CARIBOU, Maine — We are still in the dead of winter with no end in sight as we just received close to a foot of new snow. This will ensure that we will have good conditions for the next few weeks. If the temperatures hold we will be in good shape for late March riding.
All projects are doing the best they can for what Mother Nature keeps throwing at us. Some clubs are going to be slowing down just a little bit since they are getting close to their grant amount, but rest assured that they will do what they can to keep the trails in good condition.
ATTENTION: Snowmobilers who are removing the logging reroute signs down in the Bridgewater area need to stop this. The signs are there for a reason and if this continues the landowner might have serious consequences.
CAUTION: With the warmer temps that we have endured for the past two weeks, brooks and streams are beginning to open. So please use caution when venturing out on ice.
Deer are still being spotted out on ITS 83 in the Woodland and Washburn area so please use caution. This is not the only place where there are deer present; they have been spotted all over the Crown of Maine.
Trail Info
ITS 92: This trail is in good condition. This is the best trail to head up on Saturday to catch the drag races in St. Francis.
ITS 90: This trail continues to be in great shape. There is a logging operation about 2 miles from the Woodland road crossing near Caribou. It is marked; watch for log trucks. Fort Fairfield is reporting good conditions. Portage is reporting a small logging operation near the Beaver Brook Bridge; please use caution.
ITS 120: This trail is in great condition and one of the most scenic rides in The County. Make sure you stop by Deboullie Mountain.
ITS 83: Reporting good conditions. The logging operation is now in effect and the reroute is now open. Please watch for signs and plan accordingly. There is also a new logging operation in Monticello south of the transfer station road. Watch for signs.
ITS 81: This trail is connected all the way through. There is a logging operation on the section in Grand Isle; please watch for signs. There is a logging operation where trail 98B and 81 intersect; watch for signs. Madawaska is reporting good conditions. All clubs are out on their sections. Fort Fairfield was out on their section on Wednesday and will be out again for the weekend.
ITS 85: Groomers are out.
ITS 105: This trail is in good condition from Van Buren all the way through to Scopan.
ITS 88: Good conditions are being reported, especially after the snow.
Trail 61 in Washburn is groomed and in good shape.
Trail 89: This trail is open to the Black Bear Lodge and connects with trail 102 which is the old trail 100 that the Pleasant Ridge Riders maintain. From this intersection North to 94 still has not been connected.
Trail 94 will be groomed Thursday night.
Trail 71A in Ashland is now open to the river. There is one mile of plowed road. Other than that this trail is awesome.
Frenchville is reporting good shape on their trails.
Sly Brook Snowmobile Club are reporting good conditions on trails 96 and 73. Friday the rest of 73 and 73A will be groomed.
Moosetown Riders are reporting their section of 92 down to Chamberlain’s store was done Thursday morning and the lake loops will be done early Friday morning.
Caswell is reporting good conditions.
Trail 71D is closed for the season as there is logging; this is in the Grand Lake-Seboeis area.
Municipal trail 70 Benedicta/Whetstone Falls is closed due to heavy logging.
Trail 81: Nordic Lakers are reporting good conditions .
Easton Snowmobile Club is reporting their whole system is in great shape.
Trail 73 and 73B is being maintained by Fort Kent and are reporting a few water holes on 73.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile Club reports a lot of moose traffic on the Number 9 Lake trail and Rte. 70A.
Southern Aroostook Trail Report
Southern Aroostook is looking forward to at least another week of excellent conditions thanks to Thursday’s snowstorm. Groomers will be out Friday after the storm that dropped 12-24 inches of dense, heavy snow in our area.
The warm weather last week opened some spots, especially toward Benedicta. The McAvoy Club Trail has been closed due to a major washout.
Meduxnekeag has been grooming all week. ITS 83 and ITS 86 are looking good and the addition of snow over the next few days should make the conditions even better. There are four more breakfasts scheduled at the clubhouse on the Wiley Road Saturdays from 6 to 9 a.m.
On the Social Side
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club hosts stew night this Friday starting at 5 at their Clubhouse.
St. Francis Sno Angels will host snowmobile drag races this Saturday, March 11. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Their clubhouse is open on Saturdays from 11-7.
The Fort Fairfield Snowmobile Club will host breakfast Saturday, March 11, from 7 to 10 a.m. at the clubhouse on the Strickland Road. Come enjoy eggs, sausage, ham, toast, homemade beans, home fries, French toast, pancakes coffee and juice. Cost: $8 adults, $4 children under 12.
March 15: Polaris 2019 snowmobiles sneak peek at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center, 4-9 p.m.
Washburn Trailrunners Clubhouse is open Friday from 8 to 12, Saturday from 7 to 2 and Sunday from 7 to 12.
The Fort Kent SnoRiders will host Pat’s Ride for All on Saturday, March 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Fort Kent Outdoor Center.
Maine Snowmobile Association Directors’ Meeting will be Saturday, March 17, at the Swamp Buck Restaurant in Fort Kent. Meeting at 5 p.m., followed by social at 6 p.m., and then the meal and a short directors’ meeting. All are welcome to attend. Food and drinks are at your own expense; meal prices are in the $16 range with a limited menu.
