Maine snowmobile trail conditions

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Editor’s note: The following is the trail conditions report compiled by members of the Maine Snowmobile Association. Those seeking the complete report can visit mesnow.com

Aroostook County

Benedicta 1/23: With sub-zero temps in the forecast and not much new snow on the way, snow conditions in the Snowgang system remain marginal at this time. All trails have been groomed with conditions as follows:

ITS 83: Sherman, Whetstone Falls: good conditions, wooded areas need snow.

ITS 81: Sherman, Mattawamkeag Cutoff: excellent conditions.

Municipal Trail 70: Benedicta, Whetstone Falls: good/excellent conditions.

Special note: No gas in Benedicta until further notice.

Aroostook Report from Caribou Rec. Dept.: Overall conditions remain in excellent condition, hardpacked with a 9-12 inch base. High winds have created drifting in open areas and raised havoc at road crossings so sledders should use extreme caution when riding this weekend.

A special note to sledders using ITS 85 at the Squa Pan dam, please stay on the marked trail or risk loss of that section – let’s respect private land. Sledders attempting to cross Number 9 Lake by the club trail just south of Bridgewater please be advised that trail is closed due to logging.

Due to drifting snow and continued windy conditions, many projects will be out during both evening and daylight hours; sledders, expect to see grooming equipment on the trail – please keep right and reduce speed. Also use extreme caution at road crossings as plowed banks may reduce visibility for both sledders and highway vehicles at trail intersections.

Madawaska 1/21: The trails are in very good to excellent condition throughout the St. John River Valley. There’s a real thrill in making first tracks on a perfectly groomed trail and even with the limited snow conditions, it’s one of the best riding seasons yet.

The Fish River Chain Of Lakes are covered with a good 20 inches plus of solid ice with no slush, but with, of course, the occasional pressure ridge to keep the speed down and keep us alert and aware of the situation.

Penobscot, Piscataquis area

Millinocket Area 1/24: It warmed up to only about 8 below last night and we got all four of our groomers back out on the trail and covered all of our trail system with the exception of the Dolby Trail, just outside of downtown Millinocket.

The riding continues to be very good and with a little warm weather during the day, riding this weekend will be great. We are very glad that we run grooming equipment made to work well in extremely cold conditions, but cut back our grooming this week on the nights when the temperature dipped to 20 below and the winds gusted regularly to 20 to 30 miles per hour.

People riding in the region should not ride alone and should stay on groomed trails that have traffic when the temps dip and the wind picks up. We do not recommend riding into the evening or at night in anything but a well-prepared, good-sized group that is ready to deal with a breakdown or an emergency.

Charleston 1/20: Charleston Stumpjumpers Trail System is still experiencing rather rough conditions, trails are fair to good due to the thin snow base. 6-8 inches in the woods and highly compacted due to traffic, lesser amounts in the open fields and high spots. The old county roads are in good shape and relatively flat.

Both groomers are operational and have been out this past week, though conditions will not improve much until we receive more snow. Watch for loose rocks and sticks appearing in the trail, as we are pulling some out with the machines.

There are woods operations on the Lower Bradford connector trail and on the state land near the prison on the Dover ITS 85 connector trail. Again, use caution in these areas. There is truck traffic again this year on ITS 83 north of town, trucks or equipment can be encountered at any time day or night. Use extreme caution and also do NOT attempt to bypass the marked trail and ride the plowed Shute Road as a shortcut on ITS 83 north of the village.

Midcoast

Rockland, Thomaston, Warren 1/21: Everything here on the coast is just at the top of the shelf, it’s been two years since the trails have been this good. All of the water hazards are all filled in.

Steady grooming is going on almost every other day now. Area maps are available at On The Road Trailers, Silver Lane Bistro and Andes Variety, all in Warren.

Moosehead region

Greenville 1/20: We need more snow. Our trails are getting down to the ice we received at New Year’s. Care needs to be taken because of the slippery conditions particularly on the corners and hills on the ITS trails. The groomers are pulling in snow from the edges where they can to provide safe riding. We are reducing our seven nights-a-week grooming schedule to 3-5 to try to salvage the snow.

We still have good riding, but not excellent, as we have had the past weeks. Remember the logging operations in the Worster’s Bridge area and Scammon Ridge, behind the clubhouse. We are gearing up for the Craven ride Saturday.

Rockwood 1/20: For the most part, trails in and around Rockwood are great. We could use some more snow in the wooded sections of the trail system. Once you get 5 miles out of town the trails are hard and flat. Please watch for some icing on corners.

The trail across Moosehead Lake has been marked and is safe for crossing. Do not venture off this trail as ice conditions vary across the lake.

The Moosehead Trail north of Rockwood toward Pittston Farm and Jackman will be groomed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday this week. Please be on the lookout for grooming equipment when riding, especially after 3 p.m.

Please note that there are two logging operations in the area resulting in the closure of the alternate trail from the Moosehead Trail to Seboomook. Access, Seboomook via Pittston Farm or NorthEast Carry. The Parlin Intersection of Route 66 with ITS 86 has been moved. The intersection is now located 2 miles beyond last year’s location.

Pittston Farm 1/20: The cold temps have been setting the trails up very well despite weekend traffic. Grooming is on a regular schedule on the Jackman and Rockwood Connector trails, while the North East Carry Connector Trail is still in need of snow.

Please use caution and watch for hazards. Our alternate trail from the Rockwood Trail System (Rte. 66) to Seboomook is closed for the season due to logging.

Rockwood Connector Trail, Jct. ST-27 (outhouse) to Demo Road: Very good! Use caution over Soldiertown Ridge as it is still a little thin. There is a re-route on this trail as well. Watch for signs.

Jackman Connector Trail: Pittston Farm to Jct. ST-20 (ITS 86): Good! Still some rocks, ledge that needs to be covered up in the Miller’s Crossing area. Also, there is a detour because of a logging operation. The only section of plowed road we are able to use is a short section to cross the culvert, then the trail runs alongside the plowed road in the “Ditch Trail.” This section is in need of more snow, but it is passable. Watch for trucks in this area!

North East Carry, Seboomook Connector Trail: Pittston Farm to about 11/2 miles past Seboomook: Trail is passable, but still needs more snow. Trail was groomed again last week, but there is nothing to work with. Use caution and watch for hazards. This trail also uses about 4 miles of plowed road. Please keep to the right and use the trail where directed.

Route 201 Corridor

Jackman 1/24: We received a few inches of fresh snow Thursday. Now that the weather and the trails are in great shape all we need is riders. The groomers are on a regular daily grooming schedule with no problems to report.

ITS86 to Pittston Farm & Rockwood: very good

ITS89 North to Canada: very good (new trail, watch signs)

ITS89 South to the Forks & Parlin: very good

In town: fair to good

Parlin Pond 1/23: We have little snow the last week but our base is in good shape which will give you good trails for this weekend. The base on our trails range between 24-48 inches. We will be grooming throughout the weekend, this week’s cold weather and intermittent snow have given us a hard-packed base, perfect to groom.

ITS89: Great riding, groomed and ready to go. There is a quarter-mile stretch on the north side of Coburn that is a bit rough, but easily passable.

Rte. 66: Groomed the entire section, we have a base of over 3 feet insuring great riding for the rest of the season.

ITS Connector trail from ITS89 to The Forks: Groomed and ready to go. Good riding in the entire region.

West Forks, Durgin Hill, 1/22: We have a great base of 12-plus inches of snow and grooming is in full swing! Frequent snow showers have graced the area with an additional 1-2 inches of fresh snow throughout this week.

At this time, trails are snow-covered but still icy in some areas experiencing high traffic. We also caution riding off sections of marked trail as obstacles such as stumps and rocks are just under the snow. Trails are holding up well and we are anticipating more snow.

The Forks 1/21: Busy holiday weekend here in The Forks. By the end of the weekend, the trails had been ridden hard. We will be working overtime to get them back in super shape as soon as possible! The area currently has anywhere from 16-24 inches of snow on the ground.

In general, all sections of the trail system are in very good to excellent shape. Our extensive preseason work widening and straightening out the intown trails has paid off, as these are in fairly good condition even with the heavy traffic.

The ITS Connector Trail from Berry’s Store to ITS 87 is in very good condition.

ITS 87 north to Greenville, Moosehead Lake is in excellent condition. Even the section along the Power Line is in great shape.

Skowhegan 1/20: The Skowhegan area trails are marked well with all the necessary arrows and such, but due to the lack of snow it is very rough. Riders from the Harmony area gave the same report.

Central Maine

Manchester 1/24: Cold temps in the evening have kept our groomer operators close to the woodstove. Groomers were out during the day Thursday and are out again today. Conditions will be excellent for the weekend! A reminder that there are several areas being logged, please pay attention to the signs and proceed with caution.

Winslow 1/23: Reporting in on Winslow’s trail system, all connector trails and ITS 85 are in good condition. Watch a few spots that are showing stumps and rocks, just use caution on our trails, have a great base