TRAIL GROOMING has been a risky endeavor for some area clubs so far this season, as warmer temperatures resulted in thin ice on waterways along local trail systems. Pictured here is the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club’s machine grooming the trail next to the balloon site on the Spragueville Rd. On the opposite side of the road the club had posted the trail as having ‘open water’ until just recently.
Staff Writer
Colder temperatures are expected to improve trail and ice fishing conditions in Aroostook County that until recently had trouble spots affecting snowmobilers, club groomers and fishermen hoping to set up ice shacks on local lakes.
Despite early snow, Warden Alan Dudley of the Maine Warden Service said warm temperatures in recent weeks have prevented ice from forming thick enough to support the weight of snowmobiles and larger vehicles, such as trucks and groomers.
“Easton’s groomer went through a beaver flowage earlier this season. But club members were able to get it backed out. Over toward Mapleton the same thing happened — a groomer went through some ice. No serious damage was reported in either case, but in the Mapleton incident, the operator had to walk out a ways to get help,” said Dudley.
Dudley said areas normally frozen solid by this time of year are just now beginning to form more solid layers of ice.
“The problem is thin ice. Trails that cross a beaver flowage and streams were posted until just recently, warning riders of the dangers of open water and thin ice,” he said.
Opening day of ice fishing season found at least one motorist in need of a tow truck, said Dudley.
“We had a truck go through the ice near shore opening day Jan. 1 on Arnold Brook Lake (in Presque Isle). The driver said he’d been out on the lake earlier in the day. The second trip he wasn’t as lucky. Fortunately, the plow kept it from totally submerging and it was towed out,” said Dudley.
Dudley said there’s no way to entirely prevent incidents from occurring.
“No matter how much you advertise, someone’s going to try their luck. And it’s one thing when there’s a layer of ice and a rider assumes it’s safe, but look at the incident in Ashland recently. There wasn’t even ice on the river and the snowmobiler tried to cross,” said Dudley.
Dudley said so far incidents have been minor in nature.
“We’ve been lucky. We’ve had no serious reports and only one minor accident,” said Dudley, warning, “it’s mostly hidden stuff underneath — rocks, branches. We haven’t had a great deal of snow to create a good base. Warmer temperatures caused melting. Trails are open but use caution.”
Dudley said colder temperatures will help improve County trails.
“We’ve been checking sleds. Folks are going slow, everyone’s been licensed that I’ve checked so far. It’s been pretty quiet; that’s a good thing,” said Dudley. “A lot of people know enough to use caution. Riders are waiting for the season to improve trail conditions. Colder temperatures and a bit more snow is all we need to make conditions ideal.”
