Snowless Moon Hike

Snowless Winters Are A Sign of Climate Change

Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 53 seconds

In a recent text message exchange with my friend Arnold, he invited me to join him for a Snow Moon Hike. Having previously participated in hikes sponsored by the Great Swamp Watershed Association, I eagerly accepted the invitation. As per NASA Science, the Snow Moon or Hunger Moon was named so by indigenous peoples in the north and east of the United States. It was the second full Moon of Winter, the midwinter Moon. The Native Americans were far better stewards of the environment than we have been, and this year’s Snow Moon Hike was more of a Snowless Moon Hike.

On February 25, 2024, the Snow Moon Hike occurred at Cross Estate Gardens in the picturesque Jockey Hollow National Park. We were greeted by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide named Ginger when we arrived. She informed us that her family had a tradition of holding a contest to see who could spot the Moon first. Her challenge excited us to witness the Snow Moon rise and added to the park’s serenity despite the occasional airplane flying overhead.

Despite naturalist Eric’s pitch-perfect owl calls, we could not attract any owls. However, the Merlin app confirmed that he sounded like one. Walking along the trail, we discussed various topics, including nature, stars, and environmental issues. Time flew by quickly, and before we knew it, our guide, Ginger, pointed to the sky and exclaimed, “There it is!” The Moon had finally risen, casting an enchanting light on the park and creating lengthy shadows on the ground. Although there was little snow, the Moon’s beauty more than compensated for it.

As we walked, we noticed the absence of snow and discussed the consequences of climate change on the environment. The conversation was both poignant and thought-provoking, and it made us appreciate the allure of nature even more. According to Axios, 2024 has already begun on a record-breaking note, with global temperatures across the surface air and oceans higher than the previous year, 2023. During February, global average surface air temperatures have reached or exceeded two °C above preindustrial levels, matching spikes first seen in November of the previous year.

Overall, the Snow Moon Hike was an unforgettable experience, and I felt grateful to have shared it with my wonderful friend Arnold and 24 other hikers.