Maine’s Winter that Wasn’t
Maine's winters are vanishing, leaving a void in the cherished tradition of winter recreation. We nostalgically recall the days when Acadia National Park and Midcoast Maine transformed into winter wonderlands, offering opportunities for ice skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing in January. However, the winter of 2023 has presented a drastically altered scene in these regions. Thin ice in early February disrupted the age-old tradition of ice fishing, while late February witnessed children sledding down hills of dead grass amid scarce snow patches. This prompts contemplation on the profound implications for the future of Maine and its cultural identity
On January 15th, 2023 Mount Desert Island residents Gabrielle Graham, Paula Huntsman, Melissa Ossanna and Jenn Ryan stand at the edge of Long Pond in Southwest Harbor holding ice skates.
On January 14th 2023, Melissa Ossanna snow shoes on Long Pond Trail.
Historic image: “Corps Member Albert Labin at Long Pond” 1930s Courtesy of Mount Desert Island Historical Society
On January 15th, Mount Desert Island resident, Joy O’shaughnessy walks Acadia National Park carriage roads near Seal Harbor with her cross country skis.
Temperature Anomalies in Maine, Courtesy of Dr. Sean Birkel, Maine State Climatologist.
Acadia National Park trails employee, Isaac Smith, tests out his new ice fishing gear from the shoreline of Megunticook Lake in January and February 2023.
The ice has frozen and thawed so frequently it is not safe to walk on. On February 3rd, the ice measured one millimeter thick and on February 18th, the ice was gone completely.
The ice has frozen and thawed so frequently it is not safe to walk on. On February 3rd, the ice measured one millimeter thick and on February 18th, the ice was gone completely.
On February 20th, children sled down a grassy hill in Rockport with patches of snow
On February 20th, children sled down a grassy hill in Rockport with patches of snow.
On February 5th, Camden Snow Bowl’s pond, Hosmer Pond at the base of the toboggan chute was unsafe for crowds to gather during the Toboggan Championships. In January, Hosmer Pond was still mostly open water.
On January 15th, Jenn Ryan stands in a puddle while holding ice skates on the edge of Long Pond in Southwest Harbor.
