Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine March 2023

THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 3/19/2023

All good things must come to an end. Or do they? Here is the skinny. Don’t judge a book by its cover and don’t judge a trail by a section or road crossing. Spring riding conditions are very much here but there is plenty of great riding to be had, just need to be realistic about it.

ITS 87 In town is rough and a lot of dirt. It is passable if you pick your way and realize what it is. From the Lake Moxie road to behind the Inn by the River, just under a mile is the worst part. The rest of 87 is in good to very good shape.. some thin spots, some bare spots here and there but once out of the valley you are rewarded with some amazing areas to explore. South of Northern Outdoors is the best section. The Moxie Mountain Loop is a great ride on ITS87, this is SOUTH of Caratunk, not to be confused with Moxie Falls.

Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) See above.

ITS 86 Similar conditions. Shirley Tote Road and Troutdale Road are down to dirt. So thats 3.5 miles of ATV like conditions in between great trails.. my advice? Stay on either side.

Moxie Falls Trail Good condition.

Kennebec River Trail Rough, passable, major dirt showing, would avoid it.

Caratunk Spur Trail Excellent.

Bald Mountain Trail Great to excellent but dirt roads surround it.

Breakneck Ridge Trail Great to excellent but dirt roads surround it.

Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.

This will be the last trail report we do. We will likely groom ITS 87 a few more times this week for those who want to get out and explore.

Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map

THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 3/16/2023

Warm weather is beating us, but we will make it through the weekend.

Last night we groomed ITS 87 in town and ITS 86 as well as the Kennebec River Trail. We are out tonight with two groomers hitting the rest. Some club trails will not be groomed going forward but all are passable.

Here is a picture of ITS 87 south of Northern Outdoors and 87a (Moxie Mountain Loop Trail). Trails came out really well. Once you get out of town, the trails are pretty mint. I mean mid season conditions, seriously… well, until they are not– so use caution! Does that make sense?!

ITS 87 In good shape, western exposed hills are starting to show some dirt patches again, south of Northern Outdoors will be groomed tonight.

ITS 86 Most in good shape, groomed last night and again tonight. In town is rough and short. We won’t be taking the groomer into town.

Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) In great shape, will be groomed again Friday night.

Moxie Falls Trail Ungroomed since last storm but in great shape.

Kennebec River Trail Groomed and in good shape except for the steep hill, rough, dirt showing. Passable.

Caratunk Spur Trail Ungroomed since last storm but in great shape.

Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent shape.

Breakneck Ridge Trail Groomed and in excellent shape.

Pleasant Pond Trail Closed all season due to logging.

Ride right and ride safe.

Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map

Park and Ride at Northern Outdoors now CLOSED for 2023 snowmobile season. Snowmobile trail maps, 91 octane ethanol-free gas, great food, and cold beer are available at Northern Outdoors through Sunday, March 19th.
**PLEASE NOTE: gas is CASH ONLY and available 9:00am-5:00pm

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THE FORKS AREA TRAILS Update 3/14/2023

We sent out two groomers to do some storm prep. The warm temps prevent alot of processing but able to smooth up some spots and cover some trouble spots.

How do I describe the trails? Well more of the system is good to great with some areas of excellent. The issue is those high traffic and high sun exposure areas.

Tomorrow should fix most of the problem areas for the weekend. We will be out after the storm is over with a full trail report.

Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map

THE FORKS AREA TRAILS Update 3/10/2023

We sent out 2 groomers last night and hit all the ITS trails and the Moxie mountian loop trail.
Trails are in good to excellent shape. Most of ITS 87 is as good as it gets, yeah there is some snirt showing and a little thin in some woods sections, but the riding is GREAT.
Get out there while you can! Rumor is big storm next week? Hmm…

Zach’s Video Ride Report: 3/9/2023

THE FORKS AREA TRAILS REPORT 3/7/2023

It’s that time of year where the snow and the groomers battle that big evil orange glow in the sky. We sent out 2 groomers last night and unfortunately, we continue to battle the gremlins and had to limp one back home. Electrical bugs, codes, no power, smoke, all things our mechanics dream about. Very windy in the 24 hours leading up to last night’s groom shift, a fair amount of blowdowns were removed in the woods sections.

ITS 87 Groomed and in great shape. Best section is still south of Caratunk towards Bingham. Some woods sections are decent, and some are thinning out.

ITS 86 Partially groomed last night, rest was groomed night before. Powerline section rough and needs more snow, and the plowed roads around Moxie Lake are becoming more snirt than snow.

Moxie Mountain Trail (alt ITS87) Groomed and in great shape. Loops back to ITS87.

Moxie Falls Trail Groomed 3/2 and in great shape.

Kennebec River Trail Groomed and in good shape. The steep hill behind the Flood Road has a fair amount of dirt showing, but still very passable.

Caratunk Spur Trail Groomed on 3/4 and in excellent condition.

Bald Mountain Trail Groomed and in excellent shape. 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.

We want to thank all who have donated and joined in the last few weeks. This has been paramount in getting us back in action and allowing us to use additional resources. Thank you!

Ben Towle
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map

The Forks Area Trails Update: 3/4/23

Two groomers were out last night and covered the bulk of our system. We received snow last Tuesday, Thursday, and it’s snowing right now- in town is a little thin, but overall trails are in great condition. Things should be mint on Sunday after groomers get out!
-Northern Outdoors

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