Aroostook County Snowmobile Trail Report

With the last storm that dropped some of the heaviest snow/sleet/freezing rain over the County all clubs will be out in full force working the trails. This new snow will certainly add to what has been one of the best bases that we have seen in a long time.

Remember that this weekend is the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby, this means that there will be a lot of people on the lakes so please use caution when riding.

This is the free weekend with New Hampshire and Vermont, so expect to see more sleds on the trails. Let’s make sure we give them the best riding experience so they will always want to ride in the COUNTY.

CAUTION: Deer are being reported on 85 in Portage, 83A and 83 in the Caribou area. If you see tracks on the trails slow down. Moose are also present on trail 94 in the Cyr Plantation area.

TRAILS:

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.

ITS 90: is open and completely groomed and in great shape. Fort Fairfield has made it through their swamp and is reporting that it is in good shape. The Caribou section of 90 will be closed down starting on Monday the 23rd and will remain closed until the 2nd of February. The section that is affected will be from the beginning of 90 where it breaks off of ITS 83 all the way to trail 88 in the Woodland area. For the locals this is where the Alaska to Maine sign is located. The remainder of this trail will remain open from 88 to 105. There is a logging operation that has asked to close this section for a few days and the groomer operation will comply with this request. Portage has also reported that there is some logging operations going on above the Mouse Island Road in Perham watch for signs. Portage Snowmobile club is working on reopening the old section of this trail off of the Mouse Island Road it looks like this will happen for the beginning of the week.

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. At the end of this trail the Glazier lake loop is a 26 mile ride wonderful trail.

ITS 86: is groomed all the way from the Boarder in Houlton and is in good shape to Oxbow.

ITS 81: is in good shape and completely open Logging operation before meeting with Fort Fairfield on the Easton end. Watch for signs and equipment on trail. 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. A few small water holes down on the pipeline down near the Haynesville woods.

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 open and reported to have a few water holes watch for signs. There is a small water hole, it is very well marked.

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:

Sunday January 29, 2017 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.

Washburn trail runners club will officially open for business on January 7th. Saturday hours will be 7-2, Sunday 7-12.

Presque Isle club is having chicken stew on Friday nights from 5-7. Houlton Breakfast every Saturday morning from 6-9 at the Clubhouse.

Moose stomper’s weekend in Houlton is February 3-5 th . Check out their Facebook page.

Tame the track Sno-X snowmobile races are Sunday February 5th at the Houlton Community Park. For more info. Call 207-768-1667. There will also be sno bike demos. Check out their Facebook page.

Eagle Lake will be hosting snow drag racing on February 18, racing starts at 11.

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.

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.