Greetings from Aroostook County.........

Overall Conditions:

16-20 inches of new snow in the last week has set this weekend up to be another great sledding weekend across The County. All major ITS trail open and groomed and most secondary trails opened and groomed except as noted below.

NOTE OF CAUTION: Slush on the lakes……..so expect it. Moose and deer still roaming free so watch for those critters especially at night. Logging is popping up in places so use caution, slow down and keep right. Clubs make sure YOU mark trails around logging ops. Sledders will find some plowed roads but most have a snow base.

More specifics are listed below via trail locations

ITS 85 open and groomed from the St. John Valley to the Katahdin Region. Watch for significant logging ops along ITS 85 in Winterville near the ITS 120 intersection. Trucks and equipment can be expected along the entire section of trail in that area for most of the winter including the southern end of

ITS 120 (Debouille). From Ox Bow south to Shin Pond and south to the Katahdin region they are now in full operation and trails are primo.

St Francis noted the Lincoln Trail Rts 92A should be open for the weekend but check locally.

ITS 83 in full swing with all projects reporting full grooming operations from Madawaska to E. Millinocket. Plenty of snow cover throughout.

ITS 81 open and groomed from Madawaska south and west to the 85 intersection. Projects reporting no problems NUMBER NINE LAKE TRAIL CLOSED DUE TO LOGGING

ITS 105 from Van Buren south to Houlton and Linneus is open and groomed……..sorry no report from further south on that one between Linneus and Danforth but plenty of cover.

ITS 90 open and groomed from ITS 81 intersection in Limestone/Ft Fairfield to Portage no problems. There will be gas at Coffins Store in Portage this winter.

ITS 92 groomed from Ft. Kent to Allagash but you can not go to Escourt due to logging however Cedric and a few others have been working hard and have the loop open to Glazier Lake…pick it up by the Little Black checkpoint. Remember the last gas is on ITS 92 at Chamberlains

ITS 88 open through east to west with plenty of snow cover.

ITS 86 groomed east of Houlton /ice on some of the big climbs gave the groomer a workout but this snow should help out and get that all taken care of all the way through. The west end is good

ITS 120 (Debouille Trail) has been open and groomed but watch out for logging off 85 at the 120 intersection and in on 120. It is active and will be most of the winter

Rt 89 from Caribou north is open to Rt 94 no problems. Rt 100 to Caswell connecting with 89 is open and groomed too.

Soldier Pond, Daigle, St. Agatha and Frenchville have been out and their trails are top notch

Mapleton, Chapman and the Squa Pan region has all trails open and groomed

Shin Pond, Bowlin, Mattagamon trails are primo and connect in all directions for some great riding.

Katahdin region is up and running the Twin Lakes and Jo Mary regions reporting all trails open and full grooming ops going strong. For more info on the Katahdin region log onto www.neco.com

On the social side

On going……….

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

Jan 29 Public Breakfast, Pleasant Ridge Riders SC of Caswell, 7-11a.m. at the clubhouse. $6/adults, $3/children.

Feb 4

SUPPER ON THE RUN/TWILIGHT POKER RUN, Held by the Portage Lakers SC. Begins 6p.m. FMI: Beth Hummel 207-435-2327.

CLUB RIDE, Pleasant Ridge Riders SC of Caswell, to Dean's Motor Lodge in Portage Lake. Leave the clubhouse at 9a.m.

CLUB RIDE, Madawaska SC. Meet at the clubhouse at 9a.m.

STEAK SUPPER, Ft Kent Snowmobile Club, at the Senior Center 4-7pm, Frenchville Road. Take Charette Hill Loop off ITS 85, trail will be marked.

Club meeting Fort Fairfield Snowmobile Club

Feb 11 8th ANNUAL ANDY SANTERRE SNO-RUN, to benefit AMHC Sexual Assault Services. 8:30a.m. sign in at Griffeth Ford/Lincoln/Mitsubishi, Caribou. 4:30p.m. autograph signing at the Crow's Nest, Presque Isle, followed at 6p.m. with dinner and auction, same location. Visitwww.amhc.org for more information.

Feb 12 Breakfast at the Ft Fairfield clubhouse off the Strickland Rd.

Feb 14 MEETING/CLUB SUPPER, Caribou SC. 6:30p.m., lasagna supper.www.caribousnowmobileclub.com

Feb 17-19 Moosestompers Weekend in Houlton. Great fun for everyone. www.moosestompers.com Feb 18

MADAWASKA 100, USCC Cross Country Snowmobile Race.9a.m.-4p.m., Albert Farms riverbank, Madawaska. Hosted by the Madawaska SC. Cash prizes - family fun.www.madawaska100.com. FMI: info@madawaska100.com, or call Mike Guerrette 207-728-7097 or Jean Ouellette 207-316-8287.

HOT DOG ROAST, held by the Caribou SC. Off Rt 105 in Stockholm (by car right off Rt. 161 at Axel Siding www.caribousnowmobileclub.com

Feb 21 MEETING, Pleasant Ridge Riders SC, Caswell. 7p.m. at the clubhouse.

Feb 25 DINNER ON THE RUN, Ashland SC, 5p.m. Details TBA.

THINK SNOW !!

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