Snowmobiling in Aroostook County, MaineThe largest county in Maine provides a great area to snowmobile to your hearts content. This sport provides a lot of money to the businesses in this area. Most motels, inns, and hotels have direct access to a snowmobile trail. This means that you can ride right from your motel onto the trails like you would your car to the road. When you need gas or food just follow a 'service trail' to the local gas station and restaurant. |
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On day 1 I drove from Presque Isle to Caribou and back. On day 2 I drove from Presque Isle to Houlton and back. I took the long each day and got to see a great part of the north country not visible from a car or on foot. There are many safety considerations to be made before setting out alone on a sled. Information is available from the Maine Game Wardens and The Maine Snowmobile Association (Check this site for great information). |
(Photos with borders can be clicked to view a larger image.)
Snowmobile rented from The Sled Shop, Presque Isle, ME |
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ITS 83 / ITS 90 junction about 5 miles south of the Burger King, Caribou, ME. |
Making fresh tracks in the snow |
Should have stayed on the groomed trail. Heading up to Mars Hill ski area from nearby ITS. |
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The river visible from tracks high above the _ river. |
I-95 north taken while stopped under I-95 south just south of the Houlton exit. Facing easterly. |
Nice snowmobile hill just east of I-95 in Houlton, ME. |
Caribou, ME 1/19/02 Getting up an ungroomed hill can be tough for the first timer. I guess it takes practice. I hesitated and stopped while trying to get to McD's for coffee and got stuck. Forget the reverse while seated in heavy snow. After about five minutes and a lot of lifting of the sled by the back bar I got out and rode to B'King. They have easy access from the Caribou service trail.
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This image from the top doesn't due this hill justice. While traveling from Caribou to Presque Isle I came upon this hill along the Penobscot river. It was about ten feet from bottom to top at a steep incline. I said "no way" when I saw it and started crying for "my mommy". (Well almost.) I back tracked and after riding around for about an hour looking for what I thought was the correct trail I came back to this hill. At this point I was so frustrated I said, "What the heck", floored the engine, balanced the sled with my feet on the ground, and rode to the top without stopping. 
Image from the top with trail to bottom at center right |
| On January 19, 2001 I rented
the snowmobile and was on the trails by 10:35 a.m. I sledded east from The
Sled Shop and then north. I eventually backtracked and headed west towards
??, north to Caribou (BK at 3:50 p.m.), south back to Presque Isle. I was
safely (meaning not lost in the woods) back in Presque Isle at the Irving
Mainway at 9:22 p.m. I continued sledding around Presque Isle.
Start 10:35 a.m. - Hoyt's Cinema 11:19 a.m. - ITS 88 & ITS 83 split 12:22 - Texaco (west of Presque Isle) Lunch 1:12 p.m. - Big sign outside Caribou ITS 90 & ITS 83 2:57 p.m. - Caribou BK 3:50 p.m. - ITS 90 & ITS 83N 4:23 p.m. - The County Quickstop 6:04 p.m. - |
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External sites:
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My snowmobile was rented at The Sled Shop in Presque Isle, Maine. They provided great service, accessories and ride experience. They are off of Route 1 (Main St.) and adjacent to a snowmobile trail and The Budget Traveler Motor Lodge. They have 24 hour gas available. |
