Well, the snow dancing that everyone was doing has certainly paid off, this past weekend the County ended up with between 5-14 inches of snow. The winds with that storm really blew the fluffy snow around and clubs have been dealing with drifts and plugged roads all week and now they are reporting very good conditions just in time for another storm. The forecast for Thursday and Friday is now looking at another storm, unlike this past storm this one will have some moisture in it which will help with putting some meat to the snow. The temps this weekend look cold which will help to harden the trails.
With storms before the weekend, it makes them harder to be 100 percent perfect but with the County work ethic that will not be a problem. Speaking of great work ethics, several clubs this week had breakdowns and the neighboring clubs stepped up and helped while they were down.
Now that there is a good amount of snow in the County, clubs are now dealing with more off trail riding. Remember that the trails in the County are in places where the landowner is wanting the trails. So please respect the entirety of the system and stay on marked trails. Clubs work thousands of hours to prep and groom trails and it takes one sled to ruin it.
Long lake has not been staked this year. please use caution on this frozen body of water.
TRAIL INFORMATION:
Sly Brook (Soldier Pond): Reporting that all trails are setting up nice. 73, 73A and 96 have all been groomed as of this morning. Please keep an eye out for moose, as the snow gets deeper, they will walk on the trails where it is easier.
Washburn Trail Runners (Washburn): Reporting that their trails are in great shape and trail 61 is being groomed on Wednesday. The kitchen is open Friday 8-2, Saturday 7-2, and Sunday 7-12. Hopefully we’ll get a decent amount of snow from this storm passing through on Saturday!
Portage Lakers: Reporting they have been out steady on grooming since the storm and are reporting great conditions. Please use caution as deer are everywhere closer to town.
Caribou: Reporting very good conditions and grooming nightly. The short section of trail 90A off Lower Washington street will be opened tomorrow with one of the tractors. Caution is advised on ITS 83 off the Washburn Road as deer are crossing the trail. There is a logging operation on ITS 83 in the New Sweden area, they are plowing a 1-mile section of the rail bed and this operation will last until the end of February.
Fort Kent SnoRiders (Fort Kent): reporting all their trails being groomed and in excellent condition.
Eagle Lake Winter Riders: Reporting their entire system is in great shape and no issues. ITS 85 and 120 in great shape. They are discussing a club ride so please stay tuned and keep an eye on their Facebook page.
Fort Fairfield Snowmobile Club: reporting they have been up and going since a small set back with their machine and are reporting that they will have everything done today and getting ready for the next storm.
St. Francis Sno-Angels: reporting they groomed ITS92 West to Chamberlain Market, the ITS92 East down the Railbed to the Fort Kent turnaround, and ITS92 A onto Carter Brook to the Fort Kent, Eagle Lake turnaround………Trails are awesome!!
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club (Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater, and Monticello): Reporting Central Aroostook is getting over our system this week as well. Everything is the same and holding up where there is enough snow. We have some wooded sections that are rough due to lack of snow on ITS 81 south from Mars Hill. Reminder of logging operation in Bridgewater. 2.3-mile plowed section, the landowner is going to allow the snowmobile trail to continue through this area if speed does not exceed 30mph, and yield to motor vehicles. If there are issues, they will close this section of trail down and the club will need to reroute 20 miles.
Ashland snowmobile club: Grooming this week to make sure we have a good flat base for Saturday’s storm. ITS85 from Masardis to Portage is very good, ITS88 from Ashland to Castle Hill is good, but still a few thin spots. 71a to Oxbow is very good, there is a logging operation 2 miles out of town, watch for them and a plowed road that ends at the trail 15 miles south of town with new signs this week. Please use caution on our bridges, the fine snow is not staying on them well, so they are rough.
Moose town Riders (Allagash): reporting that their trails are in good condition, have been out all week long. Trails are open all the way to Glazier and Beau lakes. The groomer turns around 10 miles before Estcourt Station. Remember going out this way stop at Chamberlains to fuel up as there is no gas in Allagash, while there a must stop is Two Rivers Lunch.
Frenchville snowmobile club: No Report.
Red Arrow (St. Agatha, and Sinclair): reporting all trails are groomed and in excellent condition. The new reroute is working out well.
Chapman Ridge runners: Reporting excellent conditions.
Aroostook River Snowmobile (Mapleton, and Castle Hill): Reporting that they have been grooming around the clock and trails are in excellent condition.
Easton Trailbreakers (Easton): Reporting all trails are in good shape and will be back at it after the new snow.
Madawaska snowmobile club: Reporting, this is from the President from the club “Well, it’s always amazing how fast things fall apart sometimes, but were lucky to be from the County where we all come together to make the best of what ‘Life’ chucks us. Our groomer has been parked in the shed since this past Sunday morning (after all this wonderful snow finally fell). We are hoping to get a replacement DEF sensor tomorrow and to be back in operation, especially with the pending storm coming up at the end of this week. We want to give a huge shout out to our neighboring clubs for coming to our rescue and making a pass to knock down some of the drifts! Thanks!!”
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club (Grand Isle): Reporting that their trails are in great shape. They also have club swag and if you happen to go by the groomer shed and someone is there stop on in. There is a logging operation on 81c going through the woods near the tower just as the trail crosses the golf course road.
Gateway Snowmobile Club (Van Buren): Reporting they have been out, and trails are turning out great.
Limestone Snow Hawks: reporting that they have groomed their entire system twice since the new snow and are reporting great conditions.
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club: Reporting that their two Trail Groomers are running daily, and All of their trails have had a minimum of 2 passes since last weekend’s snow and are setting up very hard. Hotel and Restaurant trails are marked and groomed too. We have had landowners saying people are not staying on trails- some of these markings guard early Tree Plantations so please stay where the trail is and don’t take a shortcut across a seemingly empty field. Check our club’s Facebook page for daily updates on snow conditions, club activities or to become a member.
Nordic Lakers (New Sweden, Westmanland): Reporting that they have great conditions. NorthStar variety is now selling non-ethanol gas.
Pleasant Ridge Riders (Caswell): Reporting their trails are in great shape. Parent’s Country store is located right off the border trail and have something for everyone. They are carrying all brands of oil, including Amsoil. They also carry phone chargers, gloves, spark plugs, and snowmobile tow straps.
Walker Siding Snowmobile Club: no report
Southern Aroostook Report:
Oxbow-Masardis Snowmobile Club: We received 12-14” of snow during the last storm. It’s getting deep enough that the ditch riders are getting stuck. We have been able to groom ITS 85/81 a couple of times since the storm. ITS 86 has also been groomed. Trail 71-D was groomed on Tuesday to the connection with Libby’s Camps. All and all it’s about a good a riding as you can get. Lots of moose showing up on the 71-D trail west of Oxbow, caution is needed.
*Molunkus Valley Snow Drifters: all trails have been groomed n heavy traffic ! slow down so u can see signs where u r headed this week we had 2 different incidents of sleds going to fast n met groomer by time they got stopped their sled was on side not cool ! slow down n ride right you more app to make it back alive! also sledder headed wrong directions read your maps n watch signs on trails watch for wildlife on all trail n goats on its 83 Sherman be safe
*Benedicta Snow Gang – ITS 81- 81A – 83A to Sherman. Our Trail master checked out ITS 81, broke trail and packed it down. One spot has a big snow drift but ride carefully. The groomer will take care of it hopefully this week. ITS 83 is being groomed currently. Enjoy, ride safe, and to the right!!!
*Rockabema Snow Rangers – ITS 81 to Shin Pond – ITS 112 to Island falls – 62 Club Trail north. Check out the trails and beautiful views of Katahdin on ITS 81N. In town trails, ITS 81N and 62 to Wilderness Variety and back to the Libby’s Lodge are groomed and the sledding is great. There is a correction on the Shin Pond map. What is labeled as the 283 trails to or from ITS83 is currently re-labelled as 112. The section of ITS 112 that runs west to ITS 85 is not being groomed this year.
*Linneus Sno Sports – ITS 105 from Hodgdon to ITS 83 – 61 Linneus to Oakfield. Last night Derek Fitzpatrick went south with the trooper ITS 83 south to trail 3 across trail 70 to power lines over to the outhouse down ITS 105 across trail 1 to Haynesville bridge. He then doubled back trail 1 to ITS 105 down to ITS 83 N. ITS 83 &ITS 105 (pipeline) across New Denmark Rd to where we meet East Grand Club has been groomed. They are still waiting for landowner permission to do a reroute on 105 loop trails south of the blinking light in Linneus. Also did trail 1 to the Haynesville Bridge then doubled back to clubhouse. Leonard was along to help hang more signs. Trails shaped up well. Get out there and enjoy! Linneus Sno Sports will be open for Lunch Sat & Sun from 1100am-200pm.
*Meduxnekeag Ramblers – ITS 83 north to Monticello – ITS 86 south to Houlton – ITS 86 to Oxbow- 81 Club Trail. The storm last week made for some long days grooming through snow drifts, but the trails are beautiful and ready to ride! Don’t forget that Feb, 4,5, and 6 is Moose stompers Weekend in Houlton and the Club hosts the Saturday breakfast at the clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. in Littleton from 6am to 9 am. All are welcome. FMI information about Moose stompers visits their FB page. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5114159778640388&id=145721085484307&sfnsn=mo
*Big Valley Snow Club at Birch Point in Island Falls – ITS 112 – ITS 83 north- 60 to Oakfield – ITS 83 south to Sherman. The Tucker went out 83 north and south and the Bombardier was on 54 to Oakfield. Ethan Trail 60 and the Mattawamkeag River Loop. This trail is only 1.8 miles from Bellfield Road area and off 2A in Haynesville by rest area and 2.8 miles from Trail 105 (Pipeline) in Haynesville for those that want to access the trail from the Linneus trail system or Danforth area. The Bombardier will be on ITS 112 to 62 and the Patten trail junction today. It will be great riding on the Big Valley Sno Club trails the rest of the week thanks to last week’s storm. Annual meeting of the Big Valley Snow Club on Saturday at club house. It’s potluck if you want to join!
On the Social Side:
Meduxnekeag Ramblers Saturday breakfast at the clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. in Littleton from 6am to 9 am. All are welcome.
Limestone will be hosting a Poker Run February 26th leaving the clubhouse at 10:00 registration starts at 9:00 $5 per hand $20 registration fee will be a spaghetti dinner at the end at the par N grill.
