, and even swamp! \nRegistration required: learn more and sign up at the event website.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/guided-hike-field-farm-in-south-williamstown-2/
LOCATION:Field Farm\, 554 Sloan Rd.\, Williamstown\, 01267
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ORGANIZER;CN="Williamstown Rural Lands":MAILTO:programs@rurallands.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T140000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250814T152717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250902T103322Z
UID:67722-1758362400-1758376800@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Guided Hike on the Knox Trail in Otis
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Tour \nGuided Hike on the Knox Trail in Otis \nSeptember 20th@10:00 am \nParking: On Norton Road Extension near house #92 Otis\, MA  01253 \nDirections:  Take Route 23 East or West to the Center of Otis take Norton Road and bear right onto Norton Road Extension to end of road. \nHike Rating: Easy to Moderate 3 miles in and back with very little elevation \nJoin us on a journey on the original “Ye Trodden Path” to follow the footsteps of the men who saved our country. Narrated by Mr. Tom Ragusa\, local historian\, our journey will take us through a section in Otis stopping at each historical location along the way listening to Tom’s amazing stories. During the winter of 1775-1776 Gen George Washington held the high ground around Boston while the British were firmly in control of the city. If Washington had artillery\, he could dislodge the British and retake Boston. The nearest available artillery was at Fort Ticonderoga\, under Continental Army control\, in up-state NY. Gen Henry Knox then was commissioned in Dec 1775\, by Gen Washington to secure these artillery pieces and transport them from NY\, through Massachusetts to Dorchester Heights outside Boston. To do this Gen Knox successfully crossed the Berkshire Mountains and large rivers in winter\, with 59 pieces of artillery. When the artillery arrived in Boston in early March 1776\, Gen Howe realized the hopelessness of his position and evacuated the city. \nWe will hike rain or shine. Registration required.  Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up on www.HilltownHikers.com.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/guided-hike-on-the-knox-trail-in-otis/
LOCATION:Knox Trail Otis\, 92 Norton Road Extension\, Otis\, MA\, MA\, 01253\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/oxen-photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250927T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250927T110000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250915T131219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T131219Z
UID:98706-1758961800-1758970800@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Bartholomew’s Cobble and Ashley House Tour | Hoffmann Bird Club
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special outing at Bartholomew’s Cobble\, an ecologically rich landscape well-known as a hotspot for migrating birds. \nFollowing our walk\, we’ll have a guided tour of the nearby Ashley House\, the oldest house still standing in Berkshire County. Managed by The Trustees\, this historic home\, owned by Colonel John Ashley\, was the site of an early call for American independence and also the home of Mum Bett (Elizabeth Freeman)\, the enslaved woman who successfully sued for her freedom in 1781. \nJoin us for this special opportunity to explore the landscape of the Cobble and reflect on the profound stories that helped shape our region and nation. \n\nThe trails offer easy to moderate hiking; most likely\, we will be walking Ledges and Bailey Trails down to the Cottonwood\nSturdy shoes are recommended\nAdvanced RSVP required; limited to 20 participants\nMeet at Bartholomew’s Cobble\, 105 Weatogue Road\, Sheffield
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/bartholomews-cobble-and-ashley-house-tour-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Bartholomew’s Cobble\, 105 Weatogue Road\, Sheffield\, 01257
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250928T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250928T110000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250915T131201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T131201Z
UID:98711-1759044600-1759057200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Birding & Biking on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail | Hoffmann Bird Club
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we search for migrating fall birds while bicycling along the paved Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The trail is very low grade and paved. \n\nMeet in Cheshire at Farnam’s Causeway Road. This is north of Whitney’s Farm & Garden Center\, mid-way down Cheshire Reservoir.\nWhat to bring: a bike\, helmet\, binoculars\, water\, and a snack if you would like.\nThe trip will go north to the “Jungle” and back (approximately 6 miles)\nIf you wish\, you may bring a lunch. You can leave it in your car in a cooler while you bike. There are picnic tables and facilities at Farnam’s Crossing.\nAdvanced RSVP required
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/birding-biking-on-the-ashuwillticook-rail-trail-hoffmann-bird-club-2/
LOCATION:Ashuwillticook Rail Trail (Cheshire Access)\, Farnams Rd.\, Cheshire\, 01225
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HBC-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251005T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251005T160000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20250814T152707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T152707Z
UID:67734-1759669200-1759680000@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Guided Hike to Reservoir Rocks Great Barrington
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike \nGuided Hike to Reservoir Rocks Great Barrington \nOctober 5th @1:00 pm \nParking: Quarry and Pine Street where they intersect Great Barrington\, MA  01230 \nDirections:  Route 7 to East Street to Quarry Street. Parking is roadside\, please do not block driveways \nHike Rating: Moderate 3 miles on a footpath to see boulders\, footing will be uneven and there will be some elevation and walking in between boulders with options for more. \nJoin us with special guest Christy Butler\, author of Berkshire Destinations and Rockachusetts for a boulder expedition to see an enormous field of boulders\, some larger than busses and houses.  Automobile sized boulders are everywhere on East Mountain with many propped up against each other\, a landslide of boulders!  This area is a mecca for climbers and boulderers with many challenging and unique bouldering problems that adventurers flock to.  The land was purchased from the George D. Goodrich estate in 1922 by the Great Barrington Fire District.  Spend a day with us seeing these geological wonders while Mr. Butler entertains us with rocks and more rocks\, a true rock heaven for rock hounds right here in Western Mass.  Friendly dogs are welcome but keep in mind porcupines love rocks too! \nWe will hike rain or shine. Registration required.  Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up on www.HilltownHikers.com. \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches and bags will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/guided-hike-to-reservoir-rocks-great-barrington/
LOCATION:Reservoir Rocks\, Pine Street\, Great Barrington\, 01230\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Compress_20240408_075348_8944.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251026T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251026T163000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251008T151121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T151121Z
UID:99059-1761483600-1761496200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Whistlers Cathedrals Group Hike of the Keystone Arches
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike \nWhistlers Cathedrals \nThe Keystone Arch Bridges \nOctober 26th@1pm \nParking: 325 Middlefield Road Chester 01011 carpool from Parking at Chester Elementary School 42.29793\, -72.98323 \nDirections:  From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee\, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester center\, turn left onto Middlefield Road and Chester Elementary School will be on your right after 1.5 miles. \nHike Rating: Moderate 5 miles in and back\, ups and downs\, rocks\, roots and dirt \nCarpool is required from the Chester Elementary School due to lack of parking at the Trailhead.  Carpool will start at 12:15 from the school parking lot. \nConstruction of the 150-mile railroad was completed by 3\,000 laborers in an incredible two and a half years\, opening in 1841. Join us for a Historic narrative by Dave Pierce. Enjoy the incredible narration as Dave tells of the history of the Arch’s creation\, the first cluster of stone arch railroad bridges built in America\, located on the West Branch of the Westfield River. Learn how the stone bridges were built\, visit a quarry\, and the massive “cut”. We will take you up close to all of the stone bridges on the trail including the footpaths over and under the dry laid stone bridges. An optional hike to the Gator Arch will follow. The Chester Railway Station Museum will be open after the hike located at 10 Prospect Street in Chester\, a national historic landmark along with the 65 and 70 foot bridges. \nWe will hike rain or shine. Registration required.  Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up on www.HilltownHikers.com. \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches and bags will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. \n  \n 
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/whistlers-cathedrals-group-hike-of-the-keystone-arches/
LOCATION:Keystone Arch Bridges Trail\, 325 Middlefield Road\, Chester\, MA\, 01011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Compress_20240724_074559_9663.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251122T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251122T140000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251008T151113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251008T151113Z
UID:99065-1763805600-1763820000@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Twin Ponds Group Hike at Pittsfield State Forest
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike \nTwin Ponds Pittsfield State Forest \nNovember 22nd at 10:00 am \n  \nParking: 42.436564\, -73.373432 Pittsfield\, Massachusetts 01201 Route 20 ( Lebanon Mountain Road) pull off on right when heading West before the NY Border \n  \nHike Rating: Moderate 3.5 mile loop with 800 feet of elevation \n  \nJoin us for a hike in the Pittsfield State Forest to Twin Ponds and Cranberry Pond on both the Taconic Skyline and Taconic Crest trails. Explore the beauty of Mount Lebanon\, Pittsfield and Hancock on the ridgeline and see views of Doll mountain across the ponds. Learn about the Shaker history here including their relation to twin ponds. The Taconic Skyline Trail was originally blazed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a hiking trail\, 25 miles long\, from Massachusetts Route 41 in Richmond to the northern end of Brodie Mountain in Williamstown. The Taconic Crest Trail is a 37 mile trail in the Taconic Mountains. Much of the route has been conserved as state forest\, conservation easement\, or forest preserve. We will discover hidden history here as we hike through hardwoods and metamorphic rock. \n  \nWe will hike rain or shine. Registration required.  Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up on www.HilltownHikers.com. \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches and bags will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. \n 
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/twin-ponds-group-hike-at-pittsfield-state-forest/
LOCATION:Pittsfield State Forest\, 1041 Cascade Street\, Pittsfield\, 01201
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_2436-2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260101T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260101T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T143357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T143357Z
UID:105337-1767272400-1767279600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:REGISTRATION FULL - First Day Hike at Mount Greylock State Reservation
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the New Year at Mount Greylock State Reservation on a First Day Hike! Meet at the Mount Greylock Visitor Center. Hiking the Bradley Farm Trail\, easy to moderate in difficulty\, with an elevation gain of approximately 450 feet. Along the way\, enjoy beautiful scenery and interpretive stations highlighting natural and cultural history. The hike is approximately 2 miles\, about 1.5 to 2 hours in duration. Dress for the weather\, wear winter boots. Leashed dogs are welcome. \nSpace is limited to 25; registration is required. Before and after the hike\, warm up by the fire inside the Visitor Center. For more information\, please call (413) 499-4262.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/registration-full-first-day-hike-at-mount-greylock-state-reservation/
LOCATION:Mount Greylock State Reservation – Visitors Center\, 30 Rockwell Rd.\, Lanesborough\, 01237
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260103T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260103T123000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T144700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T144700Z
UID:105345-1767438000-1767443400@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Tracking Winter Wildlife for Beginners
DESCRIPTION:Dive into the fascinating world of wildlife tracking with a beginner-friendly walk through fields and forests. Search for tracks\, scat\, and signs of the delicate but exciting interactions between predators and their prey. With any luck\, we will find signs of coyotes\, foxes\, deer\, rabbits\, and more. \nDress for the weather and enjoy a morning of winter tracking. This program covers up to a mile of trail\, depending on the amount of tracks we find. Terrain is level or gradually sloping. The trail surface could potentially be uneven or slippery due to snow\, mud\, or ice. Traction spikes or snowshoes may be available to borrow on a first-come\, first-served basis.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/tracking-winter-wildlife-for-beginners/
LOCATION:Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary\, 472 West Mountain Rd.\, Lenox\, MA\, 01240\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/tracks.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260130T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260130T150000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T143949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T143949Z
UID:105341-1769778000-1769785200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Discover Greylock Hike
DESCRIPTION:FREE and open to ages 8 and older. Pre-registration is suggested. \nCelebrate the great outdoors at Mount Greylock with a refreshing walk in the woods! Explore seasonal changes in the forest and look for signs of wildlife and unique natural features along an easy-moderate trail. Hikes may include tree identification\, wildlife signs\, local history\, and orienteering. Be aware that trail conditions may be snow-covered\, icy\, or muddy. Suitable for most abilities. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center on Gould Road in Adams. \nDress for winter weather with warm layers and sturdy\, waterproof boots. Bring water\, a snack and traction devices for boots\, or snowshoes. Trekking poles are recommended. Inclement weather cancels. \nCall the Mount Greylock Visitor Center at (413) 499-4262 for more information\, weather updates and to register.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/discover-greylock-hike/
LOCATION:Greylock Glen\, 165 Gould Rd.\, Adams\, MA\, 01220\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/family-hiking.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260207T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260207T143000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T144920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T144920Z
UID:105348-1770469200-1770474600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Family Nest Box Building Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Get crafty with your family and help improve wildlife habitat in your neighborhood. This hands-on workshop will teach you where and how to place nest boxes in ideal habitats to attract nesting birds during the breeding season. As a family\, use simple hand tools to build one of our pre-cut kits and take your box home at the end. No experience is necessary\, and all tools and materials are provided. \nNest boxes are suitable for Eastern Bluebirds and other small\, cavity-nesting species such as Tree Swallows\, House Wrens\, Black-capped Chickadees\, Tufted Titmice\, and White-breasted Nuthatches. \nThis is an all-indoor program designed for families with children. Each registration requires at least one adult and one child.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/family-nest-box-building-workshop/
LOCATION:Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary\, 472 West Mountain Rd.\, Lenox\, MA\, 01240\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/family-nest.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260216T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260216T143000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T145049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T145049Z
UID:105351-1771246800-1771252200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Beaver Detectives
DESCRIPTION:The busy beavers of Pleasant Valley have left behind clues about where they’ve been working. Practice your nature sleuthing skills as you venture along the trails with your family in search of places where the beavers have chopped down trees\, maintained their dams\, added to their lodges\, and more. \nThis is a program designed for families with children. Each registration requires at least one adult and one child. This program covers up to 1 mile of gravel-paved or unsurfaced trails containing a mix of flat ground\, gradual slopes\, and one or two hills. The trail surface contains exposed tree roots and rocks. Recent weather could make the trail muddy\, wet\, or slippery.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/beaver-detectives/
LOCATION:Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary\, 472 West Mountain Rd.\, Lenox\, MA\, 01240\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Beaver-Detectives.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260218T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T145242Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T145441Z
UID:105354-1771405200-1771419600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:February Vacation Adventure Days
DESCRIPTION:Get outside\, learn about nature\, and make new friends this frosty and beautiful time of year! Ever wondered about the science behind snowflakes? Or how animals survive winter? Where are those tracks going? Investigate all of this and more while we play and explore the magic of Pleasant Valley in winter. \nRegistration is required.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/february-vacation-adventure-days/
LOCATION:Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary\, 472 West Mountain Rd.\, Lenox\, MA\, 01240\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Feb-vacation.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20251231T145404Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T145404Z
UID:105357-1771491600-1771506000@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:February Vacation Adventure Days
DESCRIPTION:Get outside\, learn about nature\, and make new friends this frosty and beautiful time of year! Ever wondered about the science behind snowflakes? Or how animals survive winter? Where are those tracks going? Investigate all of this and more while we play and explore the magic of Pleasant Valley in winter. \nRegistration is required.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/february-vacation-adventure-days-2/
LOCATION:Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary\, 472 West Mountain Rd.\, Lenox\, MA\, 01240\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Feb-vacation.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260315T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260315T200000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260209T114124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T114124Z
UID:105543-1773599400-1773604800@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:American Woodcock\, Greylock Glen\, Adams | Hoffmann Bird CLub
DESCRIPTION:American Woodcock\, Greylock Glen\, Adams\n\nMarch 15 @ 6:30 pm\nFree \n\n\n\nWe will be listening to their nasal “peent” calls and hopefully will see the amazing aerial displays of the American Woodcock in the evening. Estimated time is 6:30 PM about ½ hour after sunset. \n\nMeet at the parking lot of the Greylock Glen Visitor’s Center\, Gould Road\, Adams. We will be walking on a level gravel path up to the meadow area.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/american-woodcock-greylock-glen-adams-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Greylock Glen\, 165 Gould Rd.\, Adams\, MA\, 01220\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBC-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260322T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260322T110000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260209T114102Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T114102Z
UID:105548-1774164600-1774177200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Spring Waterfowl Search | Hoffmann Bird Club
DESCRIPTION:Spring is a great time to look for waterfowl on our local lakes\, wherever there is open water. This trip will involve driving to multiple lakes and wetlands. There is limited walking. \n\nMeet at Farnams Causeway (off of Rte. 8) on Cheshire Lake.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/spring-waterfowl-search-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Farnams Crossing\, Ashuwillticook Rail Trail\, Farnams Rd.\, Cheshire\, 01225
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/HBC-1-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260404T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260404T130000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260316T103432Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T103432Z
UID:154829-1775289600-1775307600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Annual Dovekie Day | Hoffmann Bird Club
DESCRIPTION:Join the Hoffmann Bird Club for the second Annual Dovekie Day! Beginning as an April Fools Joke\, a wooden Dovekie was carved and set on Smiley’s Pond in Egremont. After a bit of confusion and skepticism\, the Dovekie was retrieved and now lives to tell the tale every year. Dovekie Day is a morning of birding in search of the hidden Dovekie. The carved Dovekie will be placed on a Berkshire County water body the evening before the event. \nTeams will begin at 8 AM the next morning in a race to be the first to find the Dovekie by 12PM. Teams will get points for when they find the Dovekie and points for every bird they see along the way with a bit of mayhem and jokes mixed in. Dovekie Day can be enjoyed on foot or easily by car and will be followed by a celebration at noon. This is not a typical “birding competition”\, this is a morning of fun and laughs. Rules and logistics change from year to year. \nMeet at Wild Acres Conservation Area\, Pittsfield. Learn more and register at https://hoffmannbirdclub.org/events/dovekie-day-2/
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/annual-dovekie-day-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Wild Acres\, 500 South Mountain Road\, Pittsfield\, 01201
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HBC-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260418T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260316T103338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T103338Z
UID:154834-1776502800-1776513600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Birding for beginners in Lenox | Hoffmann Bird Club
DESCRIPTION:New to birding? Not sure where to start? This session will start with a discussion on basic tools\, practices\, and strategies for identifying birds and connecting with your local environment. We will then take a short walk to put what you’ve learned into practice.\n\n– This workshop is meant for those new to birding who want to learn more about how to engage with the world of birds.\n– Advance RSVP required\, limited to 8 participants. RSVP below.\n– What to bring: sturdy shoes\, water\, and binoculars if you have them. Binoculars will be available to borrow during the workshop.\n– We will be walking a .6 mile\, round trip\, out and back trail. This trail is accessible\, and is a combination of packed gravel and wooden boardwalk.\n– Meet in the parking lot of Parsons Marsh in Lenox\, 170 Under Mountain Rd.\n\nLearn more and register: https://hoffmannbirdclub.org/events/the-joy-of-birding-an-outing-for-new-explorers-lenox/
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/birding-for-beginners-in-lenox-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Parsons Marsh\, 170 Undermountain Rd.\, Lenox\, 01240
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HBC-1-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260419T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260419T103000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260316T103315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T103321Z
UID:154839-1776583800-1776594600@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Spring Birding in the Northern Berkshires | Hoffmann Bird CLub
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we look for arriving migrants at one or more hotspots in this birdy little town. The trip will consist of visiting 3-4 birdy spots with easy to moderate walking on grass or gravel paths\, or along the roadsides. \n\nMeet at the Williamstown Public Library\, 1095 Main Street at the intersection of Routes 2 and 7.\n\n\n\nLearn more and rsvp at https://hoffmannbirdclub.org/events/spring-birding-in-the-northern-berkshires/
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/spring-birding-in-the-northern-berkshires-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Milne Public Library\, 1095 Main Street\, Williamstown\, 01267
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HBC-2-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260426
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260225T153953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T153953Z
UID:105655-1777075200-1777161599@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Group Hike and Fly Tying Clinic
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike \nBerkshire National Fish Hatchery in New Marlborough \nGroup Hike\, Barbecue and Fly-Tying Clinic \nApril 25th at 10:00 am \n  \nBarbecue Lunch on the grill sponsored by the Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery \nOptional Fly-Tying demo/lesson after lunch \nHike Rating:  Easy to Moderate 2.5 mile loop with 435 ft of elevation gain.  Sights to see:  cellar holes\, charcoaling site\, glacial kettle\, town boundary post \nLocation:  Berkshire National Fish Hatchery\, 240 Hatchery Road\, New Marlborough\, MA  01230 \n  \nThe Berkshire National Fish Hatchery was established along the Konkapot River in the late nineteenth century by Dr. Samuel Camp. He selected the site for its immediate proximity to the spring at the base of the mountain that flowed through a 10-inch pipe and ran a cool 48 degrees year-round.  Much of Dr. Camp’s original vision and structure remains today. The Berkshire National Fish Hatchery is situated on 148 acres of forested land that is the source of a pristine aquifer\, supplying 200 gallons per minute of the pure oxygen-rich water trout love through various pools. The woodland trails that surround the aquifer are home to many diverse species of wildlife\, making the Hatchery a special place for learning about not only fish culture\, but also about the natural history of the Berkshires. \n  \nThe Berkshire National Fish Hatchery is a cold-water aquaculture facility that lies on 148 acres in Berkshire County\, in northern New Marlborough\, Massachusetts.  Its primary mission is supporting the restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying lake trout eggs to other federal hatcheries and rearing native brook trout for stocking in local waterways to support recreational fishing and educational programs. They operate under the supervision of the USFWS and the Berkshire Hatchery Foundation to support the restoration of lake trout populations in the Lower Great Lakes by supplying lake trout eggs to other federal hatcheries. These eggs are hatched\, grown and stocked into Lakes Ontario and Erie. The restoration efforts are part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. They produce upwards of 1.2 million fertilized Seneca lake wild strain lake trout every year. The conservation efforts both enhance the lake trout population and habitat\, but also provide recreational fishing opportunities to anglers in the area. The hatchery contains a shop\, a fish-rearing hatchery including ten circular pools\, two raceways\, and three ponds\, trails for recreational use\, an outreach pond\, and visitor parking areas. \n  \nPlease Register per vehicle onwww.hilltownhikers.com. Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.   Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles and a snack! \nWant to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches\, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. \n  \nGROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/berkshire-national-fish-hatchery-group-hike-and-fly-tying-clinic/
LOCATION:Berkshire National Fish Hatchery\, 240 Hatchery Road\, Great Barrington\, MA\, 01230\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/square-fish.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T120000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260316T103250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T103250Z
UID:154845-1777712400-1777723200@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Birding for beginners in Adams | Hoffmann Bird Club
DESCRIPTION:New to birding? Not sure where to start? This session will start with a discussion on basic tools\, practices\, and strategies for identifying birds and connecting with your local environment. We will then stake a short walk to put what you’ve learned into practice. \n\nThis workshop is meant for those new to birding who want to learn more about how to engage with the world of birds.\nAdvance RSVP required\, limited to 5 participants. RSVP below.\nWhat to bring: sturdy shoes\, water\, and binoculars if you have them. Binoculars will be available to borrow during the workshop.\nThe trail is a packed gravel path. It is wide and fairly flat; a 1.7 mile loop.\nMeet at the entrance to the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center\, 135 Gould Road\, Adams\, MA 01220\n\nLearn more and register at https://hoffmannbirdclub.org/events/the-joy-of-birding-an-outing-for-new-explorers-adams/
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/birding-for-beginners-in-adams-hoffmann-bird-club/
LOCATION:Greylock Glen\, 165 Gould Rd.\, Adams\, MA\, 01220\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HBC-3-scaled.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T143000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260323T131922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T131946Z
UID:154891-1780135200-1780151400@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Guilder Pond Hike at Mount Everett State Forest
DESCRIPTION:Hike Rating:  Easy going with ups and downs and tree roots.  Just over one mile around the pond.  Option after the pond loop to climb to the Mount Everett Lookout from the picnic area and AT junction for another mile and 650 feet of elevation gain for breathtaking views.  Bring your kayak or paddleboard for some optional paddling after we hike.  Bring lunch\, you will want to stay all day! \nDirections:  From Dunkin’ in Great Barrington\, 494 S Main St\, Great Barrington\, MA 01230\, head toward MA-23 W/MA-41 S/Maple Ave\, follow 41 South to Guilder Hollow Rd/Jug End Rd in Sheffield to Mt Washington Rd to East St in Mount Washington to Mount Everett State Forest Entrance. East Street\, Mt Washington\, MA 01258.  We will meet at the picnic area (Appalachian Trail sign) where the road ends. \nJoin DCR Interpretive Coordinator Alec Gillman for a special hike! Guilder Pond in Mount Washington is the second-highest pond in Mass.\, with Mount Everett in the background. You will experience nature at its finest here\, and amazing mountain laurel and azalea in spring.  John Van Guilder\, a Native American\, lived in the Guilder Hollow area with Dutch settlers in the early 18th century. Van Guilder influenced his tribe to lease lands to the Dutch in 1740\, after marrying the sister of a Dutch pioneer\, the VanGuilder Farm site dates back to the mid-1700s\, when the Mahican Indians deeded the land to Jon Konkapot VanGuilder\, the son of Chief Konkapot. The Mahicans had settled the area in the late 1600s and welcomed the Dutch settlers.  The area surrounding Guilder Pond was subject to land disputes between Dutch and English settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Livingstons\, a prominent Dutch family\, persisted in charging rent to English settlers who had been granted free towns by the Massachusetts Colonial Legislature. \nThe Guilder Pond route begins near the Appalachian Trail parking area off Mount Everett Road in Mount Everett State Reservation. When the seasonal gate is open\, hikers can drive directly to the trailhead. In the off-season\, expect to hike a short distance up Mount Everett Road to reach the start of the loop. The trail circles Guilder Pond\, staying close to the shoreline with mostly gentle terrain and minimal elevation change. From the parking area\, follow the Appalachian Trail north for a short stretch before turning left onto Guilder Pond Loop. Make your way around the pond for a little less than a mile and turn left onto Mount Everett Road to return to the parking area and complete the route. The well-worn path leads through shaded woods\, across sections of exposed roots and rocks\, and past stands of mountain laurel and azalea that bloom in early summer. A rock outcropping on the eastern shore of the pond offers a scenic viewpoint and a place to rest or reflect. Though the route is short\, the forest setting and steady water views give it a quiet\, immersive feel. Guilder Pond is a popular destination for day hikes in the Berkshires\, and this route is a good warm-up for those continuing toward Mount Everett.
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/guilder-pond-hike-at-mount-everett-state-forest/
LOCATION:Guilder Pond\, Mount Everett Road\, Mount Washington\, 01258
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Compress_20251119_073028_8884.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260613T143000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260323T131815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T131830Z
UID:154897-1781344800-1781361000@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Azalea Fields Group Hike at Pittsfield State Forest
DESCRIPTION:Parking: Berry Mountain Vista Lot Main Entrance: 1041 Cascade Street\, Pittsfield\, MA 01201. Continue straight through the main entrance gate onto Berry Pond Circuit Road. The road bears left and up the mountain. Continue until you see a large vista and parking lot on your right. \nHike Rating: Moderate 3.36 miles ridgeline hike with 600 feet of total elevation gain\, with options for less. \nJoin DCR Interpretive Coordinator Alec Gillman on one of the most beautiful mountaintops to experience the best the Taconic Ridge has to offer…sixty-five acres of wild azaleas. Berry Hill\, named for William Berry\, a Revolutionary War veteran who owned land here\, is filled with the sweet smell of blooms of wide varieties of the pink wild flowers\, and at 2\,060 feet\, Berry Pond is the highest natural water body in Massachusetts. We will hike the Berry Pond shoreline and then follow the Taconic Crest Trail to Tower Mountain\, then return on the Pine Mountain Trail to visit Tilden Swamp with its bog vegetation. Our hike will start at the dirt parking lot known as the New York Overlook with commanding views of the Catskills and Albany. Berry Hill is also a well-known hawk watching site and many different varieties of wildlife can be seen here at this high elevation. Come explore this hidden gem on the New York-Massachusetts border\, one of our greatest State Forests\, filled with the most exciting trails and grand vistas! \nPlease register per vehicle on www.hilltownhikers.com. Maps and bottled water provided.  Well-behaved dogs welcome. The event is volunteer-led. Suggested donation is $15.   Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always\, be prepared for rocks\, mud\, and roots\, bring trekking poles and a snack! \nWant to hike every weekend year-round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches\, water bottles\, and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com. Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. \nGROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/azalea-fields-group-hike-at-pittsfield-state-forest-2/
LOCATION:Pittsfield State Forest\, 1041 Cascade Street\, Pittsfield\, 01201
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Compress_20240809_073332_2309-Copy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261004T010000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261004T030000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260325T163727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T163727Z
UID:161086-1791075600-1791082800@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Chester and Becket Railroad Tour\, The Granite Line
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Tour \nChester and Becket Railroad Tour\, The Granite Line \nOctober 4th@1:00 pm \n  \nParking: On Hampden Street at the Chester and Becket Trailhead Chester 01011 \nDirections:  From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee\, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester/Becket town line\, turn right on Hampden Street to the trailhead. GPS 42.279567\, -72.988070 \n  \nHike Rating: Easy 2 miles in and back\, mostly flat terrain on dirt\, this will be a guided tour complete with handouts. Option to continue on the railbed heading East to the Route 20 connection with the Boston and Albany Railroad immediately following. (add 3 miles) \nJoin us for a special Housatonic Heritage event on a section of the Chester and Becket Railroad. This is an interpretive tour led by Liz Massa\, President of the Hilltown Hikers.  Built in 1896 as a 5.25-mile spur off the Boston & Albany Railroad to deliver granite from the Becket Quarries to the Chester finishing works. Both Chester and Becket issued bond stock in the quarry company to help in building this line because there was money to be made from the “Chester Blue Granite” for monuments and gravestones. This railroad was blasted out of the steep and winding side of the Walker Brook Valley. The first locomotive to run on this line was a wood burner\, eventually upgraded to a coal burning locomotive. We will see the remains of a wooden trestle still standing on the trail and also learn how this route was used in Chester’s Emery industry and how it connects to our Granite Saw Property. Additional option to hike more of the old railroad immediately following the main event. Historical maps and relics will be on display for the event. Get our exclusive “hike the lost railroad” t-shirt at the event!  Donations for the newly conserved Chester Granite Company Finishing Works property are greatly appreciated. \nPlease Register per vehicle on www.hilltownhikers.com. Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.   Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles and a snack! \nWant to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! \n  \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches\, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. \n  \nGROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/chester-and-becket-railroad-tour-the-granite-line-2/
LOCATION:Chester and Becket Railroad Trailhead\, Hampden Street\, Chester\, MA\, 01011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot_20211007-224904_Adobe-Acrobat.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261219T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261219T110000
DTSTAMP:20260408T050454
CREATED:20260325T163737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T163737Z
UID:162027-1797678000-1797678000@berkshiresoutside.org
SUMMARY:Whistlers Cathedrals in Winter
DESCRIPTION:Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Group Hike\nWhistlers Cathedrals in Winter\nThe Keystone Arch Bridges\nDecember 19th at 11:00 am\nParking: 325 Middlefield Road Chester 01011 carpool from Parking at Chester Elementary School 42.29793\, -72.98323\nDirections: From junction of Rts 20 & 102 in Lee\, take Rt. 20 east and drive 18 miles to the Chester center\, turn left onto Middlefield Road and Chester Elementary School will be on your right after 1.5 miles.\nHike Rating: Moderate 5 miles in and back\, ups and downs\, rocks\, roots and dirt\nCarpool is required from the Chester Elementary School due to lack of parking at the Trailhead. Carpool will start at 10:15 from the school parking lot.\nConstruction of the 150-mile railroad was completed by 3\,000 laborers in an incredible two and a half years\, opening in 1841. Join us for a Historic narrative by Dave Pierce. Enjoy the incredible narration as Dave tells of the history of the Arch’s creation\, the first cluster of stone arch railroad bridges built in America\, located on the West Branch of the Westfield River. Learn how the stone bridges were built\, visit a quarry\, and the massive “cut”. We will take you up close to all of the stone bridges on the trail including the footpaths over and under the dry laid stone bridges. An optional hike to the Gator Arch will follow. The Chester Railway Station Museum will be open after the hike located at 10 Prospect Street in Chester\, a national historic landmark along with the 65 and 70 foot bridges.\nPlease Register per vehicle on www.hilltownhikers.com. Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks\, mud and roots\, bring trekking poles and a snack!\nWant to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! \nFollow us on Facebook\, Instagram\, TikTok\, and YouTube. Tees\, hoodies\, hats\, patches\, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event. See all our events\, maps\, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. \nGROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
URL:https://berkshiresoutside.org/event/whistlers-cathedrals-in-winter/
LOCATION:Keystone Arch Bridges Trail\, 325 Middlefield Road\, Chester\, MA\, 01011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://berkshiresoutside.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bridge-pic.jpg
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