Massachusetts · Hiking

Em’s Gem

Em’s GemPhoto: Qfamily, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.5 mi
round trip
150 ft
climb
456 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Clear at last check

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 23 h ago

Em's Gem is a short, easy hike in Mount Holyoke Range State Park in western Massachusetts, managed by State Park and Recreation. It is an out-and-back route of about 0.9 miles, with a total elevation gain of 150 feet and a high point of 456 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.3 miles, rising roughly 7 percent. The round trip takes about half a day, and the trail is close to several other routes. The nearest town is Amherst, about 6 miles away. For timing, late spring through early fall is the most comfortable stretch. Typical averages from the nearby Amherst weather station run from highs around 69°F in May to about 83°F in July, and the station sits several hundred feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hill run cooler. The Pond Trail and T-Rex mountain biking routes are each about 0.1 mile away, and the Lower hike is about 0.2 mile off. Farther out, the Fort River offers canoeing about 5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Em’s Gem

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / 14°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 15°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 34°

      11 wet

    5. May

      69° / 45°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 55°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 58°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 50°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 39°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 29°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      39° / 21°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Amherst, MA, 6.3 mi away at 145 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors