Great Start to the Season

Most projects are thinking….be careful what you wish for…..as many of them are working their way through over 30 inches of snow.   Some of the projects are still dealing with downed trees from heavy snows earlier and now from high winds…..but despite the hardships for grooming projects, the trail system is in awesome shape for the last day of the year !

CAUTIONARY NOTES:  Despite cold temps, there is still quite a bit of slush and water is still boiling up so give the lakes time to freeze.   Cold temps this week should help get things in place.    Before you venture out check locally.

There is logging in several places.   In Madawaska at on ITS81/83 and 81A there is heavy truck traffic so keep right and proceed cautiously.  There is also logging on ITS 85 near Masardis and near Ashland.

Despite the great work of all projects, high winds over the next few days will create drifting so proceed with caution in open areas.  Also, highway crews will be winging back roadways so use caution at all road crossings.

ITS 92  All projects including Ft Kent, St. Francis and Allagash were out and the trail is open to Dickey.   Remember the trail beyond Dickey is closed due to heavy logging operations.   Allagash is looking at some loop options and we will keep you posted.

ITS 120  (Debouille) has been opened and groomed a couple of times.

ITS 85  Portage has been out once and will go out again on their section tonight.  That leaves 85 open from Ft Kent through to Ox Bow/Masardis and on to the Shin Pond section.   Give Ox Bow/Masardis some time to catch up though because they had a 15 mile reroute.

ITS 83  is in good shape from Madawaska down to Houlton then gets a bit spotty.  Give the smaller clubs south of Houlton time to work through a ton of snow.

ITS 81  Is still a bit fragmented but everyone is out attempting to close up the holes and get things marked by the weekend.  We will update you as reports come in.

ITS 90 is now open from Portage through to Limestone.   The trail is marked.

ITS 88 has been groomed multiple times and is in really good shape.

ITS 86 still working to get that open all the way through.  We will keep you posted.

ITS 105 no problems here until you get south of Houlton where it is fragmented but again give the small clubs time to deal with a lot of snow!

Soldier Pond System open and has been groomed multiple times but stay off the lake crossing

Twin Lakes System these folks have been out and the system is in good shape again with a little hiccup on 73B but they have worked to remedy that.

Red Arrow System the long line of sleds to the Long Lake area for sustenance and libation is on and Red Arrow is keeping up.  Remember though…..the lake still isn’t ready so stay clear.  Rt 79 off ITS 105 is not open all the way through.

Frenchville System  they have been diligent and the system is in good shape but again, like with all areas……wind will create drifting so use caution in open areas.

Upcoming Events:

Jan. 5     Both the Meduxnekeag Ramblers and Washburn clubs will begin their Saturday breakfasts this weekend.   Meduxnekeag runs their breakfast from 6-9 a.m. on Saturdays only, while Washburn runs 7a.m. to 2 p.m. with breakfast and lunch on Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Jan 8     Meduxneakeag Ramblers will be hosting a meeting and pie auction at the clubhouse beginning at 6 p.m.

Jan 20     Portage Lakers will be hosting their annual Radar Runs…registration begins at 9 a.m. with runs starting at 10 a.m.

Jan 26-27     Long Lake Fishing Derby……which covers pretty much all the water bodies in the Fish River Chain and beyond.   This is a huge event……lots of fun and lots of prizes.

Feb 9     Will mark the 9th annual Andy Santerre run which will begin in Caribou.  Log on to www.amhc.org for more info

Feb 16     Madawaska will once again host the USCC East X Country Snowmobile 100 Race.  Log on to www.madawaskasnowmobileclub.com for more info.

Bring the whole family and join in on the fun in The County…….whether it’s snowmobiling, ice fishing, Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or enjoying the many culinary treats offered………there is always something to do !!!

 

Kathy Mazzuchelli

About Kathy Mazzuchelli

Kathy Mazzuchelli is superintendant of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department where she has worked for 38 years. An avid snowmobiler, Mazzuchelli’s first sled was a 1968 Polaris Mustang back in the days when groomed trails were done with snowmobiles, bedsprings and some pretty feisty folks.