I think we are repeating exactly what the weather was doing last week. A little bit of rain then very cold temperatures will be setting in for the weekend.
Most projects are reporting still good conditions with very little issues. There is some water starting to show up in places and some sections of trails have started to recede from the sides, but all in all the riding is still great. Please keep this in mind when riding in the low lying areas and in the woods especially where the March sun can get to.
With the cold temps being predicted and hard trails, ice scratchers are a very good investment. High-traffic trails will get you the best lubrication where the lesser traveled trails will be harder, so keep this in mind when you are planning your ride.
The Gateway Snowmobile club in Van Buren has cancelled their spring fling event.
The lakes are very icy with little snow on them, so please use caution when venturing out.
Some clubs will be grooming to a certain section of their trail and will turn around before the woods. The reason is, if they go through and break the snow down, then this will close trails down early. So if you see groomer tracks turn around before a certain section, this is most likely the reason.
Remember that where there were major logging operations, conditions might be hard with not much snow on these roads.
On the trails
Trail 71A: Only open the first 6 miles to Garfield.
ITS 83: In great shape from one end of the County to the other. There is a logging operation 4 miles south of Linneus; please watch for signs. There is a small logging operation near the Thibodeau road in Woodland; watch for signs.
ITS 90: Caribou is reporting that they have a few issues with their section of 90W. The section of woods behind the Woodland Highway Department, also known as the Alaska to Maine Woods, has a section of about 400 feet of dirt where there was a logging operation. Also, the upper section from trail 88 to 105 is closed for the remainder of the season. The best way to get to Portage is through Washburn on 105.
ITS 85: 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; be cautious and watch for signs. The Oxbow area of 85 is in great shape.
120: The Deboullie trail is in great shape. Remember there is still a logging operation near the St. Francis road with about 5 miles of plowed road.
ITS 92: From Fort Kent up through to Allagash is reported to be in good shape.
ITS 86: Groomed all the way from the border in Houlton, in good shape to Oxbow.
ITS 81: Clubs will be out once it cools off. Watch for a logging operation down off the Ashland road, and also on the Ralph Craig Memorial Trail.
105: This trail has seen a lot of traffic this season and there is a section that needs to be ridden with caution. South of Washburn is holding up in very good shape and north of Blackstone is as well.
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: Open and signed. There is a logging operation in the Little Black Lake area so please use caution.
Trail 81: (Swedes’ Trail) is in great shape. Use caution when going behind the Heritage View apartments as there a few water holes starting to open up.
Trail 81: In Houlton the trail has a logging operation and will be shortened, only going to Oakfield.
Trail 100: Caswell area has now connected with trail 94 in the Cyr Plantation area in a different location.
Trail 61: Open off of downtown Washburn going towards 90. There are plowed sections so please use caution.
On the social side
St. Francis Snow Angels annual snowmobile drag race, Saturday, March 11. Gates open at 8 a.m. and racing starts at 11:30.
The Washburn Trailrunners Club is open Saturdays 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays 7 a.m.-12 noon.
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.
Fort Fairfield will host a breakfast this Sunday, March 12, from 7-11 a.m. at the clubhouse off of the Strickland Road.
