Aroostook County Snowmobile Trail Report for December 31

Cold weather is expected to harden things up a bit, which will in the end be good for the snowmobiling business.

Gary Marquis with the Caribou Parks & Recreation Department, has got this week’s Aroostook County snowmobile trail report for December 31st, 2014.

Here we go again with a tough start to what was looking like a good beginning. I believe that what we received last week will be a blessing in disguise. The cold weather will help to freeze the ground and make some real good ice on our area lakes. The forecast for the tail end of the weekend looks like we might get some white stuff, which should help out tremendously.

Most projects have been holding off since the rain on Christmas. There have been a few that have been out checking to see what their trails looked like. Frenchville, Madawaska, Red Arrow, Caribou, Portage and Mars Hill all went out and checked, and the report back was where there had been grooming and the conditions were not all that bad. Fields are a little bare and there are water holes, so caution should be used, especially because not all trails have their markers up. ITS 90 west from Washburn’s trail 105 has been groomed this week, note the first couple miles are a little rough but the further west you go it gets better. The rail bed trails are the best bet for anyone venturing out.
ITS83 from Presque Isle to Madawaska is not terrible, but please use caution.

There are animals on the trails so please watch out for them. ITS 83 from Washburn to Caribou there has been Deer, Moose, and even groups of TURKEYS so slow down.

ITS 85/81 in the Masardis area near the sterling ridge, there is a Christmas tree farm that is off limits to snowmobiles so please stay on marked trail, or the landowner will shut down the trail. Don’t forget that the reason we have such a wonderful trail system is because of the hundreds and hundreds of private landowners that allow us access. So when the signs say PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAIL, adhere to the rules.

ITS 92 the Heritage trail from Fort Kent up through St. Francis is in good shape.

In the Caswell area trail 81A which is the Power line trail that parallels US. Route 1A is now ITS 81.

On the culinary side of things there are several clubs having breakfast this weekend

Fort Fairfield at the clubhouse on the Strictland Road this Sunday 7-10 a.m.
Washburn will be opening the clubhouse for the season, Saturday 7-2 a.m., and Sunday 7-12 p.m.
Cold Mountain Snowmobile Club Breakfast Saturday from 7-11 at the community center in Grand Isle
Starting on the 9th of January St. Francis Sno Angels will have hot meals and coffee at the club house on ITS92, hours will be from 10am to 9pm, this will be on all Saturday’s throughout the season.