Snowmobile Trail Report for March 29, 2019

Gary Marquis, Special to The County
5 years ago

The temps are making it hard to do stuff with the snow at night.  Most projects have been grooming right up until Wednesday night and now we will see what happens with the temps the next few nights.  The forecast for the weekend is rain and snow. The night temps are not going to be getting very cold, so this will determine what the clubs do.

There is still plenty of snow here in the central and northern parts of The County.  Road crossings are becoming a little browner, but if you don’t mind that, then by all means come up and ride.  Some clubs are going to start the arduous task of retrieving field markers and signs that have fallen, but the majority of the trails are still staked and signed.  

Caution is advised if riding or crossing streams and brooks, as those will start to become unsafe as the temps warm up.

Some trails that have heavy traffic might be a bit bumpy and they are hard to smoothe out, so please keep this in mind.

TRAIL INFORMATION:

Soldier Pond is reporting that their trails are still in good shape.  There is dirt showing up on 73 near Eagle Lake.

Washburn is reporting that they groomed 105 on Wednesday night and 83 during the day.  They will not be grooming south of the clubhouse after this weekend. They will continue to groom north if the weather holds.

Nordic Lakers were out at the beginning of the week.

Portage Lakers have been out the past couple of nights.

Caribou has been over their entire system this week and are reporting good conditions.  They are also reporting big rollers on the rail bed, so please use caution.

Fort Kent is reporting that they were back at it on Tuesday and will see what happens with the weather.

Eagle Lake is reporting good conditions.

Fort Fairfield has been out the past two nights and will wait to see what the weather does.

Central Aroostook Snowmobile Club is reporting that they have been over everything the past few days and will see what happens with the weather.

Ashland is reporting they have groomed 88 and 85.  There are still a lot of deer on ITS 85 between Ashland and Portage.  

Allagash is reporting that they will attempt to groom 120 and 92 Friday night.  They are reporting that the trails are nice.

Frenchville is reporting their system all groomed and are going to wait until it gets colder.

Red Arrow has borrowed Madawaska’s drag and groomed on Wednesday night.

Aroostook River Snowmobile Club is still going strong as they have groomed their entire system in the past two days and will continue if the temps allow.

Easton is reporting that they are done grooming.  They are reporting that the bridge on 76A was flooded over on Tuesday, so please seek alternate route.  

Madawaska is reporting good conditions.  They are also reporting a logging operation on ITS 81 near Morin’s/Gateway Motel trail intersection.

Grand Isle is reporting that their trails are in good shape.

Van Buren is reporting that they are in good shape.

Caswell is reporting they are in good shape.  

SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK:

As you have heard, the groomers here in southern Maine have packed it in until next year. There is still some great spring snowmobiling to be had but the trails are getting quite soft. The Meduxnekeag Ramblers did the railbed, ITS 83, one last time a couple of days ago, as did Molunkus on their portion of 83. Shin Pond has shifted to spring hours but are still seeing traffic in and out although the trail is a bit bumpy.

The Meduxnekeag Ramblers will be hosting their last breakfast at their clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. in Littleton and will be celebrating the clubhouse’s 30th birthday at the same time.

Great year!

ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:

Caribou Snowmobile Club will be having a breakfast at the Scouts hall located on Otter Street from 7 to 10 on Sunday.

The Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse closed for the season on Friday at 2 p.m.

Saint Francis Sno Angels will have their clubhouse open for lunches starting at 11 a.m.