Maine ATV trails! (Pittsfield, Hartland, Hodgdon: appliances, club, store)

[Reaper1969]

Today we went for a nice ride ! Our plan was to ride from Pittsfield through Hartland to harmony and loop back through Athens, did it a few weeks ago with no issues.
Today on the other hand was different! The railroad bed from Pittsfield to Hartland is fairly smooth except for the railroad spikes in the trail! I picked up one in a rear tire. Went back to have it fixed and headed out again! Wouldn't you know it I picked up another one about a mile from where I got the first one . (Front tire this time)
I stopped and picked up 16 railroad spikes on my way back!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

There are two basic kinds of Railroad spikes, the traditional ones tht fasten rails to ties and the long ones about a foot long like giant carpentry nails. When the rails were torn up, crews picked up most of the spikes, but they were not hired to be meticulous about it. Thank you for picking them up. I wish every ider had a pair of brush loppers to trim back the brush. Riders would be amazed at how few people actually maintain club trails.

In Maine we can ride 100 miles to the ocean. We can do that in no other state except possibly Alaska.

[Reaper1969]

Well I seen a spike a couple of weeks ago on another trail and didn't stop and pick it up! But I will from now on! I had to order tires today at150 a pc, that spike pokes a big ol hole in the tire and is impossible to patch!

[maineborzoi]

Okay- I have a question here when it comes to ATV trails. There is run that runs the back or our property. I didn't have an issue at first, but this year it is turning into a dumping site for trash. Since it is running our property, is there a way to mark the trail in some way for litter- or who do I contact to report this ? ( short of the game warden..)

[Reaper1969]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

Okay- I have a question here when it comes to ATV trails. There is run that runs the back or our property. I didn't have an issue at first, but this year it is turning into a dumping site for trash. Since it is running our property, is there a way to mark the trail in some way for litter- or who do I contact to report this ? ( short of the game warden..)

Yes please report it! Riding on private property is a privilege not a right,if people are littering and using your property as a dump they need to be reported! I would consider putting up a trail cam in trouble areas, without land owners riders would be stuck in their own yard looking at a really expensive lawn ornament!

[90077]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

Okay- I have a question here when it comes to ATV trails. There is run that runs the back or our property. I didn't have an issue at first, but this year it is turning into a dumping site for trash. Since it is running our property, is there a way to mark the trail in some way for litter- or who do I contact to report this ? ( short of the game warden..)

You should deny access to anyone who abuses their privileged use of your property. Notify local snowmobile and ATV clubs that trashing your property will result in their loss of access. If you decide to close off your property to public access, that's your right.

More info here:

Frequently Asked Questions: Mane IF&W

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Moaineborzoi, You will have better luck on this issue by contacting the Maine Forest Service. There are large clean ups every fall on properties with large problems. As I mention in various posts, Maine has the oldest average age population. We need young riders to help out with this problem. There was a site in Hodgdon that had over 50 discarded appliances. That's more than a truckload. It takes a crew to move, not just a couple of people.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

Okay- I have a question here when it comes to ATV trails. There is run that runs the back or our property. I didn't have an issue at first, but this year it is turning into a dumping site for trash. Since it is running our property, is there a way to mark the trail in some way for litter- or who do I contact to report this ? ( short of the game warden..)

I saw a sign on a trail two yrs ago,,,it said smile,,,you are on trail cams,,,, the litterbug will be prosecuted,,

maybe that will deter the littering

[Northern Maine Land Man]

The big fall clean up is next weekend, September 24.

[Maine Writer]

If you call Waite General Store they'll be able to tell you the local club's contact. I couldn't find it on ATVMaine. One call the club usually takes care of a problem.