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Welcome Spring Hike - Western Massachusetts

Welcome Spring Hike - Western Massachusetts

March 22, 2025 — 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
Rain date: March 23, 2025
Last day to register: March 20, 2025

It’s been a long, cold winter, but spring is finally here! Stretch your legs with TVOP Volunteer Sam on an early spring hike in a beautiful conservation area in Northampton, MA. We will plan on hiking for approximately 3 miles round trip, following a stream that winds through the woods and ends up at a beautiful lake view. Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for skunk cabbage, wood frogs, and other signs of the emerging season. March means mud season, so be prepared for wet, muddy conditions and please wear waterproof boots. Terrain is variable and includes wide and flat dirt roads, gentle hills, and some narrow sections with uneven footing (roots and rocks) or slippery boardwalks. Unleashed dogs are common at this location.

We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
If you require a service dog to attend, please let us know and we’ll collaborate with you on how to keep you both comfortable and hydrated on this hike.



GENERAL INFO

Location: Northampton area, MA (Nipmuc, Pocumtuc and Nonotuck land)
Parking: Paved parking lot with room for 21 cars, including two accessible spaces
Pets: While we love pets, we ask that furry friends remain home on this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: March 22, 2025
Hike: 3.4 miles, 220 ft elevation gain
Cost:
$0-$20 sliding scale
To find out where you fall best in our sliding scale, see the “Why does this trip cost money?” dropdown below.
Bring: Water, snacks, waterproof hiking boots, a rain layer, warm layers, bug spray

COVID SAFETY

Masks are not required during this event, however they are welcomed if wearing one allows you to better engage with the group. PLEASE be mindful of your own and group safety. If you or anyone in your household are not feeling well, do not participate in a hike.

  • Our sliding scale is meant to make our trips and events more accessible for those who have financial barriers. Paying a higher amount allows us to provide more opportunities to others. Paying a smaller amount is recommended for those who would not otherwise be able to afford the estimated value. Please choose an amount that you will be able to pay, but will not hinder your ability to afford food, housing, etc. By paying as much as you can, we are able to serve more of our community members.

    Our sliding scale recommendation:

    - Low: Yearly income $30,000 or under, struggles to meet basic needs

    - Mid (pays estimated value): Yearly income $40,000-$75,000, some expendable income

    - High: Yearly income $80,000-$100,000, comfortable, never struggle with basic needs

    Need more examples? We follow the Green Bottle principle. Click here to view and find out where you fall.

  • Information for our land acknowledgment was gathered from nativeland.ca, which provides an estimate of original indigenous land occupation, but does not take into account migratory patterns or movement of the many surrounding communities. We recognize the historical complexity of indigenous movement across the land, and honor with gratitude the many, many surviving native nations whose land we benefit from in our work to diversify the outdoors.