zrtkat

Arrived back at camp a little before 5
another Awesome day and I can report the roadside from 345/83 jct into Wemo is 10 times better than when we hit it on Monday. Here at the junction 

Here on the Kanawata/Casey express

Here on the 83 this morning probably 10-15 miles west of Windigo jct
it was in fabulous, fast condition 

Here on the Kanawata express 
FYI….i was on the wrong side of the trail (safe straightaway) so I could capture Jeffrey in a video coming by. And that he did….at about 90
turned out sweet 

We had been planed this ride with our friends Bily and Snowcruiser a while ago and we were spoiled with a nice cold and sunny day!
 here is the track of the day

Kristine and I left home in St-Thomas to join our partners norther. Here south of St-Gabriel

The meeting point was at St-Gabriel de Brandon

The cold night below -15C had hardened the trails and with the grooming we had beautiful winter conditions. Here in the fields between St-Gabriel and St-Damien

Once we climbed into the St-Damien mountains it was even snowier


First little chat break (thanks to Bily for the pic)

Here on #23 groomed by Mandeville club
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And here further north on #23 maintained by the royaume club


We passed in Cabanon's yard and headed towards St-Michel des Saints

This section was a little rougher, especially the big hills near St-Michel that are needing more snow

We had a lunch at the legendary Central

We took a long meal's break/snowmobiler chat, we didn't see the time passing... you know when you're in good company!
We then took a chance by looping down via the local trail which returns towards St-Zenon. We had seen on imotoneige that it had not been groomed for a long time (no info). It wasn't perfect but apart from a few holes it rode pretty well


There is few kms section more difficult with a savannah that the dozer has not groomed yet

After that there's a bit of roadside to get to the Rondeau convenience store and it gets nice again after. We passed through St-Zenon village and then at the Glacière

And took #350 infront to join the morning route on the #23

We took a last chat break at #23/63 junction at the top of the mountain's hill in St-Damien and then returned to our partners' starting point in St-Gabriel before heading back towards home. We passed the dozer which had already started his run south of St-Gabriel

We returned home around 7:00 p.m. with just 300km on the dreameter. Really happy with this weekday great winter run!
We saw some brownish snow especially south of St-Gabriel and the big hills near St-Michel which was really lacking in snow otherwise the rest was OK. I'm hoping for a month of February with cold temperatures, that's what's been missing the most lately and obviously some snow to make the conditions even better. 
I was also able to take some good video sequences with sunshine this time and I hope to have time to make a little edit which I will put here in the coming days
Already in february, time flies!
Alain

Alright, time for day 2 updates (Sunday 28JAN). 
 
Stayed at Marineau Mattawin - good spot but nothing fancy. Rode to relais 22 miles via the 355 shortcut (see other thread for how that went). Trails were a lot better today and only got better as you went north. Had lunch at the La Tuque deli. 
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http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_01/IMG_5199.thumb.jpeg.d47ea598b178d30b8ba45f965a5372a5.jpeg

Sent the club a message this AM asking them for an update on whether they are working a re-route.  Will let you all know if I receive a response.  Between this logging and the bridge, its really screwing a lot of things up!

Update 
Hello snowmobilers. Here are the explanations for the closed section of the TQ-83 linking Parent and Wemotaci. We are currently working on the construction of a permanent bridge linking the 2 banks of the Descelle, 12 km from Parent. The work will be completed on 24 January. The resurfacers will be in operation as soon as the work is completed so that we can open as soon as possible. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. We would have liked to have everything ready for the start of the season, but delays in obtaining permits and funding sometimes hold up the execution and planning of work of this magnitude. We'll be happy to keep you updated on the progress of the project as the days go by.

Our maiden voyage is complete.  Like many of our QR.com friends we also hit the trails this weekend.  Great to feel the Quebec gold under the skis again.  We left Sainte Anne Saturday morning headed to Clova.  I don’t have too many pics to share because I spent in the night in Clova but my phone stayed at the Horseshoe…I retrieved it fully charged the next day at no extra cost.  😂  Merci to my two favorite ladies at the Horseshoe for that.
They are still hauling on the Wabash so that kinda put a damper on things for a few miles.  If you still think there was no visible impact of the forest fires this summer you are in for a rude awakening.
As per always we had a great time in Clova.  We ran into quite a few people we have met there before and it just cemented that common purpose feeling you can only get at those special places. 
Also ran into Jim Jameson outside the Horseshoe after the phone retrieval mission was complete.  Good to see him still at it.  I hope that will be me one day.  Retired and racking up miles in La Belle Province year round by sled or SxS. 

Here are the few pictures I have.   As you can see by the snot frozen to my jacket, there was a slight chill to the air.
 

From Chapais Club
Work continues today on the 93 between Chapais and Desmaraisville, with beaver dams overflowing and holes appearing in the path. A lot of snow, yes, which is helping to fill the holes but is slowing us down because it fell all at once. The trail should be open on Friday.

Chapais Club
The trail between Chapais and Desmaraisville is now open. Well done and thanks to Yvan! The resurfacer is now on its way back. Be careful out there!

We have a group staying there on Tuesday. Been there for lunch,first time staying the night.

I have stayed there several times, always good.  Meeting in the bar for cocktsils before supper and talking to other sledders is a great time.  Should there be any wine drinkers in your group, ask to see their wine room, very impressive.

X2 no doubt. 

Good to know always worried about going to new places. The lady on the phone was very helpful.😊

We decided on a place and got reservations at Pourvoirie des 100 Lacs Sud on the 20th of Febraury so Thanks to all that replied and quided us through that area.
Zrtkat &Crew

We decided on a place and got reservations at Pourvoirie des 100 Lacs Sud on the 20th of Febraury so Thanks to all that replied and quided us through that area.
Zrtkat &Crew

Best Option right there😉

That's 380 miles.... If the trail is not groomed or there is fresh snow it will be a long day with no stopping to enjoy any hospitality.
It is doable but I wouldn't plan it on purpose.

St Ray big ride but can be done
 
 

Why not head south to fer a cheval or pouvoire des 100 lacs and miss Parent altogether?  If you stay at pouvoire des 100 lacs then youre only 450 km to St Raymond the next day.  It's a more southern route, but still great trails.  Arguably better.

If your heart is set on seeing parent and TQ83 I'd look at Barrage Gouin.  Windigo is a really big day from Val D'or.  And you're in a very remote area.  There's no wiggle room in your plans if something goes amiss.

Iceman
we are not planning our trip until mid-February things should be rolling by then🤗

It can be done.  I would take 83 all the way to 73 then head south.  They have a couple radar traps around LaTuque.  One just past the clubhouse once you cross the main highway in town, where the stoplight has a sled.  Use the pedestrian crosswalk button, lol.  
They also like to watch the railbed just south of town.  
The rest of that route is superhighway. The pain in ass is the last part into sweet baby St Ray because the local trail is closed.  They call it “Le Renversi”.