Snowmobile trail report update for the local area

Kathy Mazzuchelli, director of the Caribou Recreation Department, turned in this Aroostook County snowmobile trail report before the rain hit the area on Monday.
Updates:
Lakes are still a bit slushy so sledders should use extreme caution.    Keep in mind that there are some long distances between gas stations so plan accordingly.
Moose and deer alert: They are cute critters, but they are out everywhere. Most all projects are reporting critters in the trail.    Be especially careful on ITS 88 on the Presque Isle end where a young moose has been hanging out.
Trail Information:
ITS 86 — Houlton has 86 opened east and west to the St Croix area and Ox Bow has been out as well.  Remember to watch for signage…..and maybe bring some extra gas to assure a safe trip!
ITS 85 is groomed from Shin Pond north to Oxbow, however Ashland has been unable to get out due to a groomer breakdown.
Moving north, Portage and Eagle Lake have been out, however the trail is closed for a couple of weeks north of Wallagrass to Carter Brook due to a logging operation.
Remember Portage has done a big reroute … nice section of trail and still only 2.3 miles longer !
ITS  83 — The Molunkus Club has worked to complete a reroute so ITS 83 between Sherman and Benedicta is now open and will run with ITS 81 for about one mile.  The Smoki Haulers are noting that from Linneus to Dyer Brook there are three active logging operations, so sledders will have to use caution.
From there on, there is clear sailing all the way north to the St John Valley.
ITS 81 — Moving east from ITS 85 there is a section not open due to a reroute still being worked out.
From Squa Pan towards Mars Hill the trail has been groomed to the ITS 83 intersection.
Moving north everyone has been out, however please note there is a logging operation on the Limestone section of the border so use extreme caution.
Grand Isle has been out along with Madawaska and Frenchville north.
ITS 88 — Remember there is a reroute on the section in Fort Fairfield so watch for signage.       Moving east the trail has been groomed by Presque Isle and Aroostook River, but there is no access yet from Ashland due to a groomer breakdown. They hope to be up and running maybe by the weekend, if not the first of  next week.
Rt 89  between ITS 83/90 in Caribou north to Rt 94 is not open yet.
Connector 61 is groomed from the ITS 83 intersection on Sam Drew Mountain in Oakfield to the railroad crossing near the Oakfield- Smyrna town line.
From the Oakfield/Smyrna line north to the intersection with Trail 81, Trail 61 has been packed but not groomed.
The half-mile section of Trail 61 that uses the Brown Road in Oakfield has been plowed and is currently being used by logging trucks.
This is a very narrowly plowed road and extreme caution is necessary.
Trail 64 on the Smoki Haulers end has been groomed.
From Shin Pond, ITS 114/85S to Whetstone has been groomed, there is some rerouting on this trail so use caution.
ITS 85 to Bowlin Camps, Matagamon and onto Shin Pond is groomed.
71D is done only to Cunningham Lookout, the rest of the trail will be opened by Sunday (and there is rerouting on this trail also).
ITS 85 N to Oxbow has been groomed by Patten and Oxbow clubs but there is also rerouting on this trail, it will now come into ITS 86 and then back into Oxbow. So please know where you are going! Ask questions and use caution with this early season riding!