As I type this report the temperature in Caribou is 46 degrees with water running everywhere. This short lived warm spell should not hurt us too badly. Most clubs will be out tonight once the temperatures go below freezing. The forecast for Friday looks like anywhere between 6 to 12 inches. This will help out in places that are a little thin on snow. The biggest challenge that clubs will be facing this weekend is the beginning of vacation week. This is going to be a very busy weekend and with this much snow it will be difficult for clubs to get them as smooth as possible.
There are a lot of people out there and clubs are doing the best they can. So, what can riders do to help keep trails smooth, here are a few tips. Ride the green trails instead of the ITS trails, if one were to look and study the map you can see that all of the green trails tie into an ITS trail. Please take off smoothly without leaving a huge pile of snow and obviously reduce speeds coming into corners and out of them.
We have had numerous close calls out there and we all want everyone to go home safely when you leave the County.
Lakes are becoming very slushy so if you are not familiar with a certain body of water then maybe staying on the trails is a better alternative.
Deer, Moose, and Turkeys are out on the trails and as the snow gets deeper there will be more and more out there.
TRAIL INFORMATION:
Allagash Headwaters Snowmobile Club (Gateway to the ghost trains): Reporting that they are out grooming and are seeing a lot of traffic. This is a new club and they can certainly use any help to keep grooming. Check out their Facebook page. They will also have a downloadable map.
Libby Pinnacle Sno Riders: PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS!!!!!!!! Please stay off plowed logging roads!!!! Your gps doesn’t necessarily know where the trail is this year. Pick your head up and follow the signs. We are one more incident of snowmobiles on plowed roads from losing our agreement with the landowner meaning we are done. We have worked hard to maintain this relationship. Our trails are very clearly marked and when you’re totally ignoring the signs and running 18 miles of plowed road, it is nothing but disrespect with a don’t care attitude.
Sly Brook Snowriders: Reporting that trail 96 and 73, and 73A all groomed. They will be back out Friday and Saturday once the temps drop and snow ends.
Washburn Snowmobile club: reporting that trail 105 and ITS 83 have been groomed. Trail 61 has been groomed from the Gardner Creek Road to the turnaround on ITS 90 at the beginning of the week and is in good shape. Please use caution as this is a twisty trail.
Nordic Lakers (New Sweden, Westmanland, Stockholm): Reporting trails are holding up well. Trail 81 is a green trail and is a great trail to avoid the ever so busy ITS 83 and connects 105 in Blackstone. They will be back out once the snow stops.
Portage Lakers: reporting good conditions. Remember this year they are using the alternate ITS 90 trail from Portage to 105, it is well marked. This trail is 28 miles from 105 to Portage. Please do not use the old 90 as there is 7 miles of plowed road. The lake has been marked to the boat landing trail and the Buffalo loop, they are reporting slush and drifts so please use caution. Please stop at all road crossings and proceed slowly across business driveways. They will be back out once the temps cool down.
Caribou: Reporting that all trails are in good condition. They report that they will be out late Thursday night and will be out after the snow. There is a logging operation on ITS 90 just leaving Caribou, Trucks will be crossing the trail it is clearly marked and will last a few weeks.
Fort Kent SnoRiders Snowmobile Club: Reporting that they are grooming their ITS trails every night and the club trails every other. They will be back out Friday night once the temps and snow stop.
Eagle Lake snowmobile club: Reporting that the trails are in great shape with lots of traffic. One section of ITS 85 North has a logging operation and is marked well. please use caution in this area. They are asking riders to slow down in the logging areas, the snowbanks are getting hire and trucks are having difficulty seeing the sleds, please ride right.
Fort Fairfield: Reporting trails are in good shape and will be back out after the snow.
St. Francis Sno-Angels: Reporting that trails are in good shape, and they will be back at it once it’s done snowing. See you at the lodge for lunch Sat.!!
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club: Reporting trails and grooming operations on a regular schedule. Plowed section in Bridgewater for 2.3 miles due to logging operation. #9 Lake Trail from ITS 83 in Monticello is closed due to a logging operation. As an FYI the restaurants on Main St. in Mars Hill are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so sledders should plan accordingly. Freshies’ deli is the only one open those days. Also it is illegal to park a snowmobile on the sidewalk unless the town has passed this ordinance. In Mars Hill please do not park or ride on the sidewalks except to cross them, there is ample parking out back. They are asking people to slow down.
Ashland Snowmobile Club: Reporting trails are in good shape. There is a logging operation on the Castle Hill and of our section of ITS 88. Deer is in town so please use caution. Please stay on marked trails it is signed and groomed for a reason. Deer are everywhere in Ashland so please use caution. Ride right and be courteous of oncoming traffic, too many close calls.
Moosetown Riders (Allagash): Reporting trails to be in good shape and will be back out once temps cool off. If anyone is planning a ride to Estcourt Station, please read Moosetown Riders Facebook page for all necessary info!
Frenchville snowmobile club: Reporting that all trails groomed and in good shape.
Red Arrow snowmobile club: Reporting they will be out Thursday night.
Chapman Ridge Runners: Reporting all trails are in good condition. The logging operation on 105 is now finished.
Aroostook River Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are in great shape. Water bars are opening up on 88 west of the clubhouse on the powerlines. Please use caution, with the warmup they will get bigger.
Easton Trailbreakers snowmobile club: Reporting that trails are in great shape. The club ride will be going to the Caribou Snowmobile Club hotdog roast at Axle siding on ITS 83.
Madawaska snowmobile club: Reporting that all trails are in great shape. They will be out as soon as the temps drop. They will try to do double runs during vacation week.
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club (Grand Isle): Reporting that the trails are in good condition. They will be back out after the temps drop.
Presque Isle Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are all groomed. They will be back after the snow stops.
Gateway Snowmobile Club (Van Buren): Reporting groomers are out every night and in good shape.
Limestone Snow Hawks: reporting decent conditions.
Caswell (Pleasant Ridge Riders): Reporting that all trails are in great shape with routine grooming.
Walker Siding Snowmobile Club: Reporting good condition. Watch for logging on ITS 81 west end near York ridge, this is where ITS 88 and ITS 81 meet.
SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK TRAIL INFORMATION:
East Grand Snowmobile Club: Reporting they have been grooming and trails are in good shape. They will be out once temps drop.
Eastern Maine Snow Riders: Reporting that trails are in great shape and fingers crossed that the warm spell doesn’t do a lot of damage. They will be out once the temps cool down.
Benedicta Snow Gang – Our trails being groomed tonight. ITS 81, Pond Trail & ITS 83, please give Chris and John plenty of room. May have to take a couple days off mid-week due to mild temps but will be back at it as soon as the temps allow it.
Molunkus Valley Sno Drifters – Gearing up for their poker run, auction and dinner on Saturday, Feb 18. (See below for more info). Trails are looking good. Please come and support the club!
Rockabema Snow Rangers – Trails have been groomed and are in excellent condition. ITS 112 west to ITS 83, 57 north to 62 east and ITS 81 north to 62 east toward RT.11 are ready!
Big Valley Snow Club – Ethan will have ITS 83 North to Oakfield and South to Sherman all flat and set up for you in the morning! Enjoy! All other trails were groomed this week. If you’re coming to Island Falls this month, come enjoy some of our planned events listed below.
Smoki Haulers – Trails are groomed and good to go! A reminder that the reroute on ITS 83 north has been rerouted due to a logging operation but is well signed.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers – ITS 86 west toward St. Croix and ITS 83 around local businesses have been groomed and are ready for traffic. News from the Linneus Sno Sports trail master is that the Ramblers are doing an excellent job on the trails this year!
Linneus SnoSports – What a week it has been with groomers hitting the trails every day. A reminder from the Trail master to stay on the trails! This has been quite a year for sleds wandering off trail. The bully went out last night and did ITS 83 south to Logie Field down trail 3 to trail 70, out to the power line and doubled back the down trail 1 to Estabrook Rd. All of 1 is in good shape. Trail 3 was the return to ITS 83 north then to trail 8 to Drews Lake South Shore Rd. There are markers put out across the lake last week to guide sledders to trail 64 & alt ITS 83 south to Oakfield. The bully then doubled back to trail 8 and ITS 83 to the clubhouse. It’s still going now with Greg Smith as I write this. Most trails in the Linneus SnoSports system have been covered since Saturday night to present. Get out & ride season is short.
EXTRA NEWS:
- Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters are having their Poker Run on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Clubhouse on 58 North St. in Sherman. All hands must be back by 3pm and winning hands will be announced around 4pm at the clubhouse. No one under 18 can play per Maine Law. There will be an auction at 3pm and a public supper at 5pm. Chili, chicken soup, roll and a drink for $10. Come Support your Local Club!
- Benedicta Snow Gang is holding a fishing derby on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Plunkett Pond in Benedicta from 7ma to 3pm. Cash Prizes! Come on out and have some fun!!!
- Big Valley Sno Club is holding a Spaghetti supper from 5pm-7pm on Friday Feb. 17 Adults $10.00 and kids under 12 will be $7.00, At the clubhouse at 437 Houlton Rd. in Island Falls off trail 60.
- A Tame the Track Series Snowmobile Races will be held at 142 Walker Settlement Rd. in Island Falls off Trail 60 from 10 to 4 on Saturday Feb. 18.
- Feb.18 & 19 there will be an Island Falls Lake Fishing Derby on Mattawamkeag Lake and Pleasant Pond. Register at Jerry’s Food Store.
- Big Valley Sno Club will also be having a trailside BBQ at the junction of ITS 83 and ITS 112 in Island Falls in Feb. 19.
- Meduxnekeag Ramblers are serving breakfasts at the clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. starting at 6am on Saturdays. Stop by!
- Linneus Sno Sports is serving lunch from 11 to 2 on Saturdays and Sundays.
For the most accurate and up-to date weather information, please visit NOAA at https://bit.ly/39ToofL
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Cold Mountain Snowmobile club will be hosting a breakfast at the Grand Isle Community center this Sunday from 7:30-11.
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club will be hosting a Touch-A-Groomer on Sunday from 11am-2pm at the Long Lake Bar and Grill.
Portage Lakers will be hosting their annual pie auction at the town hall this Saturday, happy hour starts at 6pm, auction at 7pm and dance to follow.
Carter Sno-Bird Snowmobile Club: will be hosting a Beans and Franks with Ployes fundraiser on Saturday February 18. 4pm until sold out. $15 per person.
Carter Brook Sno-Bird Snowmobile Club: will be hosting a vintage snowmobile show and parade at Valley Motors Parking lot on 82 West Main Street in Fort Kent. $15 registration fee. 8am registration until 10am. 9am show until 10:30am. Parade will start after the last Can-Am Crown Musher departs. FMI: call Russ 207-316-9919, antique sleds will be on display until the parade.
Caribou Snowmobile club will be hosting their annual trailside hot dog roast and job fair this Saturday from 10-2, location will be at Axle siding on ITS 83/105.
Aroostook County Northern Region MSA showcase Ride and Meeting March 18, hosted by the Madawaska Snowmobile club. Saturday 8am Madawaska snowmobile club located on Fournier road on ITS 81, 9am depart on 100 mile ride guided in the region, Lunch at St. Francis SnoAngels clubhouse. 5pm Social at the Madawaska clubhouse, 6pm Dinner/7pm meeting. Cost is $30 per person, Preregister by March 13. For more information contact Denise Duperre, Northern region director, 207-316-9118.
Limestone Snow hawks will have their clubhouse open Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. They will be open all next week during vacation week serving lunch and breakfast.
Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse will be open Friday 8am to 2pm, Saturday 7am to 2pm and Sunday 7am to 12.
St. Francis Sno-Angel’s clubhouse will be open on Saturdays for lunch starting at 11. Menu this Saturday is Chicken tenders, Cheeseburgers, Hotdogs with fries and sweets. $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers snowsled clubhouse will be having Breakfast every Saturday during the season from 6-9.
