GayOutdoors

09/14/2026

GayOutdoors Annual Member Celebration-Let's GO!
December 5. Saturday. Starts at 4:30PM
Club Cafe
209 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA

Admission
FREE for Sustaining Members
$10 cash at the door for all other attendees

Celebrate Another Great Year of Adventure!
Join us for the GayOutdoors Annual Member Celebration—an evening of friendship, great food, volunteer recognition, exciting announcements, and a very special world premiere.

Whether you’ve hiked with us all year or are just discovering GayOutdoors, this is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and celebrate another incredible year of outdoor adventure and community.

This year, we’ll recognize the volunteer event hosts whose time, enthusiasm, and leadership make our adventures possible. As a special thank-you, every event host attending the celebration will receive a complimentary GayOutdoors hat.

We’ll have our own private room and bar at Club Café, giving us plenty of space to relax, catch up, and celebrate together.

Evening Schedule
4:30 PM – Registration & Private Bar Opens
5:00–6:00 PM – Passed Hors d’Oeuvres & Social Hour
6:00–6:15 PM – Annual GayOutdoors Update & Q&A
6:15–6:25 PM – Recognition of Our Volunteer Event Hosts
6:25–7:00 PM – Featured Presentation
7:00 PM – REI Gift Card Raffle

What to Expect
• A friendly welcome and name tags
• Private bar with full beverage service
• Passed hors d’oeuvres, including chicken kebabs with green peppers, mini stuffed potato skins, mini pizza, and crab rangoon
• Recognition of our outstanding volunteer event hosts
• Complimentary GayOutdoors hat for every event host attending
• Annual GayOutdoors update from President Mike Boisvert
• World premiere of the new Windows to the Wild episode
• REI Gift Card Raffle for Sustaining Members
o 1st Prize: $100
o 2nd Prize: $50
o 3rd Prize: $25
• Optional post-event dinners in small groups at Club Café or nearby restaurants

Who’s Invited?

Everyone!

09/11/2026

Easy 2.5 Mile Hike Breakheart Reservation-Let's GO!
September 19. Saturday 1:30PM
Wakefield, MA

Entering from the Wakefield/rear entrance this is an easy 2.5 mile afternoon hike around a small lake in the rear section of the Breakheart Reservation just north of Boston. It is a co-event with Chiltern Mountain Club (also LGBTQ). This is the same hike I ran in August.

A third of the route is on paved fire roads and the rest on trails along the water. It's 60% in the woods/shaded.

About 3/4s of the way around is a beach we can stop at for a few minutes. If the weather is warm enough people are welcome to take a dip. (You may need to wear your suit under your short though. It's the off season and I can't vouch there'll be anywhere convenient to change)

The address is1 00 Hemlock Road, Wakefield MA. That's the address of the Northeast Regional Voc Tech, which shares a lot with the rear entrance.

*Directions NOTE: Be sure to note that we're entering the Reservation through the less common rear entrance in Wakefield. See the "R" on the map in the photo. If you find yourself at "F" (which is where the visitor center is) get to "R" by going back out to the main road and turning right. Proceed approx 1 mile to the traffic light and turn right. After approx 3/4 of a mile the road will widen a bit and you'll see a ball field on the right. There will be signs for Hemlock Rd and the Voc Tech. Turn right and follow the road into the lot at the end.)

There's ample free parking in the lot.

Even if you're using using GPS please note: At the last turn - the sign for Hemlock Rd isn't large. The turn is also marked by a largish sign for the Voc Tech and a ball field. (Note that there are also an elementary and a middle school on the main road by the turn - ignore them. The Voc Tech is separate and is up Hemlock behind them.)

Follow Hemlock into the lot at the end. You'll see the school on the left. The Reservation entrance is at the two stone pillars at the end. Meet to the left of them. I'll be wearing a beige Yosemite cap (with a round logo).

09/08/2026

Wildcat Mountain Hike-Let's GO!
September 11. Friday. 10AM
Gorham, NH

Join me on Friday 9/11 to hike this 4000' footer in the White Mountains. Meet in the parking lot of the ski area at 9:45am for a 10am departure. The plan is to hike to Wildcat D up and back without going to further peaks. All Trails has it listed as Wildcat Ski Slope to Wildcat Mountain but has a longer hike in it's description. This hike will be about 5 miles with 2083' feet of gain, about 4 hours.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Wildcat Moutain, Route 16 Gorham NH.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wildcat+Mountain/@44.2640762,-71.2418785,760m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4cb391b438c3d74b:0xd7368b94f1f0d7a1!8m2!3d44.2640724!4d-71.2393036!16s%2Fm%2F027rp89?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDkwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

09/03/2026

📬 Our Latest GayOutdoors Newsletter Is Here! Let's GO!
The newest edition of the GayOutdoors newsletter is hot off the press!
Inside you’ll find:
✨ President’s Corner
📰 Articles of interest
🏳️‍🌈 Club news and updates and Trip Reports
🥾 Upcoming hikes, events, and gatherings
👉

Email from GayOutdoors Fall weather for great adventures   GayOutdoors Trail Mail September 2026 Edited by Rob Bonney Contributions by Don Trimble   President's Corner As the season turns, we start to

09/01/2026

Mount Major Hike-Let's GO!
September 12. Saturday. 10AM
Alton Bay, NH

Let’s hit the trail together for a morning hike up Mount Major, followed by a casual lunch and hangout!

We’ll be hiking the Brook and Main Trail Loop:

- Distance: 3.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,151 feet
- Estimated time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate

This beautiful, forested hike becomes steeper and rockier as we approach the summit, but the payoff is absolutely worth it! At the top, we’ll be treated to panoramic views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains, as well as the historic stone remains of Mr. Phippen’s Hut.

Please assess your readiness before joining. Although this trail is rated moderate, it includes sustained elevation gain and some steep, rocky terrain. We’ll take occasional breaks to regroup, catch our breath, and enjoy the scenery, but the group will be expected to maintain a steady, regular hiking pace. Each participant is responsible for determining whether the distance, terrain, elevation, and anticipated pace are appropriate for their current fitness, mobility, and experience level.

Dogs are welcome, but they must remain leashed throughout the hike.

What to bring:

- Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
- Plenty of water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- A light jacket in case it’s breezy at the summit

Lunch & Social Time

After the hike, we may choose unwind over a casual picnic-style lunch or stop somewhere nearby for a bite, depending on the group’s preference. It’ll be a chance to recharge, connect, and celebrate making it to the top—and back down again!

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

875 Mount Major Hwy, Alton Bay, NH 03810, United States

08/14/2026

Promote GO at Keene Pride-Let's GO!
September 20. Sunday. 12PM
Keene, NH

We’re looking for an outgoing bunch of GOers who are willing to help table during Keene Pride. The goal of tabling is to spread the word of Gay Outdoors and to recruit new members! As many of us know, GO is a wonderful community of men who share a passion for the great outdoors, and provides members with an opportunity to socialize, be more active, and find adventure! Keene Pride can help prospective members find us! We’re hoping to have members volunteer for shifts between 12 pm – 6 pm.

We may also need some help setting up in the morning before the event. If you are nearby and available to help with setup, that would be great! Please sign up and let me know which hour(s) you’ll be available to volunteer in the comments section!

I will schedule a zoom meeting before the pride festival to help answer any questions and plan for the day.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Downtown Keene, NH by Central Square. More details to follow!

08/10/2026

Mount Moosilauke Loop-Let's GO!
12.5 miles and 4,100 foot gain
August 15. Saturday. 9AM
Woodsville, NH

The narrative of this hike can be found here:https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/mount-moosilauke-loop

While challenging, the uphill is constant and is done in the first 3 miles.

Bring at least 3 quarts of water, some snacks, hat, an extra t-shirt for after the hike and Fido.

We meet at 8:50 for a 9:00 sharp departure

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Direction to trailhead. You can use either https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.99816,-71.88209 or https://www.google.com/maps/search/Glencliff Trailhead

08/06/2026

Crawford, Stairs, Resolution Mountains Hike-Let's GO!
Saturday August 29-8AM
Bartlett, NH

Fun, exercise and great views from THREE summits!

At 3,119 ft., Mt. Crawford offers a wonderful vantage point from which to view Mount Washington and the ridges that extend south of it, of Crawford Notch, and of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The hike to its summit is short, but steep; Many will be satisfied with the trip to Mt. Crawford which is 5.0 miles roundtrip and 2100 feet elevation gain. You have the option to turn back at this point on your own or
continue another 2.5 miles [each way] to the Giant Stairs, with its excellent views to the south. The grade is much easier, with no really steep sections. On the return we'll check out Mount Resolution that has a wide ledge providing a 180-degree panorama with a real wilderness feel.

The round trip to the summit of Mt. Crawford is 5.0 miles with 2,100 feet elevation gain and estimated hike time of 3:30 hrs depending on group speed. The whole trip is quite longer with 10.8 miles with 3,400 feet elevation gain and hike time of 7 hours.

Plan on meeting at 7:45AM as we will start moving at 8AM.

EVALUATE YOUR FITNESS LEVEL! This is a fairly strenuous trip. Even if you are in good shape, expect to be seriously challenged. Hiking will be on hilly, rugged terrain with several steep sections. Breaks will be of short duration. There is a longer break for lunch.

Bring plenty of water, snacks and footwear with good traction.

This hike is meant as a positive experience, so please leave discussions about politics or negative events at home. Enjoy the moment with nature and friends.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

To make this historic and rewarding hike, drive about 6 miles west from Bartlett on US 302. Watch for a stone house known as Notchland Inn on the left above a railroad crossing for old US 302, now bypassed. A short distance beyond this, you'll see the Davis Path sign on the right. Turn right into the large parking area.

08/04/2026

Tripyramid Mountains via Pine Bend Brook Trail-Let's GO!
August 22-Saturday. 7:30AM
Albany, NH

This hike hits three 4000 footers, North Peak [4180], Middle Peak [4140] and South Peak [4100] with some great views into Waterville Valley and south to east. The Pine Bend Brook Trail is nearly flat and starts easily with many minor water crossings and then enters the Sandwich Range Wilderness at around 2 miles. From here, Pine Bend Brook Trail follows along the brook bed before angling up a very steep slope up to the junction with Scaur Ridge Trail. There is a nice ridge walk for a bit, then up again with a final push (steep and scramble) to the north peak with a nice view to the south.

The trail then descends moderately, crossing the saddle between the North and Middle peaks and climbing again to the Middle Tripyramid summit. The Middle peak has the better views, extending from west, south & east. The trail drops steeply into the next saddle between the Middle and South peaks, then climbs back up to meet the wooded summit, all in under a half-mile. At that point we reverse direction. The Middle Peak might be best for our lunch break but that will depend on time.

This hike is moderate to strenuous, and we will be keeping a moderate pace. Please be sure you are in condition to do this hike. We are starting early due to the limited parking.

Per usual, we will monitor the weather and send out a Go/No Go by Thursday night latest.

You will need to be prepared with sturdy hiking boots, at least 2-3 liters of water, lunch, snacks, bug spray, rain gear, and other appropriate hiking gear and attire. No blue jeans, cotton shirts/sweaters, etc.