Stick Season Day Hike - Western Massachusetts
November 9, 2025 — 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET Rain date: November 16, 2025
Last day to register: November 7, 2025
Come enjoy the crunching of the fall leaves under our feet as volunteers Amy and Sam lead you to huge castle-like rock formations in the woods.
When the season starts to get darker and grayer and all the leaves have fallen to the ground, it’s tempting to think it’s not worth going outside. Hike with us and see that when the leaves are off the trees, the views are bigger! This hike provides opportunities to indulge that autumnal part of yourself that might want to escape civilization to live in a cave—but you’ll be led back out of the forest in the company of queer community, which will perhaps make the season feel less cold and gray.
Most of this hike is rolling with gentle to moderate inclines, but there is about half a mile that is a steady, steep uphill. We will take this hill very slowly with many breaks! We hike to spend time together and we do not rush people. Participants should be aware that loose leaves and acorns in the fall may cause the footing to be more slippery than normal. There are no bathrooms at this trailhead.
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 at this event.
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GENERAL INFO
Location: Erving, MA area (Pennacook and Wabanaki land)
Parking: Free parking in a small informal dirt lot. There are no bathrooms.
Pets: While we love pets, we ask that furry friends who are not service animals stay at home for this adventure. Tell them we said hi!
Meet: November 9, 2025
Hike: 4.5 miles, 620ft elevation gain
Cost: This event is completely free to access! We welcome donations of any amount, which help us continue to provide these programs. We appreciate your support and your contribution!
Bring: Water (at least a liter), bug spray, lunch/snacks, clothing layers appropriate for the season/weather, a rain layer. Participants should wear walking or hiking shoes or boots with good tread that won’t slip off their feet. Trekking poles may be helpful but are not required to attend.
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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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.