Leaderboard

I would also like to chime in on this. We all like to share our riding experiences here on QR. It takes sponsor money to keep this site up and running. We need to support the businesses that contribute $$ to this site. If you ride in other areas of Quebec that you enjoy you need to approach the Tourisme Depts in those area and tell them about QR and how many hits you get on your postings. The same applies to the hotels you stay at. I work at trying to get new paid advertisers all the time. I love this site and want to see it continue. Please remember to support those who support ths site.

Today Terry and I did my favorite loop, 5E to Rimouski, 35 S & W to Squatec, and 171SW to RR bed 85. Beautiful along the river before Squatec, and same along lake on 85. 250 mile day, in by 4:30. Almost every mile on the whole trip freshly groomed. Met maybe dozen on-coming sleds all day. 5E on the power lines was smooth fast and oh so much fun, as were the rolling hills thru the fields of Rimouoski. mike

We had one severe thaw this last Friday! At home near Joliette we had heavy rain, 11C in the afternoon, water everywhere, lost about 2/3 of the snow we had... and next in the night and Saturday morning a big foot of new snow... Mother nature is weird !!!! In sum we had finished with near the same snow to the ground we had before. But with all this water that not had time to retreat before being covered with a foot of new snow we had to expect few days to restore all the trail system especially in the south of the region, that's why after a little research and checks we opted for a start from St-Gabriel de Brandon to go north up to the reservoir Taureau dam. Here is the track of the day we did: Sunday morning, sunny with -30C! We had the whole four seasons in one weekend, we were back in winter I guess! After fighting with the frozen trailer (frozen padlock, coupler, chains, top cover) and getting to our drop point we did a late departure from St-Gabriel passed 10:30Beautifully freshly groomed trails Some water holes here and there mostly frozen, here other traces of the thaw like this glacierFurther on the #23 trail the section maintained by the Club of St-Charles Mandeville was not grommed yet but ride very well. We met the dozer at grooming it when we returned at the end of the day ...We passed Réal MasséAnd continued on the #23 north The amount of new snow was less in the north but the trail conditions were good A few water holes here and there like this one, in the worst we seen. Can be cross easily, not deep at allOtherwise very snowy sceneryWe stopped to refuel and lunch at the Auberge Le Cabanon around 12:15After we continued toward the taureau Dam on the #345 NorthThe club had done a good job in this sector there was not a single bump, a real magic carpet rideStill have to be careful with the frozen water spotsAnd places that have been more flooded but no risk of breaking through the ice it's hard frozen back in this areaWe dropped the #345 to switch toward the dam, a section of trail newly reopened this yearThe Taureau reservoir damThe catwalk that was closed a few years ago was redone a little wider than before at 62"and the big difference they removed the cement stairs in front which was forcing us to turn short on the corner of the building, a real great improvement Otherwise a nice place to revisit that have some charmAt this point, we took the #360 east to loop through the Mattawin River Bridge. again a carpet ... The light vapour on the river who betrayed the freezing temperature even on the pic Here the view across the bridgeWhere we took another little break Before continuing on the #345 to the south ...here again top notch conditions with a little dazzling sun at some pointsWe stopped at this gang to see if they were needed any help with a tow and during this time a first dozer that started his run passed. Sympatic english peoples in this gang, maybe some boys on forum here?Let's say they keep that grooming top notch there We passed the Cabanon and continued on the #23 south by our morning path. They were also at grooming there Here a small rear shot after passing itThe sun was falling down and the temperature tooWe stopped to take a warming up break at Real Massé And continued then towards the south. The section groomed by Mandeville had been did during the day and we cross the returning dozer. We finally been back to our starting point at St-Gabriel de Brandon around 6pm with 160 miles on the dreammeter. In the end a very nice ride, with the intense cold the trail conditions were at their best they would be and this cold already helps to accelerate the reopening of trails further south but there is alot to do with fallen stake under the snow and rivers/ice bridge to check along the St-Laurence river sector. You can take a look here to check the last snowmobile clubs updates on theirs trails: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/ Bye! Alain

Hey JG, It’s those SkiDoo’s! Blowing belts........ As you always say “Snowmobiling is always an adventure”. It’s all about the journey! Excellent dealership in Chicoutimi-Nord!! Great guys. Great service.

For those that need a different position format.... N 48 34.419' W 070 16.980'

Yesterday we rode up to KM 31 via Bras Louis. Had a great lunch at 31 ,and then worked our way back via 262, 264, 93, 328 and 134. Trails were great.

If you are at KM 31 and you want a belt before heading to Forestville you will have to backtrack to Villeneuve in Chicoutimi Nord. That is about 45 miles one way. You could chance it and pick up one in Les Escoumins Desmeules Auto, 418-233-2490. Course I'd call first to see if they have the belts in stock.

Sweet....real sweet. Tom you're slacking off, that's 2 days in a row under 300 miles. Jim and Eric keeping ya on a leash i see.

Looks like the trails are shaping up nicely. Friday can't come soon enough for me !!

Oh so nice. That is one of the best rides out there and so few people riding. Giddy-up guys! Someone from the club should ask that Dodge what he's doing there? You got a good picture of the plate. Jack & Sandi

I melted down a 600SDI on a Gaspe trip very close to the rock several years ago. My son towed me to the nearest relais at about 6pm. The folks at the Relais called the owner of the Doo dealer in Chandler. Half hour later the dealer picks me up on a ramp truck, brings me to our Hotel. Next morning at 730 same dude picks me up at Hotel and brings me to dealer. At 8am they had the sled apart, but didnt have the parts. The mechanics then dragged a sled off showroom floor, pulled the engine and pirated the piston, and a few other necessary parts. During this time my buds were off riding, dealer looked sad for me and sent me out to play on his side by side. At 4 pm sled was fixed, and I was back on the trail. It wasnt cheap, but at the same time no charge for all the ferrying around of me and dead sled. They even took me out for Lunch!

Thanks for the detailed report Alain, looks great!

Great report! Thank you!

Beauty post and pics. Great report also. OMG I can relate to most of those pics from last year. Thanks. Love stopping here. Can't wait to see the dam now. Thanks again

So the lac tureau dam crossing is open again eh? Interesting.

Nice detailed trail report Towing these pics of this area bring back fond memories of when we started riding in PQ in 1991

Awesome little spot, well worth the side trip.

I think there is even a warming hut, right at the intersection with 93 and the yellow line. GutZ

NO! Anybody but you! Are you staying at the Delta? Call\Txt me when you get here. GutZ

By the looks of this I'd say yes .

st raymond up to lsj. thru parc. 2.5 hours in truck then good ride to lsj. area...

Snow is deep. Drifts are big. Riding is fun! Different riding than the usual groomed trails but just a different fun. Deep powder playing was a blast. Trails are single sled wide, but if the groomers get out they will be incredible. Cold weather but nothing to bad to be an issue. Beautiful sunset tonight.

A fun day despite the marginal snow conditions. The trail picks are up near ham nord, this am, good snow cover there!

Why would you want to have more saddle time when you can be in the truck with the heat and comfortable? And you can save some mileage on the sled!