The snowmobile report is gathered from the Maine Snowmobile Association’s Web site. The complete report is available at mesnow.com

Overview

There was some rain Wednesday, but in many snowmobiling areas it did turn over to snow and nice cold temps have moved in. There should be a decent weekend of riding on a number of systems. There are reports of 4-5 inches new snow Shin Pond, 6-8 inches in Greenville area, 7-8 inches in the Eustis Stratton area, 8 inches at Pittston Farm, 10-12 inches in Jackman, 6 inches or so in Portage area, 8 inches of fresh snow in Ashland.

Aroostook County

Benedicta: Received more than an inch of rain Wednesday. Rain was supposed to change to snow Wednesday night, which is desperately needed for the trails.

Conditions do not include effects of Wednesday night snow:

ITS 83 Sherman, Whetstone Falls: not groomed, conditions – fair.

ITS 81 Sherman, Mattawamkeag Cutoff: not groomed, conditions – good.

Municipal Trail 70 Benedicta, Whetstone Falls: not groomed, conditions good.

Spring riding conditions in effect for all trails. Watch for objects in the trail (rocks, stumps, etc.) and washouts that can open up quickly.

Caribou report

Mush alert: heavy rain and lots of snow will affect trails until the temps drop low enough to freeze some of the ground water. Sledders should use extreme caution traveling in low lying areas and in wooded areas. Once grooming resumes, most groomers will break through water holes and it will take time for them to refreeze. By Saturday most trails should be in good condition. Snow is forecast for Saturday into Sunday.

Note: Can-Am Crown weekend will effect trails in the northwest section of the County so be on alert for signs and sled dogs on the trails.

ITS 85: watch for dog sledders Saturday between Wallagrass Stream and Carter Brook Honeywell Lake and Red River.

Dogs will also be on this trail late Saturday, Monday and Tuesday from Dickwood Lake to Wallagrass Stream.

ITS 92: Sunday through Tuesday will see dog sled traffic between Allagash and Pelletier Brook. Also on Rte. 92A Saturday. Watch brook and stream crossings.

Connections: 85D will see dog sled traffic Sunday through Tuesday. Watch for water holes here.

ITS 81: should be groomed by Friday but you will find some water holes in the area especially the further south and west you travel – field areas and low wooded areas will present the biggest problems.

Connections: all connector trails will have bare spots and water in fields and low lying areas just use caution.

ITS 90: should be groomed through by Saturday but there will be some trouble spots especially in low lying areas.

ITS 83: snow amounts range from 1-2 inches to 6-8 inches up north. The biggest factor was the heavy rain. Low lying areas will be wet until temps drop so be prepared to jet ski in a few places. The railbed sections of 83 remain in good shape and most of those sections will be groomed Thursday night.

Connections: Red Arrow and Van Buren sections connecting ITS 81 and ITS 83 will contain some water holes. High areas will have some bare spots but most trails should be in good shape by late Friday into Saturday once groomers are able to get out. Watch for a section of plowed road on Rte. 94 as well as moose. Rte. 89 between Caribou and Rte. 94 may not be groomed this week. Rte. 100 west of the Rte. 89 intersection is closed for the season.

Sledders: Please stop at stop signs on Rte. 79 between the railbed and Van Buren Cove. There have been some close calls here with sleds and trucks.

ITS 88: should be groomed by Friday night but will contain some water holes – be prepared.

Connections: the Squa Pan system is groomed but there may be some bare sections near logging operations and water in low lying areas.

ITS 86: this system got lots of rain so sledders should expect some water problems until cold temps and more snow and traffic help with refreezing areas.

Connections: the connector system from ITS 86 south to Houlton, Oakfield, Linneus and points south and east to Canada are going to be in the same boat with water in low lying areas and some bare spots in fields.

Central Aroostook: Wednesday’s heavy rain has depleted the trails. Fields are open and bare and ITS 83 is all water and slush. Hopefully, the snow coming Wednesday night will help.

Katahdin region

Shin Pond: On Thursday night, groomers were to packing in the 4-5 inches of snow from Wednesday night. There will be riding this weekend, but please use lots of caution. It will be springlike riding conditions.

Penobscot

Charleston: Snow levels dropped 16 inches during the week. Heavy rain and warm temps Thursday have not helped trail conditions.

ITS 83 was last dragged Saturday night, hard and icy, but no water noted at that time. This has most likely changed by now.

Road crossings and plowed sections have become muddy, also. Cooler temps and some snow in the forecast, trail inspections will be done later this week and an updated report will be posted by the weekend. At this time, trails are pass-at-your-own risk.

Greater Bangor

Bangor: All grooming has stopped; warm temps, rain, and fog have eroded the trails. Many are covered with water and/or are snowless.

Bucksport and Orland: Trail grooming has come to an end until there is snow and cold conditions. Watch out for those wet spots and wash outs where their are low areas due to running water.

Moosehead region

Greenville: Received 6-8 inches of snow Wednesday night. A big help for the trails. All of the groomers were on ITS and local trails Thursday night. Take care on the ponds where the weight of the snow may cause slush to rise to the top.

Pittston Farm Trails: Eight inches of fresh snow on the ground and grooming is taking place. There should be good riding for the weekend.

Western Maine

Jackman: Received about 10-12 inches of wet sticky snow Wednesday night. Groomers were out late Wednesday night trying to get a jump on the accumulations. All trails were groomed and are in good condition. There is a temporary alternate trail toward Rockwood and an alternate intown. Watch for signs. ITS89 north: good; ITS89 south: good; ITS86: good.

Northwestern Mountains

Eustis, Stratton: Received 7-8 inches of fresh snow Wednesday night. Temps are cold and things are freezing up. There should be riders out for the weekend.