Attention: The Eagle Lake Winter Riders snow drags are cancelled for this Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017.
I am not quite sure what I can say about the winter we are having this year. Some areas of southern and eastern Aroostook received over 30 inches of snow this past week, while the northern section of the County did not receive 5 inches. Regardless, all of The County is in great shape for the upcoming weekend and vacation week. There is absolutely no reason not to get out and enjoy these conditions.
With deep snow conditions comes shortened signs, so if you want to help out, stop and clean snow out from in front of the signs.
Whether you are at Two Rivers Restaurant in Allagash or down at Shin Pond Village, there is someplace for everyone to enjoy a hot meal and great company.
If you are looking for less traffic, check out some of the non-ITS trails on the county map. There are some of the nicest and best kept secrets around.
Caution: As the snow keeps piling up, the big four-legged animals are walking around where it is easy, so if you see tracks slow down.
On the trails
Trail 71A: Only open the first 6 miles to Garfield.
ITS 83 is in great shape from one end of the County to the other. Remember that there is a reroute in the Bridgewater area due to logging. The trail is marked, so plan accordingly. There is a logging operation 4 miles south of Linneus; please watch for signs. The Central Aroostook Snowmobile Club is anticipating this logging operation to be done shortly.
ITS 90 is open and completely groomed and in great shape. Portage has also reported that there are some logging operations going on above the Mouse Island Road in Perham. Watch for signs.
ITS 85 is connected all the way through to the crown. There is a section of road that is plowed at the Red River Bridge where Eagle Lake and Portage meet. This will be plowed for the rest of the season so please use caution. There is a logging operation south of Violette Settlement; please use caution watch for signs. The Oxbow area of 85 is in great shape, so head down that way. It makes for a great ride.
120: The Deboullie trail is in great shape. Remember, there is still a logging operation near the St. Francis road — about 5 miles of plowed road.
ITS 92 from Fort Kent up through to Allagash is reported to be in great shape. This part of The County always seems to get great snow and they are reporting awesome conditions.
ITS 86 is groomed all the way from the border in Houlton and is in good shape to Oxbow.
ITS 81 is in good shape and completely open. There is a logging operation before meeting with Fort Fairfield on the Easton end. Watch for signs and equipment on the trail. Watch for a logging operation down off the Ashland road and also on the Ralph Craig Memorial trail.
105: The trail from Van Buren through Stockholm and south to Mapleton is in good shape. There is a logging operation at the southern end in the Chapman area, but there are alternatives to use. Logging should be complete within the next week. The southern section of 105 is in great condition.
ITS 88 from Fort Fairfield is reported open all the way to Ashland. Watch out for speed bumps in the Parkhurst Siding area of the railbed.
73B is open and signed. There is a logging operation in the Little Black Lake area; please use caution.
Trail 81 (Swede’s Trail) is open and reported to have a few water holes. Watch for signs. There is a small water hole; it is very well marked.
Trail 81 in Houlton has a logging operation and will be shortened, and is only going to Oakfield.
Trail 100 in the Caswell area has now connected with trail 94 in the Cyr Plantation area in a different location.
Trail 61 is open off of downtown Washburn going towards 90. There are plowed sections, so please use caution.
On the social side
The Caribou Snowmobile Club will host their annual hot dog roast Saturday, Feb. 18, at Axle Siding in Stockholm, located on ITS 83.
The Pleasant Ridge Riders will host a breakfast fundraiser at the clubhouse Sunday, Feb. 26, from 7-11 a.m. All proceeds will go to the groomer fund.
The Washburn Trailrunners Club is open Saturdays 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays 7 a.m.-12 noon. During vacation week the clubhouse will be open daily for breakfast and lunch.
The Presque Isle Snowmobile Club serves chicken stew on Friday nights from 5-7 p.m.
The Meduxnekeag Ramblers host breakfast every Saturday morning at the Clubhouse in Littleton, 6-9 a.m.
