Well were still standing here in the Katahdin Region. We got a good dose of rain late Monday through Monday night and it has had an impact on our system ranging from substantial on the poorly bedded trail sections to “relevant but not a disaster” on our well bedded trails and roads.
1) First, things to be avoided for the next couple of days: All trails leaving downtown Millinocket, right in-town, as they have serious water issues that will require a day or two to drain off or be addressed. The exceptions to this arethe Stacyville road (ITS 86 East from town) which has coverage but is icy in some spots in the first 10 miles and the new Multi use trail leading to South Twin from the end of the Golden Road. Please note if you try to access this from the pole line there is at least one spot in the trail with over a foot of water in it (pictures on our web site trail report http://www.neoc.com/trips/maine-snowmobile-trail-report.php) and likely other areas with water on the pole line. Additionally, the Dolby trail has a number of stream crossings and wet areas now once again covering the trail
2) Trails that are decent and will be easily put back into good shape with a couple of nights of cold and grooming include: ITS 86 from Whetstone to Penobscot Pond with the exception of the pole line stretch which should be avoided for at least a couple of days. The Logan Pond Trail. This can be used to avoid the pole line if you are traveling on ITS 86. The Grant Brook Road to ITS 86 from Millinocket Lake to Whitehouse. Good Riding should be available and continue to improve as things cool down and continue to dry out in the JoMary country and over towards Kokadjo. We plan to groom all groomable trail sections Wednesday night as the cold really starts to settle in. In closing, we still have a great base and snow to work with in most of our system. If you trailer out of town a few miles things improve dramatically. Trails are soft and flat today and we will groom again starting on Wednesday as the trails firm up with the cold. We are confident that we can produce good riding by Friday with the exception of the trails listed above that are close to town. If you come to ride today or tomorrow use caution as there will be unmarked hazards including the possibility of blow downs and water crossings. It is also possible that areas that currently hold water will become icy as things cool down and drain off. We have pictures taken this morning on our web site of typical snow coverage and conditions in the area.