Who would have thought that some of the best riding would be on March 23, 2016 of this weird winter? I know the Valley never doubted it at all, but certainly the central area should have been done a long time ago but we are still going strong.
The line is Limestone, Caribou and Washburn, dipping down to Walker Siding and over to Ashland and Oxbow. Everywhere north of this line the conditions are very good to excellent. There are some areas in the open fields showing some brown spots, but all in all the riding is great.
Most projects are still grooming every night while there are a few that have slowed down a bit and are grooming only on the weekends, but with cold temperatures the trails are holding very well. Remember, the weekends are still busy, so please ride with caution as there are a lot of snowmobilers new to The County.
Park-and-ride areas are definitely a great place to take off from if you are staying at a place with limited snow. The Washburn clubhouse is a great place; Otter Street Park and Ride in Caribou is also a good spot.
This weekend is the last weekend the Washburn clubhouse will be open — Saturday only as they will not be open on Easter Sunday.
Just a quick note on the Maine Snowmobile Association’s March meeting that was held last weekend in Caribou: Most of the board of directors are from downstate, and they could not say enough about how the trails are in Aroostook and how great County hospitality is. So thanks to everyone involved with this great sport. You certainly put The County on the map this year and hopefully for years to come.
Most of the water holes we had to deal with last weekend are pretty well dried up, but there may be some new ones, so please use caution as it is spring.
I must say something about the Bite the Bullet hill climbs that happened last weekend in Mars Hill. If you were not there then you missed a great show. It was awesome. If you missed it, don’t worry — there will be another hill climb this year at Lonesome Pine Ski Hill in Fort Kent on April 9.
Caution: all rivers and streams are becoming very unsafe.
Trail Info
ITS 92: This trail continues to be groomed and is in very good condition.
ITS 90: Caribou will not reopen their section of 90 as the warm temperatures have taken their toll on the base. Pick up 90 off of 105 and travel towards Portage; this is in good condition.
ITS 120, also known as the Deboullie Trail, is groomed and in very good condition. Remember to get gas out of Portage, Eagle Lake, or St. Francis. Stop by Deboullie pond for great pictures.
ITS 83: There is a small water hole behind the old MDOT garage in Axle Siding, and there is another one on the other end of the power line in the sharp turn. Through Washburn and Caribou all the way to the rooftop of The County this trail is in good shape.
ITS 81: Unfortunately, anything south of Fort Fairfield has very limited snow cover, but the further north you travel the trail is holding up well. Remember that this trail goes through a lot of open ground in the central part of The County, so you might travel over some brown snow.
ITS 85: From Ashland north this trail is holding up well and the farther north one travels the trail is in very good shape due to the deeper snowpack.
ITS 105: This trail is setting up in very good shape, and as you go north the better the snow cover.
ITS 88: Ashland will be grooming their section.
ITS 86: Not groomed.
Trail 100 will be groomed and is in good shape. Caswell is reporting good conditions.
Trail 81 in New Sweden is in very good shape.
Limestone has been out and is reporting good conditions.
Walker Siding in the Scopan area is reporting steady grooming and good conditions.
On the Social Side
St. Francis Sno Angels: Saturday meals at the clubhouse, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club: Friday night stew at the clubhouse.
Washburn Trailrunners: Clubhouse open this Saturday, and this will be the last day for the season.
Houlton: Breakfast every Saturday at the clubhouse, 6-9 a.m.
Fort Kent Sno-Riders Snowmobile Club: King of the Mountain Hill Climbs Saturday, April 9. Check out their Facebook page.
Pleasant Ridge Riders: Breakfast and bake sale fundraiser, Sunday, April 10, at the clubhouse from 7-11.
