What is the Mohawk Trail Challenge? When the event was created, it was a 4×4 endurance route the club leadship and founders had laced together into a loop with some of the most challenging and scenic unmaintained roads and public right of ways in the state. Some of these are known as Legacy Trails and are hundreds of years old. Our first use of the loop in the northwest Berkshires and around the Mohawk Trail highway was over 30 miles. Talented and knowledgable members have helped us grow the total available length and connectivity to up to 70 miles of adventure.
The original 2018 Mohawk Trail Challenge was simply, to complete the loop using some key sections. Club volunteers and members worked as a team to help everyone enjoy the ride, safely. There was a trophy for the first event, awarded to the person that best upheld the Spirit of Mohawk.
Things have changed. Members of the club enjoyed the trails and the idea of the Mohawk Trail Challenge, but we wanted it to have a deeper meaning. We decided we would begin doing this to raise money for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
In 2020, an idea was presented to the club’s board of directors and a vision was created. The Mohawk Trail Challenge would include a new challenge. Our epic trail loops would become an epic fundraisers, too. We had set a goal of providing 10,000 meals by donating $2500 to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
We have been working towards our goals for 5+ years with a 6th year coming up in 2025.
Mohawk 4×4 Adventures would like to thank our members, families and friends for supporting all of the fundraisers for The Food Bank of Western Mass . We are looking forward to the 2025 event series. Thank you to very generous donors in our club and friends and family raised $4,350 this past year. This amount raises the bar! Our collections will help the Food Bank deliver 13,050 meals. Our motorized 4WD community has raised the bar higher than ever before. (This has been an incredible year!)
Since 2020, this club has funded 46,636 meals. We donate every penny collected and the donations have no overhead expenses to cover. If a transaction fee does occur that lowers the donation amount, the club just covers it.
Every rig in attendance on the Nov 25th, 2023 event completed the entire Mohawk Trail Challenge! That’s about 50 miles of two-track roads, natural ledge, rocks and water – and it is uphill almost all the way. It is the first time during the event that every rig completed it. Our experienced Trail Guides made sure we had a plan for success for everyone, and we experienced no major delays or breakage. There was a lot of talent and teamwork on display!
In 2024 we used 4WD roads that were new for this trip and our old favorites. For 2024, we planned ahead to do this over two weekends and in different places. The second ride was on private property.
Mohawk 4×4 Adventures is adding a second date for 2025. The original route will be used, an easier alternate route, and then a second date with less intimidating trails on private property.
November 9th, Sunday – Legacy Routes in Western MA
November 29th, Saturday – Private Property/Central MA
We would like to thank the MA Dept of Conservation and Recreation and the organizers of the 2024 Mass Trails Conference, for allowing us to promote our Mohawk Trail Challenge Fundraiser at a vendor table.
The Food Bank of Western Mass has been servicing the area since 1982 and distributing food to the residents of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national network of 200 food banks.
