Trail Conditions

April 10, 2008 This will be the last trail report for this season. Today the sun is shining bright and tempertaures expected to reach 55 degrees. Temperature did not drop to freezing last night. The extended forecast is Friday, rainy, Sat. rainy, Sun. rainy. If you live close by you probably could get in a last ride in the "Gore" Rt. 302 OE 76 and "Loop" trail rt. 302C. Not sure if you could get to the Upper Valley Grill or not. We have put our sleds to rest for the summer. We hope that you will keep in touch with The Buckaroos of 302 by login onto our web site. We will put notices on as they come up. If you are willing to help with fall trail maintenance send a e-mail to any of our officers or to us. Our e-mail is bnbuzeastman@fairpoint.net This has been a great season. We have enjoyed hearing from you. Looking forward to next year.

April 8, 2008 This AM Buzzy fired up the Sur Trac for the last morning of grooming. Buzzy went over the hill to CA 5 down rt. 302A to CA 7 on the railroad bed. There he went down to CA 4 at Ricker Pond and turned around. He came back home and parked the Sur Trac out back. Our trail system is still snow covered. The temperatures are too warm for grooming but you can still take a ride around our trail system. The only dirt road is down in the village about 1 1/2 miles below the Upper Valley Grill on rt. 302. The loggers on rt. 232 up from CA 4 have moved out but there is a short distance that they skid the logs down the snowmobile trail so that might be a little soupy. Other than that the sun is shining and temperature is 50 degrees here at 10:30 AM. This has been a great snowmobile season and we are already planning what improvements need to be done on our trail system this summer. I will shut Bettys Cam off sometime the first of May and turn it back on around Thanksgiving. Feel free to contact anyone of our officers if you have a question. We hope that if you enjoyed your rides in Groton that you will join the Buckaroos of 302 next year. You will get a renewal letter if you are a member this year. If you are not a member but want to join the Buckaroos of 302 you can log onto our web site and click onto membership. Thanks for all the positive comments we have received from sledders.

April 6, 2008 This morning Buzzy fired the Sur Trac up at 7:30 AM. The snow was crusty and like corn meal. It flowed through the groom very good. Buzzy groomed out through the Gore Jct. OE 76 on rt. 302 went up onto the Loop trail, rt. 302C and came back to CA 9 where he turned down rt. 2004 and came back to CA 10. There was still time to make a quick run over the hill to CA 5 and on to rt. 302A down to CA 7 on the railroad bed to CA 6 where he turned up the swamp trail on rt. 302 and came back to CA 5 and home to CA 10 at 11:32 AM. The snow flowed good till 10 AM than it got sticky. April 6th is the last day that VAST pays for grooming. We will keep grooming as long as it keeps dropping in temperature at night. Here is the next five day temperatures: Monday cloudy 30/50, Tuesday cloudy 27/55, Wed. cloudy 33/61, Thurs. 39/52 cloudy, Friday rain 32/49. Next week-end is unknown better call 802-584-3630 before you make a long trip up. This has been a great season.

April 3, 2008: Wed. Buzzy groomed the Gore rt. 302 Jct. OE 76, Butterfield parking lot and the loop trail on rt. 302C. Today Thursday, Buzzy left at daybreak again and groomed over the hill to CA 5 on rt. 302 changed to rt. 302A and groomed down to the railroad bed at CA 7, down to CA 6 CA 4 CA 1 turned onto rt. 5 and groomed to the pitstop where the Sur Trac turned around and came back to CA 1, took rt. 302 to CA 4 CA 6 rt. C/2/302 to CA 7, to CA 12 turned up rt. 2 and groomed as far as the New Discovery parking lot. Where he turned around and came back to CA 6 turned right up the "Swamp trail" rt. 302 to CA 5 and back home to CA 10 at 12:30PM. Our trail system is still in good condition. No water holes or ice. Down in Groton village there is a short stretch of dirt road that is bare dirt. No mud just bare road for about 800 feet. Looks like you can get one last ride in this week-end. Next week we will groom when temperature allows.

March 31, 2008: Sunday night Buzzy fired up the Sur Trac and groomed out rt. 302 to the "Gore" Jct. OE 78. He went up to Butterfield parking lot and turned around came back to OE 76, went out to OE 78 and turned up the hill on rt. 302C to groom the "loop" trail. Came back onto rt. 302 at OE 75. Turned up the hill to CA 9 where he turned down rt. 2004 and groomed back to CA 10.

This Monday morning Buzzy woke the Sur Trac up and groomed over the hill to CA 5 and down to the railroad bed. Turned up rt. C 2/302 to CA 12 Lanesboro. There Buzzy groomed up rt. 2 to CA 18. Up the hill on rt. 232 and around the sharp dogleg turn at Choates pasture. Continued grooming out through the hard wood to the side of Hooker Mt. groomed up to the top and around. Drop down to Glen Goodrich's Maple Sugar pipeline. Continued onto Hookerville Cut Off road and turned around at the Church camp driveway. It is snowing so hard that Buzzy will not get to enjoy the spectular view of Peacham Pond from top of Hooker Mt. trail. When Buzzy gets back to CA 18 he will turn onto rt. 2/232 and groom down to Ricker Pond, at CA 4. There the Sur Trac will groom down to the Upper Valley Grill. Turn and come back to CA 4, CA 6, CA 5 and home at CA 10. The logging operation on rt. 232 has moved out. Our trail system is holding up excellant. Only one word to describe the conditions UNBELIEVABLE. Sunday was a beautiful day. There were many riders out. Best of all is seeing all the Moms and Dads that were out with their kids. That gives us a special reward for grooming. Stormy loves to have you stop and say "hi". One family brought carrotts especially for Stormy. Thank you.

March 29, 2008 Dave Wheatly climbed into the SurTrac at 7PM To groom all night. Dave went from CA 10 to CA 5 onto rt. 302A down to CA7 on the railroad bed and down to CA 6, CA 4 turned up rt. 232 at Ricker Pond and groomed all the way through the logging to CA 18 where he turned around and came back over his tracks to CA 4. There Dave turned the Sur Trac down the Railroad Bed to the Upper Valley Grill. He turned around at the Grill and came back to CA 4 CA 6 rt. C 2/302 to CA 7 to CA 12 "Lanesboro" where he turned up rt. 2 to CA 18. Dave climbed the hill on rt. 232 to Choates pasture and turned around and came back to CA 18. At CA 18 Dave followed his groomed trail back to CA 12 on the rail road bed. Dave groomed down the railroad bed on rt. C 2/302 to CA 7 where he turned up rt. 302A to CA 5. On rt. 302 East to CA10, CA 9, OE 75 OE 76 turned up rt. 302B to the Butterfield Parking lot. where he turned around and came back his groomed trail to OE 76. Turned up rt. 302 to OE 78 and up the hill on rt. 302C to groom the loop trail. Dave groomed around to OE 75. There he turned up rt. 302 to CA 9 and back to CA 10. Where he turned the key off at 6:54AM. That is almost 12 hours of grooming. With Dave and Buzzy's grooming trips today all the Buckaroos of 302 trail system has been groomed for the week-end exceopt for rt. 2004 and that trail holds pretty good. Dave will take the Sur Trac out again Sat. night for the Sunday riders. We want to Thank Doug Wilson, owner of Mt. Grooming, for providing us with Sur Trac Grooming equipment while our Sur Trac is in for repairs. Doug is dedicated to the VAST trail system During his very busy day Doug called us several times to make sure that the Sur Trac and Buzzy were working ok. Thank you Dave. Our trail system is still snow covered and we will keep grooming for as long as possible. Come and enjoy.

March 28. 2008: Buzzy left CA 10 in the Sur Trac at 9:25 this AM. He groomed over the hill To CA 5 on rt. 302 down to the railroad bed to CA 6 to CA 4 continued down rt. 302 pass the Upper Valley Grill to CA 1 where he turned up rt. 5 and groomed to the Pitstop. Buzzy turned in the gravel pit and came back over his tracks to CA 1. There he turned up rt. 302 East to CA 4 CA 6 CA 5 and back to CA 10. The Sur Trac was back to CA 10 at 4:10PM.

March 27, 2008 The crust is hard this AM but the temperature is creeping up to 35 degrees. We will have to wait to see how fast it cools before we can go out tonight. Our trails are good. Still have ample snow cover.

March 26, 2008: This AM it was snowing here at CA 10 but by the time Buzzy got to The Upper Valley Grill it was raining. Buzzy started the Sur Trac at 8 AM and groomed over the hill to CA 5 turned onto rt. 302A and down to the railroad bed at CA 7. Looked up and down the rail bed and decided to groom to the Upper Valley Grill. At the Grill he waved "hi" to owner Bill Kane and turned around for his trip back home to CA 10.

March 25, 2008 Doug Wilson from Mt. Grooming in Waitsfield made arrangements to have a Sur Trac on loan to us, while our Sur Trac is in for repairs. Thank you Doug.

Late yesterday Buzzy started grooming from Butterfield Parking lot. He groomed down to OE 76 up to OE 78 turned up Rt. 302C the loop trail and groomed around to OE 75 where he turned around and went back over his tracks to OE 78. At that point Buzzy took rt. 302 to OE 76 up to OE 75, CA 9, and back to CA 10 on rt. 302. This AM Buzzy fired up the Sur Trac and headed to Hookerville Cut Off Road. He will groom over the hill to CA 5 down to the railroad bed on rt. 302A to CA7 up rt. 2/302 to CA 12 turn up rt. 2 to CA 18 up the hill on rt. 232 to Choates Pasture. Make the sharp turn towards Hooker Mt. and will turn around at the Church Camp in Cabot. Buzzy will groom back over his tracks to CA 18 where he will turn onto rt. 2/232 and cross the bridge. He will groom as far as the Bog road and turn around. There is logging beyond the Bog road. Buzzy will groom back to CA 18 turn down onto rt. 2 and back to the railroad bed at CA 12. From here the groomer will go down to CA 7 and turn up rt. 302A for the return trip to home at CA 10. The Sur Trac will go out again tomorrow.

March 22, 2008: By 1:30 PM The Sur Trac and groom was in Butterfield Parking lot off rt. 302B. This AM Matt Puffer moved his big skidder to the parking lot and Bill Cassidy came with his John Deere tractor. Matt went down the snowmobile trail to OE 76 and turned up rt. 302 East to OE 75 where the disable Sur Trac was. Bill brought all the supplies, oil, generator etc. in the bucket of his tractor. Matt, Bill and Buzzy got the drag unhitched from the Sur Trac. Than it was time for the big pull. Could the skidder pull the disabled Sur Trac? We were surprised when the Sur Trac finally got onto the frozen track it moved down the trail. Matt parked the Sur Trac off the trail and returned to get the drag out of the middle of the trail. When hitched to the drag the Skidder took it right to Butterfield Parking Lot. Matt returned to the Sur Trac for another hook up. When Matt pulled the Sur Trac moved. We were all holding our breath wondering if the Skidder would be able to pull the Sur Trac up the hill and into the parking lot. Matt and Bill worked their magic and slow but sure the Sur Trac was pulled into the parking lot. We have made several phone calls and the Low Boy trailer out of Middlebury, VT. will come to load the Sur Trac Monday and take it back to the New Holland Dealer in Middlebury. One of the best parts of the story is that Doug Wilson, owner of Mt. Grooming and dealer for Sur Trac's has a Sur Trac and drag that he will loan us till we get our Sur Trac back. We want to thank all the snowmobilers that had to wait till we got the equipment off the trail. Everyone was so nice and understanding. We also want to thank Matt Puffer and Bill Cassidy for their quick response to the problem. It was Dave Wheatly that was grooming Friday night when the wheel broke. In the moon light Dave had to walk a half mile or so up hill to get where there was cell phone service. Dave called us about 1:15 AM. Buzzy went out on his sled and I went to the parking lot with our pick-up to give Dave a ride home when Buzzy brought him to the parking lot on his sled. We could not do this grooming job without all the help and support. A Big Thank You to Everyone. If all goes as per our plan we will be grooming Monday night. As long as the temperature stays down we will be grooming.

March 21, 2008 The wind blew all night and brought in cold temperature. This AM Buzzy left at 8AM in the Sur Trac to groom to Hooker Mt. He will groom over the hill on rt. 302 to CA 5 down to the Railroad bed and up rt. C2/302 to CA 12 turn up rt. 2 to CA 18 and up the hill on rt. 232 to Choates Pasture. Take the sharp turn and go out through the hard wood to the side of Hooker Mt. and groom out through Glenn Goodridges Maple Sugar pipe line. Tough year to be sugaring. Buzzy will turn around at the Church Camp driveway and come back over his tracks to CA 18 where he will turn onto rt. 2/232 and cross the bridge. Groom to the Bog Road and turn around before the logging. Come back to CA 18 and groom rt. 2 back to CA 12 down the railroad bed to CA 7. Here he will turn up rt. 302A to CA 5 and come home on rt. 302 to CA 10. Should be around 2 PM when Buzzy gets back to CA 10. The wind has kept blowing all morning the temperature at 10:30AM is 18 above. Dave Wheatly will come at dark. Dave will fire-up the Sur Trac, give a quick eyeball examin to make sure everything looks ok. Dave will Groom over the hill to CA 5 down rt. 302 to CA 6 CA 4 pass Ricker Pond and continue pass the Upper Valley Grill to CA 1. There Dave will turn up rt. 5 and groom to the pitstop. Where he will turn around and come back his tracks to Ricker Pond CA 4. There Dave will make a discussion whether or not there is time to go up rt. 232 to Paul and Mary's pasture. It will be late when Dave gets back to CA 10. If temperature holds should be some good riding this week-end. Enjoy

March 20, 2008 Yesterday the snow stayed granulate from sleet most of the day. At 8:26AM Buzzy left to groom rt. 2004 out to CA 9 turned onto rt. 302 to OE 75 and around the loop on rt. 302C to OE 78 down to OE 76 and up to Butterfield Parking lot on rt. 302B. Turned and came back to OE 76 up rt. 302 to OE 75 where he turned onto rt. 302C to do the loop a second time. At. OE 78 Buzzy came down to OE 76 turned up rt. 302 to OE 75 at CA 9 he turned back onto rt. 2004 to CA 10. Buzzy stopped for a few minutes to get lunch. The storm was still sleet and mealy so he went back out to groom over the hill to CA 5 down rt. 302A to CA 7, CA 6 CA 4 where he turned up rt. 232 to Paul & Mary's pasture where he turned around before he got into the logging operation. Groomed back to CA 4 and turned up rt. 302 West to CA 6 rt. changes to C 2/302. At CA 7 Buzzy turned up rt. 302A to CA 5 and came back to homebase on rt. 302 CA 10. Sur Trac was back home by 4:57PM. The next four day forecast for Groton is: Friday cloudy, snow 17/25/ Sat. windy, 12/29/ Sun. cloudy snow 11/24/ Mon. Sun 9/28. We maybe able to groom nights to extend our snowmobile season.

March 19, 2008 Yesterday Buzzy started grooming at 3:15PM temperature finally dropped. Buzzy in the Sur Trac groomed from CA 10 out rt. 302 to CA 9, at OE 75 he turned up rt. 302C and went around the loop trail to OE 78. Back on rt. 302 to OE 76 up rt. 302B to Butterfield parking lot turned around and came back to OE 76. Turned up rt. 302 to OE 75 to CA 9 and home to CA 10 by 7PM. Carl Emerson was waiting in the yard to climb into the drivers seat and groom over the hill to CA 5 on rt. 302 down to CA 6, CA 4 and CA 1 turned up rt. 5 to the pitstop and turned around. Came back to CA 1 on rt. 302 Carl groomed up to CA 4, CA 6 CA 5 and back to home at CA 10 by 12:14 AM. This AM, Wednesday the snow is granulated, not sticky, the temperature 28 degrees. So Buzzy started the Sur Trac and was grooming by 8 AM. He will groom rt. 2004 to CA 9 turn around at the Butterfield parking lot and come back to CA 9 and turn down rt. 2004. Should be back to CA 10 by noon today 3/18. At 8:30AM It is sleet coming down, not rain, not snow here at CA 10. We will groom when snow and temperature allows. We are almost to the end of the season so make the best of it. When you are at Ricker Pond CA 4 and want to get to CA 18 you may want to take the alternate route which is from CA 4 go to CA 12 up rt. 2 to CA 18. The logging on rt. 232 can get soupy on a warm day. Even though we have the lower trail to by pass the major part of the logging, the skidders still have to use a section of the original snowmobile trail.

March 18, 2008 Yesterday, Monday, Carl Emerson climbed into the Sur Trac at 7AM. Carl groomed over the Hill to CA 5 down to CA 7 on rt. C2/302 up the railroad bed to CA 12 where he turned up rt. 2 to CA 18. Carl when up the hill on rt.232 to Choates Pasture and take the sharp turn to Hooker Mt. and turn at the Church Camp road. Carl groomed back to CA 18 and crossed the bridge onto rt. 2/232 and groomed as far as the Bog Road. We do not groom through the logging operation. Carl turned and came back to CA 18 turned down rt. 2 to CA 12. There he turned down the railroad bed to CA 7. Carl turned up rt. 302A to CA 5 and back to CA 10 at 6PM. Carl helped Buzzy take a tire of the tractor and Buzzy will take the tire for repair today. If the temperature stays cool Buzzy and Carl will divide the grooming. One will go to the Gore and the other will groom to the pitstop and back. We want to get over our trail system before the storm gets here on Wed. Our trail system is holding good, no ice and no water holes. How long this will last is a guess. But lets enjoy the trails on a day to day plan.

March 15, 2008 At 12:20 this AM Buzzy was on the trail grooming. The temperature had dropped. He groomed over the hill to CA 5 picked up rt. 302A and went down to the railroad bed at CA 7. There he turned down to CA 6 at CA 4 he stayed on rt. 302 pass the Upper Valley Grill to CA 1 there he turned around and came back to CA 4 to CA 6 up to CA 5 passed CA 10 headed to the "gore" on rt. 302 to CA 9 OE 75 OE 76 up to Butterfield Parking lot on rt. 302B. Where he turned around and came back to OE 76 picked up rt. 302 and went to OE 75, CA 9 there he turned onto rt. 2004 and came back to home base at CA 10. It was 6:05 AM. Buzzy parked the rig and came in to eat and sleep. Right now at 8 AM there is fine snow falling. All the trees are covered with snow that came in the night and was wet enough to cling to the trees. There is only 2" to 3" of snow accumulation during the night. The current temperature is 35 degrees. Whether or not we can do the Sat. night grooming will depend on the temp. and snow conditions. Enjoy your ride today.

March 14, 2008 Check current weather at the top of this page. Extended forecast for Groton, VT. Fri. cloudy midday 40 degrees/ Sat. cloudy snow 29/38/ Sun. cloudy snow 24/34/ Mon. Sun 16/32/ Tue. cloudy 18/39. We are excited our trail system is holding up great. We have been able to groom the full system. No water holes No ice. We will keep grooming as long as there is snow and cool temperatures at night. Feel free to call or e-mail us for up to date conditions. Thursday night Dave climbed into the Sur Trac at 6:45PM with his lunch pail. Dave knew he was in for a long night. Thank you Dave for your dedication. Dave and Sur Trac went over the hill on rt. 302 to CA 5 down to the railroad bed on rt. 302A at CA 7 he turned down to CA 6 to CA 4 turned up rt. 232 at Ricker Pond and groomed through to CA 18 where he turned down rt. 2 to CA 12 at Lanesboro. Dave turned around at Lanesboro and went back up to CA 18 where he turned onto rt. 232 and groomed up to Choates pasture, turned around and came back to CA 18 where he crossed the bridge onto rt. 2/232 to CA 4 at Ricker Pond. Dave turned up rt. 302 to CA 6 CA 5 and back to CA 10. Dave parked the Sur Trac at 2:34 AM. That is 8 and one half hours in the Groomer. Thank you Dave.

This Friday morning Buzzy climbed into the Sur-Trac at 6:30AM got the engine warmed up and headed over the hill to CA 5 on rt. 302 down to railroad bed at CA 6. Buzzy will groom the section of railbed that Dave did not hit. From CA 6 Buzzy will turn up to CA 7 and CA 12 on rt. C 2/302. Where he will turn and come back to CA 7 and turn up rt. 302A to CA 5 onto rt. 302 and back to homebase at CA 10. He will than ponder whether or not the temperature is cool enough and snow not too sticky. Before he heads for the Gore OE 76. If the temperature stays cool Dave will take the Sur Trac to CA 1 and up to the Pitstop to night. We will keep doing our trail condition report right up to the very last time the Sur Trac goes out. Should be some great spring riding in the Groton area

March 11, 2008 This AM it was 6 above. Perfect temperature to groom. Buzzy left the yard CA 10 at 8:20 AM. He groomed over the hill on rt. 302 to CA 5 down to railroad bed at CA 6 down to CA 4 and past the Upper Valley Grill to CA 1. There he turned up rt. 5 to the pitstop where he turned around and came back to CA 1 rt. 302 to CA 6 up to CA 5 and back over the hill to CA 10. Arriving back home at 1:45PM. When it gets dark and temperature drops Dave Wheatly will climb into the drivers seat and head to the "Gore" rt. 302 to OE 76 up to Butterfield Parking lot and back to OE 76 rt. 302 to OE 78 where he will turn up rt. 302C and groom the "loop" trail around to OE 75. Dave will turn around here and go back over the lopop trail to OE 78 down to OE 76, up to Butterfield Parking lot back to OE 76 and up rt. 302 to OE 75 CA 9 to CA 10. At CA 10 Dave will go rt. 2004 to CA 9 and turn and come back to CA 10 on rt. 2004. It will be very late before Dave gets to go home. Wednesday the Sur Trac will rest.

March 10, 2008 Sunday night Buzzy started grooming at 6:20 PM. He groomed out to the Gore, rt. 302 to Jct. OE 76 up to Butterfield Parking Lot, back to OE 78 turned up the loop trail, rt. 302 C around to OE 75 back on rt. 302 to CA 9 where he turned onto rt. 2004 and back home CA 10 by 10PM. This Monday morning Buzzy was leaving the yard at CA 10 by 7:30AM. The Sur Trac with Buzzy behind the windshield will go rt. 302 to CA 5 down rt. 302A to railroad bed at CA 7 turn up rt. C 2/302 to CA 12 turn onto rt. 2 to CA 18 and continue up the hill on rt. 232 to Choates pasture, take the sharp turn to Hooker Mt. and turn around at the Church Camp. On the return trip he will take a moment to enjoy the beautiful view of Peacham Pond. Back to CA 18 where he will turn onto rt. 2/232 cross the bridge and groom 3.3 miles to the Bog Road. There is logging beyond the Bog road so he will turn and groom back to CA 18. Turn down rt. 2 to railroad bed at CA 12. There Buzzy will groom down to CA 4 at Ricker Pond. Turn up rt. 232 and groom to Paul & Mary's pasture just this side of the logging operation. We do not groom thru the logging during the day because the big skidders are pulling logs in the trail to the logging head site. Buzzy will turn around at the pasture and come back to CA 4. Here is where Buzzy will decide to go to Upper Valley Grill or come back to CA 10. This AM the early temperature was 8 above. The Sun is out and at 1 PM the temperature is 26 degrees. Now is the time to enjoy the spring riding. I left early this AM on my sled to check rt. 232 after Choates pasture towards Hooker Mt. My job was to make sure there was no open water or ice on the side of the Hooker Mt. trail. Once the Sur Trac makes the sharp turn at Choates pasture there is no place to turn around. The trails were great no water no ice. Get out and ride as much as you can. The trails are great. Enjoy. We will be grooming every day that we can. I recommend every rider read page 9 of the February issue of VAST News. Country Riders have a list of 10 things to do on your sled when you meet a groomer. Thank you Ron Merrill, Trail Coordinator/Operator.

March 8, 2008 Thursday the 6th Buzzy groomed to the Gore OE 76 rt. 302 and the loop rt. 302C early in the AM. By 11 AM the snow was too warm to groom. Friday the 7th Buzzy and Carl Emerson climbed into the Sur Trac at 8 AM. Snow was still crusty from the overnight temperature. They groomed rt. 302 over the hill to CA 5 down to railroad bed at CA 6 to CA 4. At Ricker Pond Carl turned up rt. 232 to Paul & Mary's pasture (just before the logging operation) where he turned around and came back to CA 4. Snow was too sticky so Carl turned up rt. 302 to CA 6, CA 5 and got back to CA 10 at 2PM. Where he parked the Sur Trac to wait for temperature to drop.

During the night we received 4" of heavy wet snow. Sky is cloudy at 6:30 PM weatherman is calling for freezing rain today with 35 degree temperature. Sunday cloudy/snow temperature 23, Monday sun/clouds 7/26, Tuesday cloudy 10/32, Wed. cloudy/snowstorm 21/36. Looks like we may get snow and colder temperatures after the week-end. Sunday probably is a ride day but don't expect too much.

March 3, 2008: Sky cleared around noon time and outside temperature 40 degrees. Buzzy cleaned snow out of the Sur Trac drag and was on his way grooming at 8 this Monday morning. Buzzy in Sur Trac headed over the hill to CA 5 down on to the railroad bed rt. 302 at CA 7 up rt. C 2/302 to CA 12 turned up rt. 2 to CA 18. Up the hill on rt. 232 to Hooker Mt. and Hookerville Cut Off Road. Where he will turn around and come back over his tracks to CA 12, CA 7, CA 6, CA 4. He stopped at the Upper Valley Grill to get lunch and call home. His report was that the snow, believe it or not was still flowing through the blades on the drag. After lunch Buzzy got back onto rt. 302 and went down through the village to CA 1 where he turned up rt. 5 to the pitstop there he turns around and comes back to CA 1 up to CA 4 at Ricker Pond onto CA 6 up the swamp trail on rt. 302 to CA 5 and home to CA 10. Where he will park it for the night and see what tomorrow morning brings. The following is our local forcast: Tuesday wintry mix, snow/rain 28/35 degrees; Wednesday rain/sleet 21/33 degrees; Thursday sun/clouds 15/37; Friday mix snow/rain 24/37 degrees; Sat. mix snow/rain 22/37 degrees. Town meeting is tomorrow. We can expect days with warm temperatures. The Maple Sugar producer are scratching their heads wondering how they can tap when tap lines are covered with 3 to 5 feet of snow. The Sur Trac will be on the trails grooming everyday or night that the temperature allows. Enjoy the beauty of Vermont. VAST trails take you on very scenic rides. Happy Trails.

February 29, 2008: It was 9:30 PM last night when Dave Wheatly climbed into the Sur Trac. The grooming route was rt. 302 to CA 9 down to OE 75, OE 76 up to the Butterfield parking lot. Turned and went back to OE 76 up rt. 302 to OE 78 onto rt. 302C "the loop trail" and around to OE 75 back to CA 9. Turned down rt. 2004 and groomed to CA 10 where Dave turned and went back over his tracks on rt. 2004 to CA 9. From there Dave went to the parking lot again and to OE 78 and rt. 302C the loop again, came back to CA 9 and CA 10 on route 302. Dave did some extra grooming where it was needed. Dave did not get back to CA 10 until 3:40 AM this morning. Last night the temperature dropped to 20 below. Sat. night Buzzy and Doug Smith will groom the routes so the trails are good for the Sunday riders. We enjoy seeing the families on the trails.

February 28, 2008: at 9:45 PM Dave Wheatly climbed into the drivers seat of the Sur-Trac. His grooming route will be, over the hill to CA 5 on rt. 302 to CA 6 to CA 4 where he turned up Rt. 232. About 4.5 miles up rt. 232 is the logging operation. With spring coming we will post a caution sign at CA 4 that the logging operation is using the trail for a distance and you may want to take the alternate route to CA 18 which is Jct. 12 up rt 2 to CA 18. We should try to avoid the logging when it is possible this spring. Dave will turn the Sur Trac around at CA 18 and come back to CA 4 down rt. 302 to CA 1 up rt. 5 to the pitstop where Dave will turn and come back to CA 1 up rt. 302 to CA 4 CA 6 CA 5. Dave arrived back to Jct. CA 10 at 5:55 this AM. Buzzy will fuel up the Sur Trac and climb in the drivers seat and head over the hill to CA 5 take rt. 302A to CA 7 up rt. C 2/302 to CA 12 take rt. 2 up to CA 18. Go up the hill on rt. 232 to Choates Pasture where he will take the sharp turn to Hooker Mt. The Sur Trac will turn at the Hookerville Cut Off Road and come back over his tracks to home base Jct. CA 10. We will contact Doug Smith to see if he is available to groom this evening. Doug will groom the "gore" OE 76 rt. 302 and the "loop" rt. 302C at OE 75 and OE 78.

February 27, 2008: 7 AM we received 6 to 8" of new snow. Not what was expected. If you check Betty's cam it looks like the snowmobile is stuck in a snow bank..The forecast is for snow and blowing for today. The temperature is 25 degrees. For the next few days it is going to grow colder and possible below zero a couple of nights. The Sur Trac will pull out this afternoon and head over the hill to CA 5 and down onto the railroad bed, rt. 302 and groom as much as we can. Buzzy has a county meeting to go to night. Happy Trails

February 26, 2008 Yesterday, Buzzy, Bill Cassidy, Mike Davidson and Garth Page worked on the Sur Trac down at the Upper Valley Grill where we left it Saturday night. Bill found the hydraulic leak and Buzzy got the tires off and down to the garage for one new tire & tube and a new tube in the other tire. The tractor was all back together and windows cleaned so Buzzy could climb in the drivers seat by 2:30 PM. Buzzy left the Upper Valley Grill and headed up the railroad bed, rt. 302 to CA 4, CA 6, CA 7, CA 12 where he turned up rt. 2 to CA 18. At CA 18 he went up the hill on rt. 232 to Hooker Mt. and Hookerville Cut-Off Road where he turned around at the Cabot/Peacham boundary. Buzzy came back to CA 18. Where Betty met him with lunch and a soda. At Jct. CA 18 he turned left, cross the bridge on rt. 2/232 and groom down to Ricker Pond Jct. CA 4. There he turned up the railroad bed on rt. 302 to Jct. CA 6 where he turned up "the swamp trail" to CA 5 and back home Jct. CA 10 by 9:15 PM. A long day. At 4:15 AM this morning Doug Smith climbed into the Sur Trac with his cup of coffee. Doug will groom over the hill to CA 5 down onto the railroad bed at CA 7 up rt C 2/302 to CA 12 turn around and come back over his tracks to CA 1 where he will turn up rt. 5 and groom to the "Pitstop" turn around and come back over his tracks to CA 7 up rt. 302A to CA 5 CA 10 and groom out through the "Gore" rt. 302 to Jct. OE 76 and turn around at the Butterfield Parking Lot and come back over his tracks to home Jct. CA 10. When Doug gets back to homebase that will mean that we have groomed all of our trail system except the "loop" rt. 302C out in the "Gore". The trails will be groomed and flat before the wet 12" snow storm hits. This should make for good spring riding.

February 25, 2008: Sat. & Sun. were beautiful. Bright sunny days. Smooth trails. Could not get any better. Saturday night at about 2 AM Doug Smith was grooming at CA 4, Ricker Pond when he noticed there was a hydraulic leak. Doug made it to Upper Valley Grill where there was an outside phone. Buzzy went down and picked up Doug and called it a night. Sunday morning we found out that we had two flat tires. The middle tire on each side. Buzzy got the tires off and into the back of the truck with the help of Rob Reid. Thanks Rob. This AM Bill Cassidy came to find the hydraulic leak and Buzzy went to the garage for two tires either repaired or new. We are anxious to get the Sur Trac back in motion today so that we can get the trail system groomed before the storm starts tomorrow. We are expected to get 6 to 12" of wet snow. Will send up dated report ASAP.

February 22, 2008: This morning Doug Smith climbed in the drivers seat of the Sur Trac and went over the hill to CA 5 on rt. 302 down to the railroad bed at Jct. CA 7 and up to Lanesboro CA 12 where he turned around and came back to CA 7, CA 6, CA 4 Down rt. 302 past the Upper Valley Grill to CA 1 turned up rt. 5 and went to the pitstop where he turned around and came back over his tracks to CA 6 where he turned up rt. 302 to CA 5 and parked the Sur Trac at Jct. CA 10. This afternoon Mother Nature surprised us with a 5" fluffy snow storm. Saturday night Buzzy will take the first part of the night to groom the "Gore" rt. 302 to Jct. OE 76 and rt. 302C " the loop trail" and up to Butterfield parking lot. Around 10 PM Doug will get back into the drivers seat and head over the hill on rt. 302 to Jct. CA 5 down onto the railroad bed at CA 6. Down to CA 12 turn up rt. 2 to CA 18 up to Choates pasture and turn around, come back to CA 18 and cross the bridge on to rt. 232 down to Ricker Pond at CA 4. Down to the Upper Valley Grill. Turn around and come back to CA 4, CA 6, turn up rt. 302A at CA 7 to CA 5 onto rt. 302 back to home base at CA 10. The Sur Trac will rest until Sunday night.

Happy Trails.

February 20, 2008: At 6:30 PM last night Dave Wheatly climbed into the drivers seat of the Sur Trac. He groomed over the hill to CA 5 down rt. 302A to CA 7 to CA 6, CA 4 turned up rt. 232 to CA 18 turned around and came back to CA 4 went down rt. 302 to CA 1 and turned up rt. 5 to the pitstop. Turned and came back to CA 1 up rt. 302 to CA 4 CA 6 CA 5 and got back to CA 10 at 4:02 AM. thats 9 1/2 hours in the groomer. Today Buzzy got in the drivers seat at 11:30 AM and head over the hill to CA 5 down onto the railroad bed at CA 6 up rt. C 2/302 to CA 12 "Lanesboro" turn up rt. 2 To CA 18 continue up the hill on rt. 232 to Hookerville Cut Off Rd. where he will turn at the church camp and come back over his tracks to home base Jct. CA 10. Buzzy will get home around 6PM and Dave will fuel up and groom out to the "Gore" Rts. 302 CA 10 to CA 9 to OE 75 around the "loop" rt. 302C to OE 78 rt. 302 to OE 76 rt. 302B to Butterfield Parking lot where he will turn around and come back to OE 76 on to rt. 302 to OE 78 around the Loop rt. 302C to OE 75 back to CA 9 turn onto Rt. 2004 and come back to home at Jct. CA 10. We have been notified that the Plainfield/Marshfield Club is holding a poker run on Sat. and they will be coming through here as the Upper Valley Grill is one of their stops.

February 19, 2008 It was 25 degrees this AM. The trail is hard packed but the crust outside the trail does not hold up a person. Sunday we had to go down in the cedars below Jct. CA 10 and cut two, forked small trees to make a crutch for the telephone line that runs to the Seyon Lodge & Pond. The snow is so deep that it has raised the Sur-Trac up enough so it hits the line. We have not had to do this before. Some of the bridges the snow is almost to the top of the rail. Some signs are not showing in the deep snow. Be very carefull. Today, Tuesday 2/19 Buzzy is going out with the Sur-Trac to CA 5 and down onto the railroad bed, rts. 302 and C 2/302. When it gets dark Dave Wheatly is coming to groom. He will probably go up Ricker Pond CA 4 on rt. 232 to CA 18 and come back over his tracks. Wed. 2/20 Buzzy will leave early to groom to Hookerville Cut-off Road/Cabot town line. The Jcts. are as follows CA 5 CA 7 CA 12 rt. 2 to CA 18 rt. 232 to Choates pasture and take the sharp turn to Hooker Mt. He will turn around at the Church Camp on Hookerville Cut-off Rd. These are projected routes. The trails and weather should be ok to groom.

February 17, 2008 Today was a beautiful sunny day to ride. The Coles Pond Sledders had their Pancake breakfast in Walden this AM. Buzzy and I rode up with friends to enjoy the breakfast as did about 400 other snowmobilers. The trails were great. It is always nice to see Mom & Dad out with their children enjoying the sport of snowmobiling. We have been watching the weather channel and they are calling for rain on Monday. We received a call from Greensboro, VT. that the sleet & rain had all ready started there. Buzzy had planned on grooming the "Gore" OE 76 and the "loop trail" rt. 302C tonight. When we got the call he got out a little earlier than planned. He had hoped to finish watching the Daytona Race but he left Jct. CA 10 in the drivers seat of the Sur Trac at about lap 50. If it rains tomorrow we will not be able to groom until the temperature cools down.

February 15, 2008 at 5 PM Buzzy got out of the Sur Trac at Jct. CA 10 he had spent the day grooming to Hookerville Cut Off Road on rt. 232. At 6 PM Dave Wheatly got into the drivers seat. Dave will operate the Sur Trac back over the hill to CA 5, down rt. 302 to CA 6, at CA 4 he will turn up rt. 232 and go 8.3 miles to CA 18 where he will turn around and come back over his tracks to CA 4. There Dave will turn down rt. 302 to the upper Valley Grill and General Store. He will turn and come back to CA 4 up rt. 302 to CA 6 CDA 5 and over the hjill to CA 10. At this point Dave will decide if he has time to go to the "Gore" Jct. OE 76 and up rt. 302B to the Butterfield parking lot. Turn around and come back over his tracks to CA 9 where he will turn down rt. 2004 and come home to CA 10. Saturday night Buzzy and Doug Smith will split the night and groom as much of the trail system as they can. Enjoy this Presidents Day week-end.

February 14, 2008 Happy Valentine Day. Wednesday morning we woke up to about 6" of new snow. All day long it would keep changing from snow to rain. The trails held up good. Yesterday was service the tractor day. The Sur Trac pulled out of Matt Puffers garage this morning. Buzzy was in the drivers seat and he turned down the railroad bed, route 302 to CA 1 up rt. 5 to the Pit Stop. Turned and came back over his tracks. Continued up rt. 302 to CA 4 CA 6 CA 5 CA 10 CA 9 OE 75 around the loop on rt. 302C to OE 78 OE 76 up rt. 302B to the Butterfield parking lot, turned and came back to OE 76 and up rt. 302 to OE 75 CA 9 turned onto rt. 2004 and back to CA 10. Buzzy will get a nights sleep and Friday 2/15 the Sur Trac and Buzzy will head over the hill to CA 5, down onto the railroad bed and up to Lanesboro CA 12 turn onto rt. 2 and continue to CA 18. Rt 232 takes over and the groomer will go to Choates pasture take the sharp turn to Hooker Mt. and Hookerville Cut-off Road. Buzzy will go to the Church Camp driveway and turn around. He will come back to CA 18 where he will turn onto rt. 232 and cross the bridge. He will go as far as the logging at the Bog road where he will turn and come back to CA 18 and down rt. 2 to CA 12 and down the railroad bed to CA 7 up rt. 302A to CA 5 and home to CA 10. Enjoy your ride.

February 11, 2008 Sunday night Buzzy left Jct. CA 10 in the Sur-Trac groom. His route was to groom the "Gore" out rt. 302 to OE 75 turned up to the "loop trail" on rt. 302C and off the loop at OE 78. From there he went to the Butterfield Parking Lot where he turned and came back rt. 302 to CA 10. This Monday morning the Sur-Trac left CA 10 at 9 AM with Buzzy in the drivers seat. His grooming route will be CA 5 CA 6 CA 7 CA 12 up rt. 2 to CA 18 to Choates pasture take the sharp turn to Hooker Mt. on rt. 232. He will turn around at the Church camp driveway on rt. 232 and come back to CA 18. Where he goes here depends on the clock. If there is time he will go rt. 232 to the Bog Road and turn around. We do not want to get into the logging operation during work hours on rt. 232. Buzzy will come back to CA 10 sometime this evening. Dave Wheatly is leaving his home in Ayer, Mass. this afternoon. Dave will climb in the drivers seat of the Sur Trac and groom over the hill to CA 5 down to CA 7 CA 6 and up rt. 232 at CA 4. Dave will go through to the Bog Road to meet Buzzy's tracks made this afternoon. Dave will turn and come back to CA 4, CA 6, CA 5 and home to CA 10. Tuesday Buzzy will groom over the hill to CA 5 down to railroad bed at CA 6, down rt. 302 to CA 4 pass by the Upper Valley Grill and continue down rt. 302 to CA 1 where he will turn up rt. 5 and go to the pitstop and turn around. Come bck to CA 1, up rt. 302 to Matt's garage where he will stop, unhitch the groom and put the Sur Trac in Matts heated garage for service. Wednesday will be a down day as the Sur Trac will be getting a service job.

This AM it was 0 degrees, sunny & windy. Tuesday will be cloudy and 0/19 degrees, Wednesday snow storm 13/30, Thursday sunny 11/25, Friday cloudy 9/30 degrees. Presidents Day is 2/18 so this will be a long week-end. Enjoy the snow but be kind to the groomer. The accumlation of snow has made it tough to keep a smooth trail. Snow just does not pack down. But it will get better. Happy Trails.

February 9, 2008 From 11 Am to 1:30 PM the Buckaroos served 225 Delicious BBQ Chicken at our annual Dick Page Ride-In. We want to thank everyone that came to the dinner and everyone that worked on the dinner. We are sorry that we ran out of BBQ chicken and had to turn some snowmobilers away. Lucky we have the Upper Valley Grill close by so they were able to get a good meal. There was club clothing for sale and the Sur Trac with groom was on display. When it gets dark tonight Buzzy will climb in the drivers seat of the Sur Trac and groom down rt. 302 to CA 1 turn and come back by Upper Valley Grill and continue up to CA 4, CA 6 CA 7 and CA 12 "lanesboro." There he will turn around and come back to CA 7 and turn up rt. 302A to CA 5 continue on rt. 302 to CA 10, CA 9 OE 75, OE 76 up to Butterfield Parking lot and turn around and come back over his tracks to CA 10.

February 8, 2008 This AM Matt Puffer came and tighten the tracks on the Sur Trac. Thank you Matt. The tractor has been spinning a lot in the deep snow. Buzzy should be in the drivers seat by 9 AM. The grooming route will be to Hookerville Cut-Off road in Cabot. The Jcts. are as follows: CA 5 CA 7 CA 12 CA 18 Choates Pasture and up the side of Hooker Mt. to Hookerville Cut-Off road. We will turn in the Church Camp road and come back to home Jct. CA 10. Dave Wheatly is here and he will climb in the seat of the Sur Trac around 4 PM. His route will be CA 5 CA 6 CA 4 up rt. 232 to CA 18 where he will turn and come back over his tracks. When he gets back to CA 4 if there is time he will go to the Town Garage and park the Sur Trac. Sat. is the Dick Page Ride -in. The menu is BBQ Chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, rolls, drink and cup cakes. Hope to see you there.

PS...There are places on the trails that the snow is so deep that the trail signs are almost covered up. Be cautious not to hit one of those 2 x 2 post. Might do some damage to your sled.

February 7, 2008 It is 3:30 PM and I just got back from the "Gore" Jct. OE 76 and Butterfield Parking lot. Rode my sled out to help make a track for the Sur Trac. The snow is DEEP. This AM Buzzy in the Sur Trac went over the hill to CA 5 Down To CA 6 up to CA 7 and CA 12. There he turned up rt. 2 towards New Discovery. The purpose of this grooming route was to clean out all the road crossings. The snow banks are high..Buzzy turned around at New Discovery and came back over his tracks. When He got back to Jct. CA 10 it was decided there was time enough to groom the Gore. The last time I saw Buzzy was just before Jct. CA 9. I had made my trip making a track and Buzzy said that all was going well. The Ice had melted off the trees. We had some fog the other afternoon maybe that melted the ice? Buzzy will go to Butterfield Parking lot and back to CA 9 where he will turn onto rt. 2004 and come back to Jct. CA 10. I have checked the snow stake down at the barn and there is 35 inches on the stake. Be extra carefull when you ride, stay on the trail so you will not get stuck in this deep snow.

February 6, 2008 At 7:30PM we have received at least 10" to 12" of new snow in the past 24 hours. The Sur Trac pulled into Jct. CA 10 at 5 PM. It was a long day and many branches and some trees in the trail to be removed. Some could be pushed out of the trail by the blade on front and others had to be cut in two first. Tomorrow, Thursday the Sur Trac will head out to the "Gore" Jct. OE 76 on rt. 302. On Friday the Sur-Trac will go to Hookerville Cut-Off Road on rt. 232. We will work hard to get all our trail system in good condition for Saturdays Chicken BBQ at the Town Garage. Follow the signs for a great meal.

February 6, 2008 At 7 AM this morning there was 6" of new snow in our driveway. Down at the snow stake there is a total of 24" of snow. This is snow that stayed with us through the thaw and the new snow we have received since about 12PM on Monday. Oh Boy !! Oh Boy. This will help to take us into March riding. This AM the Sur-Trac will leave Jct. CA 10 and go over the hill to CA 5 down to CA 6 and continue down rt. 302 "the railroad bed" to CA 4, The Upper Valley Grill, CA 1 and up onto rt. 5 to the Pits Stop. Where he will turn and come back over the same trail. When he gets back to CA 4 if there is time Buzzy will turn up rt. 232 and groom as far as the "Paul and Mary's pasture". There he will turn to stay out of the logging operation and come back to CA 4, CA 7 CA 5 and home to CA 10. Happy trails.

February 5, 2008 This AM there is a new 4" blanket of snow on the trails. The hardwood limbs and softwood branches still had a coat of ice from the pervious storm. This new snow stuck to the trees. A beautiful picture. But kinda hard on the light on top of the Sur-Trac.

Yesterday, the Sur-Trac with Buzzy in the drivers seat left Jct. CA 10 about 8:30 AM. He went over the hill to CA 5 down to the railroad bed at CA 7 up to "Lanesboro" Jct. CA 12 turned onto rt. 2 up through "New Discovery" to CA 18 on rt. 232. Up the hill to "Choates Pasture" and make the sharp turn towards Hooker Mt. The Sur-Trac chugged up the side of Hooker Mt. and down to Hookerville Cut-Off road. This is the boundary of Buckaroos and Buzzy's contract. We turn in the log yard and come back over our tracks to CA 18 where Buzzy turned left to cross the bridge on rt. 232. We groomed as far as the "Bog Road" where the logging operation is. There we turned around and went back to CA 18. We try not to groom through the logging operation when they are working. Do not want to meet one of their big pieces of equipment and have to back all the way out. The Sur-Trac went back through "New Discovery" to CA 12 down the railroad bed to CA 4 and continued to the Upper Valley Grill where Buzzy turned and came back to CA 6 CA 5 and home at CA 10 at 9 PM. The Sur-Trac will go out again on Wed. Happy Trails.

February 3, 2008 The Sur-Trac went out grooming last night with Buzzy in the drivers seat. The temperature was about 26 when he left Jct. CA 10. Buzzy was surprised that the snow was flowing ok thru the blades of the groom. He went over the hill to CA 5 down To CA 7 up the railroad bed, rt. 302 to CA 12 turned at Lanesboro and came back down the railroad bed to Upper Valley Grill, turned came back to CA 6 up to CA 5 over the hill to CA 10 came in and to eat milk and cookies. Back out to the Sur-Trac and down rt. 2004 to CA 9 continued to Butterfield parking lot and back to CA 9 on rt. 302 to CA 10. He did not do rt. 232 because I got a call from a snowshoer that had driven his vehicle off the Groton State Forest road. Down rt. 2 towards Osmore Pond and of course he got stuck. Sur Trac had no way around his vehicle. It will be removed today I hope.

February 1, 2008 At 11 AM the snow started by 1 AM it was sleet. By 2:30 AM changed to rain and temperture at 24 degrees. Hope that it changes back to snow or sleet. The Sur-Trac is fueled up and ready to groom just ASAP. Will take this time to talk a little about the Hooker Mt. trail, rt. 232. Approx. 2 miles of this trail was constructed by The Buckaroos of 302 last November. We hooked onto the old original trail and extened the trail out through some hard wood and up the side of Hooker Mt. down the other side and came out onto the old town road called Hookerville Cut-Off road. We turn around at the Road and the Club from Cabot takes over. There are a couple of places that need work on this trail and we will get it done next Fall. This trail is the main route for north and south traffic. We are very thankful to the landowners that gave permission to build this trail. Also Glenn Goodrich of Goodrich's Maple Farm moved a section of his sugar pipeline for the trail. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful people. Oh how I wish winter was longer, just get going and Spring comes. Happy Trails.

January 28, 2008 Last night Buzzy groomed the "Gore" Jct. OE 76, up to Butterfield parking lot and around the "loop" on rt. 302C. This AM the Sur Trac left Jct. CA 10 with Buzzy in the drivers seat. He will go over the hill to CA 5 down to CA 7 up to CA 12 to CA 18 to Choates pasture up the side of Hooker Mt. to Hookerville Cut-Off road. He will turn at the Church camp driveway and come back over himself to CA 10. The Sur Trac will be out grooming tomorrow. Always be alert for the groomer when you are riding. Our trail system is all snow covered and most waterholes froze up. Enjoy..

January 27, 2008 Thanks to Matt Puffer, Bill Cassidy, Gary Lamberton and Buzzy Eastman. The Sur Trac has a new lag on the right side. They started work at 6:30 AM Sat. and by 7PM the lag with two new belts was all on the Sur Trac and ready to groom. Buzzy groomed from Jct. CA 10 down to Upper Valley Grill , back to Jct. 10 and over the hill on rt. 302 to the "Gore" OE 76 up to Butterfield parking lot turned and came back to CA 9 and down rt. 2004 to home at Jct. CA 10. At that point it was 1:30AM and he needed some sleep. The Sur Trac will start out again tonight.

January 25, 2008 At 4:30 PM this afternoon Buzzy was crossing the Seyon Pond Road with the Sur-Trac. The lag on the right side tore and disabled the tractor. We got the groom unhitched from the tractor. We are making telephone calles to get new belts for the lag. The trails are all groomed as of now but we will not be able to go out Sat. night as we usually do. We will get the Sur-Trac back on the trails ASAP. But it will take awhile to get the equipment back together.

January 25, 2008

Last night at 7:45 PM Dave Wheatly got into the drivers seat of the Sur-Trac. Dave left CA 10 went over the hill to CA 5 down rt. 302A to CA 7 down rt. 302 past the Upper Valley Grill continued down to CA 1. Where he turned up rt. 5 to the pitstop, turned and came back to CA 6 to CA 5 CA 10 where he turned onto rt. 2004 to CA 9 down to OE 76 up to Butterfield Parking lot. Turned and came back to CA 9 turned onto rt. 2004 and back home to CA 10 at 2:31AM. Thank you Dave.

Today Friday 1/25 Buzzy will climb in the drivers seat at 9:45 AM go over the hill to CA 5 down onto the Railroad bed and up rt. C/2/302 to CA 12, turn up rt. 2 to CA 18 onto rt. 232 up to Choates pasture and up the side of Hooker Mt. to Hookerville Cut-Off road. He will turn at the Church camp and come back to Choates Pasture. Betty's job is to ride that section of trail from Choates Pasture to Hookervill Cut-Off Road to see if the Sur-Trac should go back over the trail again. We want that trail to be well groomed because Danville-s-skimos Club is having their Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday and wee want a big crowd of hungry snowmobilers at their dinner !! Happy Trails. The Sur-Trac will be out Sat. night to get trails in shape for the Sunday riders.

January 23, 2008 +

Yesterdy Buzzy groomed to the pit stop. That is up rt. 5 from Jct. CA 1. Today late in the day the Sur-Trac with Buzzy in the drivers seat will leave Jct. CA 10 and go over the hill to CA 5 down to CA 4 up rt. 232 to CA 18. There is a logging operation on that section of the trail. We have signs up. Beware of equipment on the trail. They have the right away !! The landowner supports snowmobilers so we must be courteous at all times so he can log his land. Buzzy grooms this section of trail late so he is sure the loggers have gone home for the day. Buzzy will turn around at CA 18 and come back over himself to Jct. CA 10.

There is a good 10 inches of snow on our lawn at Jct. CA 10. Weather for the next five days: Wed. cloudy, snow 26/10, Thru. cloudy, snow 14/13, Fri. cloudy 19/3, Sat. cloudy, snow 24/11.

Remember that you can always purchase your TMA at the Upper Valley Grill in Groton, just off the trail.

On Friday 1/25/08 Buzzy will groom rt. 232 Beyond CA 18 Hooker Mt. to Hookerville Cut-off Road. The road is the end of our contract so the Sur-Trac will turn and come back over himself. Happy Trails.

5 PM on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008 YAHOO At about noon today the Sur-Trac groomed over Hooker Mt. where the spring is. We are so excited that the ground has frozen enough and our trail work has worked, we ditched the water and put some poles in the trail to make a bridge for the Sur-Trac. Now we will be able to groom, on a regular schedule, rt. 232 from Choates Pasture to Hookerville Cut-off Road. We will turn around at the Church Camp driveway. This will make the ride to Cabot a fun ride.

Tomorrow, Tuesday we plan to groom over the hill to the railroad bed and down rt. 302 at Jct. CA 6. Stop at Upper Valley Grill for lunch and continue down rt. 302 to CA 1 up rt. 5 to the Pit Stop. Turn and come back to Jct. CA 10. Everyone put on plenty of clothes and enjoy the trails.

Jan. 21, 2008 We are lucky snowmobilers. This long week-end the weather has been great. We needed the cold to freeze up some water holes. Sunday night Buzzy groomed the "Gore" OE 76 and the "Loop" rt. 302C that area is a "10". Buzzy noticed that Sat. night Topsham and Barre groomers had turned in Butterfield parking lot. I do not know snow conditions for those groomers. Speaking of water holes. The Sur-Trac with Buzzy in the drivers seat will head for route 232 and Hooker Mt. thru to Hookerville cut-off road today. We have only groomed the Hooker Mt. trail twice because of a running spring at the top of Hooker Mt. trail. We have been turning the Sur-Trac around at Choates Pasture. Last week when it was warm we spent a full day at the spring trying to get the water to run in the ditch not down the trail. After this cold week-end we are going to try and groom to Hookerville Cut-off road today. We need this trail smooth so riders can go North and South. I will do a trail report when we get back today so everyone will know what condition the trail is.

January 18, 2008 At 7 AM there is 3 1/2 inches of new cornmeal snow on the ground. That is great. This snow should groom good. The temperature is 30 degrees. Wish it was a little colder but will work with what we are given. This snow is suppose to stop around noon. Tomorrow Sat. there is suppose to be a cold front move in bringing some more snow. Not a storm just snow flurries. We have sufficient snow on our trail system. Watch for the logging operation on rt. 232 at the "Bog" road. Today the Sur-Trac with Buzzy in the drivers seat will groom to the "Gore" OE 78 and the "loop" rt. 302C. Come back to Jct. CA 10 have lunch than head over the hill to CA 5 down to the rail road bed at CA 7 up rt. C2/302 to CA 12 at some point the drivers will switch and Dave Wheatly will groom rt. 232 up to CA 18 to Choates pasture back around to CA 4 at Rickers Pond. Down to the Upper Valley Grill. Time will be the boss as to whether or not we get to the Pitstop on rt. 5. Sat. night we will groom as many miles that time allows before the Sunday traffic.

BE ALERT SOME CLUBS HAVE HAD TO CLOSE THEIR TRAILS TILL WE GET MORE SNOW. IF YOU COME UPON A TRAIL THAT IS MARKED CLOSED IT MAY LOOK LIKE PLENTY OF SNOW RIGHT AT THAT SPOT BUT THE CLUBS ARE PROTECTING LANDOWNERS THAT THE TRAIL CROSSES, THAT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT SNOW.

Channel three weatherman predicts cold, zero temperatures at night for this week-end. Here is the local Groton forecast: Tue. cloudy, possible snow flurries 27 degrees. Wed. Sun and 12/27. Thu. Cloudy 11/31. Fri. cloudy snow 23/31. Sat. cloudy snow 13/22

Jan. 15, 2007 The Sur-Trac will leave Jct. CA 10 and go over the hill to CA 5 down dead end road to CA 7 on the railroad bed up rt. C/2/302 to CA 12 turn up rt. 2 to Jct. CA 18 up rt. 232 to Choates pasture. When we get more snow and zero temperatures we will try to groom Hooker Mt. and turn at Hookerville Cut-off road. Today Buzzy will turn at Choates Pasture and come back to Jct. CA 18, cross the bridge on rt. 232 and down to Ricker Pond at Jct. CA 4. Up rt. 302 to CA 6, CA 5 and back to Jct. CA 10. This will be the first trip around after the high winds we got last week. Buzzy will clear the trail of any downed trees he finds and check the mud holes.

Jan. 14, 2007 at 9 AM the Sur Trac left Jct. CA 10 with Buzzy in the drivers seat. He went over the hill on Rt. 302 to CA 5 onto rt. 302A down to CA 7 to CA 6 , CA 4 pass Upper Valley Grill to CA 1 up Rt. 5 to the pit stop where he turned and came back to CA 1 up to CA 6 on rt. 302 to CA 5 home to CA 10. Buzzy came in and had lunch than went back out to groom the "gore" CA 10 rt. 302 to CA 9 OE 75 OE 76 up to Butterfield Parking lot, turned came back to OE 76 up to OE 78 where he turned up to the "loop" trail on rt. 302C around to OE 75 on rt. 302 back to CA 9 and CA 10. There were only two or three trees down, which Buzzy cleaned up and no mud holes on these trails. The snow on Monday Jan. 14th only dropped about 2 1/2 inches of feathers..Mother Nature has to do better than that.

Jan. 2, 2008

Hello: Hello: is there anyone out there? Tell us what you think? Do you approve of the way we report our trail conditions? Go to the Map/Direction page of our web site. We have a map of our territory. You may print the map off and compare our (Betty Eastmans) grooming report with Jcts. for an exact report. We are open to your suggestions. If you wish to comment on our trail report please go to "contact us" and e-mail your message.

Now for a current grooming report. Afternoon today the Sur-Trac will leave Jct. CA 10 with Buzzy in the drivers seat. He will go rt. 302 to CA 9 down to OE 75 jump on Rt. 302C and do the "loop" around to OE 78 up to Butterfield parking lot. Back to OE 75 up to CA 9 down rt. 2004 to Jct. CA 10. He will reverse the route for the second trip. Dave Wheatly is on his way to Vermont this afternoon. Dave will climb in the Sur-Trac Thursday AM. Go over the hill to CA 5 down to the railroad bed. Up rt. 232 at CA 4. At CA 18 he will go up to Choates pasture and turn. Back to CA 18 down rt. 2 to CA 12. Down the railroad bed all the way to CA 1. Up rt. 5 to Pit Stop, turn for return trip. Thursday is suppose to be very cold. So maybe the trails will start to freeze up.

Jan 1, 2008 HAPPY NEW YEAR. The Sur-Trac will leave CA 10 at 9:15AM with Doug Smith in the drivers seat. He will go over the hill to CA 5. Down rt. 302A (dead-end road) to the railroad bed at CA 7. Continue up to CA 12 (Lanesboro) to CA 18 to Choates Pasture, back to CA 18 take rt. 232 to CA 4 at Ricker Pond. Than depending on the traffic he may go to the Upper Valley Grill. We apologize for being on the trails on a holiday. Please keep an eye out for us.

New Years Eve The Sur-Trac with Buzzy in the drivers seat left Matt's Garage in Groton Village at 4:30 PM. He went down to Jct. CA 1 and up rt. 5 to the pit stop and turned around. Came back by CA 1 to Upper Valley Grill on rt. 302 continued on to CA 4, CA 6, CA 7, CA 12 turned at Lanesboro CA 12 came back to CA 6 up to CA 5 on rt. 302 onto rt. 302A to CA 7 down to CA 6 up rt. 302 to CA 5 to CA 10, CA 9, at OE 75 he turned up loop trail rt. 302C around to OE 78. Rt. 302 to OE 76 up rt. 302B to parking lot. Turned and came back to OE 76, OE 75 at CA 9 he took rt. 2004 back to CA 10.

Dec. 31th Last day of the year 2007. It has been a good year and 2008 is starting out to be a great snowmobile year. Sorry the Sur-Trac did not move last Sat. night the temperature was just too warm. Snow was sticky deep into the trail. This AM there is 3" of new snow in the drivway. During all the warm temperatures and thaws there is a solid 18" of snow on the snow stake down next to the horse barn. This AM the Sur-Trac is going into the garage for a tire change. ASAP Buzzy will be out grooming. Please take into consideration the past traffic and warm temperatures. It will take time to get over the whole system. We are going to get some cold temperatures mid week so that will help. Here is the next five day weather and temperatures.

Mon. cloudy, snow, 28 degrees. Tues. cloudy, snow, 15/27 degrees. Wed. cloud, snow 19/21 degrees. Thru. sun, clouds -2/6 degrees. Fri. sun clouds 0/21. Enjoy

Happy New Year

Dec. 27, 2007 The Sur-Trac will leave the yard, Jct. CA 10, early this AM and reverse the trip Buzzy groomed yesterday. All our trails are snow covered. On Rt. 232 about five miles up from Ricker Pond, Jct. CA 4 there is a logging operation that we have a lower alternate detour trail to use. Be alert for some mud holes on the lower trail. On this lower trail Buzzy is going to cut some spruce limbs to brush in the mud holes today. Tomorrow Friday 12/28 Buzzy will groom the "Gore" Jct. OE 78 on rt. 302. Up to Butterfield parking lot on Rt. 302B Turn around and do the "loop" Rt. 302C. Turn at Jct. CA 9 onto Rt. 2004 and back to Jct. CA 10. ALWAYS BE ALERT FOR THE SUR-TRAC ON THE TRAILS. Some of the trails I have listed for tomorrows grooming Buzzy will make a swing around to get the second pass. Enjoy....And watch for moose. Moose like to walk the trails they are every where.

Dec. 27 weather report for the next 5 days:

   Thurs. cloudy, snow showers 29 degrees.

   Fri. sun/clouds 26/33 degrees.

   Sat. cloudy snow 25/35 degrees.

   Sun. cloudy 22/30 degrees.

   Monday cloudy, snow 20/32 degrees

Happy New Year..

Dec. 26, 2007; Sur-Trac left Jct. CA 10 this AM with Buzzy in the drivers seat. Sur-Trac went over the hill to CA 5 down to CA 6 up railroad bed to CA 7 and CA 12. Up rt. 2 to CA 18 rt. 2 ends here and the Sur-Trac is on rt. 232 going up the hill towards Choates Pasture where Buzzy will turn around and come back to CA 18. At this Jct. Buzzy will cross the bridge on rt. 232 and head towards Ricker Pond at CA 4. From there the Sur-Trac will turn down rt. 302 to the Upper Valley Grill and turn around. Come back to CA 4 up the railroad bed to CA 6 and CA 7. At this point Buzzy will turn up rt. 302A and continue to CA 5 and home to Jct. CA 10. Tomorrow the Sur-Trac will reverse this pattern. Happy Trails.

Monday Dec. 24, 2007 AM temperature 24 degrees. Yesterdays rain and warm temperature reduced the snow 30% to 40% of our total accumlation. But did not harm the trails. This AM I could walk trail 2004 without breaken through. Local weather report: Mon. cloudy, snow, 24/29 - Tuesday cloudy, snow 23/30 - Wed. sunny 18/34 - Thurs. cloudy, snow 24/18 - Fri. cloudy 22/34. The Sur-Trac will probably not go out again until Wed. 12/26.

Merry Christmas to all.

Sunday Dec. 23, 2007 the temperature was in the 30's. Rainy and thawing. Not fit for riding or grooming.

Dec. 21, 2007: The Sur-Trac left home base Jct. CA 10 in the AM. Going over the hill to CA 5 to CA 6 - CA 4 - CA 1 all these Jct. are on route 302. At CA 1 the Sur-Trac changed to route 5 and went towards Topsham to our turn around place we call "Pit-Stop". There Buzzy came home same Jcts. except he went to Jct. CA 7 and came up rt. 302A to CA 5 homebase CA 10.

Dec. 22nd Sat. night Buzzy will leave homebase at dark and groom the railroad bed. Back to homebase and out to the Butterfield parking lot and the loop trail. Enjoy the week-end.

December 20, 2007

The Sur-Trac left Jct. CA 10 this AM. Grooming to Hookerville Cut-off Road towards Cabot. This is the new re-route for route 232, it is not on a VAST map. But you need not worry there is no way to get lost. From home Buzzy went CA 5 - CA 7 - CA 12 - up Route 2. You will notice that a piece of property has changed ownership at Lanesboro. The new owner burned the house that was fallen in and constructed a new driveway that crosses the snowmobile trail rt. 2. Be sure and stay on trail. The owner is worried that someone might mistake his driveway for the trail. At Jct. CA 18 Buzzy went up the trail to Choates pasture did the dog-leg turn to head for Hooker Mt. This will be a nice trail but like always it will take a year or so to settle in. When Buzzy gets to an old logging yard off Hookerville Cut Road he will turn around for return trip home on the same trails. The trail beyond the Hookerville Cut-Off Road Is Cabot's responsiblity and I do not know what arrangements they have made with the horse farm at the end of Hookerville Cut-Off Road.

December 19, 2007

Trail Grooming report. All our trails are open. You will need to consult your map for the Jct. #'s. Yesterday Dec. 17th the Sur-trac with Buzzy in the drivers seat left home, Jct. CA 10 in the early AM. The following is the grooming route that he took: Jct. CA 5- CA 6- CA 4-up route 232 to Jct. CA 18 - down route 2 to CA 12 down the railroad bed, route C 2/302 to Jct. CA 7 up route 302A to CA 5 and back home to Jct. CA 10. This AM Dec. 18th Buzzy in the Sur-Trac left home, Jct. CA 10 going out to the "Gore" via these Jcts. and routes. Route 302 to Jct. CA 9 at OE 75 the Sur-Trac turned up the loop trail route 302C around to OE 78. On route 302 to OE 76 up route 302B to the Butterfield parking lot. Where he will turn and come back to OE 76 on rt. 302 up to OE 75 to CA 9 where he will turn down rt. 2004 for the trip home to Jct. CA 10. Weather report for Groton area. Today 20 degres and snow showers, Thurs. 22/27 degrees and snow showers, Fri. 13/27 sun & clouds. Sat. 10/30 degrees cloudy Sun. 25/37 degrees possible rain. This was the weather I found for Groton area but I have been hearing that we may get 3" to 8" of snow the next few days. No good idea what we will get.

It is 0 degrees outside and 32 degrees on the porch under the web camera and the camera is working. The new drag is going to be delivered to Matt's garage this morning. Buzzy will get hooked up and head for the gore. Yesterday Buzzy and I broke out the new re-route 232 trail. There is inexcess a foot and a half of snow at Hooker Mt. We got a few signs up enough to get by till after Sunday. It was like old times breaking trail. Surprised how good our sleds went. When we left home the snow pushed hard because it was wet than on high ground the snow conditions changed so that helped. This is a great start.