Tag Archives: Basin Pond

Ice Biking The Basin

A few times each winter, Basin Pond and the nearby river and wetlands flood and freeze, producing an” icescape” several square miles in size. This beautiful and varied icy landscape is all but inaccessible to skiers, snowshoers, or hikers but can be explored on a bike — provided the bike is fitted out with studded tires.

The video above was shot over several seasons and features ice biking on Basin Pond, the Marsh Stream, and parts of the Jones Bog. Interested in ice biking Basin Pond? Let us know, and we’ll put you on an email list to let you know next time conditions are just right!

2020: A Year Outside

Facebook shows me pictures of sunrises, while I am still under the covers, reading in bed. Some of my friends are already out there, in the big world, outside. Shouldn’t I also be?

I enjoy being outside in all of Maine’s seasons. I get out there almost every day. I’m outside more than the vast majority of Americans, who reportedly spend an average of only 7 percent of their time outside. But I’d like to get outside earlier in the day. I’d like to more fully live the truth that there is no bad weather, just poor clothing choices. With the right gear and the right attitude, any day can be experienced as a wonder. I also know that all those hours inside, crooking my neck at one screen or another, aren’t that good for my body. Or my spirit. My job as a public school teacher doesn’t get to be an excuse. I don’t need to wait retirement to get outside more; I can do it now.

Cross country skiing along the Marsh Stream in Monroe on Day 1.

With the above thoughts in mind, I started thinking about how I could challenge myself and maybe inspire a few others to get outside more — and the idea for “The Basin Pond Challenge: A Year Outside” was born.

Here are the details of the Basin Pond Challenge. You can tweak the rules and start your year outside on any date.
-an hour outside each day for a year
–One
new-to-me natural place each week
–One sunrise and one moonrise each month
–Take photos, bring others along, have fun!


Track our Year Outside / Photos:
The Basin Pond Challenge: A Year Outside

For more reading:
“U.S. Study Shows Widening Disconnect with Nature . . . “
“The Nature of Americans”

Basin Pond Trails Day

Saturday, October 19 at 10am

Walk the new trails! 
All are welcome.  

Park on the south side of Route 139, near the old logging road, 3 miles west of Monroe village.

1 mile and 2.5 mile hikes will be offered.

This is your chance to check out the new hiking trail system on  the town land, learn about plans for the future, and/or to get involved.  We’ll be packing out the trails for skiing and snowshoeing this winter, so this is a great opportunity to get to know the trails.  Hike with a group or hike on your own.

This event is sponsored by the Monroe Conservation Commission. For more information, call or text Ray Wirth at 207-513-0157

Beaver Games

We’re  fascinated and awed by how the beavers have shaped this landscape.  When on or along the water, it’s hard to find places that show no evidence of their work.

Perforated pvc pipe with screening on both ends as a possible way to lower the water level upstream of a beaver dam.,

One of their recent projects is a small dam on a stream that skirts our property.  A few weeks ago, curious about  their level of commitment to this small dam,  I removed  a few sticks from the top. I returned a few days later to find — as is usually the case — those tireless nightworkers had only become more inspired by my minor provocation.  They had shored up the top of the dam and then some.

Since the dam is near a walking trail we use to access the pond,  I was concerned that the walking trail could eventually become flooded out if they built the dam up higher.  A few minutes of online research revealed a possible solution,:  a ten foot length of perforated pvc pipe with screening on each end.  Some of the sources suggested the pipe should extend 20 feet back from the dam and that upstream end should be caged off to prevent the beavers from blocking it, but I decided to go with the simpler solution for now.