This week we should be riding on some of the best trails in the Northeast, but the rain that came last weekend, well we all know what has happened. Trails have become very hard and icy and some are completely gone until we receive more snow.
The one bright spot out of all this mess is the power of social media. All clubs had asked for people to stay off the trails during the warm spell and most people did listen and there really has not been a lot of damage to the base while it was soft.
A few clubs have gone out and tried to scratch the hard snow, and filled in water bars and washouts, but majority of the clubs are waiting until the next storm to get back out. Several of the clubs have spent this week picking up signs and markers as they had fallen during the thaw. This just adds insult as they had already put them up. If you are out and about riding and you come across signs that are down, please try and stand them back up.
The good news is that all the water has pretty much refroze and once we do get snow, clubs will be able to get out and open the trails once again.
The Eastern, and Southern Side of the County have gotten the short end of the stick but have no fear they will be up and running again once we get more snow.
Oxbow is reporting that 85 is still down North of Masardis and 71-A is not safe.
Soldier Pond is reporting brown spots on their section with a few washouts but still passable, they will groom when we get more snow.
Washburn has been out on their trail 105 and ITS 83 and reporting ok conditions but will wait until more snow.
Portage Lakers have been down their ITS 90 to trail 105, and they were going to do their ITS 85 to Eagle Lake.
Caribou has been out on their ITS 83 North to Stockholm, across town over to 83A and trail 88. They also did half of their ITS 90W from 88 back to intown. Woods are hard with not much snow. A few of the washouts have been filled.
Fort Kent is reporting that they had to stand majority of their signs back up. Grooming is suspended until more snow. Trails are passable with ice and dirt spots please use caution.
Fort Fairfield will resume when more snow.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club will not be back out until more snow. Caution must be used on ITS 81 and Rte. 70A this is where there was logging, the roads are down to ice and dirt.
Ashland is holding off until more snow. The status on the bridge in Masardis is still closed, this is ITS 85.
Allagash is also holding off to groom until more snow.
Frenchville has been out repaired all their issues, stood markers and signs. Trails are passable with a few bare spots. They will groom again once it snows.
Red Arrow has been busy fixing signs, fixed a washout in town, they will wait until more snow.
Easton is reporting trails are not passable and will wait until more snow.
Madawaska is reporting that signs have been put back up and are waiting on more snow. ITS 81/98B please use caution as the Fournier road is still being plowed. ITS 83 from Starbarn to the Airport is closed. ITS 81 is passable but there is a lot of washouts.
Aroostook River snowmobile club groomed 105 from Mapleton to Washburn but cannot not go East or West of 105 due to bare ground and washouts. They will be back out once we get more snow.
Presque Isle Snowmobile club is reporting hard trails with many bare spots.
Van Buren is reporting that they have picked up their signs and are awaiting more snow.
Nordic Lakers will be holding off until more snow. Trail 81 is not recommended to ride.
The Western and Northern areas of the County are somewhat rideable with extreme caution. Trails are hard packed.
Scratchers and studs are recommended. Where logging was happening, those roads are now ice covered.
Please keep an eye out on the County’s Facebook pages for the latest updates on trail conditions.
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open for the season on Jan. 4.
Season opener for RMR XC is going to be on Jan. 12 in Sherman. Gates open at 6 a.m.
