CARIBOU, Maine — Happy new year from The County. Everyone had their fingers crossed for a big dumping of snow on New Year’s Eve and unfortunately it wasn’t as much as we wanted. Certain places received almost a foot and others only a few inches. In true County fashion clubs are doing what they can with what we have.
Reports that I am receiving are fields still could use more snow. There are washouts here and there, and yes water is still an issue in the swampy areas so please use extreme caution.
Most clubs still need to put up signs and markers, so there are trails that might not be marked until the weekend. Remember if a trail is not marked or no groomer has been across that trail please stay off.
Please check with local officials before venturing out on the lakes.
TRAIL INFORMATION:
Soldier Pond is reporting that they went out and did the reroute to Fort Kent which is trail 73, they repaired a few water holes, fields need more snow but passable. Trail 96 is closed until all the logging is complete, this should be another week or two.
Washburn is reporting that they have been out on 105 to Blackstone siding. They have also been out towards Crouseville and are reporting the trails to be nice. They have also come down to the turn around with Caribou on ITS 83.
Nordic Lakers reporting that 105 from Axle siding to Blackstone. Trail 81 is closed until more snow.
Portage Lakers are reporting that they have been down to trail 105 on ITS 90. ITS 85 will be done tonight. There is a logging operation near the turn around with Eagle Lake on ITS 85 and they are sharing the road for about 3 miles, please use caution.
Caribou is reporting good conditions on ITS 83 North, 83B and 88. The groomers have been over everything once and the fields need more snow. ITS 90W in the Perham area is still not open so please stay off this section of trail as we have a large reroute. The section of ITS 83 in the Fowler and Thibodeau road area is not open as of right now, there is still water laying around. Use 83B to get to Washburn. We have also opened trail 89 in Connor, but this is a dead-end trail until Caswell comes through.
Fort Kent is reporting that they need more snow. They have been out on the Heritage trail and over to Carter Brook on 85.
Eagle Lake is reporting they had a good base prior to the warm spell and are going out. Caution is advised. There is logging on 85 and caution should be used in these areas.
Fort Fairfield is reporting that they are going out but will be filling in washouts. Snow is very thin in places.
St. Francis Sno-Angels reporting they will be grooming from the lodge on ITS 92 to the Railbed and out to Carter brook on 92A. ITS 92 over towards Chamberlains store will not get done until more snow. Trail is passable on sled.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club will start tonight January 2. They have a lot of ice under the snow.
Ashland is reporting they have groomed ITS 88, ITS 85 to Portage and Masardis. There are water and mud holes but passable. 71 to Oxbow is closed for now. They will finish signing this weekend.
Allagash is reporting that they were out with their squasher and are reporting in need of more snow. Trails are rideable and passable but not groomed. Notice: not all signs are up, please use caution.
Frenchville
Red Arrow has groomed ITS 83 from Madawaska to the turnaround with Caribou and are reporting good conditions. 96 West and East have also been done. 81B and motor inn trail have not been done yet. They are looking for help this weekend to put signs up. Check out their Facebook page for more information. They are meeting at 8am Saturday morning at the groomer shed.
Chapman Ridge Runners are reporting that they have panned everything except for 81A and 105N (Swan Back Trail). Please use extreme caution in the fields as there is not a lot of snow. Also, there are low lying water holes that need caution as well
Aroostook River Snowmobile club has groomed and are reporting good conditions. Fields need more snow
Easton has been out and are reporting fields need more snow.
Madawaska
Grand Isle is reporting that they will be going out soon, but need more snow
Presque Isle Snowmobile has groomed they’re portion of ITS 83 on the AVR to the Crouseville bridge. Not everything will be groomed as they need more snow. Ride with Caution.
Van Buren is reporting that they have done trail 105 and ITS 81N. Trail 94 will be attempted tomorrow but there is a beaver dam and not sure it will hold the groomer.
Limestone Snow Hawks have been out and are reporting that fields are still mostly bare and there are some water hazards. ITS 81 to where they meet Caswell has been opened. Trail 89 where they meet with Caribou will be done tonight. Trails have limited signs and markers so please use caution, planning on going to install this weekend.
Caswell is looking at going out at the beginning of the week.
Southern Aroostook:
Shin Pond sent the groomer out but had issues, they will be up in running as soon as it gets fixed. Snowmobilers reporting that are coming up from the South trail is not good.
Linneus is reporting that they are holding off a little longer.
Birch Point has been out and will be out again today, Lake is not safe, they are doing the perimeter trails.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers are out packing but not grooming. They have done ITS 83 and 86W to St. Croix on Friday the 3rd.
Oxbow-Masardis snowmobile club will be out packing trails. The trails have a very hard base. They are reporting that they have some minor changes in the system so please follow signs. The end of their section of ITS 85 is a little bit longer due to a logging operation. A quarter mile stretch will be shared so please use caution. Trail 71D will be in place by mid-January this is the trail to Grand Lake Seboeis. The club from Libby’s camp will be grooming the south side of the lake. When this trail is opened is when it will be signed off ITS 85 in the area of Umcolcus Sporting Camps, they plan to groom it on a 10-day schedule as this is an additional 28-mile run. Please help and donate in the groomer jug at Umcolcus Camps or the Homestead Lodge. Remember if you do ride off trail stick to the old roads.
For the most accurate and up-to date weather information, please visit NOAA at https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=46.6588&lon=-68.5989.
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open Friday, Saturday 7am to 2pm and Sunday 7am to 12.
St. Francis Sno-Angels clubhouse will be open on Saturdays for lunch starting at 11. Pool tournament every Saturday starting at 7pm.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers snowsled clubhouse will be having Breakfast every Saturday during the season from 6-9.
Pleasant ridge riders snowmobile club will be having a chicken stew on Friday January 17 from 4:30-7, at 17 Pleasant Ridge Road Caswell. $8 Adults, $4 Children.
Pleasant ridge riders snowmobile club will be having a breakfast on Sunday January 26 from 7-10, at 17 Pleasant Ridge Road Caswell. $7 Adults, $4 Children. All proceeds benefit the groomer fund.
Fort Fairfield Snowmobile club will be hosting a breakfast on Sunday January 12th from 7-10 at the clubhouse located on the Strictland road. $8 Adults, $4 Children.
For sledders who are interested, there is now Snowmobile storage available for Monthly accommodations in Caribou. They are located at the Crown Park Inn; phone number is 207-493-3311. Units are Small, Medium, and Large. Price is $50, $75, $100.
Caribou Snowmobile Storage located off trail 83A near Caribou Cabins. Call for more information call 498-3508.
