It looks like we are getting an old fashioned Maine winter. The members of the Farmington/Temple Shiretown Riders Snowmobile club have spent countless hours to prepare for this and we look forward to getting out and enjoying our beautiful winter wonderland. Our club is comprised of volunteers whose goal it is to provide the best experience possible for those who choose to enjoy our trails. We encourage everyone to use our trails, to include: cross country skiers, snow shoe enthusiasts and those who just wish to walk. We work diligently to obtain land owner permission for our trails and to ensure safety through trail and bridge maintenance and by certifying those in the club who wish to operate grooming equipment.
The Shiretown Riders also provide essential services to help out for the winter season such as; plowing the parking area at the trail head of the Whistle Stop trail in West Farmington which is a heavily used winter recreation staging area, organizing a spring clean-up of the area picking up any garbage left about from the winter, and grooming a trail around the large fields north of Prescott field for skiers and walkers. On-going work also involves clearing the trails of downed trees and brush. We also repair bridges and water crossings to meet environmental guidelines put forth by the state. Sometimes we also have to address problems like unauthorized ATV traffic in the summer or rogue snowmobilers who intentionally cause ruts and damage to groomed trails that pose hazards to other riders. It is important to remember that not all snowmobile trails are open to public ATV use and it is equally important to obtain land owner permission before recreating on someone else’s property. Be on the lookout for these riders and report them to the Maine Warden Service or a local club member you know.
Not all clubs welcome non-snowmobile traffic, however we believe in opening our trails to all who wish to enjoy them. If you do enjoy them we encourage you to join our club or any club in your area. There is a nominal membership fee which helps financially but more importantly provides us with a number of people who can give up a few hours a year to prepare for the winter season. It is a tremendous amount of work to prepare and maintain those groomed winter trails and the more hands helping the better.
So get out there and enjoy our trails, and if you do; ride responsibly, ride safe and under control and if you are not on a snowmobile wear bright colors that contrast with the snow, make sure you have a headlamp or flashlight if still on the trails after dark and control dogs as snowmobiles pass. Let’s work together to make this winter a great one. Get out there be safe and have fun!
Galen L. Dalrymple
Treasurer/Grant Writer
Shiretown Riders
Members needed. Help needed. Our local clubs need your help. After next year the state will stop grooming, to save the state money.. we the snowmobile clubs will be responsible alone for another 38 miles in this area starting at Mt Blue State Park. We are working hard enough then add that. We ALL need to work together to be able to enjoy these winter activities.
These members of the Shiretown Snowmobile Club work endless hours preparing the trails, starting in the fall of the year right up until they can no longer ride. They build bridges,cut brush,put out signs,so that you all can have a nice trail to go on. Think of that when you are riding on the trail, the endless hours that someone worked so that you could ride. Donate some of your time even two hours a week would be a great help,Gets you out of the house and doing something out doors.Thank You
got to be honest with you—hate the noise disturbances coming from the trails. The sleds are so loud and you can here them going all hours of the night. It’s a nuisance. Get out and ski or snowshoe instead—save the healthcare system billions by getting some exercise…….in a county with extremely high rates of obesity and heart disease….
I own some land that the trail cuts through on Perham street 2 weeks ago 2 sleds came by while I was out side with my dog on my land and these 2 guys start running there mouth about keep my f@#&@ dog off there trail to say the least I was not very happy .. today Sunday March 1st this guy on cross country skis comes down the trail and I was out back with my dog again and she likes everyone and desided to run down the trail with him I asked him to stop for a minute so I could catch her and leash her but he just keeps on going with my dog right beside him I lost it closed the trail was not to kind to a few sleds that came by…. I would like to offer them my apaulage. 99% of the people that use my land are very responsible and it was not very fair of me to take it out on them. I hope they read this I feel pretty bad about it . The trail is open to everyone but the guy on the skis