This has been one of the busiest weeks that The County has seen in many years. Every time that I have been outside the sound of snowmobiles has resonated throughout the air. With the cold night temperatures, the clubs have been able to get the trails back to very good conditions after a very busy weekend.
With more snow on Thursday and temperatures in the upper 20s during the days over the weekend, trails will be a little soft, especially the high traveled trails. This is again a great opportunity to venture out onto the less traveled trails in the region.
CAUTION: Deer are everywhere. They are being spotted in Caribou on trail 83B, in Ashland on ITS 85 and Portage on ITS 85. Please keep an eye out all the time as we all know that deer live throughout this County. Also, as the snow is getting deeper this means that all the big game animals will be venturing out onto the trails as it is easier walking for them. It is illegal to chase any of the animals, so please let them get off the trail at their own pace. Remember there are 4-plus feet of snow on the ground. They are struggling enough as it is.
ATTENTION: Slush is being reported on many of the lakes in the area. If you venture out onto the lakes, please stick to the marked sections or to areas that have been travelled over.
TRAIL INFORMATION:
Soldier Pond is reporting that their system is all done and are reporting great conditions. Monday, Feb. 25, trail 73 off 96 that goes into Eagle lake will be closed due to logging for the remainder of the season.
Washburn is reporting their trails will be in great condition for the weekend. Trail 61 is not open as there is a logging operation now. There is going to be a logging operation in the Blackstone area which is trail 105 and the logging has begun so sledders please stop at the Blackstone intersection where the Nordic Lakers meet Washburn. The club would like to let people know that if you do encounter the Cat out on the trail, they will stop to allow safe passage. Please go slow and be cautious. If they need to pull over off to the side of the trail they may get stuck. Rode their ITS 83 from Caribou and was good. Watch out for deer. Rode 105 and it was good on Wednesday.
Saint Francis is reporting thumbs-up conditions in their area.
Portage Lakers are reporting good conditions with lots of traffic out their way. There will be a heavy logging presence on ITS 85 near the Hewe’s Brook area, please use caution in this area as the trucks will be hauling.
Caribou is reporting that their system is in good shape and will be grooming over the weekend.
Fort Kent is reporting that they their system is in good shape. They will be back out after the latest snow storm.
Eagle Lake is reporting good conditions. They will be back out after this latest storm. There will be a reroute on ITS 85S after the Birch River near mile 8 due to logging, this will be in effect on Sunday and will last a few weeks. Please watch for signs. The detour will go towards the boat launch on the plowed road for about 2 miles. The trucks will be on this road so additional caution is advised.
Fort Fairfield is reporting that they will be out once the snow stops. Rode their ITS 81 and ITS 90 trails on Wednesday and they were both good. There were some drifted areas out behind Pineland farms on 81 but nothing to be worried about. The intersection behind Dodo’s Market is nice and marked, no issues with this area at all.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club is reporting that they are doing the best they can with the amount of traffic that school vacations brings, they will be back out once the storm is over.
Ashland is reporting that they will be out Thursday and throughout the weekend. Watch for a newly plowed road on 71A it is signed. A lot of traffic in town due to school vacation, please slow down going through town. There is still a lot of deer on ITS 85 between Ashland and Portage.
Allagash is reporting that there are doing their best to keep up with all the traffic this week and feel that they are getting a handle on it. There will be a reroute on 120, it is marked so please use caution. The first 2 miles of Fall Brook are plowed, and logging is still occurring, this trail is closed during the week and reopened for the weekend.
Frenchville is reporting that their entire system was groomed on Wednesday and are planning on being out again on Thursday. They are selling raffle tickets to be drawn at their last meeting of the season. If you would like to purchase tickets check out their Facebook page.
Red Arrow is reporting good conditions up on their trails and are happy to see everyone enjoying them.
Chapman Ridge Runners are reporting that they will be out during and after the storm. Trails are in good shape.
Aroostook River Snowmobile club is reporting that they have been over their entire system prior to the new snow and will be back out Thursday and throughout the weekend. Rode a good section of their 105, 88, 81A and it was fantastic.
Easton is reporting good conditions and will be out again after the snow. Rode their section of 116 on Wednesday and it was as good as it gets.
Madawaska is reporting good conditions.
Grand Isle is reporting very good conditions and will be out throughout the weekend.
Presque Isle Snowmobile club is reporting good conditions. Will be going out on Thursday after the storm and will be out all weekend. Rode some of their ITS 83 reroute and 116 on Wednesday and it was good.
Van Buren is reporting that they will be at it after the storm and will be out over the weekend.
Caswell is reporting that they are in good shape. Trail 100 to trail 94 remains closed. Trail 102 to trail 89 in the Connor area is now open. Please use caution as they are going through a logging operation. Logging operation on trail 81A please use caution.
SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK:
Due to school vacation the trails are experiencing heavy traffic. The Trail Masters ask that you stay on the trails, be careful on corners and please ride to the right. They are seeing a lot of sledders going wide on the corners which could be disastrous if there is a sled coming from the opposite direction!
The Benedicta Snow Gang report that all Snow Gang trails are groomed with good conditions. ITS 83 Sherman to Whetstone Falls is done as is ITS 81 Sherman/Benedicta/Whetstone Falls.
Smoki-Haulers are reporting that all trails are in excellent condition. ITS 83 north and south, 83A south and 61 north are in tip top shape.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers trails have never been better. They had to take the groomer for repeat passes on ITS 83 (the rail bed) after heavy usage over this past weekend left the trails a bit bumpy, but report that all trails have been groomed every day since then. ITS 86 and ITS 105 along the border were groomed Wednesday and will be gone over again before the weekend.
The Eastern Maine Snow Riders have groomed ITS 110 from Macwahoc to Drew. Trail 3 to lower Macwahoc and Trail 1 toward Haynesville are wide, flat and in excellent condition.
Big Valley in Island Falls is putting out more signage today. They also report that the logging operation on ITS 83 south is still open but passable. Exercise caution. The rest of ITS 83, ITS 112, 54, 60 and 83A are in excellent condition.
Rockbema Snow Rangers report that the logging operation on ITS 81 south out of Patten (the railroad track) is finished and the trail is open again. ITS 81 to Shin Pond, ITS 112 to Island Falls and club trail 62 are all in excellent condition.
Molunkus Valley Snowdrifters ITS 83, 83A, and Trail 3 toward Macwahoc are in super condition. The Bible Point trail is also a great option.
Bowlin/Mattagamon/Shin Pond Snow Club report that south of Shin Pond on ITS 114, ITS 85 to Whestone is groomed. ITS 114 north and ITS 85 south as well as 71D is in excellent condition. The groomer will not do Club Trail 64 until after tomorrows expected snow fall to conserve on groomer time. (ITS trails take priority over club trails). Regular grooming will continue Thursday afternoon and night and all trails will be finished for the weekend.
Linneus Sno-Sports is reporting that all trails are ready for the weekend and the groomers will be out on Thursday before the scheduled Club sponsored Poker Run. ITS 105 from Hodgdon to ITS 83-look great.
Lots going on in Southern Aroostook this weekend;
Linneus Sno Sports is hosting a Poker Run from 9 to 3. All hands must be in by 3 for the prize drawing. The clubhouse is open for lunch this weekend if you are looking for a destination ride. For the Poker Run the Club is also providing special lunches at a low cost. For those who enjoy cross country skiing the 6.5-mile trail that starts in front of the clubhouse is groomed and ready to enjoy.
There is a Benedicta Snow Gang fishing Derby on Plunkett Pond in Benedicta on Saturday from 7-3 with over $2000 in prizes. $10 entry fee for adults and kids get in free with an adult.
The Meduxnekeag Ramblers is hosting their Saturday morning breakfast from 6-9 at their Wiley Rd. Clubhouse. It’s a great way to start your sledding day.
Smoki-Haulers on Oakfield will be having their 2nd Annual Sliding Party at their clubhouse. Everyone is welcome to sled in or drive to the clubhouse and sliding hill. If coming from Houlton take the southbound 95 exit to Oakfield. Go left off the exit and turn right at the Clubhouse sign after a quarter of a mile. If coming northbound take the Oakfield exit and at the bottom of the off ramp take the next right. The club has sleds, tubes, ski’s, food and all sorts of fun things happening.
A reminder that while most grooming is done at night, especially after snowfalls so it’s not uncommon to see groomers out during daytime hours. This weekend is the first of school vacation so expect increased traffic. Our groomers will be out through Sunday night at least and possibly every night depending on traffic and condition. Ride with the expectation that you could see a groomer around every corner!
A Reminder: Landowners are within their rights to conduct logging operations on their own land. It is their business. They are nice enough to allow the Clubs access to get from one place to another. Please show respect and stay on marked trails and use caution.
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 12 noon.
Breakfast fundraiser Sunday, March 17, from 7-10 at the Pleasant Ridge Riders Snowmobile Clubhouse in Caswell.
Sly Brook Snowmobile Club will be having a steak feed on Feb. 23, 4:30 to 7 p.m., with proceeds to go towards groomer fund.
Portage is hosting their Supper on the Run this Saturday, Feb. 23. Meet at the groomer barn at 5 p.m.
Presque Isle will be hosting a breakfast on Feb. 23 in conjunction with the Aroostook State Park Fun Day.
Saint Francis Sno Angels will have their clubhouse open for lunches starting at 11 a.m.
