Snowmobile Trail Report, March 13, 2020

Gary Marquis, Special to The County
4 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — Trails in The County are still holding up and are in great shape in most places. Most of the clubs are out doing what they do best. The lodging in The County is almost a max capacity for another weekend and this has been great for the economy this year.

Reminder this weekend that is the MSA March meeting at Dean’s Saturday night. They will be also having a group ride meeting at 8am at the town office in Portage.

TRAIL INFORMATION:

Soldier Pond is reporting that their stuff is groomed. Watch out for the moose.

Washburn Snowmobile club are reporting that they have been out and reporting good conditions.

Nordic Lakers reporting good conditions. Reminder the Lakers have a reroute on trail 81. Watch for signs.

Portage Lakers are reporting good conditions. They will be demoing the Piston Bully 400.

Caribou is reporting good conditions. 

Fort Kent is reporting good conditions. They are reporting a water hole on the power line which is ITS 85N. It is marked. 

Eagle Lake is reporting good conditions. There is logging on 85 and caution should be used in these areas. There are several sections of plowed roads so please use caution. They are marked very well.

Fort Fairfield is reporting that they will be out to fix the trails for the weekend the minute the weather cools down. They have a water hole on 81.

St. Francis Sno-Angels reporting good conditions.

Central Aroostook Snowmobile club reporting that they will try to be out for the weekend.

Ashland is reporting good conditions

Allagash is reporting great conditions.

Frenchville is reporting all trails groomed.

Red Arrow is reporting good conditions and will be out all weekend.

Chapman Ridge Runners are reporting good conditions.

Aroostook River Snowmobile club are reporting good conditions.

Easton is reporting that they are out grooming and reporting good conditions.

Madawaska is reporting all trails groomed.

Grand Isle is reporting that they are out grooming.

Presque Isle Snowmobile club is reporting good conditions. 

Van Buren is reporting good conditions. Logging operation on trail 94 in the Cyr Plantation area, it is signed, please use caution. 

Limestone Snow Hawks are reporting all trails in good conditions. Caution is advised as there is a logging operation on trail 100A. The trail is signed.

Caswell (Pleasant Ridge Riders) reporting good conditions and will have everything done by Friday.

SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK: 

Grooming is ongoing and the trails are holding up extremely well giving us some great spring sledding. The blue skies as well is warmer temperature are allowing us excellent photo opportunities for those looking for views here in Southern Aroostook. 

The clubs ask that riders ease up on the throttle on sharp corners due to some icing but over-all we are in excellent shape.

Molunkus Valley Snow Drifters have closed a part of the Kelly Hill trail due to a logging operation. All trails are holding up well. Please remember as the weather gets warmer the turns don’t hold up as well, so please try not to power through them.

Benedicta Sno-Gang all trails groomed and in good condition, planning on grooming a few more times before the weekend. Some of the turns are icy so please use caution.

Oxbow-Masardis Snowmobile Club: Trails are holding up well so far with spring conditions. Some of the sharper corners are showing ice but over all good riding. 

ITS 85 was groomed first of the week and will be done again by the weekend. ITS 86 will be done gain this week also.
Trail 71-A Ice crossing was checked this morning and is holding up well. Trail 71-D was groomed this week.
This time of the year with warmer day time temps, trail start to get rougher quicker. Driving into the corner at a high rate of speed makes them mogul up fast. This is the time of year to slow down and in joy the scenery.
Remember spinning tracks cause rough trails.
Expect to see many sleds out this weekend so keep to your side of the trail.
The Meduxnekeag Club is still holding a 6 a.m. breakfast at their club house on the Wiley Road until 9 a.m. and Linneus Sno-Sports are still holding breakfasts on Sundays starting at 7 a.m.

East Grand Snowmobile Club reported, “We won’t be grooming again unless we receive a significant snowstorm. Trails are hard, thin and many bare spots.”

Eastern Maine Snow Riders are reporting trails are flat, wide and are holding up well. Please use caution as there are some icy spots.

ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:

Oxbow-Masardis Snowmobile Club: April 14 potluck supper and meeting at 5:30 at clubhouse. Election of officers at this time. Discussion of a June meeting.

Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club will be hosting their last breakfast of the season on March 22 from 7-10 a.m. at the Grand Isle Community Center.

Presque Isle Snowmobile Club hosts stew night Fridays from 5-7 p.m. 

Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 12.

St. Francis Sno-Angels clubhouse will be open on Saturdays for lunch starting at 11. Pool tournament every Saturday starting at 7 p.m.

Meduxnekeag Ramblers snowsled clubhouse will be having breakfast every Saturday during the season from 6-9 a.m.

Gateway Snowmobile Club will be having their spring fling on March 29.