Trails and Trail Report 2024
Trail Report for Shirley Bog Trail Busters
Trail Reports for 2024
January 25, 2024
The big news this month is that we finally have rideable snow!
The Bypass Trail is currently being groomed. Please use this trail and not the access road. A new trail has been cut on the west side of the Piscataquis River, still needs to have the sides brushed out. The logging company on the Clouse Allen Road will be moving out shortly so that we can use that again. The CCC Road is closed for the winter.
Charlie Baker and Hutch Gagne are still out checking trails for washouts. There is a bad one at the beginning of the Ordway Pond Road.
Trails are still changing daily.
December 24, 2023
First of all I hope everyone has (or has had) a wonderful Christmas although not a white one. This post will be in 2 parts. Before the storm on 12/20/23 and after the storm.
Before the storm we had snow. Not enough to groom but there were a few brave souls that ventured out to get their "first ride" of the season in. Charlie Baker and Hutch Gagne had set up the kiosks and put out the new trail maps. We had shale brought in on the side trail of the Access Road (swampy area between the pond and the North Road). Big thank you to Mike Theriault and Mark Jennison for the product and spreading it.
We will not be using the Draper Road this season as the landowner does not want it groomed or any signage on it.
After the storm we no longer have any snow. We are currently assessing the damage due to high winds and water. Charlie Baker and Steve Gross have been out and have come across some blow downs and washouts. The Youngs Crossing bridge looks like it had flooded but came out unscathed.
April 3, 2023
FYI - the Ordway Pond Gate on the River Trail has been closed as of today.
March 25, 2023
Spring is in the air and the riding is still good in the area. We are grooming as often as needed. Going to West Forks you need to share the plowed roads which have little to no snow on them. We are getting a jump start on trail maintenance (trimming) while the weather is good and trails are hard.
February 24, 2023
After losing our trail sled to fire we now have a replacement Expedition. We Startted grooming with it his past week.
The current bout of cold weather has set up the trails nicely and riding is great. We got about 5" in this last storm. Less than we would have liked but will take it. We are grooming the By Pass Trail nightly and the Clouse Allen/Maheaux Loop weekly. As always, ride responsibly!
December 20, 2022
A good start to the season with approximately 20 inches of snow from the storm on 12/17/22. Unfortunately it looks like wet weather for Christmas weekend. We are done working on the groomer and the current plan is to start grooming after Christmas, weather permitting. The kiosks have been repaired and the trail signs have been posted.
March 7, 2022
Unfortunately, the trail conditions are not improving. We need snow and soon.
Wet weather the past week and today (03/07) has made grooming pretty much a futile activity. There is still good riding but be aware that some places will not be in the best of condition.
February 27, 2022
A quiet week. We have been grooming but could use more snow to pull into the trails.
The riding is good, but the corners remain icy, use caution.
February 21, 2022
We had a short warm, wet spell last week which put a damper on the excitement of good snow. Where the rocks and stumps had been covered up on the woods trails they are showing again, use caution. The main trails are hard packed and with school vacation this week will be seeing a lot of traffic.
As always. remember you are not the only one on the trails. Watch for other sleds, skiers and dog teams.
February 14, 2022
We had mechanical issues the first of the week which prevented grooming of the major trail system over to ITS 86. Thanks to Billy Smith of Jack Whittier & Sons for getting us back up and running quickly. The trails have now been groomed and with the predicted cold weather at the beginning of the week should hold up well.
Riding is excellent!
February 7, 2022
Snow and more snow! And more snow tonight (02/07)
We have all been waiting for this. We do groom the Bypass Trail nightly but unfortunately the big groomer is down for repairs. Hoping to get that back up and running this week and get the trails going over to 86 done.
As always, ride responsibly.
January 31, 2022
It Snowed - Finally! We can definitely use the new snow for the woods trails.
Groomers will be out this week - use caution, stay on your side of the trail and wait for operator signal to pass.
Be aware of your surroundings on lakes and ponds. This new snow will cover any open water.
January 23, 2022
Only got half the predicted snowfall last week which is not good for the woods trails. Had the big groomer out Friday (01/21) groomed from ITS 85 to ITS 86. Had the Expedition out Sunday night (01/23) groomed the Bypass Trail. Even with lack of snow last week, with the cold weather the trails are in excellent condition.
Reminder: When approaching the groomer wait for the operator to signal you to pass.
January 17, 2022
Another week another potential snowstorm. Hopefully we will get the predicted 8" of snow today (01/17). Could really use it for the woods trails. Charlie Baker and Russell Meattey filled in wet areas with boughs and snow last week to get by until we get more snow. By all accounts the "road" trails are great. The ITS trails are very busy now. Be aware of others that are using the trail, i.e. dog teams, stay on your side of the trail.
We had our first public cook out yesterday (01/16), had to postpone from Saturday due to the cold. It was a great success! A big thank you to everyone that stopped by and donated and of course couldn't do it without the volunteers.
January 9, 2022
The snowstorm predicted for this past weekend did not amount to enough new snow to utilize the big groomer. We did groom from ITS 85 to
ITS 86 today (01/09) via the Draper Road, Maheux Road, CCC Road using the Expedition.
The woods trails are bony with no snow in the forecast for the coming week.
January 1, 2022
We do have snow in Shirley! Trails have been opened up and are being groomed were there is enough snow.
March 7, 2021
Not much to report, still no snow accumulation. Bypass trail is groomed nightly. The main trail was groomed over to ITS 86 on Thursday (03/04).
With the warm weather next week we will groom accordingly.
Ride Safe!
February 28, 2021
Grooming on a regular basis. With the unpredictable weather we will have to adjust the grooming accordingly.
Several near misses on the trails this week. A dog team was nearly hit and a couple of sleds got a close up look at the front of the groomer.
Please slow down, ride on your side of the trail and respect others that are using the trails.
Update: February 26, 2021
Entire trail system was groomed today.
February 21, 2021
Traffic for vacation week was heavy but the trails held up well.
As usual the Bypass Trail was groomed nightly. The main trail to the York Road was groomed today (02/21).
Warm weather expected this week is not our friend.
Update: February 17, 2021
Entire trail system was groomed today.
February 14, 2021
Finally enough snow, and more expected, to groom on a regular basis.
The cold weather has helped set up the trails. Have heard multiple comments on how good the trails are.
The Bypass Trail is groomed nightly as it is being traveled hard.
The Draper Road was groomed Friday night.
The entire trail over to ITS 86 is normally groomed on Wednesday's, depending on the weather.
When approaching a groomer wait for the operator to signal that it is safe to pass.
Remember that these are multi use trails, respect others that are using them.
February 9, 2021
We didn't get as much snow as predicted in the last storm but every little bit helps.
Trails were groomed all the way over to ITS 86 with the big groomer on Friday (02/05)
The Bypass Trail is being groomed nightly.
REMINDER - PLOWED ROADS ARE OFF LIMITS
Update: February 6, 2021
Hutch Gagne and Charlie Baker groomed the Bypass Trail all the way over to ITS 86 with the big groomer on Friday (02/05).
1st time out with the new groomer and things went very well.
January 31, 2021
Trails are bony - we need more snow. According to the forecast we will be getting snow this week. They are predicting 10" to 12" which will be a big help.
The landowner along the Clouse Allen Road has decided not to harvest that area this winter so we will be able to use it.
The club sled groomer went out on Friday (01/29). After the snow expected this week we will be able to take out our new big groomer.
As always, use caution on the trails.
Updated January 24, 2021
We have enough snow to snowmobile. Most signage is out. We have started grooming as have the Connector clubs. All our trails were groomed Friday (01/22/21). The Draper Road Trail has a couple of wash outs, passable but approach with caution. Snowmobile trails are multi use trails, Do watch out for Sled Dogs and skiers on the trails. Please slow down when approaching them. As always, respect landowners property - carry in, carry out.
December 20, 2020
We have had one good storm in December. Two weeks later we are still cleaning up the trails from this heavy wet snowstorm. We unfortunately have had only a dusting every few days. Trails are not quiet rideable for lack of snow. Keep posted for real trail conditions. Soon we hope!
October 17, 2020
First 1/4 inch of snow in the Moosehead region! Trail reports coming soon!
e base of snow. The trails are getting really heavy use and we are having a difficult time keeping up the grooming. We are still waiting for parts for our track truck. We are hoping the heavy amount of traffic dies down in the evenings and we will make progress in getting our trails back in shape. Drive safe and slow down!