IF you had 7days to ride...

neil20 · Feb 08, 2010, 07:17 PM

Hello All, new member of the site. We are a group of 4 sledders in search of a ride through Maine for the 20th year of our annual "Snowmobile Trip". I'm from just west of Toronto Canada so we would trailer into Maine from Montreal. Is there a loop that takes us around Maine in 7 days? I'm not familiar with the different snowmobile regions around Maine and I found the trail reports are positive but I have a hard time matching the reported area to a map. Is there a map that show the different regions?
We expect to be in Maine Friday midday and ride for a week, weather permitt
ing.
Looking forward to sledding in Maine and praying for snow.
Neil

Offshore24 · Feb 08, 2010, 08:11 PM

Right now the best sledding in the state is in Aroostook County. Second is probably west of Moosehead Lake and finally Millinocket area. Things are just thin right now.

There's a state map available on line and harcopy. www.mesnow.com

The site also has trail conditions.

Under normal circumstances I'd think about riding from Rangeley up through the Forks to Jackman. Then Jackman north around Moosehead Lake to Millinocket, Millinocket to Fort Kent. Ride around Fort Kent for a day and return. There are many trails to take to get to each area so you don't have to use the same ones in every instance. In some cases you will.

But to be honest with you, the conditions across the entire state are inconsistent right now. Best riding in ME right now is Aroostook County.

Rangeley area map is available from the club for a small fee. They have a website.

Millinocket has a Katahdin Region map available from Chamber of Commerce for free.

Aroostook County has a regional map available from their Chamber of Commerce and it's free too.

A little Google searching with the names I've given you should keep you busy for a while. Good luck. Let us know what you decide to do. May run into you out there.

Big Sledda · Feb 08, 2010, 08:16 PM

With the conditions what there are right now I would stick to "The County".

Tynan19 · Feb 08, 2010, 08:59 PM

Judging by google earth it looks like you would be best to start your trip in either Eustis ME or Jackman ME. Both are on routes entering the US from Quebec. Both of those towns would also be a good starting point. I would suggest like Offshore 24 said is to Loop North over Moosehead Lake, into the Kathadin Region( Millinocket, medway). Then from there ride into Aroostook County. The Crown of Maine. Ride to Fort Kent stay a day or two and ride back. To me that would be a fun ride.

Snowgo666 · Feb 09, 2010, 05:55 PM

Head to Washington DC or Philadelphiain the next 12 hours. I 95 should be a good ride and the off ramps should be good boon docking

flatlander · Feb 09, 2010, 08:20 PM

Snow, don't laugh, we have about 12 to 14 inches on the ground now after the last storm settled. Right now, Tuesday at 9:18 PM it is snowing like crazy. They say it will snow tonight and all day tomorrow with lingering snow showers Thursday morning. 12 to 18 inches more. All four sleds sitting in Maine!

neil20 · Feb 10, 2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks to all who responded. I'm looking forward to seeing new areas and meeting new people. Looks like we have a little homework to do.
Thanks again,
Neil

Tynan19 · Feb 10, 2010, 12:50 PM

Neil, best of luck and let us know what you did for a trip.

Snowgo666 · Feb 10, 2010, 08:21 PM

Sorry for the Hijack. Flat I hear your pain. We're sitting here with sleds and no place to ride except up Nor'd. Don't know which is worse. Having the sleds and no snow or not having the sleds and having 3 feet of snow!

neil20 · Feb 23, 2010, 06:29 PM

We made 1,200 miles in 9 days. Tried to unload in Vermont but that meant a permit for about an hour's worth of riding. Unloaded in Colebrook, New Hamphshire, one week ago Saturday. North to Pittsburg was ok, busy. Next day was into Maine at Buck Bose on ITS 84. Best riding was between Pittsburg and Buck Bose. Lots of snow, good grooming and not so busy. Over towards Errol was ok for snow, then north the Forks. Watched Suly and Shannon make snow on the trail next to river. Mother nature wasn't giving them any help. Ten points for the work. On up through Eustis was really hurting for snow. Too bad. Drove about 5 miles without a snowflake in site. Up through to Fort Kent was good at higher elevations and bare spots at low elevations. On around to the New Brunswick border was good snow down to Limestone. We turned for the trailer at that point and I can say that the little bit of snow that fell was very welcome. Met a lot of nice people, was mostly confused by the maps and signageand like to visit another time when the snow is a little deeper. The three things that made our trip a success, first, was the grooming. Can't say enough, they even groomed the mud spots. Second was Dave at the Jackman Skidoo dealer, helped us out with a coolant leak right away and got us on our way. Third is LeMeuix Skidoo in Colebrooke, New Hampshire. Looked after our truck and trailer while we were away and sent off with good advice. And thanks to this forum for giving us the confidence that a ride could be done. Cheers, Neil.

ewelin · Feb 23, 2010, 08:58 PM

Glad to hear you had a good trip. It is hard to believe how hard this winter has been. Hopefully this week will change things up for the better again.

flatlander · Feb 23, 2010, 10:17 PM

Neil, Glad you and your group enjoyed yourselves! If you have any pictures you'd like to share we would love to see them.

Tynan19 · Feb 25, 2010, 11:08 PM

Neil, that is awesome that you guys made the trip. I myself saw them making snow. That is my clubs trail system. I hope you guys make the trip again and hopefully there will be plenty of snow. I myself would like to make a ride like that. Please post some pictures if you have some or email to me at kcgauge@verizon.net and I could post them for you.
Casey