We will e-mail you weekly trail reports as they become available from Kathy. Just e-mail us at duane@maine.rr.com and request weekly trail reports. Ride safely.

Greetings from Aroostook County.........March 21, 2007

Spring sledding has arrived and despite cold temperatures and snow fall there are still lots of icy conditions, water holes and bare ground in places so sledders should use extreme caution.

Warm temperatures over the next few days with rain showers will continue to change the landscape and although bare ground is showing across the county there is still a decent snow pack in most places so sledders should simply employ good judgment and reduce speed to enjoy some great spring riding.

Whatever your choice is, remember reduce speed, ride right and have a safe sledding weekend.

ITS 85 is spotty but has a good snow pack. Ox Bow, Ashland, Portage, Eagle Lake and Ft Kent have been out this week.

85D..... has been groomed this week and is in pretty good shape with a good snow pack.

ITS 83 a bit weak on the southern end up to the Presque Isle but then conditions improve but there are bare spots in open fields.

ITS 81 is a bit loggy from Ashland up to Hamlin then improves further north.

ITS 92 has been groomed through to Escourt.

ITS 90 is closed due to water between Rt 88 to the Rt. 61 intersection. If you try to sneak through you will get your feet wet. Use Rt. 61 out of Washburn to connect to 90 going and coming from Portage.

ITS 88 has lots of water between Presque Isle and Caribou however west towards Chapman and Ashland conditions improve.

ITS 86 still holding a good snow pack and has been groomed on the Ox Bow end.

RT 105 Connector Trail has been groomed at least once through this week.

Red Arrow, Sly Brook and Daigle was in mint condition today....sorry you weren't there !!!

RT 94 groomed but remember you can't connect to Rt. 89 as Halfway Brook is over flowing.

Rt 89 open only to the Rt. 100 intersection.

Lakes and Rivers........ open water and slush..............a real problem this season.

LOGGING OPERATIONS........................ still active

" South of Ox Bow Rd. on ITS 85 for about 2 miles

" North of Ashland on ITS 85 for over 3 miles

" Off Rt. 75 east of Squa Pan in the Walker Siding area

" On ITS 90 between the Rt. 105 and Rt. 61 intersection...about 1.5 miles of plowed road

" New on ITS 85 between Portage and Eagle Lake and between Eagle Lake and Carter Brook

" New off ITS 83 in New Sweden.........equipment crossing the trail

" Equipment crossing ITS 83 just south of New Sweden at the Rista Rd

" Equipment crossing Rt. 105 north of Stockholm...........this one is a blind corner...it is marked but please heed the signs and proceed cautiously.

SOCIAL AND CULINARY CALENDAR

Recurring

Stew Night Fridays at the Washburn and Presque Isle clubhouses

Breakfast Saturdays and Sundays at the Washburn Clubhouse

MARCH

23 Special Fundraiser Stew Night at the Presque Isle Clubhouse from 5-7 with homemade pies !

25 Hot Dog Roast by the Ashland Club at the Rafford Camp at noon

INFORMATION REGARDING ITS 92 FROM ALLAGASH TO ESCOURT STATION 2006-2007

Office hours: Canadian Customs

Monday to Thursday 9 to 5

Friday 7 to 3

Office hours: American Customs

Monday to Friday 5 to 9

Saturday 8 to 4

There will be strict enforcement of Crossing from both sides of the border and signs will be put up to instruct people that are passing through the area.

The return from Canada will be down the road to the extreme left going towards the American Customs and Please do not go for Gas then to the Customs as you will be in violation as far as entry is concerned. If gas is needed, go to American customs then on to the ITS back to the GAS station to stay legal. This is just a half of a mile back or less.

The Snow sled club from Escourt and Sully will mark the trail to the American Customs for the sleds.

If one goes for gas and plans on crossing the border for lunch or whatever and return , even if you leave your sled in the States , you must go down the road to the U.S. Customs to stay legal.

One should have no problem with the Canadian Customs as you do have to go by the Custom House both ways.

The GAZ BAR will be open the same time as both the Customs Ports are open.

If for any reason that several of you folks --like 6 or more are traveling to Canada on a weekend, you may make reservations with the Canadian Port officer Luc Leblanc and for a small fee to allow you to pass but that is a choice of Mr. Leblanc's and his time to do this for you. This fee goes to the Canadian Government and also a favor to the public.

You may also contact Mr. Benoit Morin on Weekends for gas before you get to Escourt and make arrangements to have gas for you and again you must be a group as he too is doing us a favor to open his station to the public.

Mr. Morin was taken by surprise somewhat last year when the new ITS was put in place and since has been able to get American money as he dealt only with the Canadian Public up to this time.

NO CREDIT CARDS other than a debit card as this is his only way of payment. He will have American money for exchange. CASH FOR GAS

Mr. Morin has only regular gas and will stock only a small amount of sled oil .

Mr. Morins TELEPHONE

418-859-2180 Work

418-859-2835 Home

418-859-2714 GAZ-BAR Irving

418-867-7684 Pager

He is and can be very helpful as the Gas Bar goes but please call ahead of time so you can make arrangements.

If there is an accident and one must go to a Canadian Hospital and it is on a weekend or off time from custom hours--Do what you must but as soon as one can report to Customs and the Mounties ASAP or the Quebec Provincial Police as they do work together.

This is a must and for your protection.

Telephone for Guy Leblanc 418-859-2201/ FAX-418-859-1359

email Guy.LeBlanc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

If one wants to continue to Canada and register sleds one must go to the Hotel right at the border crossing and next to the Lake. This is the first place that one will come to as he goes under the Railroad bridge.

The owner is EricTardif

Telephone 877-661-1600

The Quebec registrations for sleds are sold at this Hotel.

Internet site-----------------villades frontieres.com

email---info@villadesfrontieres.com

There will be no sled trail to St. Pamphile maintained or otherwise.

FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

REGISTRATION: The Maine snowmobile trail system operates on a sled registration system. There is no trail pass required, but all Maine residents and non-residents must register their sleds in Maine to ride in Maine.

Resident Registration is $33 (one year), commencing from July 1. Non-residents have three options - a 3 consecutive day registration is $43; 10 consecutive days is $58 and a full season is $68. (Plus an agent's processing fee of $1-$2) Non-resident registrations note the dates for which they are valid. You can register at numerous agent locations throughout the state - a list of Registration Agents is available on the IF & W site as well. You can also register through the mail or purchase a resident renewal or non-resident season registration on-line at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife web site .

WHERE YOU CAN RIDE: There are 2,200 miles of snowmobile trails in The County, and (depending on the snow cover), your registration allows you access to every mile. There are many places where you cannot operate a snowmobile: You may not operate a snowmobile in a cemetery; within 200 feet of a dwelling, hospital, nursing home, convalescent home or church; along or adjacent to railroad tracks without the written permission of the railroad; across the tracks of a railroad if forbidden by the railroad or if the tracks are posted. On a plowed road, sleds need to travel off the portion of road used by motor vehicles and only for a very limited distance - if you're crossing the road, 300 yards - if you're crossing a bridge, overpass or underpass, 500 yards. Some communities do designate snowmobile access routes into their town in order for sledders to get to gas stations, restaurants, etc - these should be well marked and noted on the local trail map - travel slowly and to the extreme right when using these routes. Never ride on any property, unless you are on a signed snowmobile trail, without the landowner's permission. Check your snowmobile law handbook for further details on where you can and can't ride. The best way to enjoy snowmobiling in Maine is to get hold of a trail map and ride on the groomed and marked trail system where landowner permission has been obtained for everyone, snowmobile laws have been complied with, trails have been maintained, snow has been groomed, and signs are in place. REMEMBER PLOWED WOODS ROADS ARE OFF LIMITS UNLESS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED.

RIDING IS A PRIVILEGE.......NOT A RIGHT........PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY !!!

BORDER CROSSINGS: You must stop at customs to cross the Canadian border. Since 911, border security operations are taken extremely seriously, with good reason. Travel with the same paperwork you would carry if you planned on touring Canada by automobile - photo ID, passport's a good idea if you have one, proper registrations and insurances. REMEMBER, you will need a passport to cross the border by January 1, 2009 and by this January you will need one to come in by land or sea so a passport might be a good idea. Contact the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (514)252-3076 or the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (506)325-2625 for information/required paperwork for snowmobiling in their provinces. Crossings in Fort Kent area are open 24 hr/7 days a week, as are major crossings into New Brunswick. Many less traveled crossings have limited hours of operation, so check locally and plan your trips accordingly.

Fees for permits in the adjacent provinces FOR THE 2006-2007 SEASON are as follows:

New Brunswick: (All fees are listed in Canadian money)

Annual Trail Permit $180.00 plus 14% tax ( buy before 12/15 for $130 plus tax)

One Day Pass $ 35.00 plus 14% tax

Three Day Pass $ 75.00 plus 14% tax

Seven Day Pass $115.00 plus 14 % tax

Family Pass $ 65.00 plus 14% tax (new this year but ck as there is fine print)

Antique Snowmobile Pass $ 30.00 plus 14% tax (sleds over 20 years old)

Classic Snowmobile Pass $ 65.00 plus 14% tax (sleds 10-20 years old)

Quebec: (All fees listed in Canadian money)

NOTE: The following prices include the cost of mandatory liability insurance and applicable taxes. Please note your are better off buying the trail permit in advance as it will cost you an $80 on the trail. Also you cannot purchase daily nor 7 day permits on the trail.

Annual Trail Permit (in advance) $220.00

Annual Trail Permit (on trail) $300.00

7 Day Trail Permit $150.00

1 Day Trail Permit $ 50.00