Hello from the County, what a week it has been. This past weekend Mother Nature once again tested the fortitude of the County clubs and this time it was with minus 55 below wind chills and 40 plus mile an hour winds for about 48 hours resulting in snow drifts that measured ten plus feet in places. With the frigid temps most clubs halted grooming operations until Sunday.
Once temps warmed up a little most if not all clubs were out assessing the damage from the wind and commenced the slow process of reestablishing trails. It has taken several trips to get the trails in the fields whipped back into shape which is what the clubs have done. When people say please stay on marked trails there is a reason and the main reason is this corridor means the landowner wants the trail at that spot, now there is another reason and that is drifts that are like concrete and it is imperative to stay on the marked trail.
Lakes are certainly frozen solid but are very rough and are slushy so please use caution when travelling on them.
The latest forecast is calling for several inches of snow to fall overnight tonight and with a potential for mixed precipitation, this is going to mean that trails will not setup firmly so please remember that when coming to a stop, going, and coming into corners, etc.
Deer, Moose, and Turkeys are out on the trails and as the snow gets deeper there will be more and more out there.
TRAIL INFORMATION:
Soldier Pond: Reporting that they have been out and taken care of the drifts and trails are in good shape, they will be back out on Friday.
Washburn Snowmobile club: reporting that trail 105 and ITS 83 have been groomed and are in great shape. Trail 61 has been groomed from the Gardner Creek Road to the turnaround on ITS 90 at the beginning of the week and is in good shape. Please use caution as this is a tight twisty trail but a nice alternate trail.
Nordic Lakers (New Sweden, Westmanland, Stockholm): Reporting trail 81 is in good shape with the drifts knocked down and their section of 105 is nice.
Portage Lakers: reporting good conditions. Remember this year they are using the alternate ITS 90 trail from Portage to 105, it is well marked. This trail is 28 miles from 105 to Portage. Please do not use the old 90 as there is 7 miles of plowed road. The lake has been marked to the boat landing trail and the Buffalo loop, they are reporting slush and drifts so please use caution. Please stop at all road crossings and proceed slowly across business driveways.
Caribou: Reporting that all trails are in great condition. This is the time of year to discover the green trails on the map, you will not be disappointed. There is a logging operation on ITS 90 just leaving Caribou, Trucks will be crossing the trail it is clearly marked and will last a few weeks.
Fort Kent SnoRiders Snowmobile Club: Reporting that their entire system is in good condition and are at it every night.
Eagle Lake snowmobile club: Reporting that the trails are in great shape with lots of traffic. One section of ITS 85 North has a logging operation and is marked well. please use caution in this area.
Fort Fairfield: Reporting trails are good, and the water hole is now frozen solid. This is one of the clubs that staying on marked trails means it, they have miles of trails in fields and the fields look like frozen waves.
St. Francis Sno-Angels: Reporting that trails are in great shape. ITS 92 and 92A are groomed and smooth. Lots of traffic! Stay right! Ride safe! See you at the lodge for lunch Sat.!!
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club: Reporting great shape and on a regular schedule. Plowed section in Bridgewater for 2.3 miles due to logging operation. #9 Lake Trail from ITS 83 in Monticello is closed due to a logging operation. As an FYI the restaurants on Main St. in Mars Hill are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so sledders should plan accordingly. Freshies’ deli is the only one open those days. Also it is illegal to park a snowmobile on the sidewalk unless the town has passed this ordinance. In Mars Hill please do not park or ride on the sidewalks except to cross them, there is ample parking out back.
Ashland Snowmobile Club: Reporting trails are in good shape. There is a logging operation on the Castle Hill and of our section of ITS 88. Deer is in town so please use caution. Please stay on marked trails it is signed and groomed for a reason.
Moosetown Riders (Allagash): Reporting ITS 92 from Allagash to Chamberlain’s and connector 120 to Debouille have been freshly groomed. The trail to Escourt was also groomed so please head that way for a great ride. If anyone is planning a ride to Estcourt Station please read Moosetown Riders Facebook page for all necessary info!
Frenchville snowmobile club: Reporting that all trails groomed and will be back at it on Thursday.
Red Arrow snowmobile club: Reporting all trails are all in good shape, ITS 83 is groomed from top to bottom. Use caution heading South on 83 the curves are getting high, and the groomer will be out to knock them down.
Chapman Ridge Runners: Reporting all trails are in good condition, trail 105 south is open and groomed, watch for logging trucks heading towards Tanya Tucker corner.
Aroostook River Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are in great shape and grooming every night.
Easton Trailbreakers snowmobile club: Reporting that trails are in great shape, you would have not known that they had a breakdown. These trails are always in good shape and a blast to ride.
Madawaska snowmobile club: Reporting that all trails are in great shape and are on a regular grooming schedule. Monthly membership meeting is February 13 at the clubhouse at 6:30.
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club (Grand Isle): Reporting that the trails are in good condition. Check out Misty Meadows for breakfast or lunch this is a great place to eat.
Presque Isle Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are in good shape and they have the Arnold Brook trail open this is the Alt 83 trail, they will also be opening the downtown access trail.
Gateway Snowmobile Club (Van Buren): Reporting groomers are out every night.
Limestone Snow Hawks: reporting they have been grooming nonstop and have trails in good shape.
Caswell (Pleasant Ridge Riders): Reporting that all trails are in great shape with routine grooming.
Walker Siding Snowmobile Club: Reporting good condition. Watch for logging on ITS 81 west end near York ridge, this is where ITS 88 and ITS 81 meet.
Southern Aroostook:
Oxbow-Masardis Snowmobile Club: Trail conditions have been holding up well. the hard base we finally have. The river crossing at 71a is still solid and safe. Monday, we broke trail on 71d headed for Libbys. Both machines went and it is open and signed but is a soft base as of yet and will take some time and traffic to get hard. This year logging operations dictate that the trail be routed to Grand Lake Seboeis. The Lake is VERY slushy, and caution should be used! There are no markers across the lake currently. Shin Pond has indicated that they are grooming to the other side today and will sign tomorrow.
Bowlin/ Mattagamon/Shin Pond – 71D is groomed both side of Grand Lake Seboeis, but the lake is not marked due to a lot of slush! All other trails are in top condition with a few marked reroutes,
Eastern Maine Snow Riders -Trails are shaping up nicely trail 1 to Haynesville, trail 3, 3A, and ITS 110 all groomed. This area has some spectacular riding! Trail 2 still has not been freshly groomed as there is logging.
Benedicta Snow Gang –Our trails are in good condition with decent snowpack and most, if not all, wet spots locked up. The groomers are out there doing their job so you can enjoy the trails!
Molunkus Valley Snow Drifters – As always and thanks to the dedicated groomer crew, trails are excellent and ready for a fantastic weekend.
Rockabema Snow Rangers – The club has 3 groomers in action and covered ITS81 and ITS 83. ITS 81 and ITS 85 are finished and 62 to Skinners. 62 East to the Rt. 11 turnaround is complete. Conditions are excellent.
Big Valley Snow Club – 83 South to Sherman is all freshly groomed this morning and they will be back out today on 60 east and grooming the Mattawamkeag River Loop. *Work also continues on the racetrack for our snowmobile races on February 18th and March 11th in Island Falls at The Slice Restaurant.
Smoki Haulers – A reminder that ITS 83 North in South Oakfield has been rerouted due to logging. The reroute is well signed so just follow them and you will find your way! Trail conditions are excellent.
East Grand Snowmobile Club: All trails have been groomed the past 3 days. Fields and roads are in good shape, but woods are a little rough in places as there is a thin base. All in all, trails are in good shape.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers – The Trail master set out to groom ITS86 last night, but the machine had a part break and the old girl had to be left on the side of the road. A big thank you to the Irving crane man for the help getting it out of the road! Rider’s please use caution in the fields as there is still some drifted snow. The trails need another pass to make it right but will be finished for the weekend.
Linneus SnoSports – The club put some flagging tape across ITS 83 south and a sign stating that part of the trail is closed due to logging. Please use trail 64 (Tall Timber).
After the report about people going off-trail and pond jumping on a landowners property, the club is happy to report that the issue has been resolved! After talking & working with Hagan Farms, Tyler Leech from Maine Warden Service and some really great, proactive people the landowner has been kind enough to allow us the privilege of keeping our trails open. Trails are marked for a reason, sometimes for protection of landowners crops and property, sometimes for snowmobilers safety. In this case it was for both reasons. Thank you everyone for the quick response and help resolving this issue.
Extra news,
- Check out this event for the weekend! The Patten Rockabema Snow Rangers are hosting a Kids Groomer Ride Day, Feb 11 from 10am to 3pm. Free to all, Hotdogs, hot chocolate, and local baked goods. Location is at the Haymart Greenhouse and Vegetable Stand 2 miles south of Patten on Rt 11.
- Due to last weekend’s extreme cold weather, the Meduxnekeag Ramblers did not have the Moosestompers traditional expanded menu Sledders Breakfast.. Instead, it will be held this weekend, 2/11/23 from 6am – 10am. Baked beans, pastries, lots of extra selections. Stop by the clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. in Littleton!
- Reposted from a very wise individual who would like to remind everyone snowmobiling in Aroostook County that excellent riding Isn’t just from Houlton north to the St. John Valley, there is plenty of great riding to experience in the southern part of the County as well . There are lots of club and ITS trails to explore and the views are spectacular, so you can ride all day and really rack up the miles . And don’t worry about food and fuel, The Mill Yard in Danforth , Birch Point in Island Falls, Shin Pond Village and the Katahdin Valley Motel in Sherman just to name a few can take care of you . Check out the clubs FB pages FMI and please don’t forget to join the clubs! They work hard as volunteers to keep the trails in great condition so you can ride!
- Linneus SnoSports is serving lunch to hungry sledders on Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 2. Stop into the clubhouse on the Mill Rd. in Linneus
For the most accurate and up-to date weather information, please visit NOAA at https://bit.ly/39ToofL
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Chapman will be hosting a Breakfast this Sunday at the clubhouse located at 94 town hall road. 7am to 12pm.
Fort Fairfield is hosting a Breakfast at the Clubhouse this Sunday from 7am to 11am. Clubhouse located at 12 Strickland road by vehicle or on ITS 81 by sled.
Carter Sno-Bird Snowmobile Club: will be hosting a Beans and Franks with Ployes fundraiser on Saturday February 18. 4pm until sold out. $15 per person.
Carter Brook Sno-Bird Snowmobile Club: will be hosting a vintage snowmobile show and parade at Valley Motors Parking lot on 82 West Main Street in Fort Kent. $15 registration fee. 8am registration until 10am. 9am show until 10:30am. Parade will start after the last Can-Am Crown Musher departs. FMI: call Russ 207-316-9919, antique sleds will be on display until the parade.
Aroostook County Northern Region MSA showcase Ride and Meeting March 18, hosted by the Madawaska Snowmobile club. Saturday 8am Madawaska snowmobile club located on Fournier road on ITS 81, 9am depart on 100 mile ride guided in the region, Lunch at St. Francis SnoAngels clubhouse. 5pm Social at the Madawaska clubhouse, 6pm Dinner/7pm meeting. Cost is $30 per person, Preregister by March 13. For more information contact Denise Duperre, Northern region director, 207-316-9118
-Limestone Snow hawks will have their clubhouse open Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open Friday 8am to 2pm, Saturday 7am to 2pm and Sunday 7am to 12.
St. Francis Sno-Angel’s clubhouse will be open on Saturdays for lunch starting at 11. Menu this Saturday is Philly Cheesesteaks Subs, and or Meatball subs with fries and sweets. $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers snowsled clubhouse will be having Breakfast every Saturday during the season from 6-9.
