Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine February 2023
THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 2/28/2023
Last week we said winter returns. That apparently was a joke, the cold returned so we will try again this week. Snow in the forecast tonight and Saturday- and we can use some. We will be out grooming again Wednesday night.
ITS 87 Groomed and the southern section south of Caratunk is in excellent condition. We continue grooming into Bingham’s system to finish the Moxie Mountain Loop. Waterholes have frozen back up. Icy corners and ice chop in the woods. Intown section is rough, some loose rocks etc and in fair condition.
ITS 86 Groomed and in great shape. We still have a temp reroute around the water hole east of ITS87 so look for signage. There is ice chop in the woods and in some corners. Not much we can do with it. Rapid warm weather and rapid cold weather and riding after grooming on those transition nights are a big reason. Note there is a lot of ice under the fluff. Make sure your carbides are in good shape!
Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) Groomed and in excellent shape.
Moxie Falls Trail Groomed on 2/18 and still in good condition.
Kennebec River Trail Groomed and most of it in great shape. North of the Flood Road is rough and needs more snow cover to fill in. That section is in fair shape.
Caratunk Spur Trail Groomed and in excellent condition.
Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent shape.
Breakneck Ridge Trail Groomed and in excellent shape. Short plowed road section on our system. If you follow all the way through, the other end has a longer plowed section. But there are trails off from it beyond our system.
Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.
Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Note from Trailmaster Ben on Equipment: We need your support!
We’ve had broken groomer push blades, broken hydraulic cylinders (2) (piston snapped in half) ripped off eyelets on frame, significant transfer case leak on one, rear main seal went on another, radiator leaking on the third, track damage, an axle locker malfunctioning, lights out, electrical gremlins causing random shutdowns, crank shaft position sensor failure troubleshooting, broken drag blades, cracked frame on a drag, bad idler wheel, blown fuses, blown hydraulic lines.
All in a week…
This is thousands of dollars just in parts… example a cylinder itself is over $900 – eak.
So join the club and or make a donation here please!
If anyone wants to just send a direct paypal donation, the address is forksareatrailsclub@gmail.com
Zach’s Latest Video Trail Report- 2/23/2023
Day riders, there is a FREE PARK & RIDE LOT at Northern Outdoors on Route 201.
The large parking lot is plowed with plenty of room for snowmobile trailers and groomed access to all trails. The Park & Ride lot is marked with a large sign on Route 201, 1/4 mile south of Northern Outdoors. Snowmobile trail maps, 91 octane ethanol-free gas, great food, and cold beer are available at Northern Outdoors.
**PLEASE NOTE: gas is CASH ONLY and available 9:00am-5:00pm
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THE FORKS AREA TRAILS UPDATE 2/25/2023
We received approximately 4″ Thurs/Thurs night- certainly not what we’d hoped for, but it all helps! Two groomers were out last night to cover the system and things looks good. Coverage in-town is fairly thin, so will get beat up with heavy traffic. Enjoy the beautiful day!
THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 2/22/2023
Winter returns this week!
Last couple of nights we have groomed our trails but have been plagued with groomer issues. Our newest groomer (2007) is down right now. We were able to limp it back, but as a result part of ITS87 between Caratunk and The Forks was not groomed. The good news is that section was groomed the night before and held up well due to the lower temps.
We definitely need the snow coming – there are bare and rough sections in the woods as well as in high traffic sections.
We will be out again tonight prepping base for the storm.
ITS 87 Most of it is groomed, the southern section south of Caratunk is in excellent condition.
We extended grooming into Bingham’s system last night to finish the Moxie Mountain Loop. A few waterholes have appeared again…use caution. These can open up at anytime. Do NOT rely on signage.
ITS 86 Groomed and in great shape. We have a temporary reroute around the water hole east of ITS87 so look for signage. Plowed road sections are getting a bit dirty around the Shirley Tote Road.
Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) Groomed and in excellent shape.
Moxie Falls Trail Groomed on 2/18 and in good condition.
Kennebec River Trail Groomed on the 21st. North of the Flood Road needs more snow to continue grooming that section. Short span. Rest is in great condition.
Caratunk Spur Trail Groomed and in excellent condition.
Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent shape.
Breakneck Ridge Trail Groomed and in excellent shape. Short plowed road section on our system. If you follow all the way through, the other end has a longer plowed section. But there are trails off from it beyond our system.
Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.
Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 2/14/2023
We sent all three groomers out last night.
I want to note, there are a lot of new people to the sport and we all need to help educate each other of how this all works and why and what doesn’t. And a good reminder for the trail warriors and veterans too.
3 main things kill the trails. We will do further posts explaining each as there are always variables.
1. Traffic
2. Warm weather
3. Aggressive riding and actually any riding under certain conditions on fresh groom trails.
To the people I saw last night, you guys were stewards of how to ride fresh groomed trails. We and all of today’s riders thank you.
The warm weather means trails get beat up faster and we will explain in detail on another post. But that’s what we have been dealing with along with a lot of traffic to the area due to few other places to ride. Sadly all of those additional riders are not joining *our* club. Maybe they join a neighboring club or their home club which is great but its not a revenue sharing platform per say 🙂 It’s amazing to me we have just over 100 members in the Forks area trails system. So get on it! Skip the Starbucks and Dunkin for a week, I assure you they will make it. Less than a tank a gas keeps us grooming and maintaining our aging equipment.
Ok now on to the trail report…
ITS 87 Groomed and in much better shape than I expected. Best sections are south of Caratunk headed towards Bingham, about perfect. In town is thin and rough (traffic and lack of snow) but it’s a short section.
ITS 86 Groomed and in good shape. Some moguls in corners we have been grinding down but still noticeable. The waterhole on 86 near the Boise road is starting to open back up and we will be monitoring. Warm nights are not helping anything. There is a bypass around if need be. Powerlines are thin but it’s a short section.
Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) Groomed and as good as it gets! Seriously if you haven’t done this loop, check it out! Loops back to ITS87.
Moxie Falls Trail Groomed 2/11 and in great shape.
Kennebec River Trail Groomed and in good shape. Little thin in the woods section.
Caratunk Spur Trail Groomed and in excellent condition.
Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent shape. Mint! Still only upper half to Breakneck Ridge open.
Breakneck Ridge Trail Groomed and in excellent condition! On our portion there is a short couple hundred yard shared section for logging, use caution. On other end towards Shirley/Monson is a longer plowed stretch but other trails off to bypass.
Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.
Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Video Trail Report, February 9th 2023
THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 2/6/2023
The cold weather combined with grooming last night made the trails today the best they have been. Mostly mint conditions! In town high traffic areas and in the tight woods sections could still use a bit more snow but by far the best we have seen.
ITS 87 Groomed and in excellent shape. Flat and fast.
ITS 86 Groomed and in great to excellent shape shape. The waterhole is not an issue. Powerline section could use more snow but it’s a short section. Shirley Tote Road still shared for logging for the season. Use caution. Plenty of snow on the road.
Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) Groomed and in excellent condition.
Moxie Falls Trail Groomed and in great condition.
Kennebec River Trail Groomed and in great condition. Steep hill by Flood Road could use more snow.
Caratunk Spur Trail Groomed and in excellent condition.
Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent condition. Upper half only. Bottom portion connecting to Windmill Trail remains closed for logging.
Breakneck Ridge Trail Groomed and in excellent condition. Shared plowed section through here, use caution.
Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.
Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
2/3/2023 Grooming Update
We had two groomers break down during Thursday night’s shift, so we were only able to groom a portion of our system. But, all the trails were already in great shape and should hold fine with this cold. Also, most clubs are keeping the groomers in the garages this weekend due to extremely cold temps. No need to put machines or drivers at risk. Forks Area Trails Club is not going out Fri or Sat night, but will be out again Sunday night.
THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 2/2/2023
Use caution this weekend due to the extreme cold weather. Frostbite sets under 10 minutes with the temps and wind chill they are calling for. A breakdown, an accident all become serious issues.
ITS 87 Groomed and in great to excellent shape. A few minor trouble spots in the woods but otherwise great condition.
ITS 86 Groomed and in great to excellent shape shape. The waterhole near the Boise Rd is now freezing up nicely and easily navigated. We have resumed grooming through. There is still a small water hole (very shallow) near the Brochu Rd. It shouldn’t be of concern. Powerline section can use more snow. Shirley Tote Road still shared for logging for the season. Use caution. Plenty of snow on the road.
Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) Groomed and in excellent condition.
Moxie Falls Trail Groomed this past weekend and in great condition.
Kennebec River Trail Groomed and in great condition. Steep hill by Flood Road could use more snow but passable.
Caratunk Spur Trail Groomed and in excellent condition.
Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent condition. Upper half only. Bottom portion connecting to Windmill Trail remains closed for logging.
Breakneck Ridge Trail Groomed and in excellent condition. Shared plowed section through here, use caution.
Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.
Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
