This week has been a little challenging for the clubs as the warm temperatures certainly make it a little tough to groom when it get to above freezing and doesn’t get below for quite some time in the morning, but clubs are doing the best they can. This is the time of year when water holes begin to show up so, please use caution. Also the edge of trails are starting to recede so please keep this in mind. Trails that have had to share plowed sections of logging roads are also starting to get a little muddy.
The temps Friday night are looking like they will go into the teens so this will certainly help clubs get trails ready for the weekend. The traffic has been steady so trails are taking a little bit of a beating especially later in the day so please ride responsibly.
Clubs are starting to stretch their fuel budgets and with costly breakdowns they are feeling that financial pinch, so please if you see donation buckets in local restaurants, gas stations, and lodging accommodations please help fuel the fun. Many clubs have had impressive memberships numbers lets see if we can get these clubs to the number one status in the State, we certainly can boast the best trails lets get these clubs to those big numbers.
This weekend is the Angel fest up at lakeview and the weather looks fantastic, this event has been a great draw for snowmobilers and is a huge fundraiser. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
The Saint Francis Sno Angels snow drags are this Saturday, check out their Facebook page for more information.
Signs are put out for a reason, especially stop signs. Please stop at all road crossings, trail intersections. If everyone obeys these signs, then it is a much safer and better experience for everyone.
We all know that snow is getting deeper and those off corridor areas look inviting but there is a reason the corridor is where it’s located for a reason, please respect the landowner, and clubs wishes, and this will ensure that we have trails to groom in the future.
Lakes are becoming very slushy so if you are not familiar with a certain body of water then maybe staying on the trails is a better alternative.
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:
Allagash Headwaters Snowmobile Club (Gateway to the ghost trains): This is a new club, and they can certainly use any help to keep grooming. Check out their Facebook page. They will also have a downloadable map.
Libby Pinnacle Sno Riders: Check out their Facebook page.
Sly Brook Snow riders: Reporting that they will be out on Thursday and Saturday and trails are looking good, the warm temps are certainly making it difficult to groom.
Washburn Snowmobile club: Reporting trails in good shape, the warm temps will change trail conditions quickly.
Nordic Lakers (New Sweden, Westmanland, Stockholm): Reporting 105 and 81 in good conditions warm temps not helping.
Portage Lakers: Reporting good conditions but the warm weather is making it difficult to groom. ITS 90 was groomed Wednesday night. Remember this year they are using the alternate ITS 90 trails 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 good conditions. ITS 83, 89, 83A and half of 90w were done on Wednesday. The plan is to try and groom everything Thursday night into Friday morning.
Fort Kent SnoRiders Snowmobile Club: Reporting trails are in decent shape but with the warm temps it is making it difficult to keep them in great shape. They will be working with Irving in the Carter Brook area. Please check their Facebook page for more information.
Eagle Lake snowmobile club: Reporting good conditions but once again the warm temps make it difficult. One section of ITS 85 North has a logging operation and is marked well. please use caution in this area. They are asking riders to slow down in the logging areas, the snowbanks are getting hire and trucks are having difficulty seeing the sleds, please ride right.
Fort Fairfield: Reporting trails have all been groomed, there is the start of a mud hole just off the Currier Road so please use caution.
St. Francis Sno-Angels: Reporting trails are in good shape and grooming regular. They are getting ready for their races Saturday and the weather is looking awesome.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are in good shape. Please slow down on the plowed section of 83/ 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. They are asking people to slow down.
Ashland Snowmobile Club: Reporting trails are soft, and the temps are making it difficult to set up. Some icy spots and some dirt showing up in low areas. 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. Deer are everywhere in Ashland so please use caution. Ride right and be courteous of oncoming traffic, too many close calls. They will be hosting their annual hot dog roast at Raffords camp this Saturday.
Moosetown Riders (Allagash): Reporting trail to Escourt was groomed this morning. ITS 92 and 120 will be groomed Friday night. If anyone is planning a ride to Estcourt Station, please read Moosetown Riders Facebook page for all necessary info!
Frenchville snowmobile club: Reporting trails in good shape.
Red Arrow snowmobile club: Reporting ITS 83 groomed from top to bottom, trail 81b, motel trail, 96w to Sly brook have been groomed Thursday night for Friday riding.
Chapman Ridge Runners: Reporting all trails are in good condition.
Aroostook River Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are in great shape and will be out every night weather dependent. They will be demoing a Tucker and Trail paver from Friday night through Wednesday so they will be out as much as possible including during the day so please use caution.
Easton Trailbreakers snowmobile club: Reporting that trails are in good shape and the weather is making it hard to keep up. The club ride Saturday going to Al’s for breakfast, they will also be having a ski plane fly in at the Russell field on the Mahaney Road.
Madawaska snowmobile club: Reporting trails to be in good shape but once again the weather is making it difficult to go for long runs.
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club (Grand Isle): Reporting trail system in good condition
Presque Isle Snowmobile club: Reporting Road crossings have been cut down as they were getting high from the last windstorm. Please stop at all road crossings. All trails open with no issues.
Gateway Snowmobile Club (Van Buren): Reporting conditions change throughout the day with the warm weather and the best riding is early morning.
Limestone Snow Hawks: reporting good conditions and are doing what they can with the warm temps.
Caswell (Pleasant Ridge Riders): Reporting that all trails groomed and in good shape. Check out the new memorial sign on trail 100, trail has been dedicated to Fred St. Pierre.
Walker Siding Snowmobile Club: No Update.
SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK TRAILS:
Eastern Maine Snow Riders – Nearly a foot of snow from the last two storms. Trails 1,3,and 110 groomed down at the beginning of the week. Seriously awesome sledding in the area.
Benedicta Snow Gang – ITS-83 from Taylor Citgo to Whetstone Bridge was groomed late last night. The hill down into Whetstone was groomed twice! Please stay on the trails especially around waterways!
Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters – The Snow Queen at the club says the trails are great and all set for the weekend. A reminder that sledders north of Rt.2 Sherman ITS 83 will be a plowed Rd. for ¾ of a mile. Watch for trucks!
Rockabema Snow rangers – As always, the Snow Rangers are out grooming the trails. Reports are that conditions are excellent throughout the Southern Aroostook area.
Big Valley Snow Club – ITS 83 South to Sherman is all fresh for the weekday riders and the club groomed 60, ITS 112 and 62A overnight into Sunday morning. ITS 83 north and ITS 112, 62A, and ITS 83 south were groomed on Monday night. Normal grooming continues and conditions are great! The groomers will be out all week making sure the trails are in great shape for the Tame the Track races on Saturday.
Smoki Haulers – The trails in the Oakfield area continue to be in great shape with the club grooming steadily. A reminder that ITS 83 north has been rerouted but signage will get you where you need to go!
Meduxnekeag Ramblers- Excellent Trail conditions thanks to the hard working volunteers.
Linneus SnoSports – The groomer has been busy! ITS 83 from B stream to 105 Trail , 64/alternate ITS 83 to Tall Timber/Oakfield. Trail 105 to Denmark Rd. Trail 105A from pipeline to upper Denmark Rd. Get out and enjoy season is getting short….
EXTRA NEWS:
Bid Valley Snowmobile Club is looking forward to the Tame the Track series race this weekend, March 11, on Saturday at The Slice. Registration 7am to 9am and racing at 10am in 21 classes. We will have bonfire, HPS with demo rides, touch a groomer for kids, many door prizes, 50/50, gun raffle, food, drinks and more on Saturday March 11th. Check out their FB page FMI.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. in Littleton is the location for a hearty and delicious breakfast to kick off your Saturday! The Breakfast crew are dedicated to showing up well before sunrise to cook so come out and help support flat trails! (Only 4 more sledders’ breakfasts for the season so don’t miss out!!),
6am-10am $10 ($7 for 8yo and under)
Linneus SnoSports are serving lunch on Saturday and Sunday at the Clubhouse on the Mill Rd. Reasonably priced, excellent food!
For the most accurate and up-to date weather information, please visit NOAA at https://bit.ly/39ToofL
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Limestone SnowHawks will have their clubhouse open Saturday for lunch.
Chapman Ridge runners will be hosting a supper at the clubhouse Saturday night 5-8, come by sled off trail 105 or by car 94 Town Hall Road.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile Club will be having a club ride Saturday leaving the groomer building at 8am and will be heading to the Rendezvous in Caribou.
Caribou High School Class of 2025 will be having a hot dog fundraiser at Axle siding starting at 11am.
Allagash Headwaters snowmobile club will be hosting a winter cookout this Saturday from 11-3, at Indian pond heading towards the trains.
Saturday March 18 we will be hosting the Northern Region MSA Showcase Ride & Meeting. Participants pay $30 to come along on a guided ride. 2 meals are included in this price. Ride starts at the Madawaska clubhouse at 8 am for assembly. 9 am the ride will begin to St. Frances Snow Angels Clubhouse for lunch. They will then ride back to the Madawaska Clubhouse for a 5:00pm Social followed by a Spaghetti Dinner and 7:00pm meeting. If you would like to participate in this event, you can register and pay online at https://www.madawaskasnowmobileclub.com/events You can also pay at the door (cash only). For questions call Denise at 207-316-9118. Lastly, on Tuesday March 21st we will be hosting our St. John Associates Fun Day. It will begin at 10 am. 2 up sleds are needed to give rides. So if you would like to volunteer some time to this event, it would be greatly appreciated. This is a fun event that everyone enjoys. Lunch will be served for participants in the event.
Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open Friday 8am to 2pm, Saturday 7am to 2pm and Sunday 7am to 12.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers snowsled clubhouse will be having Breakfast every Saturday during the season from 6-9.
