snowmaster2112

This is why......they were tandem grooming at the same time

As I get back on the fresh double groomed north of st Felix I can’t figure out how i never met the groomer going south.

So I turned around and headed back towards Amos with the intent of going back north again towards Pikogan on the SAME trail I just came from an hour ago. That’s when it happened BAM.....double fresh groomed heading north. I’m like how the hell did they do this in an hours timeframe. And the second grooming track overlapping is heading south. So I get back to Piko and still double groomed north with no tracks. I get to St Felix still double groomed north. At this point I’m just like who cares.....Go to the depanneur in St Felix to warm up and grab some supplies.

Well.......that groomed trail out of Amos this a.m. SUCKED.......so I turned around after about 10 miles realizing it wasn’t going to get any better. They seem to have this thing around here with certain trails to take the groomer through them without the drag. Think it has something to do with areas that have water holes and bars that are not froze up yet. Guess I understand there thought process but the trail is gonna need another foot and a half of snow now to properly groom.

Beautiful COLD morning in Pikogan this a.m. todays adventures will take me to Barrute on the 93 trail just groomed late yesterday afternoon if memory serves me correct that 35-40 mile stretch is beautiful trail pictures to follow later today God williing staying in Pikogan again tonight so I don’t have to bag up all my crap on the sled i think it’s my new favorite place

The groomer had gone down this trail before the additional 6 inches or so they got a couple days ago gotta love it All the locals say it’s been a long long time since they have seen this much snow this early up here. Say they are lucky to get a ride in before Christmas or New Years we’ll see what tomorrow brings........

at times today it was almost like February

At the depanneur in St Felix north of Amos this afternoon gassing up

Here is a GIANT GIANT cleared area in Amos where truck after truck comes in dumping snow that they plow all over into the bush. Then a guy comes along and rooster tails it with a snowblower 40:ft further into the woods . Pretty cool to see. Found it by accident today looking for a place to unload

You can see how much snow is up here in Amos area

Here are some trail pics from today. Sorry I have to do multiple posts as I always have trouble trying to do more than one.

Man what an interesting day. Woke up this a.m. and did a whole 5 miles on some local Valdor trails and put it back in the truck. not for a lack of snow but more I just wasn’t feeling it. I was more downtown on some of the local orange trails that were not groomed as well as I thought. So I figured I’ll go up to the Forestel parking lot and check things. Wasn’t feeling it again. That’s when I said WTF I’m going to Amos. It’s only like an hour away and I know the area pretty well. Stopped at the Skidoo dealer and got the local scoop from the service manager. Wound up parking at a John Deere dealer (they even had a ramp out back ) they let me park there too for easy trail access. Headed towards Tachereau and almost made it but turned around because the groomer had lifted the drag for a long distance (miles) because maybe the area was previously wet or something. Way too much snow (no fresh tracks the last 15 miles or so) big ruts and I’m by myself. Back tracked to St Felix north of Amos and got gas. Back to the John Deere dealer with 120 miles on. Most was super good and some scary. Very loose snow because of the storm a couple days and hardly any mid week traffic. I only saw 3 sleds all day myself. At the John Deere dealer I’m talking to this guy about a little tubing hill the Indian kids sled down in Pikogan north of Amos. Told him how me and a buddy joined the kids for a few minutes while passing thru there 4 yrs ago and went down the hill a few times. One of the Indian adults there (only two guys) took my camera and took videos of me and my jackass buddy tubing. I always remember his name was “Kenny”. The guy at the dealer says I know Kenny and whipped out his cell phone and called him. Sure as shit he remembered me. Told him I was up here screwing around by myself with a new sled trying to get some miles on. Not having any definitive place I was going to stay tonight.....Kenny says you know we have a brand new (7 months old) hotel in Pikogan. Kenny made a call , got me a nice discount and here I am at the Rodeway Inn in Pikogan (700 people) for the night. Place is crazy nice and new. Has a inside pool to boot. Awesome modern rooms and free hot buffet breakfast from, get this, 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. PERFECT I’m an early riser no one would ever know about this place as there is no advertisement and the Pikogan community doesn’t cater to snowmobilers even though the trail going north of Amos goes right by there place. Kenny is on his way back from Montreal and sometime tomorrow I will get to meet him again (only spent about a half hour with him once 4 years ago) and we are actually going to do a little snowmobiling together here is my sled out front at the Rodeway Inn tonight

Ok......big “secret location” .....was supposed to be Amos but when I got to Valdor (after 10 hr ride alone) I decided to base out of here. Just got here at 6:30 tonight and have not rode yet but here is what I can report. Manawaki lost everything and it’s an ice skating rink everywhere. The Classic restaurant area had some snow but IMO not rideable. Le Domaine has decent ground coverage but you can definitely tell Mother Nature’s wrath took a toll yesterday . Zero activity there except for the cafeteria building being knocked down with an excavator. i literally pulled in as they were knocking the last wall down. I captured a real cool 3 minute video of it. It was a pretty surreal moment for me as I have eaten quite a few meals there over the years. Not only that but I (we) have based out of there at least 4 times over the years for big loop trips as well as stayed there while passing through. Used to stay in the cabins up on the hill directly across from the cafeteria (tore down about 4 yrs ago now), the 2 story “bunk house” diagonal across from the cafeteria as well as the small houses down the road. To me the place was always very low 2 star place but had everything you needed. Food, gas , sleep, safe parking along with a shorter drive and direct trail access into the park (abyss). Had a lot of fun and memories out of there. There is a story on CBC out there about it being shut down earlier this year and the government taking it over. Well apparently it’s not open to snowmobilers anymore but the gas station is still there and open. Couple that with the LaVerendrye Lodge in the middle of the park not being open for sleeping (gas and food only this year) means there is NO PLACE for many,many,many miles to stay. it’s Belleterre, Valdor or Mont Laurier area. the conditions in valdor appear to be very good with grooming going on. Staying at a new place tonight. The Motel 111 downtown. went down and scoped out the trail which is .3 miles down the road. Looks like it was groomed yesterday before the additional snow (about 3-4 inches) and had one sled track on it (also buried with snow from yesterday). I would say there is 16-20 inches here on the level looks extremely good for this early in the season and I will be trying it all out at first light. Brand new leftover 1200 needs her 500 mile break in so I can do all the maintenance and get her ready for the rest of the season. Hopefully I will accomplish that over the next 3 days here. I have attached a pic of what was left of the cafeteria at Le Domain this afternoon and will have updated trail pics from Valdor area tomorrow evening. cheers everyone

The “eagle” has landed......... Update in a couple hours

plans have changed. I am bagging the St Zenon/Lanaudiere region for multiple reasons. Stay tuned this week for updates on "secret location".....LOL

ya know......I have come to hate that word "ferme" going up monday (LeCabanon) and riding most of the week. Going to try and make it up to the camp (end of M21) and possibly Parent I will be alone on a new sled. Anyone want to tag along give a shout out.

So, so, so great to see you guys had a good ride yesterday !!! And also good to see pictures from "snowmobile country" again. While not perfect it sure looks like you guys got in a very acceptable first ride. Hope Kristine had a wonderful birthday !!!!!

THATS some funny shit right there....LOL

Jack, did you ever get to Mistissinni ? Me and a buddy made it once back in 2007 or 2008 ? Tried again last year at the end of December and the trail was closed due to logging somewhere. I do not know if it ever opened up at all last year or not. I plan on calling some contacts up there soon to see if it will be open this season or not.

Not in Chibougamau but about 10 miles away in Chapais (93 trail runs right by hotel & gas station) is Hotel Opemiska Isabelle is a great host and speaks better English than I do. Ask for the full apartment downstairs with 3 separate bedrooms, large living room/kitchenette. TV and internet of course.

Just my .02 cents in Parent (3/4 of a mile from the gas station/store) is Hombre du Vent. They have 4 very modern 2 story chalets that will sleep 4 guys internet, satellite TV, phone and full kitchenette should you want to get something from the store and cook sled parked right in front of door, private setting and cleaner than grandmas house owner André has huge workshop 1/4 mile away and will get you out of a jam if need be. Last year one of our crew sheared the fitting/hose off the air shock (long story) . Not a pleasant ride when your suspension is flat. Andre said take it to my shop and I’ll have one of my guys look at it in the morning. After breakfast we walked up to the shop and it was already repaired. Charge.....$40 bucks..LOL

everything you stated above does not surprise me at all. These manufactures are always changing things up and most of the time it seems none for the better. Very glad you were able to try them all on and had a rep on hand. Sure beats trying to guess at home on the computer. All I know is I LOVE my Vector. Everything just seems to be right where you need it and the quality is top notch. Unfortunately I have no use for my 3XL yellow one and it should go to a new home. I'll go as low as I can (325.00 shipped) to anyone who is (or knows someone) who might want it. And for a jacket like this you cant beat it.

So very sad to hear Andy. Godspeed to your brother and family at this very sad time. That is a great picture of him and I can certainly see the resemblance in you two. Sounds like he had a very accomplished life that was full of fun and adventure. Wish I could have met him.