Welcome!  Please CONTACT US with any questions about events.

Tusi and Nira

Nira at niraharper@gmail.com   &    Tusi at ritachild@hotmail.com

April, May and June 2021

Covid-19 procedures for Women Outdoors members: Until further notice, outdoor activities are limited to up to 6 women, and all are required to wear a mask and keep a 6 foot distance. When you  to participate in an event, you assume the risk as stated here:

Please note that all Women Outdoors trips are cooperative trips led by volunteers.  While members are concerned for safety, our experience levels differ and mistakes may be made.  There may also be equipment failure, unexpected dangers, or conditions beyond our control (such as weather).  There is also an inherent level of risk in many of the activities that cannot be eliminated.  Women Outdoors and its coordinators don’t train, screen or certify any of the leaders or supervise the trips.  All trips are offered in the common adventurer spirit – where each participant is responsible for her own skills level and safety.  Please be sure to verify all of the information above as well as the organizer’s experience and trip plans to your own satisfaction so you can make an informed decision about whether the trip is right and safe for you.  Remember that in choosing to participate you are agreeing to assume responsibility for all risks associated with the activity.  Women Outdoors trips have an excellent safety record.  We ask that you take care to keep it this way!

Activity Leaders: We ask that you accept the first 6 women who reply to your outdoor event. Please have them sign the Assumption of Risk attached if it’s an outdoor activity.

Wednesday Hikes.  Noor, Nira and others will organize hiking every Wednesday around 1:00 pm.  Details will be sent on the listserve.  

Fri. April 2. Crafts Night.  We’ll gather at 6:30 over Zoom to socialize while we each work on an art or craft project of our own choosing.  H

Sun. April 17. Walk at Fitzgerald Lake.  This will be a gentle one hour or so walk led by Debra and Celia.

Sun. April 18. Dog Walk/Hike. Noon time for about a 2-3 hour walk/hike.  Will be local to Northampton and be an easy/moderate hike.  Please only bring dogs that get along with others.  I will figure out a good place to bring dogs and have fun.   Woof, woof!!

Sun. April 18. Book Group. Join us for a Zoom discussion of 48 Peaks: Hiking and Healing in the White Mountains by Cheryl Suchors. 

Sat. April 24. Metacomet Hike. We’ll meet at 1:00 for an easy hike on a section of the Metacomet Trail (white dots) in Holyoke off Apremont Hwy. I will give parking directions/instructions to those that sign up. This hike goes through the forest and has lovely views of the surrounding mountain range. There is a rock ledge to rest and view the valley. I suggest taking walking sticks, water, bug repellant (if wanted), and any other items one takes on a hike. The hike will probably last around 1 ½ hours depending on what folks want to do. Rain or bad weather will cancel this event.

Sun. April 25. Sunderland-Montague Bike Ride.  Join us for a lovely spring ride along the CT River & farmlands from Sunderland to Montague.  This is an easy 11 mile round trip, with a stop for a snack at the Book Mill café.  For those who want a longer ride, we can do an additional 5 mile loop to the Bridge of Names and meet back at the Book Mill.  

Sat. May 1. Windsor Park State Forest Hike. Meet at 1:00 pm in main parking lot off River Road.   We can try several of the trails there, including one that goes to the falls.   We can hike for 1-2 hours.  Bring water, snacks and bug spray. Park info: https://www.mass.gov/locations/windsor-state-forest.  

Sun. May 2.  Clark Museum Hike & Visit.  Start with a 2-2.5 morning hike around the grounds of Clark Museum in Williamstown, MA, to include Free First Sunday Admission to the Clark Museum.  Because of Covid19 , the free reservation must be made on-line. 

Sat. May 8. Games Night. 7:00 pm over Zoom.  Organized by Sharon and Karin. We will be playing an online game called Quiplash. There are 8 players, but then any number of additional people can participate. It's a lot of fun. It usually is very funny. (It can also easily become raunchy, so if you have delicate sensibilities, it may not be the game for you.) Players fill in the prompt questions and try to get points by having people vote for their answer, but ANYONE can vote on the answers they like the best. Learn about it here: https://www.jackboxgames.com/quiplash/To play you need both a computer AND a smartphone or tablet. You use your phone or tablet as the controller. We'll be on Zoom on our computers. 

Sun. May 9. Walk at Fitzgerald Lake.  We’ll meet at 10:00 am for a gentle hike at Fitzgerald Lake.  

Sat. May 15.  Rattlesnake Knob Hike. 11:00-2:00 Hike Rattlesnake Knob via M & M trail--difficult out and back hike 3.9 mi., amazing vista at summit; option to hike down to Horse Caves. Bring lunch, meet at The Notch Visitor Center in Granby (Mt. Holyoke Range).

Sat. May 15. Bartholemew’s Cobble Hike.  We’ll meet at 12:30 pm at this Trustees of Reservation site in Sheffield, MA for a stroll around the beautiful grounds. For more info on this reservation:    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartholomew%27s_Cobble.  

Sun. May 16. Lithia Springs Intermediate Hike.  Meet at 10:30 a.m. for a 5 mile intermediate hike.  Hike to the Reservoir and then continue to Black Rock to the overlook.  Moderate pace.  Dogs welcome.  We’ll start and finish at “Hiker Parking” on Rte 116 near the former Gagne’s store.  I will provide the address of the house next door for those coming.  Email 

Sun. May 16.  Book Group. We’ll be discussing The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner.

Sun. May 23. Sugarloaf – Deerfield Bike Ride.  Join me for a scenic 18 mile ride with some hills. Moderate pace. 

Sun. June 5.  Bear Hole Mtn Bike or Hike.  1:00-2:30 p.m. Mountain biking or hiking on trails; Bear Hole Reservoir in W. Springfield; lots of options for both biking and hiking--a time to explore together! 

Sun. June 6.  Morning Kayak.  10:00 am paddle at place to be determined. 

Sun. June 19. Mineral Hills Hike. Meet at 1:30 to explore the trails and quarry at Mineral Hills in Florence. 

Sun. June 20.  Backyard Brunch & Calendar Planning.  Come at 11:00 to Florence for an outdoor free brunch to plan the summer Women Outdoors calendar and socialize.  Bring a chair, your own beverage, your calendars, and ideas for summer fun.  We’ll provide the food, including gluten free and veggie options.  (Rain will change it to a Zoom indoors.) Possible bike ride or walk after the meeting. 

June 20. Book Group.  We’ll be discussing The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.