snowmaster2112

Yes and the 93 from Waswanapi to Chapais has some reroutes with a lot of those sticks too. Annoying little bastards they are.
we are heading back now towards Lebel-sur-Quévillon. Might even stop in Waswanapi again today. Here is a pic taken just now of a side street here in Chapais. Oh btw....haven’t seen another American since we got to Lebel-sur-Quévillon on Wednesday afternoon.

At the PFK last evening in Chibougamau we met a guy and his son outside that were leaving. They were headed back to Mistissinni (trail closed from there from Chibougamau and NOT doable). This guy “Tim” was Indian and owned an electrical company that does work for the mines up there. We had a great 15 min. Chat and when he went to leave he reached in his truck and said I got something for you guys. I thought out would come a hat from his company or something. He gave me and my buddy these two Indian crafts. The bird is made out of Tamarac wood. Over the years I have met Quebec aboriginals from all areas, especially the Cree. They are GREAT people. 5 years ago I had the chief (Marcellus) from Waswanapi drive me and a broken down snowmobile 100 miles to meet my buddies. If you don’t know about or are aware of the “residential school project” that happened in Quebec years ago you should do a quick read on it. It was a TRAVESTY.

We stayed two nights here at the Hotel Opemiska. 500ft from the trail and it has great accommodations, girl (Isabelle) speaks perfect English. Has huge kitchen area with all kinds of good continental breakfast type stuff (you can even fry up a couple eggs if you want)
we stayed in room #1 on the lower basement level. It’s a HUGE apt type with 3 separate bedrooms plus a big living room kitchen/dining room with another queen bed. Private bath in apt also. You could have 4 guys stay in it and each have their own separate bedroom (SNORING).....LOL....cost for 4 guys 150.00.    She charged me and my buddy 125.00 and the internet ROCKS and works good enough to make voice over IP calls. And the Petro Canada is 100ft away, you really couldn’t ask for a better place to stay. Snowmasters rating = 9.5

At the PFK last evening in Chibougamau we met a guy and his son outside that were leaving. They were headed back to Mistissinni (trail closed from there from Chibougamau and NOT doable). This guy “Tim” was Indian and owned an electrical company that does work for the mines up there. We had a great 15 min. Chat and when he went to leave he reached in his truck and said I got something for you guys. I thought out would come a hat from his company or something. He gave me and my buddy these two Indian crafts. The bird is made out of Tamarac wood. Over the years I have met Quebec aboriginals from all areas, especially the Cree. They are GREAT people. 5 years ago I had the chief (Marcellus) from Waswanapi drive me and a broken down snowmobile 100 miles to meet my buddies. If you don’t know about or are aware of the “residential school project” that happened in Quebec years ago you should do a quick read on it. It was a TRAVESTY.

At the PFK last evening in Chibougamau we met a guy and his son outside that were leaving. They were headed back to Mistissinni (trail closed from there from Chibougamau and NOT doable). This guy “Tim” was Indian and owned an electrical company that does work for the mines up there. We had a great 15 min. Chat and when he went to leave he reached in his truck and said I got something for you guys. I thought out would come a hat from his company or something. He gave me and my buddy these two Indian crafts. The bird is made out of Tamarac wood. Over the years I have met Quebec aboriginals from all areas, especially the Cree. They are GREAT people. 5 years ago I had the chief (Marcellus) from Waswanapi drive me and a broken down snowmobile 100 miles to meet my buddies. If you don’t know about or are aware of the “residential school project” that happened in Quebec years ago you should do a quick read on it. It was a TRAVESTY.

At the PFK last evening in Chibougamau we met a guy and his son outside that were leaving. They were headed back to Mistissinni (trail closed from there from Chibougamau and NOT doable). This guy “Tim” was Indian and owned an electrical company that does work for the mines up there. We had a great 15 min. Chat and when he went to leave he reached in his truck and said I got something for you guys. I thought out would come a hat from his company or something. He gave me and my buddy these two Indian crafts. The bird is made out of Tamarac wood. Over the years I have met Quebec aboriginals from all areas, especially the Cree. They are GREAT people. 5 years ago I had the chief (Marcellus) from Waswanapi drive me and a broken down snowmobile 100 miles to meet my buddies. If you don’t know about or are aware of the “residential school project” that happened in Quebec years ago you should do a quick read on it. It was a TRAVESTY.

Guess we are not going to get in trouble tonight........they are closed

Back in Chapais for the night and yes we went down the 93 towards LSJ about 25 miles. Groomed BTW....until it stopped out on some culdesac. Carried on from there on pow pow until we came to a cabin with some Frenchies. They said closed so we turned around. Popped off another 200+ today in/around Chibougamau. That trail that goes like 20 something miles to the west of Chibougamau and connects back to the 93 is INSANE. My buddy and I hit it this a.m. fresh groomed with 3” on top. Throughout the day we hit it at least 4 more times. Saw about a dozen or so sleds all day. Here is a pic this morning getting near Chibougamau. First tracks all the way from Chapais.

On last pic from yesterday 
will try and post more tonight from today’s adventure 

This is the road (plowed) cutting up to Waswanapi off the 93
it had 6” of untouched , unmarked powder all the way into town. The last time I was here long ago it was mid-late season and the locals had that road shitted up something fierce. What a difference 

Again, yesterday forging up the 93 ......

South of Quevillon heading towards Senneterre

We too rolled the dice on where to do our Christmas ride. Had plans for months to go to St Zenon but bailed on that after last weeks deluge. The only thing that looked good to me was Lebel-Sur-quevillon and north east towards Chibougamau. Hey when you plan on driving 7 1/2 hrs what’s another 4 tacked on to get optimal riding. Pulled into motel du Lac at 5:30 last evening to find we were the only ones at the hotel. Took a quick 40 mile rip to check out conditions. They were damn near perfect. Awoke this a.m. to find the trail going south to Senneterre freshly groomed. Well we were not planning on south but blistered down 20 miles or so and back tracked. Headed off on the 93 towards Chapais aroundn10 a.m. 
The area up here was on of the few that got no rain, only more snow. It was a beautiful mostly blue sky day. The 93 near Quevillon was groomed awhile back and had about 6 inches of fresh powder. Rode to Desmairsville first and hung out awhile. Next stop was Waswanapi where we hung for awhile too. Then to the Chapais clubhouse for nice comfort food. Staying in Chapais tonight and heading to Chibougamau/Mistissinni tomorrow. 240+ miles today and never saw another sled. Not on the trail, not at intersections, not at the depanneaurs, NOWHERE. 150+ miles of that was groomed 3-4 days ago (with no tracks) and had anywhere from 2-8” on top of that. GPS moving average was 40.2  MPH for the day. Pretty much it was just an epic day of riding.  
Here are some pics from today:

Guess we are not going to get in trouble tonight........they are closed

Guess we are not going to get in trouble tonight........they are closed

In between Chapais and Chibougamau 

I feel another “epic”  day coming on. I’m going to get a “ Royal with cheese” and a Diet Coke (oxy moron) and go show my buddy what the @atrealquebecriding is all about as he’s never been up here. 
I wonder if this place is open tonight 

Waswanapi yesterday 

I feel another “epic”  day coming on. I’m going to get a “ Royal with cheese” and a Diet Coke (oxy moron) and go show my buddy what the @atrealquebecriding is all about as he’s never been up here. 
I wonder if this place is open tonight 

In between Chapais and Chibougamau 

At McDonald’s in Chibougamau 
finally saw another sled at the gas station when we got here. This is what it looked like one mile out of Chapais a little while ago

This was leaving the Chapais clubhouse last evening heading into town

Live pic of Main st Chapais two minutes ago

You got THAT RIGHT. I think it was only the second or third time ever that I ran an entire day on that much groomed trail and NEVER saw anyone. It’s almost impossible to do when you think about it.
im not gonna jinx myself for me and my buddy but your own private network up here right now is great until something goes wrong. Then it could be a different story.

On last pic from yesterday 
will try and post more tonight from today’s adventure