Thursday Night Hikes - Massachusetts
Running every Thursday from June 1 to Sept. 14, 2023
5:30 - 8:00pm ET
Every Thursday at 5:30pm!
Thursday Night Hikes are back! Please join us this summer for some of our favorite hikes in the Western MA Valley, led by the famed and beloved Instructor Oliver (as well as a few featured guests!).
We ask folks under the age of 18 to please register themselves and an adult to accompany them.
This year, you can find us at:
Jun 1 Mount Toby: Roaring Falls - Sunderland, MA
3 miles, waterfalls, rock formations, mostly wide trails with a couple short, steep sections
June 8 Buffam Falls - Pelham, MA
2.2 miles, beginner friendly, minimal elevation change, babbling brooks and small waterfalls
June 15 Mineral Hills - Northampton, MA
2.7 miles, beginner friendly, minimal elevation change, rock quarry
June 22 Long Mountain - Amherst, MA
2.4 miles, some steep sections, beautiful view of Mt. Norwottuck and the Mt. Tom range
June 29 Mount Skinner - Hadley, MA
2.5 miles, 700 ft elevation gain, multiple steep sections, great views from the top of Mt. Skinner
July 6 Roberts Hill - Leeds, MA
3.2 miles, beginner friendly, mossy boulders, lovely streams, scenic overlook
July 13 Mount Tom: Bray Lake - Holyoke, MA
3 miles, beginner friendly, some moderate elevation, lake views
July 20 Mount Hitchcock - Amherst, MA
3 miles, multiple steep sections, great views of the valley and parts of the Seven Sisters
July 27 Mount Sugarloaf - Sunderland, MA
1.6 miles, steep sections, beautiful views of the valley and Deerfield river, opportunity for ice cream
Aug 3 Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary - Easthampton, MA
2.3 miles, beginner friendly, mostly wide trails, observation tower overlooking Mill River, no dogs
Aug 10 Mount Toby: Sunderland Caves - Sunderland, MA
2.7 miles, beginner friendly, cool rock formations, opportunity to climb through large cave
Aug 17 Amethyst Brook - Amherst, MA
2.8 miles, beginner friendly, dog park, babbling brooks, mostly wide trails
Aug 24 Sachem Head - Greenfield, MA
2 miles, beginner friendly, some steep sections, dramatic views at the top from the Trap Rock Ridge
Aug 31 Fitzgerald Lake - Northampton, MA
2.8 miles, mostly wide trails, beginner friendly, lake views
Sept 7 Mount Warner - Hadley, MA
2.5 miles, beginner friendly, nice view of Mt Sugarloaf and Mt Toby
Sept 14 Chapel Brook - Williamsburg, MA
1.8 miles, rock ledges, summit view, waterfalls, some areas of steep elevation and cliff ledges
GENERAL INFO
Location: Western MA area
(Nonotuc, Pocumtuc, Nipmuc, Mohican, and Agawam lands)
Pets: While we love dogs, we ask you please leave furry friends at home for this event. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: Every Thursday between June 17 and Sept. 14, 2023
Hike: Varies
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: Snacks and/or lunch, water, bug spray, sunscreen, and weather appropriate clothing
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.
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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.
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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.