I spent the end of 2025 in Acadia National Park. On the drive up it was -5 F passing through Bangor and I was excited to get some real winter conditions on Mount Desert Island. I woke up the next morning for a sunrise hike and it was 4F when I got out of my car in the dark. I had a great hike up Parkman Mountain and Gilmore Peak and, although I was treated to yet another cloudless sunrise, the alpenglow that slowly worked it’s way down the high points of the terrain and illuminated each peak in turn was beautiful. In this photo, the summit of Parkman Mountain (if you squint you can see the summit sign) is glowing in the morning light.

The next day it was 45F and raining and that was the end of my winter conditions in Acadia! I’m glad I took advantage of the snow and cold while I had it.