Snowmobile Trail Report, March 3, 2022

Gary Marquis, Special to The County
2 years ago

Now that vacation week is behind us, we can now take a breather, NOT. We are just as busy
as we were last week. Trails are holding very well and with the snow that we received last
night, and the colder temperatures trails will be awesome once again this weekend.

This is the Can-Am sled dog weekend in Fort Kent and will be extremely busy not only with
snowmobiles but also with Sled dogs on the trails. Volunteers of Have been busy putting up
signs that will indicate which trails will have dogs on them and if you come up on a dog team
please proceed slowly and wait until they signal you to go by. For more information, please
check out their Facebook page, Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race.
The Aroostook County Sled Run is this Saturday, and this is certainly going to be a major
event. Please check out their Facebook page for more information. Aroostook County Sled
Run.
MOOSE MOOSE AND MORE MOOSE they are everywhere so please when you see the tracks
on the trails, pay attention as they are close by.
The Deer and Moose are really liking the white carpet that all clubs are laying down, so if
you see tracks on the trail this means they are out on them, so please use caution. Lots of
deer in the Caribou area on ITS 83 off York Street, and Washburn Road. Portage and Ashland
are reporting lots of deer closer to town so please use caution.

TRAIL INFORMATION:
Sly Brook (Soldier Pond): Reporting they received 3-4 inches on Tuesday night and trails are
in good shape. They had them all groomed on Tuesday morning and will be back out
Thursday and Saturday.
Washburn Trail Runners (Washburn): Reporting That their 83 and 105 trails are in great
shape. Trail 61 is closed due to logging, please do not ride this trail. The kitchen is open
Friday 8-2, Saturday 7-2, and Sunday 7-12.
Portage Lakers: Reporting they are grooming every night and still busy with traffic. The Can-
Am dog sled 250 will be using ITS 85 and will be coming into Portage via the lake between 4-
6pm on Saturday so please use caution. Please use caution when coming into town by the
store as there will be lots of pedestrians around. When leaving town on 85 North the first 2
miles are loaded with deer due to a winter harvest operation near the trail, use caution and
this is a beautiful place for picture taking, remember to pull off the trail if you do stop.
Please use caution as deer are everywhere closer to town.
Caribou: Reporting with the new snow that fell on Tuesday night trails will be in great shape
for the weekend. All trails will be groomed by Thursday morning and will repeat this
grooming schedule throughout the weekend.
Fort Kent SnoRiders (Fort Kent): Reporting that they are in great shape after receiving 3
inches of snow they will be grooming every night.
Eagle Lake Winter Riders: Reporting they groomed ITS 85 North and South were groomed
Tuesday night and into town and 120. Please use caution as there is active logging on 120 a
mile and a half has been plowed, please be on the lookout for signs. They too will have
sections of their trails that will have dog sled teams so please use caution.
Fort Fairfield Snowmobile Club: Reporting that they have groomed everything in their
system and trails are looking good. There are a few icy spots, and they are marked.

St. Francis Sno-Angels: Reporting ITS92 East and West, then 92 South was all groomed late
Sunday, ITS92 West to Chamberlain Market was done again early this morning. The groomer
will be back out late Thursday, anticipating lots of traffic for this weekend Can Am race in
Fort Kent…Trails are holding up, with these cold temperatures. Even with the traffic we
have. Keep an eye out for the dog sleds. SnoAngels weekend hot meal is Homemade
Lasagna! Stop in and warm up!!
Limestone Snowhawks: Reporting that they will be out Wednesday night to cover
everything.
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club (Mars Hill, Blaine, Bridgewater, and Monticello):
Reporting trails have held up well. There are a few icy spots in some fields. We would
remind riders about the logging operation in Bridgewater and for them to obey the 30 MPH
speed limit on the 2.3 miles of plowed trail. Also, as a reminder it is prohibited by law to ride
a snowmobile on a sidewalk. Due to lack of snow around a couple of businesses in town we
have had an increase in sledders getting on the sidewalks along Main St. In Mars Hill.
Ashland snowmobile club: Reporting that everything is good on the trails. Watch for deer on
ITS 88. Watch for deer coming into town especially near the IGA. They are hosting their
annual hotdog roast at Raffords camp on Saturday, please check their Facebook page for
more information.
Moose town Riders (Allagash): reporting that there has been machinery out on 120 and
they are plowing out the road and is located where they meet up with Eagle Lake. They have
groomed ITS 92 and 120 on Tuesday.
Frenchville snowmobile club: reporting that they have all trails groomed as of Tuesday
night.
Red Arrow (St. Agatha, and Sinclair): reporting all trails in great shape. Please use Caution
on ITS 83 from 161 to Sinclair 96E turnoff lots of moose.
Chapman Ridge runners: Reporting trails are in good shape and routine grooming is
occurring daily.

Aroostook River Snowmobile (Mapleton, and Castle Hill): Reporting their trails are in good
shape and will be out tonight and so on.
Easton Trailbreakers (Easton): Reporting all trails were groomed Monday night and will be
back in the saddle Wednesday night.
Madawaska snowmobile club: Well, the trails really took a beating this past week with all
the school vacation travel but do not fear! The groomer operators were out in full force
making the trails great again day in and day out! We put in two- or three-weeks’ worth of
grooming hours in one week’s time. With a little fresh snow last night and some more on the
way tonight, trails will be great for the beginning of March riding. Please note we have a
small reroute on ITS 81 for a wood cutting operation heading out of Cyr’s Cove toward the
Long Lake Country Club. ITS 81 no longer follows the road and cuts through the field. Please
follow the signs! We would like to thank everyone that came out to our Spaghetti Supper
and Glow Stick Ride event last weekend! Many thanks to all our volunteers and sponsors for
helping to make a great event and to help fund the groomer operations in these crazy times
with fuel prices going through the roof! Come out and see us this Monday March 6th at the
Scenic lookout in Cyr’s Cove. Cold Mountain snowmobile Club has organized an event for all
the local groomers to be on display. We will be there with some of our groomer operators,
memberships, and Super Lotto tickets. Stop by and say hi!
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club (Grand Isle): Reporting they are in good condition and
trails are nice. There is a logging operation on 81c going through the woods near the tower
just as the trail crosses the golf course road. Just a quick reminder…Saturday March 5
Registration starts at 8:00am ($15 fee includes one hand, spaghetti feed @ Community
Center, and memorabilia from the ride) Each registrant will receive a card to be punched at
each stop on the map (Lakeview is just a pit stop, no punch) receiving their hand upon
arrival back at the Community Center by 5:00pm. Three top hands will receive Door Prizes as
listed. Bonfire and Fireworks to follow afterwards at the Clubhouse. Lead, Denis Dube (Trail
Master) will be leaving the Clubhouse (Corbin Rd) at 11:00am, although registrants can leave
whenever they wish. Club Officers and Members will be in the Run as well as a few at the

Clubhouse all day and a few at the Community Center all day. Come join us for what is set to
be a very memorable run in Loving Memory of a Wonderful Man!!!
Gateway Snowmobile Club (Van Buren): Reporting the trails are in great shape.
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club: Reporting all trail system been groomed since last weekend
and in good shape. Asking sleds to slow on the in-town neighborhood trails. Also, many deer
reported on the north side of town ON ITS88/83 so keep an eye open.
Nordic Lakers (New Sweden, Westmanland):
Pleasant Ridge Riders (Caswell) Reporting they are in decent shape and will be out today to
clean up from the snow. 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:

Southern Aroostook Report

Oxbow-Masardis Snowmobile Club: ITS 85/81 has been groomed and is good condition.
ITS 86 has been groomed. Trail 71-A has been groomed this week. Been getting very heavy
sled traffic all week, our groomer has been running no-stop for two weeks now, hopefully
we can start to slow down a little after this week. We picked up 3-4” of snow overnight.
Molunkus Valley Snow Drifters – in Sherman. ITS 83A, ITS 83 – Bible Point as well
as 3ATrail. Trail 3 is in excellent condition and ITS 83 is good to excellent but
there is ice on some corners so please use caution. Puds Trail is technically
closed but please pass at your own risk. It is icy! The groomers will be out all
day today! Happy trails, ride right, and be safe. This is a reminder that the next
MVSD Potluck Supper is Saturday, March 5. Dinner is at 5pm and the meeting is
at 6pm.
Bowlin/Mattagamon/Shin Pond – ITS 85 to 71D- 64 Club Trail – ITS 85 Loop to
Libby Pinnacle Loop – Club Trail 71A. The snow last night was awesome and
really helped the trail conditions. Allen did the Huber Road trail and the train trail

over to the arm of Chamberlain Lake. Jon groomed south out of Matagamon on
ITS 85 to the 114 intersections. Riding is good! (For those asking how far to the
trains, fifty-five miles from Shin Pond Village to the Trains, fifteen miles across
Chamberlain Lake. Check out the FB page for specific directions.)
Benedicta Snow Gang – ITS 81- 81A – 83A to Sherman. ITS 81 and the Pond Trail
groomed today by President Keith and Chris, and they want you to be aware that
there is still a lot of ice. ITS 83 is closed from ITS 83/81 junction by railroad
tracks to ITS 83/85 junction above Whetstone Bridge. Trail master, Pat went to
free up the water at Swift Brook Bridge and hopefully it will drain by the time you
read this, but we will re-evaluate tomorrow. Sorry for the inconvenience and ride
safe!
Rockabema Snow Rangers – ITS 81 to Shin Pond – ITS 112 to Island falls – 62
Club Trail north. Trails are good, Lloyd been grooming like a wild man and the
trails are in excellent condition. The club is raffling off a 22-ski doo sled with
proceeds going towards the groomer/fuel fund. Also, the club has a membership
goal of 150 for the year and they are currently at 132. Let us help them to reach
their goal!
Linneus Sno Sports – ITS 105 from Hodgdon to ITS 83 – 61 Linneus to Oakfield-
trail 9. After a great weekend and lots of traffic from the poker run Trail master
Wally is happy to say the trails held up well and are in decent shape. He took the
Trooper and covered ITS83 from lake road in Houlton to where the groomer
meets Smoki-Haulers. Trail nine was groomed over to 105 on the McIntyre Rd.
The 105 was done from Linneus by Grammie’s restaurant (not open) to Seiders
Variety and Redemption on the Calais Road on the Houlton/Hodgdon line. Get
out there and enjoy the trails!! Trail master Wally. Don’t forget that there is lunch
available at the Linneus Sno Sports clubhouse on Saturdays and Sundays!
Meduxnekeag Ramblers – ITS 83 north to Monticello – ITS 86 south to Houlton –
ITS 86 to Oxbow- 81 Club Trail. Rod is on ITS 83 today and reports that the snow
last night really helped trail conditions by covering the icy bed. Tonight, they will
work on ITS 86 to St. Croix and meet up with Oxbow. Club trail eighty-one will be
groomed on Thursday as well as ITS 86/ITS105 along the border to meet up with

Linneus. Thanks to our crew who have been working hard to maintain great
conditions as we head into spring! Don’t forget that breakfast is available at the
clubhouse on Saturday from 6am to 9am.
Big Valley Snow Club at Birch Point in Island Falls – ITS 112 – ITS 83 north- 60 to
Oakfield – ITS 83 south to Sherman. ITS 83 North, ITS 112 and 54 groomed on
Monday and Monday night. Watch for groomers on 83 South today and this
evening. Work continues the racetrack for this Saturday's (March 5) Tame the
Track Races at Va Jo Wa Golf Course on the Walker Settlement Rd. and off trail
60 by Pleasant Pond and Birch Point. It will be an exciting day of food, fun and
racing and all are welcome to enter with funds going back to the local
snowmobile trails. The races are from 10am to 4pm. You can watch racing and
enjoy music, a bonfire, food or enter to race in many classes. Ride safe!

On the Social Side:
Sunday March 6 th at Cyr Cove there will be a Touch a Tucker event, there will be
6 different groomers from these clubs.
St. Francis Sno-Angels will be hosting a meal at the clubhouse from11 until
gone. This week’s menu is Homemade Lasagna.
Washburn Trail runner’s kitchen is open Friday 8-2, Saturday 7-2, and Sunday 7-12.
Cold Mountain will be hosting the first annual Memorial poker run in memory of
Luke Beaulieu on March 5 th , at 7am. Check cold mountain Facebook page for
more information.
Saturday March 5th:  The County Sled Run for American Cancer Society starts
with a breakfast at PISC beginning at 7am followed by registration for the Charity
ride. Do not miss being part of the new Aerial Drone Picture for 2022. Plenty of
fun scheduled all day.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers Saturday breakfast at the clubhouse on the Wiley Rd. in
Littleton from 6am to 9 am. All are welcome.