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Just back from a week in the Gaspesia area accompanied by our friend Snowcruiser. We left home after dinner by car on Saturday March 3rd and returned home on Saturday the 10th in the late afternoon, a trip of 700 miles by car and 1040 miles by sled. This was our 4th time in Gaspésia, the last one was back 4 years ago The mild temperatures that we had in the last weeks are certainly related with the poor trail conditions we encountered on a large part of the trip. I was expecting that with the warm temperatures but it was a notch worse than expected, no offense to you Groomer, the Tq5 in your area was nice!!! Luckily, our relaxed vacation pace gave us an easy 160 miles/day average which was just enough in these conditions especially for my passenger. Here is the trail path of our trip: Our drop spot in Gaspésia was in Mont-Joli at the motel "Mon Joli Motel". We slept there Saturday night before leaving by sled and finally Friday night when we came back before going home the next day. This was our third time at this location mainly for free parking and their recovery service in case of problems: we leave them our car keys and in case of problems they can come pick us up with our rigs at our request. A service we have been fortunate to never use up to date but still provides a significant peace of mind for the trip. In addition the place is nice, beds are comfortable and the food at the restaurant very good.We had a very cloudy week but a bit of sun in the first 2 days. I hesitated to make a ride report on this trip, doing it as I usually do would make a too big project for the moment(I have a lot of photos and videos) so I'll go differently with what marked us more than a detailed story . To begin we headed south via the trail # 5 on good trail conditions (Mont-Joli is the place where the trail#5 come back on itself as the road #132 that goes around the Gaspésia do ).I had left a message to Groomer. Being in his backyard and having never met in person, the opportunity was too good to not going shake the hand of the best photographer in Gaspésia! So we went having our lunch at the Albertville Clubhouse where he came to meet us. Our lucky star gave us a big bonus having Mr and Mrs Gt riders in persons, Jim and Gemma were there at the same moment. It was so nice to have a great talk with all those passionate peoples. a real great add-on to our trip! I know JG you are more at ease on the other side of the camera but thank you for having been willing for the group pic with us here outside before leaving This day we had went to sleep at Pointe à la Croix and the next day we continued on #tq5 to New Richmond. Here the New Brunswick on the other side of the river Many deers in that area.Enough for having to pay more attention. I watched a lot for deer tracks in the woods as in this one where there was a good flock. We powered the Lumix with the zoom and made some good shots, really beautiful animalsWe then rode north on the #595 to La Cache where we spent the night. Probably the most rought trail of our trip that had not seen the Dozer for a very long time. During a break to our surprise we saw a mosquito on the venture cab! if the mosquitoes come out at this time here I won't imagine what is it in summer!The next day, leaving La Cache we saw the only moose of the trip ... I would have liked to see one in better shape but it is what we got! It left just his coat that had been moved by wild animals during the night.We then headed for the Chic-Chocs trail toward Murdochville. During our climb we were impressed by these snow blades on the trail side A little further, while we were stopped on the trail side to take pictures of the rear view, another "virtual friend" recognized us and came to meet us. It was a pleasure to meet you in person "Je me souviens"While we were talking with him, a little fox appeared in the back sceneryKristine got the Lumix out and made a series of good shots of this little curious When I parked my sled on the side of the Cooper infront a window in Murdochville. A knocking on the glass make us realize our friends Coyote and Jocelyn with whom we did our Chibougamau annual trip 6 years ago were just inside at their table for lunch!!! Another great surprized meeting that put some shine on our trip! After our lunch, we went down the #597 toward south. I stopped for a short break around sixty miles from Murdoch at the spot where the dozer turn around(club change) because I remembered having seen gray jays the last time we went there 4 years ago. Well there were some still there and not fearful at all. they came to get their treat in our hands and stayed there a long time pecking and watching usWe went to sleep at Grande-Riviere and continued to Perce the next day. Seeing the famous Rock is a must in GaspésieAfter Perce we wanted to keep going north but the TQ5 was closed because of a river so we should had to turn back and retrace our steps to take the #597, a pretty big detour. Because we have hard heads, we decided to go to see by ourselves. It was not ideal but very feasible to cross especially north as we did. There was about 6 "of water on the right side. Here seen from the other side toward south direction, it would have been more difficult because the skis could go under the ice and the approach was steeperWe continued toward the north side and went to sleep in Grande-Vallée. There was an annoying high frequency ripple 4 to 6 inches deep on a very large portion of this last segment, we had the feel of riding on a railway.. after several hours it get really tiring. The next day we continued west. Those who already did gaspesia know it: most of the mountainous spectacular scenery is from Mont-Louis to Ste-Anne des Monts and in between Mont-St-Pierre is an icon in this area. The point of view of the hang-glider platform is a classic but I put here some others points of view of this same spot that we like alot And on west side For fun, from this same place Kristine tried a full zoom with the Lumix of the hang gliding platform on the other side: impressive! The trail condition was among the best of the trip in this area up to St-Anne des Monts. I had booked the evening before a cottage in St-Octave de l'Avenir at the Village Grande Nature where we went for the night. Here the view from the auberge on the Chic-shocks mountains with our chalet just down right. The top mountain view was chopped by the cloud line on this pic A different experience in a cottage, relaxing near the wood stove after a sledding day was magicI don't know if they followed us or if we attract them but I saw gray jays on the porch on the next morning! I went out with a bit of lunch and yes they let themselves be tempted once againFor our last day we went west on #TQ5 and then went down south via #591trail and finally took #587 to La Rédemptionon pretty good trail conditions to see the Montagne St-Pierre. Although less spectacular than some other times we had seen it, the frost was present and the scenery very whiten We then went back to Mont-Joli, gave a break to the Yammy in the trailer and passed one last night at Mont Joli Motel. We did the car black trail ride home the next day on Saturday. A trip of a bit more than 1000 miles that went well, the Venture which have now 14500miles act in an exemplary way and my old ADBoivin skid who took a good beating had pass throught without flinching. We would have like more sun, colder weather and better trail conditions but having the chance to ride during an whole week with my best half and a good friend, enjoying the nature beauties in such great area, meeting old friends and making new: I think I'm really blessed, life is good! Alain

Day 1, Friday, March 9th 2018, 365 miles. We decided to start at the Sheraton Four Points in Quebec City. Nice rooms, nice food and huge parking. If you are trying to go north it is a better option for us than the St Foy area. We debated on starting more north in La Malbaie but voted unanimously against it in favor of more miles on the sled and less in the truck. We woke to a fresh 4 inches or so outside and it was still snowing. Breakfast at 7:00 and then out to unload 5 sleds, Me, Jay, Randy, Dave and Greg. On the trail at 8:00 or so. We found awesome conditions on the power-lines in Quebec City. No rocks and tons of snow. They fully recoved from the rain and warm. No water, no missing snow bridges, nothing ! A few snowmobile bridges redone since last season and some fresh signing, it was nice. There were lots more 30km maximum signs in town so we took it very easy. Most of route 3 was freshly groomed and really nice until Relay Mont St Anne. It stayed nice until the 369 La Tape turn off then the snow started picking up and for sure no groomer had been here in a bit. Big snowdrifts and hard going all the way to Relay Michelieu at the Baie St Paul turn off. They have 2 huge gas tanks there now that I have not noticed before. No worries we don’t need gas and continue on. It is obvious that the groomer has been here recently which was nice. A few small trail reroutes since last year but it was all nice. A bit choppy before the ferry as it usually is. Snowing heavy now and WINDY……. We got off a bumpy Tadousac ferry ride and headed to lunch at Restaurant Chantmartin a few minutes up the trail, (I was wishing I put the peanut butter on my toast for breakfast because I was HUNGRY!). We met some folks there that were calling it a day because of too much snow and hard going. We finished an awesome lunch and marched on. Both gas options on the trail in town are no longer open and we did not want to get the one off the side street so off we go. We bypassed Pelchat and got gas at Relais Escoumin. I know guys had issues with bad gas early in the season here but we took our chances and all was well. We told the lady in the relay where we were going and she said something about good luck and crazy Americans. We wrestled the sleds on the Route 3 bypass due to the locals tracking it up every which way playing in the deep snow. Our plan was to get to Chenail Du Nord at 5:00 with 320 miles but with all the new snow and a few excursions we were not going to make that. We arrived in Forestville at 6:45PM to get gas. I looked at the Chenail Du Nord side trail on the way by and there were no tracks and now the fresh snow was in the 12-18 inch range and still snowing. We leave at 7:00PM after grabbing (3) empty windshield washer jugs for tomorrow. I shoot a note to Benoit we are running a bit late. We doubled back the few kilometers to the side trail and off we go. Fresh tracks for 1KM then off a huge bank onto a plowed back road, hum....... We go a short distance and hook a left back onto the side trail and are ready for the remaining 60 miles. Lo and behold someone had ridden it pulling a sled and it’s perfect! Benoit has this section pretty well signed to his door. I have GPS tracks if anyone needs them. It’s dark now but we could easily go 65mph+ on sections of this trail. We arrived at 8:30PM with 365 miles on. Long day and the only over 250 miles day this year, but sometimes to get to the interesting places you have to pay a bit. We had new snow the whole way and everyone was happy to be there! Benoit came out to greet us and get us set in our cabin. He said he would go wake the chef and dinner would be ready at 9:15. Quick unload, shower and off to eat. The new chef was awesome. She is a local Floresville woman living in the bush here for the winter. The meal was awesome as was visiting with Benoit for the evening. He took out his calculator and said 600KM in 12 hours in this fresh snow, and you got gas, and you ate lunch? We said yes, he said crazy Americans. We've heard that before. Lots of snow today and everything open for business. I can't see this much snow melting quickly so head on up. Quebec City is a great place to leave from when the conditions are this good.

First time posting, but wanted to give a ride report of an epic (for our group anyway) adventure. Our group of 4 left out of Rabaska at around 8 a.m. heading north on 13 toward Parent on 3/2 and found the trails flat and smooth. We didn't see another sled for the first 60 miles. Conditions were good enough to get to Parent around lunchtime and stop for a bite at Hotel Central. I guess we were lulled into a false sense of making great time with the great conditions. Anyway, we decided (after looking at a map that was clearly not to scale) to continue on 83 and head down 345 to 33 to make a big loop. Long story short, we ended the day with an unexpected 415 miles and 4 tired souls by the time we got back to our cabin at Rabaska. In hindsight - a great ride that we will talk about for years to come I'm sure. Hitting the trail after a great Rabaska breakfast.... Notawissi.... Fuel in Fer A Cheval... Power lines heading north... Hill coming down into Parent.... Fuel in Parent.... It gets real in Casey, when we realize we aren't going to make it home for dinner.... Well, at least the trails are still spectacular!.... Another fuel stop, Pourvoirie Kanawata. The pictures ended here, as the sun went down. We continued on through Manawan and made it to Mekoos, where the chef & one of the servers took pity and threw together wings & fries for us - even though they had shut down the dining well be fore we got there. Thank you to them for the kindness and the very welcome meal! Filled up with fuel once again and onward to Rabaska. Back at the cabin by midnight and some well deserved beverages in the hot tub. Off to bed at 2 a.m. and back at it in the morning!

Apparently there are too many mouse lovers on QR or my writing skills and story telling are pretty bad. All mouse tales have been deleted. Thanks for the honest feedback. I will stick with trail reports only. mike

Yep, You usually learn after the first time! I rememeber finding a trail of bud cans and mittens one time. LOL! Knew it was Eric ahead of me.

Lol. I looked at this loop last week and figured there is a great 2 day saddlebag ride.

Hi York, We ride both areas frequently and both are equal in quality. You've been to RDL so I won't tell you about there. The Saguenay area has a half a dozen lookouts around Mont Valin that are worth going to. Mont Valin East is a place that is very busy on weekends and preferably a better ride during the week. Mont Valin West, next door, is much quieter and just as good for trails. 150 - 250 miles a day is in the range of most riders. Get out your map and day trips would include, 83 to Clermont, 23 to L'Etape, 93 to Mont Valin and La Chappelle, 83 and 93 for a tour du lac St Jean, 367 to Mont Vilain and many more. You won't get bored. Mid February is usually very good and you will always find riders from the States there. The workers at the Delta are bi-lingual just like the Universal. Gas station, SAQ, grocery store, drug store, Mike's, Subway, Tim Horton's are all within walking distance. First time truck to Saguenay and ride out of the hotel. The next year or trip, truck to St Raymond and then saddlebag to Saguenay and day trip and then saddlebag back to St Raymond. Too many trails and not enough time! Jack & Sandi

bonjour !!! back from grooming tq 5 + ste florence.... started around 1 45 am.....-5c ....back at 3 pm ...+7 c at city hall ... woke up with nice sunrise ....then weather kaputt ...grey sky !!! still traffic...medium ... trail was a disaster......'' king kenny ''...'' fast freddy ''....jeremy mcgrath and bob hannah could have crashed !!! too busy ... 3 pics today !!! jean-guy

Mike, I know just what you are saying, I rode a Yamaha vector, 3 cylinder 1000, 10 k miles, all in Quebec...and changed the oil 3 times, never changed the belt, spark plugs, or for that matter ..anything, track still looks new and the sled does not have a single scratch anywhere, but it is 14 years old and probably just broke in!! Now I have a 2018 back country 850....a ton of fun...but premium fuel, less gas mileage....and a quart of oil every tank and a quarter, probably never be anywhere near as dependable...but it is fun to ride and I love the Linq system. I hear you about the cost of operation and we all know, but never talk about how much they depreciate. Other than the members of this forum most of us could not give our sleds away to someone else.I will never tell my wife how much this thing costs to run, but i will tell you that 1500 miles in Cote Nord 2 weeks ago was ....PRICELESS!!

Now THAT'S funny right there!

Sucks for you Eddie she put me in Stephenie's cabin😍

Money shot!

Thanks for the info. the plan for trip is 3/16 St.zenon to Pourvoirie Windigo. around 230 miles, 3/17 Pourvoirie Windigo to Roberval. 110 miles. 3/18 Roberval to St.zenon 260 miles.

Only one restaurant in Squatec open now I believe. Real name is Belle Autofois. Well marked down a side street, but street lost its snow and is pretty tough going for a few hundred yards of bare tar.

Too much coffee on the trail today, or the crepes were spiked.

hi northbound !!! forgot about lackey ......maybe jones you re talking about is mike jones from pa...saw that guy a few times in pq .. in 85 when i went to binghamton ,ny ...took pics of broc glover ( yamaha )...with a 8.95 $$ camera ....sent them to yamaha in california...replied to me a few months later..he was gone in europe for sx races !!! few pics from canadian riders ...back in the 80's and 90's !!! i was at the clubhouse before noon.....rain ...snow...windy right now...still grey sky !!! jean-guy

bonjour !!! last friday ....i went to groom at 2 15 am...but started raining ...so , i went back to bed....hell started from there i guess !!! still grey sky this morning ... i could have named a few more....jim ellis...buck murphy ...mike runyard...they came to matane back in the mid 70's....they were coming from another planet i think...awesome riders back then ...riding can am.. mikkola......malherbe.....karlquist .....wolsink ...etc... pics...mid march 2015 !!! jean-guy

Too warm to set up huh? (My childhood hero was Roger Decoster piloting Suzuki)

Yep! Very doable if grooming is decent. Great, big, fun, most of the way! Just don't take Scorpion Bowl along, 'cuz he has bad luck with grooming on the upper 355. Gas in Lake Edouard to bypass LaTuque, then gas again in Matawin. The 360 over the Reserve Mastigouche & that last leg of 345 south can be awesome, but they were a bit soft last week so they can get lumpy especially on a weekend.

Just called them a little while ago and booked a room.

Don't just wander in! They're VERY remote so they plan their food & rooms ahead. This couple are THE BEST in hospitality. So it'll pain them as much as it'll pain you to turn you away for the 24 mile bonus ride to Relais 22!

Great meeting you guys. Also at New Richmond. Its nice in the summer. Lots to see. Chez Julie is waiting. I marked all the gas stations and hotels on my garmin. It looks like a few are no longer in business. We went to the end of the road. We went to Manic 5

Yes I love reading your posts about your trips there always very informative and interesting I’ve learned so much about snowmobiling in Quebec just from that. Thanks for the information and I definitely will be digging out maps and plan some trips. When in RDL the loops we did were about 200-220 miles so the loops in this area sounds similar. Thanks again for the information! QR is a great site with awesome people willing to give great info to fellow riders!! Terry.

Hi Fred, Looking at the back of the trail map, Chateau Roberval west end of Lac St Jean, Chalets & Spa in Chambord south side of the Lac and La Sagueneenne in Chicoutimi but this is on the south side of the River Saguenay. I didn't see this on the map but I know Hotel du Jardin in St Felicien northwest corner of the Lac and above Roberval has a pool. Chalets & Spa is the only one that I haven't heard about from anyone that has stayed there. The other three establishments are snowmobile friendly. Jack & Sandi

Great story/adventure. You need to start posting more often.

bonjour jim and gemma !!! while looking for pics yesterday found that one.... your pic of the log cabin reminds me my old camp .... dad built it back in the early 60's !!! old 35 mm pic....taken in 88-89 -90 maybe !!! jean-guy

Haha. We have all got stories similar to yours of longer days then planned!! 415 miles, someone in the group isn't allowed to route plan any more. Great report and pictures. Welcome aboard.

....and you never know who you might "bump" into on the trails, last Friday we bumped into the Gutz Brothers at the Drakkar...!! and while we were having dinner the one and only Don the "Iceman" stopped in to say hello and hand out stickers!!

With just the boys we like La Glaciere but 2 thumbs up to Vieux Moulin, super place ! That's where I took the wife this year for 4 days for her first ever Quebec trip (yes, you heard me right, I took the wife). She fell in love with Quebec and the Vieux, the massage I booked for her helped also.

St. Pamphile loop today, awesome conditions and trails. Quite warm upon return to hotel, but everything away from town has some elevation and it was much cooler/below freezing and like midwinter but without the brutal cold. mike

Left Auberge Drakkar in Shawinigan up to Auberge Eva for one night in Lac Bouchette up and around and down to Club Odanak for one night north of Latuque and back down to Roqmount for one night in St. Raymond and back across to Drakkar. All trails were dynamite with the usual bumpy sections leading up to rivers / water crossings and thin snow in and around urban areas. We broke trail coming down 73 on Friday with up to a foot on new snow. Two thumbs up to Reggie at Drakkar, clean large rooms, secure parking, good breaky, and very accommodating. Auberge Eva also 2 thumbs up with large clean new rooms and delicious food and cold beer on site and Roqmount also very good and convenient with clean rooms, secure sled parking and good food and cold beer on site.

Next we head over to the Albertville club house. We had a mini gathering with JG, Towing, Krikri and their friend. Gemma and I really enjoyed chatting with QR alumni. Then we head for Matane. We have to catch the boat in the morning. We had great trails today. I have no issues to report until hitting TQ5 just by Matane. It's real snerty. The heat is effecting the snow around here. At the Quality Inn I see that there is a lot more blacktop visible than 8 days ago.

We take 571 over to 5 check out the falls. After we get fuel and head over to St Fabian. We take some photos and head back toward Valga. Going through St Eugene we see drag racing at the club. We get on 5 east going through Rimouski the warm weather is affecting trail conditions. It's brown for a bit at lower elevations. We make our way back to Valga by 6:00. Another great day.