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The Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts

AMC-Berkshire’s ‘Massachusetts Appalachian Trail Management Committee’ is responsible for the maintenance, management, and protection of the almost 90 miles of Appalachian Trail within Massachusetts, coordinating the extensive volunteer effort that keeps the trail open and beautiful. We work in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the National Park Service (NPS).

For trail updates, see below.

April to September, we organize regular work parties for maintenance and improvement of the footbed, trail shelters, signs, and so on. Projects vary in complexity, but all include activities for both first timers and seasoned maintainers, so please check out the season’s schedule of trail work days (download from our AT Getting Involved page) and then contact a project leader to join in the fun. No experience is necessary to participate!

We also have some open positions for regular trail maintainers. If you’re interested, see Getting Involved. Our committee meets regularly at the Mt. Greylock Visitors’ Center in Lanesboro, MA.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s monthly newsletter for the volunteers of the Appalachian Trail, their agency partners, and others interested in the stewardship of the Trail is posted online. The Register, can be found at http://www.appalachiantrail.org/what-we-do/trail-management-support/volunteer_toolkit/the-register.

This web site has some basic information about hiking on the AT and a list of AT shelters and campsites in Massachusetts. For much much more information about the trail, see the many excellent web sites about the AT.

AT News & Announcements

Interested in Ridge Running?

Tue, 2012-03-13 01:00 — rbergstrom

The Mass AT Committee is seeking an interested volunteer to take a leadership role in reactivating our volunteer ridge runner program. This program has been active in the past but has fallen into dormancy in the last few years. With the increased use of the AT, the need for volunteer Ridge Runners to assist hikers and support responsible use of the trail including Leave No Trace practices is likewise increasing. If you are interested in taking on this leadership role or in becoming a volunteer Ridge Runner, please contact us at: at.volunteer.coord@amcberkshire.org

AT Group Use Coordinator Named

Tue, 2012-03-13 00:55 — rbergstrom

The Mass AT Committee is pleased to announce that Hank Barton has joined the Committee filling a new role as Group Use Coordinator. In this role Hank will make contact with groups using the AT in Massachusetts and assist them with the planning of their trips on the AT. During periods of heavy group use it can be a real challange to avoid multiple groups arriving at an overnight site with limited capacity. We are very fortunate to have Hank volunteer for this role which will greatly assist our efforts to minimize the impact of group use on the AT. If you have a group planning to use the AT please contact Hank at: habarton@charter.net

AT Project Season Starts Soon

Tue, 2012-03-13 00:53 — rbergstrom

The Mass AT Committee project schedule for the upcoming season will be published soon. A range of projects are planned for the year including boardwalk repairs, shelter and privy roof replacements, bog bridging, blowdown blitzes, trail brushing, open area clearing, natural heritage site visits, dock repairs and more! Click on our Getting Involved page for the 2012 Project Schedule (coming soon). If you’d like to join in a project just contact the project leader listed. No experience is needed, just a desire to get outdoors and have a great time with a great bunch of folks!

Upper Goose Pond Cabin Opening

Tue, 2012-03-13 00:51 — rbergstrom

The Upper Goose Pond Cabin will be opened for the season on Saturday, May 19th. Until the opening, hikers may use the open porch or tent platforms to camp as in the past. Hikers are advised to use the bear box to store their food as bears will be active soon. Starting on opening day, caretakers will be on duty at the cabin until cabin closing in mid-October. If you are interested in joining in the fun of cabin opening for the season, please contact Steve Schimpff at 413-243-8902.

AT Volunteer Gathering

Wed, 2011-12-14 11:35 — rbergstrom

The 10th annual AT Volunteer Gathering at the Mount Greylock Visitors Center was a big success with approximately 60 current volunteers, prospective volunteers and retired volunteers participating. The gathering brought trail maintenance volunteers, land monitors, natural heritage monitors, Upper Goose Pond cabin caretakers and shelter adopters together to share experiences and hear the latest and greatest from the AT Management Committee leaders.