Snowmobile trail report
Trail Report
Gary Marquis
First of all I apologize for not getting this out earlier. I was busy with opening up a few sections of our trails in the Caribou area. Most and all clubs are reporting very good conditions with most trails have been signed.
Eagle Lake is reporting logging operations on the Red River road and at mile 16 for about a mile so please use caution. In the Oxbow area they are reporting ok conditions but are warning snowmobilers to use caution as there still is some branches in the trail. They are reporting a shared use with a logging operation on ITS 85 5 miles north of Oxbow and 10 miles south of Oxbow, they are anticipating on being done by the first of the year.
With this first week of potentially a very busy one with school vacation our trails can be very busy so please remember that there may be some low hanging branches, some water holes so please ride with caution.
Remember, the “County” is home to some of Maine’s best restaurants, they are ready to accommodate the snowmobiling community so come on up as the region is open for business.
This year is certainly looking a lot better than last. With this being said, clubs can still use help with clearing branches and most importantly joining a club. The other thing that has been occurring all over Aroostook County and other places that have snow is the disrespect of trail users towards landowners, remember the only way that we can enjoy our sport is with them.
Ashland is reporting that there is a mud hole going south to Masardis it is marked so please use caution. They are also reporting that ITS 88 heading towards Castle Hill has a water hole and has been repaired by an excavator and can be crossed by snowmobile but not by groomer.
Fort Kent is reporting very good conditions and trails are marked. They are reporting logging operations on ITS 85 south of the Violette Settlement please pay attention to signs. The other trail that has a logging operation is on 73B south of the Little Black Lake area, again please use CAUTION.
The Red Arrow Club Is reporting great conditions on their trails with no areas of trouble.
Madawaska club is reporting very good conditions with no problems.
Van Buren is reporting that all of their trails are groomed and signed. They are also going to open up their trail 94 in a few weeks. The wash out will be repaired but until then please stay off this section of trail.
Caribou has not opened all of their trail 89 which meets up with Caswell on trail 100 and trail 94. So the best way to get to Van Buren from the South is ITS 81 or ITS 83/105 as these trails are in good condition.
Trail 81 (Swedes trail) is open in its entirety, but please use caution as there are a few wet areas that are marked.
The lakes, ponds and rivers are still not safe for crossing so please stay off any body of water until officials make sure that they are safe to be on.
Trail 71A in the Ashland area will be closed due to logging for the season. Trail 61 in Washburn will also be closed until further notice due to logging. The club is working on a reroute for this section of trail until it is finalized please stay off.
With this being said here is what has been done and reported in decent shape, please don’t forget that we are extremely early and there might be some branches still hanging down so ride with caution.
ITS 83 from Houlton through to the St. John Valley is in good shape, remember that there is a reroute in the Bridgewater area the trail now goes up and around number 9 mountain. The trail is marked and groomed. In the Presque Isle area please use the 83 by-pass, once through this it gets better heading north. Caribou has opened the area that was closed due to water and is reporting ok conditions. The rail bed to Stockholm and continue north it is good.
ITS 90 Fort Fairfield has come through to behind Dodo’s Market and Caribou has been through there is a small detour on Fort’s end but it is groomed. Caribou has opened to trail 88 but has not opened the rest of their section. Caribou is reporting a small wet area that is marked, with a few inches of snow this area should be fine. Portage has come down all the way through to 105 and reporting this section in good shape.
ITS 85 is connected all the way through as Ashland will be using an excavator to work on their section tomorrow. From Portage to Eagle Lake and further North the trail is reporting that it is in decent shape. Fort Kent is reporting that their section is in good shape.
120 the Deboullie trail is reported to be in good condition
ITS 92 From Fort Kent up through St. Francis to Allagash is reporting this section of trail in good shape.
ITS 81 is open and reporting good condition and getting better every day
105 trail from Van Buren through Stockholm and South to Mapleton is in good shape.
ITS 88 From Fort Fairfield is reported open all the way to Ashland, there is a water hole in the Frenchville area and they are hoping that it will freeze by the weekend.
73B is open and signed there is a logging operation in the Little Black lake area please use caution.
Trail 81 (Swedes Trail) is open and reported to have a few water holes watch for signs.
Reports that I am receiving are the valley trails are in good condition and are getting better every day.
So what I am trying to report is that most clubs have been out making great progress but there is still a lot of work that needs to be accomplished. So if you are planning on riding stay on what has been groomed and check with local clubs and their Facebook pages.
On the social side
Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 – The Pleasant Ridge Riders will be having a Chicken Stew/Chili dinner fundraiser at the Clubhouse located on 17 Pleasant Ridge Road in Caswell. The supper will be from 4 to 7 p.m. All proceeds will be going to the groomer fund.
Sunday, January 29, 2017 – The Pleasant Ridge Riders will be having a Breakfast fundraiser at the clubhouse from 7 to 11 a.m. All proceeds will be going to the groomer fund.
Washburn Trail Runners club will officially open for business on Saturday, January 7. Saturday hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to noon.
