Mother Nature certainly doesn’t know what she wants. We have gone from 24 degrees below zero to 40 degrees above with rain. All projects had their fingers crossed to get out once the temps dropped.
All trails were in great shape before the warm temps, so if people stayed off them during that spell, projects should not have a lot of damage to repair. The winds blew hard last week, so please use caution. There might be some water holes in the low-lying areas here and there, so please: Ride right, ride slow, as trails are expected to be hard and fast.
The southern sections of The County were reporting good conditions and the areas south of the Houlton and Hodgdon area have been in great condition.
Please check with local officials before venturing out on lakes and ponds.
On the trails
Trail 71A: only open the first 6 miles to Garfield.
ITS 83 is in great shape from one end of The County to the other. Clubs will be out once the weather cools.
ITS 90 is open and completely groomed and in great shape. There is a small detour on Fort Fairfield’s end; just follow signs. Clubs will be out once the weather cools.
ITS 85 is connected all the way through to the crown. There is a section of road that is plowed at the Red River Bridge where Eagle Lake and Portage meet; this will be plowed for the rest of the season, so please use caution. There is a logging operation south of Violette settlement –please use caution and watch for signs. Clubs will be out once the weather cools.
120: The Deboullie trail is in great shape.
ITS 92: From Fort Kent up through St. Francis to Allagash, clubs will be out once it cools off.
ITS 81 is in good shape and completely open. There is a logging operation before the trail meets with Fort Fairfield on the Easton end. Watch for signs and equipment on the trail. Clubs will be out once it cools off.
The 105 trail from Van Buren through Stockholm and south to Mapleton is in good shape. There is a logging operation at the southern end in the Chapman area, but there are alternatives to use. Logging should be complete within the next week. Clubs will be out once it cools off.
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. Watch out for speed bumps in the Parkhurst Siding area of the railbed. Clubs will be out once it cools off.
73B is open and signed. There is a logging operation in the Little Black Lake area, so please use caution.
Trail 81 (Swedes’ Trail) is open and reported to have a few water holes. Watch for signs. There is a small water hole which is very well marked.
On the social side
Sunday, Jan. 29: The Pleasant Ridge Riders will hold a breakfast fundraiser at the clubhouse from 7-11 a.m. All proceeds will go to the groomer fund.
Saturdays and Sundays: The Washburn Trailrunners are open for business Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sundays, 7 a.m.-12 noon.
Fridays: The Presque Isle Snowmobile Club serves chicken stew on Friday nights from 5-7 p.m.
