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

Madawaska, Feb. 2: Trails are good to excellent, with many miles on the excellent side.

An occasional icy curve and lean snow conditions in wind-blown areas keeps some sections of trail on the minimal but adequate side. The Chain of Lakes from Long Lake, to Mud, Cross, Square, and Eagle lakes are super solid with 24 inches or more of ice. As many locals know, the thoroughfares connecting the Chain of Lakes never freeze and are to be kept away from, and the pressure ridge on Long Lake extending from the Sporting Club to Paulette Brook can easily be crossed with caution.

Caribou Parks and Recreation Report, Feb. 2: Sledders will find limited snow cover between Millinocket and Caribou. Most trails are open and have been groomed in this area but fields may have some bare ground and woods might be a bit rougher than normal. The snow line improves from Ashland north and east on a line to Washburn, Caribou and Van Buren. Beginning from this line and heading north snow conditions continue to be the best around with all trails groomed and in good shape.

Sledders will find a wide range of conditions this weekend with the best sledding in northern Penobscot and or course northern Aroostook County.

Sledders will find limited snow cover in the central and southern regions. Plowed fields can be a problem so slow down on corners. Also wooded sections are wooded sections and contain stumps and rough ground so with limited snow cover sledders need to exercise caution and reduce speed.

Oxbow, Feb. 2: Oxbow-Masardis SC Web site reports that the lack of new snow combined with extreme cold and strong winds has made it difficult to groom the trails. Be prepared for marginal cover in windblown areas. ITS 85 has been rerouted in Oxbow but the trail is well marked at the intersections.

Katahdin region

Millinocket area, Feb. 2: Cold nights and warmer days are treating the trails and the people riding them quite nicely this week. As always we could use more snow but the trails to the north and east of Millinocket are in great shape and to the south and west they are in good shape. We are grooming on a regular schedule and plan to be out on all trails each night this weekend.

Shin Pond-Bowlin Matagamon, Feb. 2: We continue to groom all trails in the Bowlin Matagamon Shin Pond area. We do need snow but the trails are good.

Patten, Feb. 2: Patten to Sherman trail is good, Patten to Shin Pond is good, Patten to Island Falls is good. Fields are windblown.

Moosehead region

Greenville, Feb. 4: Moosehead Riders Web site reporting that ITS 85/86 north of Greenville is boney to bare in places with many icy patches. There is still heavy logging going on around the B-52 Site and Prong Pond Road. Please stay out of these areas, they are posted no snowmobiling.

ITS Connector 110 to Brownville has been temporarily rerouted across Young’s Trail to Kathadin View Trail to the KI Road. This is being groomed regularly and offers some very nice riding with scenic views along the Kathadin View Trail. Watch for some icy spots on the KI Road.

ITS 86 and the Greenville/Moxie Loop are being groomed regularly and still offer some good riding.

ITS 85 South to Shirley, Monson, and Blanchard also has plenty of snow. Watch for icy spots in the bypass area.

Rockwood, Feb. 2: The Birches Resort Web site reports that trails are in good shape, most are hard packed and all offer plenty of lubrication for slides. Be cautious of a few icy patches, mostly on turns and hills. Moosehead Lake is frozen but please check with local snowmobile clubs and area businesses before venturing onto the lake.

There is roughly 10 inches of hard-packed base on the ground to date. The groomers are out and trails are open.