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PLEASE - Stay
on the marked trails unless you are absolutely positive you are permitted to
ride off-trail. Don't be the reason for a trail being closed. RESPECT our
landowner friends.
March 27, 2009:
Groomers have the Right of Way
Grooming continues through this
weekend in the north
country. Daytime temperatures and sunlight have softened many trails and soon
water will be flowing. Northern trails are still in
excellent shape provided the area's grooming crews did a good job all winter. As
is typical for late March, bare areas and turns begin to get icy, so be extra
cautious on corners.
Trail reports from last winter might
wet your appetites and give you some trip planning ideas. There was so much snow
and great trail conditions last winter that many areas gave up making reports so
they could put all their manpower into dealing with all the new snow. Check out
the 2008 Snowmobile Trail Reports.
BEWARE OF
OPEN WATER AND THIN ICE ON LAKES: Despite what seems like plenty of ice, there are
always weak spots, especially near inlet and outlet flowages. Be cautious for numerous thin spots and slush holes. Contact a local snowmobile club for the most up to date conditions.
- Jo-Mary-Katahdin area Trail Report - 3/26/09: Groomed overnight the Katahdin Loop Trail (KLT) - excellent, B-Pond Trail - excellent, Warming Hut - Excellent, Pemadumcook Parkway - Excellent, except for one small previously plowed area. Groomed 3/20/09 Gauntlet Falls Club Trail & Greenwood Mountain Club Trail - excellent, #111 Connector - excellent. Use caution, there is logging activity at both ends of this trail.
- 3/22/09: Rider report - Rode 92 miles today. Conditions are excellent. Beautifully groomed. Whiteout snow showers to sunny views all within minutes. Flat and smooth, no moguls.
No ice. All lakes were solid with no slush encountered.
(see photo)
 - 3/15/09: Katahdin Loop Trail (KLT) Groomed - excellent; B-Pond Trail Groomed - excellent;
#111 Connector Groomed - excellent. Use caution, there is logging activity at both ends of this trail.
Warming Hut Groomed - Excellent; Gauntlet Falls Club Trail & Greenwood Mountain Club Trail Groomed - excellent; Pemadumcook Parkway Groomed - Excellent condition.
- 2/27/09: Katahdin Loop Trail (KLT), B-Pond Trail; #111 Connector and Warming Hut Trails all groomed 2/26/09. All are excellent.
- 2/24/09: Groomed Katahdin Loop Trail (KLT), B-Pond Trail, #111 Connector, Warming Hut Trail all groomed 2/24 and are all excellent.
- 2/08/09: Groomed everything last night, including the
"Christmas trees." Trails are SUPERB! NOTE: We have marked the lake route from 5 Lakes Lodge to Wadleigh Pond Trail with 45
"Christmas" trees. Please follow this route! NOTE: GAS PUMPS AT 5 LAKES LODGE WILL ONLY BE OPEN WEEKENDS (Sat & Sun) 9am-5pm. Katahdin Loop Trail (KLT) is excellent. B-Pond Trail excellent. #111 Connector - excellent. Warming Hut Trail - excellent. Pemadumcook Parkway is closed until 2/11/09 due to logging.
- 1/30/09: 12 to 15 inches of fresh snow. All groomed Thursday night. See the Millinocket report below.
- 1/24/09: NOTE: We have marked the lake route from 5 Lakes Lodge to the Wadleigh Pond Trail with 45 Christmas trees. Please follow this route for your safety.
- 1/19/09: Groomed the Katahdin Loop Trail and the northern half of the Warming Hut Trail. Both are excellent!
- 1/11/09: All of these trails were groomed last night and are ALL VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT.
- 12/23/08: See the Millinocket report below.
- Katahdin Region-Millinocket area Trail Report - 3/26/09: Groomers were out last night and reporting great conditions despite the warm weather. Trails are flat and hard with limited bare spots in the high sun areas. In town trails and behind the hotels are a little boney and we recommend trailering to at least the Timber Cruisers. The Pole Line and Wild Kingdon have some spots that we have flagged and groomed around, use caution. Jo-Mary Riders were out last night as well and report their trails as Flat and Excellent! There is some Excellent spring riding, with some still mid-winter conditions.
- 3/20/09: We will groom until the end of March. Still a lot of great riding. some trails are showing some
bare spots. Use caution & enjoy it while it lasts!
- 3/15/09: Great Spring riding! Warm afternoon temps and cold nights not only keep the Maple
Syrup running, but the trails in great condition. As always with spring riding there will be some wet areas
or open water spots, so use caution in low areas or near bridges. We have plenty of snow on the trails. We
are grooming nightly and will continue until the last weekend in March as long as the conditions hold. Be
on the lookout for wildlife on the trails as well as some open water spots. Use caution and enjoy the
ride!
- 3/12/09: Grooming continues nightly. Temps have dropped, which will keep the snow in great
shape. Still at least 3 feet of snow in the woods.
- 2/26/09: Most of the trail system is now groomed and the trails are all excellent! Some rain shower activity is expected late in the afternoon/evening on Friday; turning to some snow later in the night. We do not anticipate much change in the trail conditions. Temperatures are expected to get colder later in the weekend with snow again on Sunday.
- 2/24-25/09: We have snow and plenty of it! Received at least 18+ inches of the white stuff on Sunday and Monday. Grooming of the trails will continue throughout the week. Excellent riding!
 - 2/22/09: We received up to a foot of snow over the last 48 hours and it is a beautiful sunny day today. The forecast is calling for a little snow Fri night, sunny Sat. with increasing clouds as the day goes on. Temperatures to be near 30. Sunday: Snow in the afternoon with heavy snow Sunday night into Mon morning - up to 10 inches expected! Our groomers completed most of the trail system - everything is beautiful!
- 2/11/09: Trails were groomed again last night. Despite the warm temperatures, all groomers report that the trails are in great shape. Timber Cruisers Clubhouse, ITS 86 West to Millinocket Lake (Pole Line) groomed last night - Good to very good. Waldleigh Pond Trail groomed to North Twin - Good to very good. ITS 86A - Millinocket Lake to 3 Corners Via the Grant Brook Road groomed - Very Good! ITS 86, 3 Corners to Penobscot Pond. ITS 86 Millinocket Lake to Whitehouse via Abol groomed - Excellent! Timber Cruisers Clubhouse, ITS 86 East to ITS 85/86 North at Whetstone Limits groomed to Whetsone and back - Very good! Millinocket Local Trails, Pit to Hotels, groomed to the Motels, Dolby, Downtown and Econo Lodge - Good to Very Good. Baxter Park South Entrance to ITS 86
East via Sandy Stream - Logan Pond Trail groomed from the clubhouse out the Staceyville Road to the State Road and up to the Logan Pond Trail and back. Excellent! Black Cat Trail to Twin Pines Wild Kingdom Trail or ALT 83 from the Pole Line to the Stacyville Road. Groomed Wild Kingdom & Black Cat last night. Good to Very Good. Groomed the Staceyville Rd last night- Very Good Condition. Stratton Trail groomed - Very Good.
- 2/08/09: Trails were groomed again last night, check the grid below for updates. The warm temperatures will start to drop this morning, so trails should continue to be excellent. Sno-Rovers Clubhouse, North to Whetstone ITS 83/85 groomed last night and in very good condition. - 2/07/09: Groomers were out in force again last night. In the words of three of our groomers reporting. The trails are BEAUTIFUL, SWEET and AWESOME! South ITS 83 to Lincoln Connections groomed last night and in very good condition. Caution: 1 mile of plowed road is shared with logging trucks. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.
- 2/7/09: East Millinocket Local Trails groomed last night - very good!
- 1/30/09: We received 12 to 15 inches of fresh snow. 4 groomers out last
night and grooming continues nightly. The trails are all excellent! Come Ride the
smooth, wide open snowmobile trails of the Katahdin Region.
- 1/25/09: Everything was groomed last night. Conditions are excellent
everywhere. Take note that the groomer is still broken down on the Stratton Trail. It will be another day before we
can get the parts needed to fix it and get it running. Will keep you advised on it's progress. UPDATE: As of 5pm
Saturday Jan 24 the groomer is still broken down on the Stratton Trail. Will let you know as soon as we get it up and running.
- 1/24/09: CAUTION - We have a groomer broken down on the Stratton Trail. The groomer broke down
last night 1/4 of the way in, on the right side of the trail. It is on a corner with just enough room to pass by. We will
be working this morning to get it fixed and on it's way.
- 1/9/09: Groomers all went out last night and the bulk of the trail system was completed. The trails are all very good to excellent and riding should be incredible! The Wild Kingdom Trail, the Wadleigh Pond Trail, and the State Rd /Logan Pond Trail will be groomed tonight. There are still some random open brooks and mud holes.
- 1/8/09: Received 10 inches of great snow... a bit of freezing rain half way through will make for good packing of trails. It stayed in the teens and we are out grooming today and tonight.
- 12/23/08: We started our grooming today and are enjoying a system wide snow
coverage that runs from 2 to 3 feet of snow and more. Groomers are on trails
in the Jo Mary Riders and Twin Pine Snowmobile/Millinocket Trails systems
as I type. All Millinocket Municipal trials will be open and groomed by the end
of the day Friday, the day after Christmas. ITS 86 east and West from Twin Pine
Camps and the Logan Pond trail are being groomed today and tomorrow. Next on the
list is the Pole Line and Wild Kingdom Trails as well as access to down town
Millinocket and the Hotels. Remember, its not how much snow you have but what
you do with it that counts. Count on this region to make the best of whatever
snow we have. With this much snow it won't be a challenge to make it the riding great!
- Bowlin-Matagamon-Shin Pond - 3/27/09: 6:00 am, 33 degrees, and it's snowing here at Shin Pond! This is my final trail report for this season. This will be our final weekend of grooming. If you were one of the lucky sledders to ride this past week you know that the trails are in the best shape for spring riding! But the warmer temps this weekend will start the brooks and streams running and the holes will appear in the trail. I rode yesterday afternoon and couldn't believe how good the riding was! (we rode some trails that had been groomed a week ago and they were great!) The views of Mt. Katahdin from the Patten-Shin Pond trails are some of the most spectacular I have seen. You are looking into "the bowl of the mountain". So next week you will find me out on the trail putting on the 300 miles I need to finish my 1000 mile goal for this season! (Now remember I work 7 days a week here at the village so the miles were started in early Jan and then finished here in late March). You will still be able to ride our area after the weekend, just call ahead if you are looking for fuel or food because most lodges will be closing for the season but still come and enjoy the spring riding!
- 3/19/09: The Sleddin is great! I was able to ride with friends this week, 138 miles of some
incredible riding! We will groom the next throughout the weekend. I have seen 50 plus sleds today and
they all agree this is great riding! ITS 85 north to Bowlin Camps and onto Matagamon and Shin Pond is
very good, Connector Trail 114 to Shin is good (being groomed tonight) Club trail 64 good. 71D is very
good.
- 3/13/09: 5 below this morning great for setting up the trails! Sun is out and the riding is great!
Better than normal spring riding! A little hard packed but today's sun will soften the trail up quick. ITS85
North to Bowlin Camps and onto Matagamon and Shin Pond is groomed with excellent conditions.
Remember it is March riding! What was not on the trail in the morning may open up in the late afternoon!
(a rock, a stump or a wet hole) So use caution. Connector Trail 114 to Shin Pond is groomed with great
riding! 71D to Grand Lake Seboeis is groomed with excellent conditions. Club trail 64 is very good also.
The Lookout Trail is open through Bowlin Camps, this trail is rough (our club sled is broke down) so just
take it easy on this trail. I think we will get the next few weekends of riding in.
- 2/25/09: All our trails are groomed after the 20 inch snow storm on Monday. The groomer operators all had funny stories to tell me about this storm, the 8ft snow drift, the 8 ft snowbank with the groomer teetering and then just losing the trail and being in the ditch! But they all made it through fine and our trails are in great shape. ITS 85 north to Bowlin and onto Matagamon and Shin Pond all groomed with very good conditions. 71D to Grand Lake Seboeis in excellent shape. Connector trail 114 to Shin Pond is also great. Club Trail 64 is very good too! Lots of Moose sign on the Snowshoe Road trail so use caution. This snow needs to settle and pack in and we will continue to keep a tight grooming schedule.
- 2/12/09: Yes it is raining BUT the good news is that temps are expected to drop tonight and we will be grooming. Six sledders came through from Millinocket and said the trails were great and holding up well. All of our trails were groomed prior to Wednesday and are in great shape.
- 1/26/09: 32 below zero this morning. The trails are hard packed and the
riding is awesome. All our trails are groomed and in some of the best shape we have seen! Trail traffic has been
very light over the last two weeks.
- 1/20/09: Tiding is superb. ITS 85 North to Bowlin Camps, on to Matagamon Camps and Shin Pond is groomed with excellent conditions. Connector 114 to Shin Pond is great, plowed road for a short distance so use caution, also lots of Moose sign. 71D will be groomed tonight. We still need to mark the lake at 71D with trees so if you decide to cross know where you are going. Club trail 64 will be groomed by Friday.
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Greenville Trail Report Greenville - 3/13/09: Trails are holding up fairly well despite mother nature. Club trails have been groomed and are in good condition with plenty of snow in the mountains. Trails in town are getting rough for obvious reasons though we have been diligent about grooming. The lake is slush covered, You should check with locals before venturing too far onto it. Also beware that the animals are spending more time on the trails now so please use caution on our mountain trails. We can only hope for some more colder weather to solidify the trails and we can get out there and smooth them out. The ITS grooming group are on a regular schedule too so we can extend our season a while longer. Over all we have some of the best spring riding available!
- 2/27/09: Blue Ridge Trail was done on Wednesday, the trail is narrow due to the massive amount of snow Greenville recieved on Sunday and Monday. Intown Trails were also groomed and are narrow as well. Trail to Kokajo has been groomed. Elephant Mountain Trail to ITS 85 North to the 110 Connector to ITS 82 has been groomed. Trails are not setting up as well as they should be, due to the warm weather.
- 2/11/09: Elephant Mountain Trail to ITS 85 to the 110 Connector to ITS 82 has been groomed and is in great condition.
- 2/10/09: In town Trails have been groomed. ITS 85 to Blanchard and ITS 85 to Kokadjo have been groomed. The B52 Trail to the 110 Connector to Brownville has been groomed. This trail as well as all other trails are in great condition! Last week's 100 Mile Sled Dog Race was a great success for all concerned. The weather was a little warm for the dogs, but it was great for the spectators and the volunteers. Our trail preparation crew worked with the musher group and set up the trail up the lake and out to Hedgehog Gatehouse where the Brownville Snowmobile club took over. The trail was groomed on Friday by Moosehead Riders and the Greenville ITS Groomers and the results could not have been better. The snowmobilers were very courteous and very respectful of the mushers.
All the trails in the Moosehead Region continue to be fantastic. As the
result of a short warm spell, the trails have hardened up some, but
continue to be flat and provide plenty of lubrication. Slush problems
continue on all water bodies. BE CAREFUL.
- 1/26/09: ITS 85 North to Kokadjo was groomed Saturday night. The B52 Trail to the 110
Connector to Blue Ridge to the KI Road was groomed and those trails are in great shape. ITS 87 and 85 were
groomed (Update: There is no more logging on 85 to Blanchard!) Intown trails west of the MRSC Clubhouse and
Greenville Junction were groomed. Tonight intown trails to the east of the MRSC Clubhouse and airport will be groomed.
- 1/23/09: ITS 85 South to Blanchard was groomed (Caution: there's still active logging on the southern
part of the trail).
- 1/20/09: 10-15 inches fell Sunday. Moosehead Lake East Cove, Kineo/Rt 66 marked. Moose, coyotes, deer and fox using trails. Elephant Mountain Trail/ Sandy Bay to ITS 85, 110 to Moosehead Club trails offers incredible views.
- 1/19/09: ITS 85 South, Caution: There is logging at Blanchard
Road, watch for trucks and debris in trail. ITS 86 and ITS 87 to
Forks, in-town trails and Junction trails have been groomed and are
in great condition, there's over a foot of new powder snow. Northbound
trails are being groomed today. Greenville area got 14-18 inches of snow over the weekend!
- 1/11/09: Elephant Mountain to ITS 85
North to the 110 Connector to ITS 82 is in EXCELLENT condition. The snow
is thin on Prong Mountain Trail. ITS 85 South to Blanchard has active
logging. ITS 87 has been groomed
- 1/10/09: All ITS trails are signed and
being groomed on a regular basis. ITS 85 north to Kokadjo is now open and
snow covered except for a 300 yard section on Tussle Lagoon Rd. All the
lower level club trails, except for the backside of Horseshoe Pd, have
been opened and in the process of being groomed. All the club trails
except for the mountain trails are well snow covered and smooth even it
they are not yet groomed. The mountain trails may have patchy rough spots
where snow has blown off and some drifts. The mountain trails still need
to be signed and will be sometime this weekend, if I can get out there. We
may not open the projected southbound club trail that would parallel the
Brocha Rd. We need another sled and drag to do that. All small ponds and
the shore areas of Moosehead are probably safe except around the inlets
and outlets.
- 1/9/09: ITS 85 North to Kokadjo was groomed last night (ITS 85
North is in good condition, but there is a small section of plowed road on
the trail).
- Greenville Junction - 2/24/09: We received 30+ inches of snow from Sunday night's storm. With all of the snow, we had to take the drag off the machine! Yesterday we went out and packed ITS 88. Tonight we will put the drag back on and groom the trail with the drag on. The trails will be a little soft, but should firm up in a day or two.
ITS 88 from Wilson's at the East Outlet around the back side of Squaw Mountain to the intersection with the Greenville Trail System continues to be groomed on a regular schedule. (We did have a reroute due to active logging, so please watch for signs. The new trail is well marked and in great shape.)
- 1/27/09: ITS 88 from Wilson's at the East Outlet around the back side of Squaw Mountain
to the intersection with the Greenville Trail System continues to be groomed on a regular schedule. We did have a
reroute due to active logging, so please watch for signs. The new trail is well marked and in great shape.
Conditions are excellent.
- Rockwood - 3/19/09: Spring is rearing its head with 3 consecutive days of temps in the mid 40's. No rain, but this
is still beginning to take it's toll on the trails. Road crossings are bare and dirt patches are showing up on
some inside corners. Sections of plowed road are near bare, but passable on the shoulders. Still lots of
snow on the roads and all other sections. Off trail riding is fantastic with the packed snow conditions.
GROOMING REPORT: Trails are holding up very well with cold nights and consistent grooming efforts.
We are optimistic that there we will have great trail riding until April. Most trails are still in excellent
condition. Watch for the occassional water hole that is opening up. The Blue Ridge Riders new Massey
Ferguson will be out on Route 66 north of Rockwood 5 nights a week. Grooming schedule for Route 66 is
now Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. ITS 88 East and West is also being
groomed on a regular schedule with two Tucker sno-cats out of the Birches Resort. ICE REPORT: The
surface of the ice on Moosehead Lake seems to change daily now. Mild days find the lake slushy with
pools of water. Others the lake has refrozen to hard frozen slush. On snowy days, you'll find drifts. Trails
across Moosehead from Rockwood to Mount Kineo are marked and are still safe for crossing. This
includes trails from the Birches Resort, from the Kineo Docks and from the Rockwood Strip, near the
Moosehead Motel. Ice depths are reportedly 24 inches topped with a 6-8 inch layer of crust. Ice depths
vary greatly around inlets, outlets and islands. WARNING: There are two pressure ridges out there. One
between Farm Island and Baker Brook and another in the North East Cove near Norcross.
- 3/17/09: The trails continue to be beautiful and are in great shape. The temperatures during the
day are more pleasant. Route 66 from Rockwood to Kokadjo is open and marked. Always use use caution
when venturing onto any frozen body of water and check with locals for ice thickness and hazards
first.
- 3/15/09: Rider report - Rode 102 miles from Rockwood to Kineo to NE Carry to Seboomook Dam to Pittston
Farm then toward Jackman. All very good. ITS 88 eastward toward Rockwood very good in Blue
Ridge Riders section, then from Demo bridge all the way to Rockwood the trail was very poor with
rough stretches and evidence of poor grooming all winter (moguls and bobsled
turns left to harden up). Hope they do better next year, as this section almost ruined the whole ride
and is the main route from Rockwood to Jackman.
- 2/25/09: A Nor'Easter stalled over the Maine Mountains Sunday night into Monday night. This brings over 2 feet of powdery snow to the region. An active storm pattern promises more precipitation. A little rain would help take the air out of this new accumulation. All Rockwood Groomers are back on their tracks and out doing what they do best...making the trails nice and flat. It will take some time to work all this new snow and bring the trails back to a hard packed surface. Everything should be excellent by the weekend. We certainly have plenty of snow and it should last us well into April. Route 66 north of Rockwood will be groomed every night until the trail is brought back to it's original condition. ITS 88 East and West is being groomed on a regular schedule as well. ICE REPORT: Moosehead Lake is covered in soft drifts of deep stow. ATV's will have a hard time. Trails across Moosehead from Rockwood to Mount Kineo are marked. This includes trails from the Birches Resort, from the Kineo Docks and from the Rockwood Strip, near the Moosehead Motel. Ice depths are reportedly 12 inches topped with a 6-8 inch layer of crust. Ice depths vary greatly around inlets, outlets and islands. WARNING: Water levels are fluctuating with scheduled releases. If you are unsure of any ice conditions, please stay on the marked trail.
- 2/11/09: The trails are in great shape and we have over 2 ft of snow for a base. Route 66 from Rockwood to Kokadjo is open and marked.
- 1/28/09: Rte 66 leading North out of Rockwood will be groomed on Friday, Saturday, Sunday
and Wednesday this week. This trail connects you with Jackman’s system and with Pittston Farm. ITS 88 is also
being groomed on a regular schedule. This connects with Greenville to the east and with the Forks and Jackman
trails to the west. There are several trail changes this season, so please look for signs. Our local Blue Ridge Riders
Snowmobile Club is working with the Maine Warden Service and Rockwood First Responders to make our trails
safer. New Rescue Zone signs will continue to be installed over the coming week. Thank you to all that volunteered
to help out. We are still a few hundred dollars shy of our goals if anyone has been considering a donation. These
signs cost $3.50 each and 500 were purchased. Contact Betty Reckards 534-7383. The Rockwood First
Responders cover the trails from Long Pond TWP to the East Outlet, to Pittston Farm and Kokadjo.
- 1/19/09: Sunday storm brought 8 inches of fresh fluffy snow to Rockwood. Local groomers will be out tonight to work the new snow. Rt 66 leading North out of Rockwood will be groomed on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week. This trail connects you with Jackman's system and with Pittston Farm. ITS 88 is also being groomed on a regular schedule. This connects with Greenville to the south and with Jackman trails to the north. There are several trail changes this season, so please look for signs. Trails across Moosehead from Rockwood to Mount Kineo are marked and are safe for crossing. This includes trails from the Birches Resort, the Kineo Docks and from the Rockwood Strip, near the Moosehead Motel. Ice depths are reportedly 12 inches from the Rockwood Public Landing to Mt. Kineo. However, depths vary greatly around inlets, outlets and islands. WARNING: There is a nasty pressure ridge that bisects Moosehead from the Moose River over to the Kineo shore. For those who know the lake, it is near the normal place. If you are unsure of any ice conditions, please stay on the marked trail. This is the only way to know you are on the right track.
- 1/12/09:The Birches Resort reports about 2 feet of snow for a base and 7 inches of freshly fallen snow on top of that. All area trails are in excellent shape. Moosehead Lake in Rockwood has frozen over but the ice is not thick enough to provide safe passage to Mount Kineo
- 1/9/09: Trails are being groomed regularly and the season is in full swing. A Wednesday storm brought 10 or so inches of new snow to add to a well established base. This is just what we needed to bring the trails up to excellent condition. Midweek traffic is very light and early riders are finding fresh moose sheds in the trail. There is a lot of moose and deer activity on the trails with the new snow. Look for fresh tracks. Rt 66 leading North out of Rockwood will be groomed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday night this week. This trail connects you with Jackman's system and with Pittston Farm. ITS 88 is also being groomed on a regular schedule, connecting with Greenville to the south and with Jackman trails to the north. All of the these projects are open. Both have several trail changes, so please look for signs.
ICE REPORT: Trails across Moosehead are marked and the ice is safe for crossing to Mount Kineo. This includes trails leading from the Birches Resort, Kineo Docks in Rockwood and from the Rockwood Strip, near the Moosehead Motel. Ice depths are reportedly 12 inches from the Rockwood Public Landing and from the Moosehead Motel. Slightly less from the Birches. Depths vary greatly around inlets, outlets and islands.
WARNING: There is a nasty pressure ridge that bisects Moosehead from the Moose River over to the Kineo shore. For those who know the lake, it is near the normal place. If you are unsure of any ice conditions, please wait for the marked trail. This is the only way to know you are on the right track.
- Kokadjo & Ragged Lake - 2/11/09: Farrar Mt. trail connecting to ITS86 and the Spencer Mt. trail connecting to North East Carry are in excellent shape and will be continuously groomed through the school vacation week. They are still logging a section of the Farrar Mt. trail so watch for heavy equipment in this area. Signs are posted there. We just got permission to groom the Otter Pond Road from Ragged Lake's East shore to OP1 and the Golden Road which will give us access to Caribou and Chesuncook Lakes.
- Northeast Carry - 2/10/09: Due to the heavy winter kill that
occurred last Spring, we have about 50 very hungry deer. They do not wander far and can be seen watching everything from the tree line. We have to remember they are wild animals, very pretty and docile looking, but still wild. They come and go as they please and do not like to have people try to approach them. If you stay still and do not make sudden moves or try to go after them in the yard or the woods, they may approach closer to where you are standing or sitting. The trails are great. Weather is co-operating. Grooming is an ongoing job and care needs to be taken because you never know when the groomer may be out working. The groomer is not a piece of equipment that can just move out of a sledders way. The groomer has the Right of Way.
- Pittston Farm - 3/17/09: We have GREAT spring snowmobile conditions in this area! Nice and warm for riding
during the day. Spring is showing its signs on the trails to our southwest
of us a little but Jackman, Rockwood and here, we should be able to enjoy a couple more weekends, at
least. Don't delay, conditions could change quickly. The temperatures are staying cold to allow for grooming each night,
so we have smooth trails for your enjoyment. All our trails are open and well-groomed and ready for you.
Our trails have a hard ice-packed, well prepared base, and a large amount of new groomed snow for a
comfortable riding surface. Come and experience our smooth snowmobile trail system of 82 miles. All
trails are in excellent condition throughout. Our club trails, Carry Brook and Windy Pitch trails are
groomed and well marked making a great alternative for connecting trails to Jackman, Rockwood, and
Northeast Carry and around the Moosehead Trail Loop.
- 2/10/09: All our trails are groomed and ready. The weather has warmed a little in the last few days. Mid-day in the teens for comfortable riding. We have about 3 ft on our trails with a hard ice-packed, well prepared base. Our club trails, Carry Brook and Windy Pitch trails are groomed. Some trail changes have taken place along the Jackman trail and are noted on the new Moosehead Trail Map.
- 1/26/09: All trails are in excellent condition throughout our system. Our club trails, Carry
Brook and Windy Pitch trails are groomed now and a great addition to our connecting trails to Jackman, Rockwood,
and Northeast Carry and around the Moosehead Trail Loop. The Loop amounts for about 150 miles of great
snowmobiling around Moosehead Lake and affords nice opportunities to visit us and other stops in communities
around the lake. Logging operations have ceased in the area of the Jackman trail around Brassua and Demo roads
and the snowplowing operation has ended too so the trail should be better identified, but please watch for signs.
- 1/20/09: 7 inches of new snow, for an approximately total of 38 inches. We will be opening the Carry Brook Trail soon. Windy Pitch trail that connects to the Jackman trail is open. The Ridge trail is open, groomed and signed. It is our hope soon, maybe within a short time logging operations will cease in the area and we can finish the changes to the Jackman trail. Beware, the Jackman trail has some plowed roads at this time.
- Jackman - 2/10/09: Trails are in great shape, new snow almost daily has allowed the trails to remain in overall very good condition and our guest are very happy! BORDER RIDERS CLUB TRAIL (40 mile loop) - Groomer went last night and will go tonight. Is in very good condition. PITTSTON FARM/NORTHEAST CARRY AREA - Groomer went last night and will go tonight. Is in very good condition. ITS 89 NORTH - Groomers went last night and will go tonight. Trails are great! IN TOWN TRAIL = Groomers went last night and will go tonight, they should be in good condition. ITS 88 - Groomer went last night and will go tonight. Conditions are still good, reports are coming in favorable.
- 1/19/09: Please Note: Make sure to stay on marked trail especially when going to Canada, do not ride on the construction site. Groomers went last night and will go out tonight. All trails are in good condition. Use caution on the Rockwood trail. You can go thru John's trailer park to Cedar Ridge and around, as it is being maintained privately.
- The Forks - 3/19/09: We still have about 2 feet of snow on the ground, but the warm daytime temperatures and
strong sun are taking their toll on the trails. Still decent trail riding, and fantastic off trail riding. With the
daily springtime thaw and freeze cycle, hazards are popping up, such as some bare inside corners, rocks
poking through the base, and ice. RIDE WITH CAUTION AT ALL TIMES. Short plowed road sections
(intown, Boise Road, Moxie Lake) are bare, but rideable on the shoulders. All 70 miles of The Forks Trail
System are passable and will definitely be groomed on Friday night. Saturday night grooming is tentative,
depending on the weather and the condition of the trails. ITS 86 FROM BERRYS STORE IN WEST
FORKS, HEADING EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE. Intown trails are "snurt", but it is all easily
passable. Once out of town just a bit, things improve. However, there is starting to be sections with ice
down the middle of the trail. Some minor bare spots in the clearcuts around Mosquito Mountain. Short
Power Line section near Moxie Lake is still passable, but the tops of some rocks are poking through.
Shirley Road and Brochu Road sections still have good snow. BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL. Good snow
cover. A couple corners on the Crooked Road section getting bare, but pretty good everywhere else.
BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL. Closed due to logging. ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD
BINGHAM. Good snow most of the way. A few bare patches here and there. Plenty of snow around
Moxie Mountain. PLEASANT POND TRAIL. Decent riding all the way through from ITS 87 to the Bald
Mountain Trail. This trail and ITS 87 make a great mountain loop, with outstanding scenery of Moxie
Mountain, Pleasant Pond Mountain, and Bald Mountain. KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL. Rideable all the
way through from Northern Outdoors to Berrys Store in West Forks. A few bare spots and icy hills.
This may be the last weekend for decent trail riding, as there doesn't appear to be any snow in the forecast.
Great off trail riding should continue for a couple more weeks. Best off trail riding is off the Shirley and
Brochu Roads (ITS 86), and around Bald Mountain (Bald Mountain Trail), Pleasant Pond Mountain
(Pleasant Pond Trail), and Moxie Mountain (ITS 87). For day trippers, there is a FREE PARK AND RIDE
LOT at Northern Outdoors Resort on Route 201. Gas, trail maps, food and trail info are available right at
the Lodge.
- 1/29/09: 12 inches of new snow on Wednesday. All 70 miles of The Forks Trail System are
being groomed on a regular basis with 2 Tucker Sno-Cats. For the remainder of this week, we will be grooming the
entire trail system on each of Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Trails will be soft for a couple days, until the
new snow can get broken down and bind. ITS 86 FROM BERRY’S STORE IN WEST FORKS, HEADING EAST
TOWARD GREENVILLE. In great shape. Even the short Power Line section near Moxie Lake will groom out flat.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL. This is the former ITS 87 on the east side of Moxie Lake. Clear sailing all the way.
BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL. Closed for the season due to heavy logging and plowed roads on the Blanchard end.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM. Fine shape all the way. The couple of short rough sections near
Pleasant Pond should groom out flat with this new snow. This trail winds around the base of Moxie Mountain for
several miles, with spectacular views of the rocky summit. There's also fine off trail riding in the basin on the west
side of the mountain, with expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range. Recommend bringing a
shovel for any off trail riding... it's getting deep out there! PLEASANT POND CLUB TRAIL. Open with great riding.
Since this is a secondary trail, we hope to groom this on Friday during the day. KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL. Open
and well groomed all the way through from Northern Outdoors to Berry’s Store in West Forks.
- 1/26/09: 24-36 inches of snow on the ground, depending on the exact location. All 70 miles of The Forks
Trail System are being groomed on a regular basis, with 2 Tucker Terra Sno-Cats. Intown trails get beat up
because of concentrated traffic, but we go over them twice on grooming nights. For this week, we will be grooming
the entire trail system on each of Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
- 1/19/09: 10 inches Sunday night. All 70 miles of The Forks Trail System are being groomed on a regular basis with our two Tucker Terra Sno-Cats. This week, the entire trail system will be groomed on each of Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. ITS 86 FROM BERRY'S STORE IN WEST FORKS, HEADING EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE is in excellent shape. Short Power Line section which was rough, should groom out well with this new snow. BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL. This is the former ITS 87 on the east side of Moxie Lake. Great riding all the way. BREAKNECK RIDGE TRAIL. Closed for the season, due to heavy logging and plowed roads on the Blanchard end. ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM. Fine shape all the way. The couple of short rough spots around Pleasant Pond should groom out flat with the new snow. This trail winds around the base of Moxie Mountain for several miles, with outstanding views of the rocky summit. There's also fine off trail riding in the basin on the west side of the mountain, with expansive views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Bigelow Range. PLEASANT POND CLUB TRAIL. Now open and groomed. There is a 1/2 mile section that is rough, but will be greatly improved. KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL. Open and groomed all the way through from Northern Outdoors to Berry's Store in West Forks. Scenic riding along the Kennebec River. Moose, deer and turkeys have all been spotted right on the trail, day and night. Ride with caution at all times. For day trippers, there's a FREE PARK AND RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors Resort on Route 201.
- Bingham - 1/29/09: Trail system continues to be in great shape. We received another 8 inches of snow on
Wednesday. ITS 84 and ITS 87 will be in great condition once we groom the new snow. Grooming is scheduled for
the next 4 nights. ITS 87 South to Solon - Flat and straight. Beautiful ride along the Kennebec River. ITS 87 North to
The Forks - This trail is in excellent condition and should only get better with the new snow. ITS 84 East to Athens -
Great trail that is on all roads. Wide and flat. 1st Club Trail From ITS 84 to ITS 87 (heading east on 84, first left after
you cross Rt. 201)-Nice trail - all road. 2nd Club Trail From ITS 84 to ITS 87 (heading east on 84, second left after
you cross Rt. 201)-Great trail that again is on all roads. This trail will bring you to the Heart of Gold trail system and
also back to ITS 87 a few miles north of Bingham.
- 1/20/09: 8 - 10 inches of snow on Sunday. ITS 84 and ITS 87 are super. Grooming will continue on a regular basis through the weekend. ITS 87 South to Solon - Flat and straight. Beautiful ride along the Kennebec River. ITS 87 North to The Forks - This trail is in excellent condition. The new snow should take care of any thin spots. ITS 84 East to Athens - Great trail that is on all roads. Wide and flat. 1st Club Trail From ITS 84 to ITS 87 (heading east on 84, first left after you cross Rt. 201)-Nice trail - all road. 2nd Club Trail From ITS 84 to ITS 87 (heading east on 84, second left after you cross Rt. 201)-Great trail that again is on all roads. This trail will bring you to the Heart of Gold trail system and also back to ITS 87 a few miles north of Bingham. The Heart of Gold trail system is now groomed.
- Aroostook County - 2/12/09: ITS 85 - Everyone is back on track as there had been some breakdowns but all projects have been out this week. Still logging south of Ashland so use caution. Also don’t forget Eagle Lake has rerouted 85 off the Red River Rd in Winterville. It is marked but please stay on the marked trail. We don’t want encounters with chip trucks. ITS 83 - Everyone has been out this week as of this date however Nordic Lakers did have a breakdown but another project will help out if they aren’t running by the weekend. There are good reports on the new trail that replaces the powerline trip. A bit longer but as most sledders have said, beautiful ride. ITS 81 - All projects are reporting being out this week. Remember there are a couple of changes this year. First, 81 is closed between Rt 96 and Rt 98B due to logging. So there is a hole in that trail but coming south you can hit 98B to Long Lake and travel about three miles down the lake to Rt. 79. Just reverse the route traveling from the south. In the Limestone section, the border trail is not being groomed. Rt 81 A is the reroute for 81 here. Also Rt. 94 out of Van Buren off ITS 81 is now open and groomed but Rt. 89 off 94 is closed to the Rt. 100 intersection due to logging. The only access to Rt. 89 is from the Rt 100 intersection coming from Caswell. ITS 81 from Fort Fairfield through to ITS 85 has been groomed regularly and has very little traffic. ITS 92 is open and groomed all the way to Escourt and reported to be in excellent shape. Also the Lincoln Trail or 92A/92B is open this year for those wishing to make a loop. ITS 120 the Debouille Trail has been in good shape this winter with both Eagle Lake and Allagash doing a good job grooming. ITS 90 is in great shape from Portage to the Fort Fairfield connection. All projects have been out this week. ITS 88 Everyone is out here after a few breakdowns. ITS 86 Groomed this week with little traffic and great riding. ITS 105 has no problems and has been groomed this week. ITS 114 is in good shape. ITS 110 was groomed this week.
- 1/28/09: 10-14 inches of snow moved around by a 10-20 mile per hour wind will set the
workload for grooming projects this weekend. It takes projects anywhere from 15 to 24 hours to get through their
systems after a storm like this so sledders should be mindful that grooming equipment will probably be out all
weekend so use caution. Caution should also be used at all road crossings as banks are starting to get pretty tall.
Eagle Lake trail system will be rerouted for the remainder of the season due to trucking off Red River Road. ITS 85
north and south in Winterville - WATCH FOR REROUTE SIGNS. Do not use the former trail. They will use the far
end of Red River Road to connect to the Portage trail system and Debouille trail at Labbe Brook. South of Ashland
on 85 look for an expanded logging operation. Please stay on the marked trail. On ITS 81 and Rt. 75 in the Squa
Pan area you will run into logging operations. Please follow the signs and make sure you stay on the marked trails.
Most club trails are now open although it may take them a bit longer to catch up but Rt. 83 A from Caribou across
the Aroostook River is now open. Rt 92 A, the former Lincoln Trail from St. John to Allagash is open. The Sly Brook
system is open. Further south the Shin Pond system and Sherman/Oakfield systems are open and waiting for
sledders. Rt. 71A from Oxbow to Ashland is now open with a river crossing - it's marked, so stay on the marked
trail to be safe. A reminder if you are going to the ISFIM you will need proof of insurance, a passport or birth
certificate with a picture ID and you current state registration or provincial trail permit. If you are driving through
Caribou you can pick up your pass at the Caribou Parks and Rec office.
- Benedicta - 2/12/09: Close to 40 degrees on Wed. All trails are settling at this time. Grooming start again when temperature drops, possibly Thursday night. ITS83 - Sherman/Whetstone Falls good/excellent conditions. This trail has MAJOR traffic from Whetstone Falls to the intersection of 85N. We will make every effort to get this trail back in shape for the weekend. ITS81 - Sherman-Benedicta-Mattawamkeag Cuttoff excellent conditions. With minimal traffic this week, this trail is holding up well. Municipal Trail #70 - Benedicta/Whetstone Falls - THIS TRAIL IS CLOSED DUE TO HEAVY LOGGING! I will update as soon as this trail becomes available. Molunkus Valley Snowdrifters has informed that trails #3-3A Bible Point is CLOSED due to logging.
- 1/27/09: Have one groomer on line at this time. Both groomers will be in operation by Wed.
ITS83 -Sherman/Whetstone Falls is groomed with good conditions. This trail has had MEGA traffic, and I am told
will be groomed almost daily to accom0date traffic at this time. BE AWARE OF AN ACTIVE BEAVER HOUSE 1/2
MILE S. OF SHERMAN LUMBER MILL. THIS HOUSE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL - CAUTIONED - SLOW
DOWN! ITS 81 - Sherman/Benedicta/Mattawamkeag Cuttoff - groomed, will be groomed again on Tue/Wed. with
good conditions. Municipal Trail #70 - Benedicta/Whetstone Falls -CLOSED due to logging at this time. McAvoy trail
groomed with good conditions. Perry pond trail not groomed at this time.
- 1/20/09: 12" of new snow. ITS 83 Sherman/Whetstone Falls - groomed on Monday night, with good/excellent conditions. BE AWARE OF AN ACTIVE BEAVER HOUSE IN THE TRAIL, APPROX. 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF SHERMAN LUMBER MILL. ITS 81
Sherman-Benedicta-Mattawankeag Cuttoff - will be groomed on Tuesday night. Riders are urged to go ride this trail and knock the air out of it. Municipal Trail 70 Benedicta/Whetstone Falls - CLOSED until further notice due to logging.
- Rangeley - 1/19/09: Base depth (in Oquossoc): 33 inches. Received 6+ inches of snow Sunday and today. All trails are open. Grooming is in full schedule and trail riding should be very good. The trail (Kamankeag Trail) joining the Oquossoc Rail Bed (ITS 84) to trails leading into Rangeley is reopened. It was recently plowed and it is icy underneath the snow base so use caution. There is a truck crossing posted with stop signs on ITS 84 near where the trail crosses Route 17. ITS 84 will be rerouted soon from the point where it crosses Route 16 as the trail heads out from Oquossoc toward NH and Bosebuck. Watch for signs and please heed stop signs. ITS 84 to NH and Bosebuck should be good riding except for a couple areas that had been plowed and may still have icy patches. There is still logging activity in places in that area. Do not ride plowed roads. ITS 84 and ITS 89 after you decend from Saddleback Mt. and heading east toward Phillips was recently plowed and remains icy. Use caution as there is also some vehicle traffic on the plowed sections.
- Dover-Foxcroft - 1/10/09: Trails are
all groomed. Riding from Dexter to Dover to Abbott all trails were
excellent. Note: The Whistle Stop Restaurant in Abbott is closed, and the
trail into Trafton's Store and the Abbott club is rerouted slightly.
- Rumford - 1/25/09: LOGGING ALERT -There is a logging operation on the Swain Pond Trail. Riders have
permission to pass through 1/2 mile of plowed logging road. The trail is signed. The logging operator has asked that
riders proceed through this area at 10 mph. There is a logging operation on Trail 12 in Milton. Riders have
permission to pass through a 1/4 mile of plowed logging road. The trail is signed. There are also small logging
operations on the Cameron Trail and the Red Hill Trail. Riders should proceed slowly and with caution through
these areas. Stay right and yield to logging equipment and trucks. They have the right of way.
- 1/25/09: Trail 17 north from the groomer garage to the intersection of ITS 82, ITS 82 west to Horseshoe
Valley, the Swain Pond Trail to the north end of the Pond, Trail 12 from ITS 82 to the intersection of the Red Hill
Trail, the Hanover Trail were groomed.
- 1/23/09: The Black Mountain Trail was groomed.
- 1/22/09: Trail 17 south from the groomer garage to the intersection of Trail 12 was groomed.
Other Trail Reports:
Here are some great reports from
other winter seasons to wet your appetite and give you some trip planning ideas. During winters when
there was so much snow, many areas gave up making reports so
they could put all their manpower into dealing with all the new snow.
Check out these previous trail grooming reports:
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