About this Event
5/16 Q-MOB LGBTQ Easy Eco-Hike @ Benedict Pond (Great Barrington, MA)
Saturday, 11am-1pm
Benedict Pond Loop Trailhead (Beartown State Forest)
GOOGLE LOCATION LINK:
Ranger-led easy hike of one of most beautiful, easy, & ecologically diverse hikes in the Berkshires, includes wetlands, forest, lake, & meadows. Mass DCR's Regional Interpretive Senior Ranger Alec Gillman will educate us about the fascinating natural & human history of this unique site, and identify how the native and invasive flora & fauna are adapting to climate change and to the increasing human use of this popular, iconic swimming, kayaking/canoeing, & hiking Berkshire lake.
IMPORTANT DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Unfortunately because Eventbrite does not recognize the address of the Benedict Pond Loop Trailhead, which is immediately to the right of the Canoe Ramp & Beach parking lot (when looking down to the pond). Here are directions from the nearby address we had to list on Eventbrite, but we recommend you insert the GOOGLE LOCATION LINK above into your favorite browser or driving directions app:
- So when you get to the address Eventbrite has listed (212 Blue Hill Rd),
- Keeping driving 322 feet west and
- Turn north (the only way you can turn) onto Benedict Pond Rd and follow it 0.4 miles, and
- Then turn right into the entrance of Benedit Pond/Beartown State Forest and you will see a parking area for the Canoe Put In Ramp and beach. We will meet in that parking lot.
WHAT TO BRING: Regardless of the forecast, in the Valley in the Spring, please be prepared for rain, cold, wind, mud, mosquitos, ticks, & low light conditions, and specifcally consider bringing:
- Rain-gear, and layers like wool hat, gloves, fleece, sweater, puffy jacket in case it becomes wetter, colder, or windier than was forecast
- Appropriate footwear for hiking in potentially wet, muddy portions of the trail
- Mosquito/tick repellant and/or long sleeve light colored shirt & light colored long pants tucked into your socks
- Water bottle & snacks
- If you have mobility challenges, bring or borrow from us Trekking poles or a walking stick
- $10-$20 Tax-Deductible Donation, in cash, or check made out to "Q-MoB Inc" (Q-MoB is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit), or so you never have to donate at any regular Q-MoB event, or just come for FREE if this is the very 1st Q-MoB event you have ever attended or you want a low-income work-exchange or scholarship.
WEATHER: Before you leave home, please check the weather for the hike location so you will know current conditions and how to dress for them. Please let us know your cell phone number when you register so we can text you 1-2 hours before the event should an unexpected weather threat arise that causes us to have to cancel or postpone the activity.
The Post-Hike Tick Prevention Protocol: Before getting back in your car, do a quick brush-down of your pants and boots. Once you get home, throw your hiking clothes directly into the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes (the dry heat kills ticks instantly, whereas the washing machine will not) and do a thorough full-body tick check in the shower.
ABOUT THIS
This hike is part of a series of Q-MoB LGBTQ outdoor recreation activities (hiking, biking, paddling, walking, swimming) funded by the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) Inclusive & Accessible Events Grant Program and is designed to:
1) reduce isolation and build community connections between LGBTQ people in the Berkshires & Western Mass; click to learn about the many activities that have already been scheduled
2) build a diverse capacity in the LGBTQ community to regularly lead & offer outdoor recreation activities throughout the year; please if you'd like to learn how easy it is to help lead outdoor recreation activities for the LGBTQ community
3) educate the community about the natural & human history of important recreation sites, as well as how the native flora & fauna are responding to climate change & human use/restoration so the LGBTQ community will fall in love with those places and the organizations that maintain them and thereby participate in stewarding & enjoying those sites. Please call us at 413-344-8162 if you know LGBTQ or allied outdoor experts who know the ecology and/or history of any of the amazing Berkshire recreation sites and might want to get paid a small stipend to co-lead.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE if you would like to learn how you might volunteer or even get paid to help coordinate this series or co-lead a particular outdoor recreation activity, or just give us a call with your ideas and feedback: 413-344-8162.
OR : Besides making a donation to Mass Audubon at the beginning of your hike, please donate $10-$20 to help assure Q-MoB can continue to offer more than 20 activities & multiple resources & services to rural queer people all over the region. If you attend 2 or more Q-MoB events/month, please consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor member. By donating $25, $50, $75, or $100/month you can help to sustain the incredible variety of activities, services, and resources Q-MoB provides and assure all of these activities are accessible to men regardless of their age, income, or ability, and best of all you can avoid having to donate at each and every event you attend. Monthly Sustaining Members pay only once a month and then can attend all our activities with no further donation.
ACCESSIBILITY: We design our recreation activities so they are relatively easy & accessible to ambulatory adults with average strength, but if you have moblity challenges and want to know our capacity to support you, please or give us a call 413-344-8162. We are a very small non-profit with very limited access to outdoor recreation mobility devices and volunteers trained to provide accessibility assistance, but if we know about your needs, we will make our best effort to meet them, and we enjoy making our activities accessible to as broad a range of our community as possible.
REACHING US DAY OF EVENT: If you have trouble finding us, are running late, or decide not to come, please text or call Kreature, your hike leader at his cell phone number that will be in your confirmation email or call or text Q-MoB's info line: 413-344-8162
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
212 Blue Hill Rd, 212 Blue Hill Road, Monterey, United States
USD 0.00
