Snowmobile trail conditions

The following snowmobile trail conditions report is from members of the Maine Snowmobile Association. The complete report is posted on the MSA Web site: www.mesnow.com

Aroostook County

Benedicta, Jan. 28: Some wooded areas on all trails are getting really boney and all fields are almost completely bare. Keeping that in mind, trail report is as follows:

ITS 81 Sherman-Mattawamkeag Cutoff: Good conditions with sparse snow in all fields – especially plowed ground. Have logging operation approximately 2 miles south of Sherman Mobil and continuing for 1-1/2 miles. Slow and follow signs closely.

ITS 83 Sherman-Whetstone Falls: Good to excellent conditions. Plowed road from Whetstone, north for 2-3 miles is gone. Groomer has pulled snow back into the roadway.

Municipal Trail 70 Benedicta-Whetstone Falls: Have plowed road beginning at end on Casey Road on I-95 and continuing for 5-6 miles west of town. Groomer operators have been instructed to groom just the right side of the road for all sled traffic. This will not be a problem if sleds pay attention and follow the signs closely.

Caribou Parks and Recreation Report, Jan. 26: Looks like there will be lots of traffic around the crown this weekend as snow depths are up and the temperatures are expected to stay on the positive side. Overall snow conditions are good with limited cover in a few areas so sledders will need to use caution in fields and wooded areas, especially in the central sections of the County.

East to west ITS 86 is open and groomed, however sledders will hit about 11/2 miles of plowed road near the St. Croix siding area.

ITS 81 between Blaine and ITS 85 is open and groomed with some boney spots in field areas.

ITS 88 is in better shape especially in wooded sections heading west, but again fields, especially on the eastern sections, have minimal cover so sledders should use caution. Watch for a few washouts on the Fort Fairfield section near the cemetery.

ITS 90 is open and groomed through with the same problem of limited snow cover in the fields.

ITS 92 has a good base and is groomed through to Dickey. The connection to St Pamphile is also open and has been groomed.

Up and down the crown ITS 85 is finally open through all of Aroostook and Penobscot county. There is a 2-mile plowed section with active logging near Winterville – please reduce speed and proceed with caution.

ITS 83 is good for the most part through to Millinocket with thin field cover in the central section.

ITS 81 between Madawaska and Mars Hill is groomed but also with limited field cover especially from Limestone south.

Additional logging operations on Rte. 75 in the Squa Pan area and Rte. 89 near the Rte. 100 intersection in Connor.

Remember moose are still active especially on ITS 83 between Mud and Long Lakes so please keep your eyes open, especially at night.