SkippyDoo

It's doable. Snow coming tomorrow. Supposedly big storm tomorrow. lots of cm's and blowing and drifting and such.

Good luck at Valinouet. Big snow big bumps big traffic. no freshly groomed trails to be found anywhere or I woulda went down them . The 93 was pounded right out, the Bra Louis was one sled width wide. Did make it to mont villain. Less snow less bumps and less traffic that way. 165 miles for the day. Riding the storm out tomorrow

What is the mileage of this route ? I know the regular way was around 240 or so a couple years ago. Looks like 23 is different than before and now only the southern half of the river is rideable so have to detour out to 360? Is that correct ?

It will be on the right. It's a few miles north of the intersection. The goat trail is a mile or so. Should be a sign that says glacier with arrow on 252

The waterfall is off the easternmost orange trail on valin. It runs north south from 93 to the pelchat trail to Escoumins. The goat trail to lake is on the east side of 252 just north of the 93 intersection. You will know it's the right intersection cause it's at a point where there is a sharp turn on 93.

The water fall is on LacDes Canots. I think its the 252 orange trail. If your going 93 east to the last local trail that heads north to the Pelchat trail, there will be a small sign for glacier. Its a goat trail that takes you down to the lake. Then go north on the lake, its on the left, cant miss it. Should be tracks leading right to it unless recent snow covered them up.

LaChapelle is real close to KM31. If your going 93 east you will arrive at KM31 first then LaChapelle is the next one. I would say roughly 10 miles you can crooss the lake as well. They prefer cash for gas. But KM31 took CC for fuel as we where getting lunch also. There is a gas station trail side on 93 in ST Honor. Cheaper alternative and buy less gas on Valin that way. We tried to do all 5 summits and the frozen waterfall, glacier when we where up there last week. With real good trails it can be done if you hustle. Sight seeing can be time consuming on big mile days. We got tired of bumpity bump so skipped 2 of them, took the orange trails between lachappele and passion. Plus the frozen waterfall is a bit of an off trail excursion that will easily chew up an hour. Just to give you an idea, they call the area between Mont Vilian in Lamarche over to KM31 on Valin and down to Mt Apica the bermuda triangle. It can get rough. But with spring breaks over with in US and Canada maybe it will be better. Traffic was high even weekday. Delta was jammed. If you can catch those trails when its good, its great riding. The best ride for us was the L'Anse St Jean loop 383 83 301 back 383 83 to Delta.

Looks good to me if you want to put on miles. To keep in mind the 93 gets hammered esp between LaChappele KM31 and the ski slope. East of that usually stays ok. Orange trails when you can are usually better on Valin. Valin west trails tend to be in better shape than Valin east. The 23 down to Mont Apica can get bet up too. The Mont Apica overlook right before the relais is worth going up if the weather is good. There are some nice overlooks on 83 around LaBaie. There are the 5 summits in Valin. They are marked well and shown on the map. You can do all 5 in one day if you wanted. The whole area is a must see really.

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You should be able to get maps by the front desk. Like mikerider said the Valin trails are usually whooped out the worst between Passion and La Chapelle but 93 back to the 134 can get choppy too in the afternoon. East of those areas they get better, especially the secondary loop trails, Also there are secondary trails that will bypass alot of 93 between passion and km31. If this is your first time you probably wont think its too bad as its typically how things get on our trails down here but they are not even close to Quebec standards. I believe there is alot of extra traffic in the area as there is no snow anywhere else. Maybe if the weather is good for pictures do Valin the first or second day, wave good bye and stay west or south the rest of your trip. Its too bad cause Valin is what made the area famous. The trails to the south where excellent for the most part all last week. Lots of good Mont Apica can get beat up too, so plan on 200 or under those days.

Yes you can leave the trailer in corral but it may be full. You will see where sleds are parked in the pool. Check with bill on grooming schedule for the mt valin. It can get beat up. Also you want a clear day for the peaks. MT Apica is another lookout to the south by the relay of same name. Spectacular views from all. But Apica is a must do in my opinion. X2 on 383 s and the 301 but never tell anyone about what you find. Valin west is usually in better shape then valin east. The ice fishing village in La baie is cool. There is enough to keep you busy for the week easily. 200 mile days are easy to do. No way you leave disappointed. They have maps at the hotel. Bill and crew hang in the lobby

X3

Thanks Alain. We usually ride the areas that you report on every year. We ride from LaCabanon. This year, due to the snow conditions we have decided to ride in areas we don't normally go to. Riviere Du Loup and Mont Valin. We are trying to make a bad snow year good so to speak. But its nice to see your pictures and video to see what we are missing this year. Maybe someday we will run into you out there

Last i heard 63 was good all the way through. I would go in to Riviere Rouge for gas and lunch somewhere and head up the 319 to Meekos. I dont think your saving many miles but you could get gas in LaMacazza and go up 322. There must be gas in L'Accension too I would think, but not sure on that. I have never been up that trail. Gas on the trail in LaMacazza was 87 octane only last year. I don't think they do 91 octane. If you dont care about adding a few miles you could stay on the 63 and pick up 53 north. The 63 out of Riviere Rouge is on the Petit Du Nord rail trail which is awesome running. 53 is good trail all the way up too. If miles werent an issue I may run up that rail trail, Its a blast.

I love the M20/21 trails.

So I assume all is well up there after the big meltdown and rain ? Coming to the Delta for 5 days of riding on the 15th of Feb. I know Valin will be ok but what about the rest of it ? I hope I dont have to truck them to chibaugamu. I havent been up that way in 10 years looking forward to it

That guy from Utica is going to go back to tug hill and wonder what the heck he is doing. Its really hard to ride there after just one experience in Quebec. I ride once a year there now and thats it for me.

Not good !! No way, no how would I take a sled out of that area unless it's on a trailer. It looked bleak from the truck on A20. We tried to saddlebag out of Thetford Mines to RDL. Cancelled that and trailered to RDL.

Iceman covered it well 1 63 is a great ride. All in the bush. First gas is at LaMacaza by the airport. 87 octane only last year. We made it into Riviere Rouge no problem 2 Sacacomie is an impressive place. Great beer, they make it themselves. Not too interested in snowmobilers, but the glady accept your money 3 Repos is a popular destination for weekend riders. Expect long wait times for fuel and food. 345 and 33 will be hammered for sure. Add in limited riding areas and free weekend. I would go up Friday. Kanawatta is a nice place further up. I agree with iceman, 63 is the way to go on Saturday. 4 go where the snow is, it's all we have for options this year We just got back from Riviere Du Loup. Conditions where good to excellent up there. First time to the area but we really liked it. We may make it a yearly destination

Got it thanks !

How about just getting to kanawata ? Is the lake safe to cross ?

Via Explorer is showing Kanawata where Casey was if you using the services locator. If you zoom in on the map, you can see where Kanawata is located, on the northwest side of Lake Manouane, south of where the FCMQ site showing it to be. Kanawata has everything you need.

When was that ? I know years ago there was a theft problem, but lately things seem to have improved. I'm not hearing the horror stories of whole rigs being driven away lately. LaCabanon had a sled stolen last year while we where there, but it was all blinged out, and quebec plated. They used a log skidder to get it up and over the fence. Theft happens but I don't think it's what it used to be.

El Nino=low miles on sled

How can you go wrong with a Skidoo ??