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With our ride partner Snowcruiser we had a nice weekend: went round trip to sleep to the Relais22 in Haute Mauricie. Here is the trail path of the weekend Saturday morning at the beginning of our ride, -16C under the snow. Starting east from Trois-Rivières in Champlain. Here crossing under #40 highway With the snow falling and the gray weather the visibility was difficult in the fields but the wooded sections were good As the morning goes and as we headed north the snow had slow down and then stopped. The trails were all hard and fast. We stopped early for our lunch at Blue Jay restaurant in St-Joseph de Mekinac. We then continued north on the pipeline trail There were a few bumps in the big hills other than that very fast We took a short break under the large railway bridge over the rivière du milieu We continued and in a short time the sky completely cleared and the sun came out So we arrived at La Tuque accompanied by a beautiful blue sky Here the torture along the airport at 30km/h The classic sleds traffic light We refueled and continued north The iron bridge at the exit of the city At about 15 miles from La Tuque, a guy had made a hell long stretch in the trail to end up stalled in the side of the trail The trail conditions were very good Here an improvised snow depth test. We had stop to help them getting out A surprising find, toilets for lady in the middle of nowhere! Courtesy of the La Tuque snowmobile club. There had been a lot of logging last summer in this area to allow the construction of the future electric power lines that will pass through there. This gives the advantage that the trail now uses new roads that were built to get the wood out. The trail had really straighten and got better than before in these sections A little before we reached our destination we crossed the Dozer who was leaving his run to Rapide Blanc to prepare us the trail for the next day. We arrived at the Relais 22 miles a bit past 5:00 pm with a little over 210 miles on the dreammeter When you sit down in a welcoming warm place after a nice snowmobile ride like that, it is magic, so nice! We were very well received at Relais 22 with a good meal, a good time to relax and we went to bed early enough to try to recover from the previous crazy week at job ... To be continued, day#2 soon ....

This past week my father and I spent a week riding around the Lanaudière & Mauricie regions. We have been regulars of the area for a good amount of time but life got in our way and we haven't been back until now. We stayed at Real Masse as this has been our home away from home for a good amount of time. We haven't been to Real in roughly 10 years so it was freshing to walk in and have everyone remember us as we were there yesterday. I can't say how amazing this place is, no matter what they will help you with whatever you may need. So lets get onto the import part of the trip the riding.... Day 1: 2/4/17 We arrived at Real around 2:30pm, checked in, changed and took a quick ride. My father had to break in his new sled for the first time so we though why not. The ride wasn't long but we rode out to La Glaciere then up to the intersection of 23 and 350 then back to Real. Trails were good, bumpy in the corners but that is what you would expect for a Saturday. Day 2: 2/5/17 Sunday's ride was a relaxing 175 miles. Left Real around 8AM headed up towards the dam and then over towards Lac Taureau. After that rode the reserver down to Saint-Michel-des-Saints and then over to Koubek for a nice ride. Trails were great even by the afternoon they were smooth and didn't pass much traffic for a Sunday. Also dinner at Real I believe we were the only people there for about 2 hours until another couple showed up. Day 3: 2/6/17 Monday's ride was a nice trip of to St. Donat and then south from there. Trails were fully groomed the night before and were flat and fast. Another 175 miles done for the day with passing maybe 8-10 sleds all day. Stopped for a rest before heading towards St. Donat at Coin Lavigne Stopped for a little rest in Entrelacs. Video from the day. Day 4: 2/7/17 Tuesday's ride is a familiar one with almost anyone who rides the area. We took the trip up to Riviere-Matawin and then back since the trails were so smooth. Took a little break at the river crossing. As you can see the trails were smooth. Video from the day. Day 5: 2/8/17 Tuesday into Wednesday they were calling for snow and ice, we received way more snow then ice. Received about 6-8 inches with a very thin layer of ice on top. Decided to head into the Maurice region and down to Lac Blanc then head up towards Saint-Alexis-des-Monts. Took the 23 that comes out above Le Cabanon back. Trail was good, needed to have the fresh snow packed but passed 2 groups of sleds. Enjoying the fresh snow on top of the great trails. Day 6: 2/9/17 Thursday we took a look at the grooming delay and realized everything was bright green so we took the best run possible back up the river again. Woke up to an amazing view from Real Stopped at Le Cabanon for a break in the afternoon and got to watch a plan take off on the lake. Day 7: 2/10/17 Friday was our last day, we covered over 1,000 miles already so we decided to have a nice ride and take in some different area. We headed south towards Saint-Gabriel to view the look out and run through the fields. Overall what can I say, my dad and I had an amazing time again and we look forward to heading back. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I will continue to post videos from the week. Father on the left (Mike), mrgrumpers on the right (Kyle)

Day 4 left the Delta around 9am, headed up to 93 and went east past Mt Valin, took a left onto the Pelchat trail. Took it all the way into town and fueled up, had lunch on the St Lawrence. left back out on 3 south to 93 and headed west. Pulled back into the Delta around 10 pm with 375 miles for the day, trails were amazing.

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I would have posted it day by day but the wifi at Real is the best for posting videos. Trailblazer, I just hope the image on a different site like imgur. Then when you click on an image you can select what size you want (went with large thumbnail I believe). It gives you a embedded link to use in any forum. So it looks something like this [/img]linkto.jpg[/img] (remove the slashes in front of the img part to make it work) this just puts the image in the post without having to host it on the server. As far as the video you just copy the link and the rest is magic. If someone needs help with it shoot me a message I can give a hand. Here is the rest of the videos from the week if you want to take a glance. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGzWL8mgXjQWKLiNdBYnVtw

Saturday 11th. Myself and limesqueezeaxys set out on a trip west starting in Maniwaki. Taking 63 e to 322 w and back to 63 w continued on to the 386 intersection and lunch at La Verendrye Lodge. Then up the 386 to 83 and looking at the time we might as well make a small loop to north local orange across to 313 s to Val-d'or and the Forestel. As a reminder that 63 now drops down to La Verendrye Lodge and adds approx. 20mi to the past 63-386 intersection. 311mi.

Gas a Le Domaine again at La Verendrye lodge at the 63/386 intersection again at Kitcisakik (cash only last week) and again at Lovicourt. FYI. If your looking at Via Explora the mileage is off by 20mi. 63 drops down to La Verendrye this yr. adding 20mi to the 63/386 n.

One big day! That is two days for me and Sandi. Trails are fantastic. Jack & Sandi

Definitely a nice run. No problems and good snow. This is the season to get the miles on. I Like the sunrise pic, very nice. Jack & Sandi

Ray, I think Bill is just getting a measurement on the snow depth! Jack & Sandi

The Tamarack is open again?

Tues 14th Were set up good to make a run to the truck so up and on em at 6:30am rolling in the pre-dawn is awesome! We take 83 to the Lepine trail which has a fresh 4"-6" of powder on it so we go for it at a fast pace as the sun comes up and onward to Le Pensive Relay by 8:30 for coffee. The owners asked where we came from I replied Clova and the lady looked liked she was in disbelief!! We laughed warmed up and off to Rabaska for fuel. After fuel down to 322 to locals around devils Mt. And onto 13/63 to Maniwaki which was just groomed to perfection. 202mi Loaded em up and and on the black trail at 12:30. FYI for approx 15+ miles above Le Pensive is plowed for logging but passable. Watch out for the loggers as they were heading up to work as we were coming down and they were traveling as were we! The rest of the trail hasn't been groomed in a while and needs it. Word is that the groomer is down? 1138mi trip total on GPS.Pre dawn on the LepineLe Pensive's mascot AKA Buck.

hi jg !!! thx !!! hahha...'' not too productive ''.....your mind was still on the trail ??? glad your had great conditions... looks like were going to have a storm...sunny earlier this morning ...turning to grey sky !!! -25c at 8 am.....-16 c now !!! salut et a la prochane ...thx for stopping !!! old pics !!! jean-guy

Agreed. This is the route I use. Not bad at all unless rush hr. and then it's usually 417 that is slow!