2019 Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine
In 2019, we rode the snowmobile trails well into March for some nice spring riding. Enjoy the recap here!
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine March 25, 2019
March 23 2019: Dualing images of spring in Maine, thanks to @sam_wheeler95
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 3/25/19
Riders are reporting that they have been enjoying some fine spring riding this week in The Forks! Still good snow and we have been grooming regularly as temperatures allow. With the strong sun and warmer temps, there are some bare corners starting to show in just a few places. This will be our last week of grooming for the season, and we will be grooming regularly as temperatures allow. For certain, we will groom Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. After that, it looks like it may be too warm to groom. However, trails should hold up very well for the weekend as there is minimal traffic during this week.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Because of heavy traffic and melting, intown is beat up. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve greatly. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. The 3/4 mile section of shared road around Moxie Dam is down to dirt in a few spots. You can stay on snow most of the way along the side, but there are a couple of short sections where you will be grinding dirt. Otherwise, good riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from Berry’s Store to Northern Outdoors. Just a few bare corners.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
**** The south end of the Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 has been plowed and there is now active logging going on. The Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 is now posted closed. You can still access the windmills from the north end, via the Bald Mountain Trail or Breakneck Ridge Trail. However, there is no longer a through trail. It is a dead end at the windmills and you’ll have to back track.
It is spring riding, so be very careful of hazards which can pop up overnight . . . rocks, stumps, water runoff.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine March 21, 2019
The View from the Top: Coburn Mtn, groomed by our neighboring club Coburn Summit Riders, on March 14th
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 3/21/19
Riders are reporting that they have been enjoying some fine spring riding this week in The Forks! Still plenty of snow and we have been grooming regularly. Trails are pretty smooth except intown as noted below. We will continue to groom through March 31 as conditions allow.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Because of heavy traffic, intown gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. Great riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from Berry’s Store to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
**The south end of the Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 has been plowed and there is now active logging going on. The Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 is now posted closed. You can still access the windmills from the north end, via the Bald Mountain Trail or Breakneck Ridge Trail. However, there is no longer a through trail. It is a dead end at the windmills and you’ll have to back track.
There are still a lot of animals using the trails to get around day and night, particularly deer. Be very careful out there . . . you can come up on them quickly.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine March 14, 2019
Sunny and spring-like day for Zach’s first trail report of March!
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 3/14/19
We received about 4” of snow on Sunday night. Temperatures have been cold at night and the Tuckers have been out regularly. Trails are in fine shape right now. We are in for a little warm up (40’s) over the next 3 days, but no significant rain in sight. Temps cool off to normal again on Sunday. Should be real good riding for another couple of weeks. We plan to groom regularly right through March, and will have the lodge and restaurant open until April 7th.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Because of heavy traffic, intown gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. Great riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from Berry’s Store to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail **see note below re: Windmill Trail
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
open and in good shape.
**The south end of the Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 has been plowed and there is now active logging going on. The Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 is now posted closed. You can still access the windmills from the north end, via the Bald Mountain Trail or Breakneck Ridge Trail. However, there is no longer a through trail. It is a dead end at the windmills and you’ll have to back track.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be very careful out there . . . you can come up on them quickly.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine March 7, 2019
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 3/7/19
We received about 3” of snow on Monday which has allowed our groomers to smooth out the trails nicely this week. Temperatures have been cold and the Tuckers have been out regularly. Trails are set up firm and flat . . . the riding right now is pretty awesome!
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Because of heavy traffic, intown gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. Great riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from Berry’s Store to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. **see note below re: Windmill Trail
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
**The south end of the Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 has been plowed and there is now active logging going on. The Windmill Trail off of ITS 87 is now posted closed. You can still access the windmills from the north end, via the Bald Mountain Trail or Breakneck Ridge Trail. However, there is no longer a through trail. It is a dead end at the windmills and you’ll have to back track.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be very careful out there . . . you can come up on them quickly.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine February 28, 2019
Zach headed off on another trail ride, this time on ITS 87 N towards Coburn Mtn!
We received another 6+” of snow earlier in the week bringing our snowpack to about 4 feet. Temperatures have been cold and the Tuckers have been out regularly. Trails are set up firm and flat . . . the riding right now is sublime!
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 2/28/19
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Because of heavy traffic, intown gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. Great riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from Berry’s Store to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. This trail, when combined with the Windmill Trail and Bald Mtn Trail, makes a nice 60 mile loop.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be very careful out there . . . you can come up on them quickly.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine February 21, 2019
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 2/21/19
Groomer’s Eye View…
Our snowpack is well over 3’, and we received another 5+ inches overnight. Riding right now is sublime. Both Tuckers have been out every night this week to keep up with the increased traffic from school vacation. Both machines will be out every night right through the weekend.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Because of heavy traffic, intown gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. Great riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from Berry’s Store to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. This trail, when combined with the Windmill Trail and Bald Mtn Trail, makes a nice 60 mile loop.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be careful out there.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine February 14, 2019
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 2/14/19
The Forks trail system, February 14Tuesday night/Wednesday’s storm dumped another 10” of snow on our trail system. Our groomers are out regularly keeping things in good condition. Overall our trails are in very good shape.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Intown has good snow cover but, because of heavy traffic, gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine. Great riding all the way to the ITS 88 intersection.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from town to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail, as well as the Breakneck Ridge Trail.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range. This trail, when combined with the Windmill Trail and Bald Mtn Trail, makes a nice 60 mile loop.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be careful out there.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine February 7, 2019
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 2/7/19
A little warm up earlier this week, but temps are back down to normal and we are grooming regularly. Overall, trails are in good to very good shape.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
In town has good snow cover but, because of heavy traffic, gets beat up quickly. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. There is a little dirt showing on some inside corners along a 1 mile section over The Divide. Snow cover through there is a little thin in spots because we did some excavator work in December after we had gotten some snow. After that short section, it’s good going all the way to the ITS 88 intersection. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from town to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Plenty of snow with good riding. This trail connects to the Bingham Windmill Trail.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some nice views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be careful out there.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine January 31, 2019
Current snow-depth map…yeah, we’ve got snow 😉 !
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 1/31/19
Over 9” of new snow since last weekend. All trail sections have plenty of snow and are in great shape. Both our Tucker Sno-Cats are out smoothing things out as needed.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
In-town has plenty of snow and is in good shape. However, it does get beat up because of heavy traffic. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Good shape all the way to the ITS 88 intersection. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from town to Northern Outdoors.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Barring any breakdowns, we have a machine scheduled to groom this out on Thursday or Friday.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some great views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
With the deep snowpack, there are a lot of animals using the trails at all times of day and night to get around, particularly deer. Be careful out there.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine January 24, 2019
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 1/24/19
Well over a foot of new snow from last Sunday’s storm. We have a solid 2.5 feet of snow on the ground. All trail sections have plenty of snow and are in great shape. A short warm up on Thursday, but then back to seasonal temps. Both our Tucker Sno-Cats are out smoothing things out as needed.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Intown has plenty of snow and is in good shape. However, it does get beat up because of heavy traffic. Once out of town just 1 mile, things improve. Good shape all the way to the ITS 88 intersection. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Great cruising all the way with some great views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
We were unable to get this opened up this week. The big storm kept us busy on the ITS trails. It’s on the agenda for next week.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from town to Northern Outdoors.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine January 17, 2019
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 1/17/19
Just a couple inches of new snow since our last report. We definitely have noticed more people out enjoying the trails this week. Our groomers have been out consistently and cold temps have hardened up the trail surface . . . it is holding up well everywhere even with the increased traffic. Conditions on our trail system are very good everywhere, except for a few short wooded sections that are just a bit thin on the snow. That will be taken care of after the big storm that’s coming later this weekend.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
In-town is a little rough and needs a bit more snow. Once just a mile out of town, things improve. Good shape all the way to the ITS 88 intersection. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Nice ride all the way with some great views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Closed till mid-January due to an active logging operation and several miles of plowed road. We are hoping to get this opened up next week.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Good snow all the way through from town to Northern Outdoors.
CARATUNK SPUR
Open and in good shape.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine January 11
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 1/11/19
We received about 10” from Wednesday’s storm. Conditions on our trail system have improved dramatically with the new snow. Both groomers were out Thursday smoothing things out, and will be running again Friday and throughout the weekend. Cold temperatures on the way will help set the trail up nicely. Should be a great weekend of riding coming up!
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Good all the way. Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fine.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
In fine shape. Nice ride all the way with some great views of Sugarloaf Mtn and the Bigelow Range.
ITS 87 NORTH TOWARDS WEST FORKS
Good riding all the way. There is a 1 mile section of plowed road with plenty of snow on the surface. Watch for logging trucks through there.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Closed till mid-January due to an active logging operation and several miles of plowed road.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
Will be groomed on Friday. Plenty of snow all the way through.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine January 3, 2019
We have received nearly a foot of snow in the past week. Conditions on our trail system have improved dramatically with the new snow. Cold temperatures have locked up any standing or running water, and the groomers have been out and able to pull snow into most of the trouble spots. Should be a good weekend of riding coming up.
ITS 87 NORTH TOWARD WEST FORKS
Groomed on Thursday. In good shape.
ITS 86 EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
Groomed on Thursday. The 1 mile Power Line section at Moxie Pond is fair. All else is good riding.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
Groomed on Wednesday. Came out good.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Closed till mid-January due to an active logging operation and several miles of plowed road.
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
Will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
We are breaking it open and packing today (Thursday). Should be passable for the weekend.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine December 29
THE FORKS TRAIL REPORT 12/29/18
We received 3” of snow yesterday, with a little sleet and rain on top. This will certainly help with track lubrication, as well as helping to improve conditions. Today is warm . . . in the upper 30’s with temperatures dropping hard tonight. The hard rain we got on Dec 21 pretty much destroyed our trails. It created running water and exposed rocks and stumps in places. Cold temperatures last week locked up the water. However, we can’t groom again until we get another 3 or 4 inches of snow. The groomers/drags just get beat up.
There is limited riding on The Forks Trail System. Basically ITS 87 from Northern Outdoors to ITS 86, then east on ITS 86 towards Greenville or west on ITS 86/87 towards West Forks is rideable. Some pretty rough spots, but passable. The best riding is on ITS 87 north from West Forks toward Parlin Pond, and on to Jackman and Pittston Farms. They received a little less rain and a little more snow from the Dec 21 storm. You can ride from Northern Outdoors to West Forks, but if you want to avoid a couple miles of rough trail, then trailer north. Check trail conditions in the Parlin Pond and Jackman areas at Coburn Summit Riders and Jackman Border Riders. Greenville and Rockwood are reporting very poor conditions on their trail systems.
ITS 86 FROM BERRYS STORE HEADING EAST TOWARD GREENVILLE
all passable. 1 mile Power Line section at Moxie Pond is pretty rough.
ITS 87 HEADING SOUTH TOWARD BINGHAM
not open. Signage is not complete. The further south you go, the less snow.
ITS 87 NORTH TOWARDS WEST FORKS
passable as described above. Couple miles of rough trail
PLEASANT POND TRAIL
will not be opened this season, due to a winter long logging operation. Several miles of plowed roads.
BALD MOUNTAIN TRAIL
closed till mid-January due to active logging operation and several miles of plowed road.
KENNEBEC RIVER TRAIL
not open. Need more snow.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Snowmobile Club
The Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
Snowmobile Trail Conditions Report: The Forks, Maine December 26
The rainstorm and warm temperatures that we had at the end of last week wiped out our trail system. Temps have cooled off well below freezing, so water is getting locked up again. Trails are rock hard to glare ice with no lube on road sections. Wooded sections are very rough with rocks and stumps showing. The heavy rain produced running water down and across the trail in many spots. These have frozen back up, but the damage is there. I suppose you can ride, but it is pretty ugly until we get some snow. Six inches would put us back in half decent shape. We’re keeping a close eye on Friday’s potential storm.
There is some decent riding just north of us, on the Coburn Summit Riders and Jackman Border Riders trail system. Check out their Facebook pages for trail reports.
Jim Yearwood
Forks Area Trails Club
Forks Maine Snowmobile Trail Map
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