If this picture doesn’t make you pack it in and head to The County I can’t imagine what would……the trails are amazing….the days are longer…..and I believe the Polar Vortex has rolled back for a bit. It doesn’t matter where you go…..you are going to have a good ride.
If you feel the need for speed you may want to stop by the St Francis club’s Drag Races right off ITS 92 this Saturday. Registration will start at 9 a.m. and the racing will get underway at 11:30. You can trailer right up US Rt 161 as well. I am sure they will be serving up a great meal at the clubhouse as well.
This Sunday, March 9th the Pinnacle Snowmobile Club will host an afternoon of fun at Libby’s camps…..so stop by. Or pack your own hot dogs and stop by some of the rest areas available…..take in some great views and cook a hot dog over an open fire……mmmmmm…..it just doesn’t get any better than that on a nice, warm, sunny day.
So let’s get to the heart of the matter…..a trail report
Cautionary Notes
- LOTS OF SLEDDERS GOING OFF TRAILS CUTTING CORNERS, JOY RIDING IN FIELDS AND BASICALLY CREATING SOME SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN THE SYSTEM. PLEASE, THE TRAILS ARE LOCATED WHERE THEY ARE FOR A REASON…..STAY ON THE MARKED TRAILS……DON’T BE THE REASON A SECTION OF TRAIL IS CLOSED DOWN.
- Can’t say this enough…..there are hundreds of deer everywhere…..please use caution saw about a dozen on yesterday’s trail check.
- Keep in mind that there are some long distances between gas stations so look at the reroutes and plan accordingly
- Some logging ops still ongoing…..very active operation on Rt 81 The Swedes Trail use extreme caution
- Logging trucks on ITS 85 around the Eagle Lake/Portage connection and at the Red River bridge so please yield to those big boys
Trail Info
ITS 85 Probably a favorite for visitors this trail remains in excellent shape. 92A provides an alternative as does and 71A but remember to plan your trip around gas stops. The Homestead Lodge in Ox Bow now has gas during daylight hours. Folks coming up are still looking in old places for trails so remember both Ashland and Portage had major reroutes this year so you will need to pay attention to signage .
ITS 83 Sherman has done a great job this season rerouting 83 due to logging so please follow their signage and stay on the marked trails. Coming north remember 83 is rerouted coming out of Bridgewater due to logging. The trail is very well marked but a tad longer so plan ahead. If you stop to read the signs you shouldn’t have any problems.
ITS 81 Travel quite a bit of this trail yesterday and it was in excellent shape…….some folks still aren’t paying attention however…..remember this trail is closed from the intersection of Rt 105 west.
ITS 92 Allagash, St Francis and Ft Kent are doing a great job with this trail…..great riding. Rt 92A is open and groomed for a loop ride along with the connection to the Glazier Lake Loop.
ITS 90 Another great ride with a combination of woods trails and open fields with some great views. No problems but darn watch out for critters !!
ITS 88 Groomed and in great shape…….provides an east west alternative since 81 is closed between 105 and 85.
ITS 86 There is great riding in the southern reaches of The County and this is one of them…..head to St Croix for a picnic or make the trek to Ox Bow …….. Also 71-D is groomed on the Ox Bow end. And the Homestead Lodge in Ox Bow now has gas during daylight hours
ITS 105 This is a popular trail but I can tell you it is in good shape as I was on lots of it yesterday. And kudos to Walker Siding…..they were without their main machine for a good part of this season but they have made up for it as their section was primo yesterday.
ITS 120 Beautiful trail and a perfect time of year to visit this one……
Rt 100 Improved riding from Caswell…remember though there are two branches of this trail one goes north out of Caswell and one goes west further south. They both intersect Rt 89 one closer to Rt 94 and the other closer to the Madawaska River…….watch for markings and on the one that goes west further south of Caswell there is a very active logging operation so use caution.
Rt 89 Groomed north to Rt 94. PLEASE NOTE that Rt 100 now intersects Rt 89 in two locations so watch for signs.
Rt 94 Open and groomed great ride between ITS 81 and Rt 105.
Rt 79 to Long Lake off ITS 105 is groomed for those wanting to access the St John Valley and local eateries via Long Lake
Daigle and Soldier Pond Both these projects have been out and there are some great sections through hardwood and softwood .
On The Social Side
Meduxneakeag Ramblers Breakfast Saturdays 6-9 a.m. at the clubhouse
Washburn Trailrunners Breakfast /Lunch Saturdays 7 a.m.-3p.m. Sunday 7 a.m.-noon at the clubhouse
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club Stew Nights Fridays 5-7 p.m. at the clubhouse
St Francis Sno Angels Saturday Meals …homecooked meals….stop by off ITS 92
February 28-March 7 Youth/Junior World Championship Biathalon Nordic Heritage Ctr., Presque Isle
March 8
Drag Races in St Francis right off US 161 or ITS 92 Reg. 9-11 Racing 11:30
Pizza Night Rockabema SnoRangers @ 5:30 please RSVP to Gladys Hanson at 207-528-2344
March 9
CLUB RIDE, Oxbow-Masardis SC to Whipple’s camp. Meet at the clubhouse at 11a.m. Club will furnish hot dogs and rolls.
March 10
MEETING/POTLUCK, Rockabema Snow Rangers of Patten, 5:30p.m. at the clubhouse, 113 Clark Road, Patten.
MEETING, Ashland SC, 6:30p.m. at Mark and Nancy Rafford’s.
March 11
St John Valley Associates Fun Day hosted by the Madawaska Snowmobile Club from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. for clients to enjoy the winter outdoors.
Meeting and Potluck Ox Bow Marsardis 5:30 p.m. at the clubhouse
Meeting Benedicta Sno Gang 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center
Meeting Pleasant Ridge Riders at 7 p.m. at the clubhouse
March 15
MSA DIRECTORS MEETING, Fort Fairfield SC. Social/Eboard 5p.m., dinner 6p.m., meeting follows. Dinner reservations: email, 207-622-6983.
CLUB SPAGHETTI SUPPER/MEETING, Chapman Ridge Runners (CRR Members only event), 6p.m. at the clubhouse, 94 Town Hall Road. Bingo night. Supper RSVP to Sue 207-764-1236.
March 16
CLUB HOT DOG ROAST, Members of the Ashland SC, noon at Rafford’s camp. FMI: 207-435-6649.