March 15, 2012

Greetings from Aroostook County...


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Overall Conditions:

Paul Gray of Ox Bow says it doesn.t take long to get from skidooing to canoeing..but we are not quite there yet. Most projects have groomed this week at least once and will groom again before the weekend, weather permitting. About 3-5 inches of fresh snow will help and it looks like some nice warm temps and sunny days will make for some great spring riding this weekend. The fields are leaning out from central Aroostook south......but sleds can still pick there way but agreeably you might have to trailer to some places....but snow pack remains good north and west.

Cautionary notes... YOU WILL FIND WATER....it.s spring riding so be alert especially along fields and in low lying areas.

ITS 85 Everyone was out at least once but Fridays weather may place a bit more rain then snow on some of the southern sections....but the snow pack is good right now and should be for another week, unless we get into the high 60s.

ITS 83 Pretty much the same until you get to south central Aroostook and then the fields have opened up quite a bit. Can.t groom them but that doesn.t mean you can.t ride them! Heading north the rail bed is good and up north the folks have groomed and will go out again as long as the temps remain cool.

ITS 81 Some projects have been out, some have not as there are some lean spots but the rail bed is good as are wooded sections. Remember the Number Nine Trail opened a week or so ago..the roads had been plowed so depending on temps you might hit some dirt on occasion.

ITS 105 Van Buren to Washburn is good and heading south you will be ok but again, fields are lean the further south you go. Washburn.s 61 has reopened.

ITS 90 Portage and Caribou have been out and Limestone is playing it by temp and snow cover and will go out weather permitting but there is sufficient snow to ride on from the 81 intersection west.

ITS 92 Ft Kent, Allagash and St. Francis have been out and the snow pack remains good. Remember the last gas is at Chamberlains.

ITS 88 This trail will be a bit spotting with some water holes in low lying areas but conditions get a bit better the further west you travel.

ITS 86 Ox Bow an Meduxneakeag reporting this trail with a good snow pack still but watch for warming temps and where the rain/snow line shows up.

ITS 120 (Debouille Trail) Still a good snow pack.

Rt 89 Caribou was out this week but probably won.t be able to cross the river with the groomer again. Caswell is noting no major problems on 100 east.

Soldier Pond Pretty good snow pack with limited grooming.

Daigle Again pretty good snow pack but the fields will begin to lean out. These trails have been good this winter but use caution.

St. Agatha Like everyone else, grooming will be limited depending on weather and you will run into a couple of water spots.

Frenchville Fields are holding but use some caution. Like the rest you may hit some water.

Mapleton, Chapman and the Squa Pan Trying to keep things groomed. Wooded sections are pretty good but again watch out for water.

Shin Pond The trails are holding up and grooming ops will continue as long as the weather cooperates.

Katahdin region Plenty of snow but like the rest of the area, the rain/snow like and temperatures will determine how grooming ops go but the snow pack is good on the westerly sections towards Jo Mary and Millinocket Lake. For up to date info log onto: www.neewco.com

ON THE SOCIAL SIDE:

On going....
Washburn Clubhouse now open Fridays from 7 a.m. . 2p.m. Friday Night Stews at the Presque Isle Clubhouse starting around 5 p.m. Washburn breakfast and Lunch Saturday 7-2 and Sunday 7-12. And are open every weekend until the last weekend in March Meduxneakeag Ramblers have started their Saturday breakfasts 6-10 a.m. at the clubhouse

Ski Doo is hosting demo rides out of the Caribou Inn and Convention Center through this weekend.