This week the County has received another foot of snow within several small storms. Making trails even nicer to groom and to ride, the cooler temps have really allowed clubs a chance to set trails up hard and from what I see the riding is spectacular here in the Crown. This weekend is going to be a very busy weekend as it is the free ride weekend, so if anyone has a sled registered anywhere in the Country or Canada can ride here without registering their sled.
This weekend also is the 30th running of the Can Am sled dog races up in Fort Kent. The volunteers up there make it very easy for snowmobilers to know which trail is being shared with the dog mushers, so if you come across a sign that says dog sleds just remember that they might be around the next corner.
The Caribou Snow Bowl is also this weekend with many activities planned in and around Caribou. The section of trail that will see the most traffic will be trail 89 from Caribou to Limestone as the SnoCross races will be held at spud speedway located directly on trail 89. There will be signs installed today showing how to get to the track.
The youth ice fishing derby is also this weekend up on Madawaska Lake so this area will also be busy with youngsters and families.
Signs are put out for a reason, especially stop signs. Please stop at all road crossings, trail intersections. If everyone obeys these signs, then it is a much safer and better experience for everyone.
We all know that snow is getting deeper and those off corridor areas look inviting but there is a reason the corridor is where it’s located for a reason, please respect the landowner, and clubs wishes, and this will ensure that we have trails to groom in the future.
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): 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: Check out their Facebook page.
Sly Brook Snow riders: Reporting that they will be out on Thursday and Saturday and trails are looking good.
Washburn Snowmobile club: Reporting trails in great shape.
Nordic Lakers (New Sweden, Westmanland, Stockholm): Reporting 105 and 81 in good condition.
Portage Lakers: Reporting good conditions. Mushers will be coming into town late Saturday and will be on ITS 85. Remember this year they are using the alternate ITS 90 trails 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.
Caribou: Reporting they are still doing double shifts to keep up with the amount of traffic in and out of town. Trail 89 heading towards limestone will be very busy this weekend as the snow cross races will be held at Spud speedway on Saturday and Sunday watch for signs. 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 trails are in great shape. ITS trails getting groomed every night and clubs trails every other night. Please use caution on 85 and 92 heading out of town as these are the trails the dog races will be on. They will be working with Irving in the Carter Brook area. Please check their Facebook page for more information.
Eagle Lake snowmobile club: Reporting 85 and 120 are in good shape 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.
St. Francis Sno-Angels: Reporting trails are in good shape and grooming regular. See you at the lodge for lunch Sat.!!
Central Aroostook Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are all groomed and holding up nicely. Please slow down on the plowed section of 83/ 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 being groomed consistently. 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. They will be hosting their annual hot dog roast at Raffords camp this Saturday.
Moosetown Riders (Allagash): Reporting ITS 92 from Allagash to Chamberlain’s Market & Connector 120 to Debouille were groomed Monday and are in great condition. ITS 92 from Allagash to Connors Cove will be groomed Thursday night. ITS 92 from Connors Cove to Estcourt are still in great shape. REMINDER – EXCERCISE CAUTION Can-Am Sled Dog Race trails interconnect with & share our trail system on Saturday, Sunday & early Monday morning. If anyone is planning a ride to Estcourt Station, please read Moosetown Riders Facebook page for all necessary info!
Frenchville snowmobile club: Reporting that they are up and grooming, trails in good condition.
Red Arrow snowmobile club: Reporting 83 from top to bottom groomed, 96W to slybrook groomed, 96E to Martin’s store all have been groomed overnight.
Chapman Ridge Runners: Reporting all trails are in good condition.
Aroostook River Snowmobile club: Reporting trails are in great shape and will be out every night weather dependent.
Easton Trailbreakers snowmobile club: Reporting that trails are in great shape. The club ride will be going to Washburn Clubhouse for breakfast and then will head over to Spud Speedway for Snowbowl activities this Saturday leaving Easton one stop at 8am.
Madawaska snowmobile club: Reporting hard and flat. Grooming operations are continuing 6-7 days a week and things are looking really good for the upcoming weekend. Free Snowmobile weekend mixed with Caribou Snow Bowl and the Can-Am Sled Dog Races will make for busy trails, so be on lookout for oncoming sleds and Dog Sleds in the trail system.
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club (Grand Isle): Reporting trail system in good condition
Presque Isle Snowmobile club: Reporting Trails are being groomed daily and in great shape, some ice in the corners so please use caution.. Please stop at all road crossings. All trails open with no issues.
Gateway Snowmobile Club (Van Buren): Reporting great conditions.
Limestone Snow Hawks: reporting decent conditions. 100B, 81 South and 89 Groomed. They will be out all weekend.
Caswell (Pleasant Ridge Riders): Reporting that all trails groomed and in great shape.
Walker Siding Snowmobile Club: No Update.
SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK:
Eastern Maine Snow Riders – The trails are in great shape and the sledding is fantastic. Trail 1 to Haynesville, Trail 3 and 3A and ITS 110 are all groomed and ready. A reminder to slow down on corners!
Benedicta Snow Gang – Thanks to all that attended and volunteered at the Hot Dog Roast last weekend at the Whetstone Bridge. Great turnout! A reminder to stay on marked trails to avoid incidents like this…This is from one of our operators last night. This is the second incident for our area in the last few days, I’m sure other clubs may have similar incidents. Just because you are on the trail doesn’t give you permission to use the whole trail especially when something much larger than you is in the trail. SLOW DOWN!! The groomer was coming out of the DOT yard last night returning from ITS 81. A sled proceeded to fly around the corner and come within feet of our plow. He didn’t even want to stop. Common sense people. IF YOU SEE A GROOMER COMING, PLEASE PULL OVER AND WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE GIVEN THE OKAY TO PASS!! We cannot stress this enough.
And another incident a few days ago…Last night Rockwood Fire & Rescue was called for a snowmobiler in the water at the mouth of the river. On arrival the person was 600ft offshore and was standing on the ice edge. The person would not follow commands so two members of the department put on gumby suits and life vests to attempt a rescue. Due to being out of reach with our standard rescue sled the fire chief attempted to take a sled out and around the open water in hopes to talk the guy into walking out to thicker ice. Unfortunately, as the Chief got within 500ft of the open water the sled he was on went under water. He quickly was able to get out of the water due to the gear he had on and was able to walk back to shore uninjured. The warden service arrived and was able to go out like the chief did but stayed further out and was able to talk the guy off the ice.This incident is the third one like it this week. PLEASE STAY ON THE MARKED SNOWMOBILE TRAILS!!
Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters – Trails are in excellent condition. Sledders take caution where part of Rt2 on Sherman ITS 83 will be a plowed rd. for ¾ of a mile. Fresh snow and more on the way will make for some great sledding. Please ride slow and watch for trucks.
Rockabema Snow Rangers – Charlie is grooming ITS 81 South to the ITS 83 railbed and Travis is doing 57 north to ITS 81 north and back to Skinners and the 81 north clubhouse trail back to ITS 81 north and the Owlsborough Rd. Conditions are wonderful!
Big Valley Sno Club – We are out keeping the trails flat for sledders! Ethan is on his way back from ITS 85 on 62A and ITS 112 and 60 west on Pleasant Pond and The Slice Happy trails! Snow is in the air!
Smoki Haulers – As always, the trails have been groomed and are ready for the weekend traffic. The snowfall over the past few days has helped to keep the trails in great condition.
Meduxnekeag Ramblers – ITS 83 from bridge to bridge has been groomed. ITS 86 from St. Croix bridge all the way to and including ITS 105 have been groomed. Club Trail from ITS 83 to ITS 86and the Shaw camp road has been groomed. 81 from ITS 83 to the Mooers Rd to meet Linneus has been groomed. We would like to thank everyone who work so hard to keep the trails in top condition. Please Ride safe!
Linneus Sno Sports – Trail 64 and the alternate ITS 83 south to Tall Timber Lodge has been groomed. All of ITS 83 from the 4 ft. Bridge to the B Stream has been groomed. With the snow fall on Thursday ITS 105 will have the bumps smoothed out for the weekend. The Club wants to thank all who came out a supported the Poker Run last weekend as well as the sponsors of the event!
EXTRA NEWS:
Don’t forget to join or donate to a local club!
It’s Free Snowmobile Weekend – March 3rd – 5th, 2023!!! During this weekend, a nonresident (from another state or province) may operate a snowmobile in Maine (no reciprocity necessary) so long as he/she has a valid registration from another state or province.
From the Big Valley Sno Club – Monthly club meeting this Saturday. March 4 at 6pm. Potluck & meeting to follow at the clubhouse. All are welcome!
Do you like smooth trails? Do you like a homecooked, hearty breakfast? Then come to the Meduxnekeag Ramblers Snow Sled Club on Saturday on ITS 83 and off the Wiley Rd. for our Sledders Breakfast! Breakfast starts at 6am! Money helps support our operations to keep the trails groomed and in great shape for all of us to enjoy.
Linneus Sno Sports continues to serve lunch at the Clubhouse on the Mill Rd. in Linneus from 11 to 2!
For the most accurate and up-to date weather information, please visit NOAA at https://bit.ly/39ToofL
ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:
Gateway snowmobile club will be hosting their annual spring fling Sunday March 5th at the intersection of 105 and 94 in town of Van Buren.
Fort Fairfield will be hosting a breakfast on Sunday at the Clubhouse located on ITS 81 and off the Strictland Road. 7am-10am, Then they will remain open and will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs.
Presque Isle snowmobile club will be open from 10am-1pm for the poker run with food, warm drinks, and a place to warm up.
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.
Saturday March 18 we will be hosting the Northern Region MSA Showcase Ride & Meeting. Participants pay $30 to come along on a guided ride. 2 meals are included in this price. Ride starts at the Madawaska clubhouse at 8 am for assembly. 9 am the ride will begin to St. Frances Snow Angels Clubhouse for lunch. They will then ride back to the Madawaska Clubhouse for a 5:00pm Social followed by a Spaghetti Dinner and 7:00pm meeting. If you would like to participate in this event, you can register and pay online at https://www.madawaskasnowmobileclub.com/events You can also pay at the door (cash only). For questions call Denise at 207-316-9118. Lastly, on Tuesday March 21st we will be hosting our St. John Associates Fun Day. It will begin at 10 am. 2 up sleds are needed to give rides. So if you would like to volunteer some time to this event, it would be greatly appreciated. This is a fun event that everyone enjoys. Lunch will be served for participants in the event.
Limestone Snow hawks will have their clubhouse open Sunday for the poker run.
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 Chinese pie, cole slaw, buns, 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.
