Volunteer Activities

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Chapter Vice Chair

Looking for the satisfaction of using your skills to help people Be Outdoors in western Massachusetts? Explore chapter governance in this support role, learning about all areas of the AMC Western MA Chapter, its activities, and the AMC organization.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight. Pace will be slow, terrain may occasionally be steep. Brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Come explore the backstage of the Appalachian Trail. We'll be maintaining the critical boundary lines of the protected land corridor that surrounds the A.T. This off-trail work moves at a slow pace over varied terrain. We'll be clipping brush and painting blazes along the boundary line. Work is off-trail, occasionally in heavy brush and up and down hills. Expect some wet areas, too. Some stooping to clip back brush to maintain a clear line of sight along the boundary. We also refresh yellow blazes on trees with paint which will permanently mark clothing, so don't wear your favorite trail duds.

Warner Hill Brush Clearing

The open top of Warner Hill on the Appalachian Trail in Hinsdale, MA is home to some old high bush blueberry shrubs as well as some low blueberries. Every few years we need to cut back other shrubs and small trees growing on the hill top and we need to thin the high bush blueberry shrubs so they will continue to prosper. If you'd like to join Gary and me on this effort please sign up! We'll supply the tools and Gary will show us how to properly thin the high bush blueberry shrubs.

[20s&30s] AT Trail Corridor Boundary Work in Tyringham

[Affinity - 20s/30s] This trip encourages participation by those in their 20s and 30s though all are welcome. Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes on trees to demarcate the boundary. Pace will be slow, terrain includes steep sections, and may be wet, muddy, or rocky. Brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail, often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Wildlife Transect, Tyringham Main Rd / Hop Brook Area

Our wildlife transect will take us to the Hop Brook area where the A.T. crosses Tyringham Main Rd. We will briefly take another look in the area just trail north of Main Rd where fresh moose sign and a deer kill site were spotted earlier this winter. Most of our transect will be south of Main Rd in the Hop Brook valley area.

A.T. Tyringham Cobble Joint Work Day

Join in with local volunteers to maintain the A.T. as it traverses iconic viewpoints on Tyringham Cobble. We'll clip brush and maintain open areas. Possibly carry in and construct bog bridges.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working between Fernside Rd and the Beartown State Forest boundary. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. Pace will be slow, terrain will include steep sections, and brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working between Fernside Rd and the Beartown State Forest boundary. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight, and painting yellow blazes along the boundary. Pace will be slow, terrain will include steep sections, and brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Invasives Management, Jug End Area

We will be addressing invasive plants in the Jug End area, cutting and hand pulling, using hand tools. Stooping and carrying cut brush. Pace is slow, terrain easy to moderate.

Protect the AT - Maintain the Trail Corridor Boundary

Enjoy the backstage of the A.T. Visit places no hiker has ever seen. Join us in maintaining the boundary lines of the land corridor that protect the A.T. We will be working in North Adams between Phelps Ave and Pattison Rd. Work will include finding and clearing the boundary by clipping brush and small trees with hand tools to maintain a line of sight. Pace will be slow, terrain may occasionally be steep, wet, or rocky. Brush may be heavy. Work will be off-trail, often in remote areas. Expect to be in the woods the entire day.

Upper Goose Pond Cabin Maintenance Day

We will perform annual maintenance in anticipation of the cabin opening for the season. Work will include light carpentry, some digging in rocky soil, cutting brush and servicing moldering privies. Short moderate hike to worksite. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes bring lunch/snacks, and water to drink. Work gloves are recommended.

Open Upper Goose Pond Cabin

Open this iconic A.T. hiker stop for the season. We'll take down the shutters, sweep and clean, set up the outdoor kitchen area, post the "Cabin Open" sign and other tasks to get this beloved place ready for another season.

Anchoring Hop Brook Bridge

Hop Brook Bridge is falling into the stream. We need to secure it for 2-3 years until Federal monies are available for replacement. We will hammer two 10ft long pipes into the ground to anchor the south end of the bridge and attach the bridge to the anchors with chains. We may also raise the low end of the bridge. We must carry heavy materials and tools approx 1/2 mile on easy trail from the parking area.

Replace & Reset Bog Bridges

We will reset wobbly bog bridges and replace any that are failing in the swampy area immediately south of Blue Hill Rd. Conditions will be muddy, if not downright wet. Dress for expected weather conditions.

Privy Moves - Maintaining Privies at AT Campsites

We will be moving the privies at Shaker Campsite and Wilcox South Campsite to new locations. Work involves digging with hand tools and lifting and moving the outhouse several feet to a new site. Work may involve incidental contact with human waste. We will start at Shaker Campsite, approx 1/2 mile down hill from the meeting location. Upon completion, we will drive approx 30 mins to the access to Wilcox South Shelter, and hike another 1/2 mile down hill to that work site.