Aroostook County Snowmobile Trail Report as of Feb. 22nd
Vacation week 2017 has been one of the best in recent memory, plenty of snow and plenty of snowmobiles enjoying the County’s trails.
Conditions could not be better but with some warm temps predicted for Thursday through Sunday and rain as well, the trails will get soft and this means if there is a lot of traffic trails will deteriorate quickly. So please keep this in mind. With Temps above freezing it makes grooming trails darn near impossible. Keep an eye on local clubs Facebook pages for the most up to date information.
Good news the logging operation on ITS 81 in the Easton area has moved out and the trail is now without any interruptions. Also the Central Aroostook Snowmobile Club has good news that the logging operation that affected the ITS 83 South of Bridgewater has also been completed.
CAUTION: As the snow keeps piling up the big 4 legged animals are walking around where it is easy, so if you see tracks slow down.
All clubs will be looking at the weather for the next couple of days and will get right back out as soon as the weather allows grooming to continue. With this being said if you do plan on riding while the temps are warm please ride respectfully and try to help out the clubs by not spinning your tracks.
Read Please: This Will Be for March 4-5 Can Am Sled Dog Races 2017 Shared Trails with Snowmobile Trail System
On ITS 85 in Fort Kent from the Groomer Be Garage (Village Road) north to intersection of ITS 92 continuing on ITS 92 west approximately 3.5 miles toward St. Francis. Teams will exit ITS 92 ½ mile west of Wellock Station.
On ITS 85 from Carter Brook, 100 feet east of the Wallagrass Stream bridge to the Wallagrass Lakes road approximately 1 mile.
On ITS 92A in St. John from the Honeywell Lake area to ITS85 just east of the Carter Brook Stream bridge approximately 5 miles.
On ITS 92 from Dicky (Allagash) to the intersection of 120 Deboullie Trail approximately 8 miles.
On ITS 85 south of St. Froid Lake on the Mesquito Brook Rd to the Hews Brook Road approximately 2 miles.
On ITS 85 south from Portage to Carr Pond intersection and on ITS 85C to Carr Pond approximately 5 miles.
Please watch for race officials on trails. Please slowdown in these sections and stop when approaching a team of mushers on the trails. The Fort Kent Sno Riders and the Can Am committee appreciate everyone’s cooperation with making this year’s race a safe one for everyone concerned.
TRAILS:
The information in this report is only as good as the sources that report it. The purpose of the report is to help snowmobilers make decisions about their trips and to insure their safety. The report will be expanded as sources provide information...accurate info that is.
Trail 71A: only open the 1st 6 miles to Garfield.
ITS 83: is in great shape from one end of the County to the other. Remember that there is a reroute in the Bridgewater area due to logging the trail is marked so plan accordingly. There is a logging operation 4 miles South of Linneus please watch for signs. There will be a small logging operation near the Thibodeau road in Woodland, watch for signs.
ITS 90: is open and completely groomed and in great shape. Portage has also reported that there is some logging operations going on above the Mouse Island Road in Perham watch for signs.
ITS 85: is 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 please use caution watch for signs.
The Oxbow area of 85 is in great shape, so head down that way it makes for a great ride.
120: the Deboullie trail is in great shape. Remember there is still a logging operation near the St. Francis road about 5 miles of plowed road.
ITS 92: From Fort Kent up through to Allagash is reported to be in great shape. This part of the County seems to always get great snow and they are reporting awesome conditions.
ITS 86: is groomed all the way from the Boarder in Houlton and is in good shape to Oxbow.
ITS 81: Clubs will be out once it cools off. Watch for logging operation down off the Ashland road, and also on the Ralph Craig Memorial trail.
105: trail from Van Buren through Stockholm and South to Mapleton is in good shape. There is a logging operation at the Southern end in the Chapman area, there are alternatives to use. Logging should be complete within the next week. The Southern section of 105 is in great conditions.
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 Rail bed.
73B: is open and signed there is a logging operation in the Little Black lake area please use caution. Trail 81: (Swedes Trail) is in great shape
Trail 81: in Houlton has a logging operation and will be shortened and is only going Oakfield. Trail 100 in the Caswell area has now connected with trail 94 in the Cyr Plantation area in a different location.
Trail 61: Is open off of Downtown Washburn going towards 90 there is plowed sections so please use caution.
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Portage snowmobile club will be having their annual pie auction fundraiser at Dean’s with a dance to follow this Saturday night. The event starts at 7pm.
The Pleasant ridge riders will be having a Breakfast fundraiser at the clubhouse from 7-11 all proceeds will be going to the groomer fund. Sunday February 26.
Washburn trail runner’s clubhouse. Saturday hours will be 7-2, Sunday 7-12.
Presque Isle club is having chicken stew on Friday nights from 5-7.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers Breakfast every Saturday morning from 6-9 at the Clubhouse in Littleton.
Gateway snowmobile club will be having their spring fling in town near the intersection of ITS 81/105 March 12 noon to 4.
The Official Snowmobile Trail Report: From the Desk of: Gary Marquis Caribou Parks & Recreation Dept. 55 Bennett Drive
On air report brought to you by Fort Kent Powersports.