by Will Tuell 

Springtime in Washington County means many things, from digging out the grill to the arrival of blackflies, alewives, and yard work. But for many, it also means prepping the ATV and hitting the region’s sprawling network of recreational trails. 

This year however, trails maintained by Maine’s Bureau of Public Lands – including the popular Sunrise Trail, which runs from Ayers Junction in Pembroke to Franklin – will remain closed through Memorial Day in order for crews to catch up on critical maintenance that can only be completed after the snow has melted and spring rains have subsided. 

“Given the extreme flooding and the resulting damage and wet conditions that have occurred over the past several days, we expect that all [state managed] trails, including rail trails, will remain closed until at least Memorial Day Weekend,” BPL said in a statement earlier this month, “Please plan accordingly and obey all closures.” 

While the Sunrise Trail is closed to ATVs and other traffic, it does remain open for foot traffic while grading and maintenance efforts are underway. 

The Downeast Trail Riders ATV club, which maintains many of the trails in the Machias area, voted last week to keep their trails closed until the Sunrise Trail is open, according to a post to the group’s social media May 10. Downeast Trail Riders also noted that the Dan Gardner Trail, in particular, is still “very wet.”

At the same time, the Robbinston ATV Club and Sunrise (Calais area) Trail Riders have elected to open the trails they manage. 

BPL advised riders to contact their local club for the latest conditions, including closures related to specific trails not maintained by the state. 

State updates on an exact opening date will be posted here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/trail_activities/atv/atv_news.shtml.