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Appalachian Trail
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 AT 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
17TH ANNUAL MASS AT VOLUNTEER GATHERING
Current volunteers and anyone interested in volunteering on the AT in Massachusetts welcome. Great opportunity to find out what the AT Volunteers have been up to, meet the people involved and learn about our volunteer opportunities and join in the fun!
LOCATION: Monument Valley Regional Middle School, Great Barrington, MA
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Click here for information about the event. Click here to register using Eventbrite.
The World is our Classroom: An Afternoon with Author Cindy Ross
Cindy’s story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children’s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel.
A deep believer in Richard Louv's worldwide advocacy of reconnecting children to the natural world, The World is Our Classroom- (Skyhorse Publishing, NYC) shows us examples of how the rich environment presents a multitude of ways to teach and learn. One of the most concrete results of a childhood spent closely connected to nature is how it feeds creativity. Creative thinking and problem solving are essential to building and maintaining a healthy, sustainable world. In this age of world connection, it is also increasingly important to raise children who are broad-minded, empathetic and knowledgeable about other cultures. This can best be accomplished by transporting our children out of their insulated, narrowly-focused lives and into the big world.
A group of Berkshire youth will open the afternoon’s events with reflections on their experience on the Appalachian Trail and Mt. Greylock as part of the Massachusetts Youth Trail Summit. Cindy’s talk will be followed by Q&A and book signing.
The Stationery Factory
63 Flansburg Ave. Dalton, MA 01226
This event is free, but tickets are required - visit tinyurl.com/worldclassroom
Cheshire MA Designated an Appalachian Trail Community
On June 30th, state and local community leaders joined the Cheshire A.T. committee and representatives of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to officially celebrate the designation of Cheshire as an Appalachian Trail Community by the ATC, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the A.T. The event took place on the property of Diane’s Twist Ice Cream Shop on Main Street in Cheshire.
“We are thrilled that our many months of hard work have been rewarded with this designation,” said Eileen Quinn and Karen Daigle, co-chairs of the A.T. Community Committee for Cheshire. “We wanted to take some concrete action to help bring people to Cheshire by showcasing the A.T.,” the pair explained. “This grew out of the community building efforts and we have received strong support from Cheshire businesses.”
Launched in 2010, The Appalachian Trail Community™ designation program recognizes communities for their part in promoting awareness of the A.T. as an important national asset, and now with more than 45 communities participating, including Dalton, Great Barrington and North Adams, MA.
Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ and participation in the program is aimed to:
- Engage community citizens, Trail visitors and stewards
- Thank communities for their decades of service to hikers
- Act as a catalyst for enhancing sustainable economic development
- Aid local municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning
- Help local community members see the Trail as a resource and asset.
“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” stated Julie Judkins, Director of Education and Outreach, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “These partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”
High Water/Ice on AT in MA
The Trail segment between Kellogg Rd and US Rt 7 in Mass has been subject to high water and ice from localized flooding along the Housatonic River. Even when water levels recede, there will be many places with thin/unstable ice 12" or more above the treadway. Snow cover may make it impossible to determine where the ice is and is not.
At several locations, the Trail is immediately adjacent to the riverbank, and hikers breaking through the ice could end up in the river, or in deep tributary streams. Avoid this Trail segment until bare ground is visible on the treadway.
Northbound hikers should turn right (south) on US Rt 7 for approximately 0.5 miles, then left onto Kellogg Rd until rejoining the AT in approx 0.2 miles at the road bridge.
Southbound hikers should continue straight ahead on Kellogg Rd, turn right (north) onto US Rt 7 and rejoin the AT in approx 0.5 miles, turning left at the crossing of US Rt 7.
Dalton Event Celebrates Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community
By Andrea Minoff
Government officials, community leaders, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and members of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Berkshire Chapter joined with members of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Committee for Dalton on Saturday, August 19 at Pinegrove Park on High Street to celebrate the official designation of Dalton as one of the newest Appalachian Trail communities.
The day’s events included a three-mile walk along part of the 10-mile section of the A.T. which passes through Dalton led by Bob McBain and Brian Sears, volunteer work at the Kay Wood Shelter hosted by the Appalachian Mountain Club and a designation ceremony.
State Representative Paul Mark read a proclamation, followed by the presentation of signs to be posted on the A.T. in Dalton by ATC New England Regional Director Hawk Metheny to Dalton
Town Manager Ken Walto. The ceremony ended with Andrea Lassor, A.T. Community Committee for Dalton co-chair and Cosmo Catalano, Volunteer Coordinator for AMC Berkshire Chapter presenting a carved walking stick to Dalton resident and committee member Tom Levardi, who has hosted hikers at his home in Dalton for almost 40 years.
Celebrants, including a dozen A.T. through hikers, enjoyed food and beverages donated by Dalton Fireman’s Association President Scott Casella and John Kelly, owner of Kelly’s
Package store.
A.T. Trail Community Program
Now in its seventh year with more than 40 communities participating, including Great Barrington and North Adams, the Appalachian Trail Community™ designation program is a program of the non profit managers of the Appalachian Trail. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes communities for their part in in promoting awareness of the A.T. as an important community and national asset.
“We are thrilled that we have been rewarded with this designation,” said Andrea Lassor and Margaret Cahill , co-chairs of the A.T. Community Committee for Dalton. “We wanted to take some concrete action to help bring people to Dalton by showcasing the A.T,” the pair explained. “This grew out of the ‘Grow Dalton’ initiative, and we have received strong support from Dalton businesses.” Lassor and Cahill both volunteer as A.T. maintainers on the Trail’s Dalton section, while Tom Levardi, another committee member, has hosted hikers at his property just off the Trail for the past 37 years.
Designation as an Appalachian Trail Community ™ and participation in the program is intended to:
• Engage the community, Trail visitors and stewards
• Thank communities for their decades of service to hikers
• Act as a catalyst for enhancing sustainable economic development
• Aid local municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning
• Help local community members see the Trail as a resource and asset
“ The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail, stated Julie Judkins, Director of Education and Outreach for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed
today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information, visit www.appalachiantrail.org
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