MrsGTRider

Out on a 3 day bash. La Tuque to Pourvoirie la Dore via 73 , 355 , local ,  93 .. left turn to pourvoirie.  All pretty decent,  good snow  , low snow,  logging , Feeder to the run up lac Eduard groomed ! .. no deal breakers.  

Here are some pics from last weekend. Another 600 miles of smiles.  The most snow I have seen so far this season, but still not quite enough in spots.  TQ83 is really having a rough season.

Today we had a very nice ride.  A little short so we could get back to the Delta to visit with the new arrivals from across the pond and Michigan.
The grooming map looked excellent this morning.  We took 83 east then 368 all the way to 23.  83 was very good and 368 we haven't been on for awhile.  It has been rerouted from where it crosses autoroute 175 to 23.  It is wider and more open now.  Such a great improvement.
23 was groomed to perfection also.  We then took 83 back to the Delta.  Not much traffic on the trails today.  Probably being a Monday.
Many more trailers at the Delta now and saddle baggers coming in each night.  Starting to feel like winter.  Finally!
Jack & Sandi

It's after breakfast and the decision was to make a small loop and come back up thru La Baie and see the fishing village.
83 south it is.  A few miles out and 83 crosses autoroute 175.  Straight thru the intersection and the trail goes into the field.  A change here.  The trail keeps going straight instead of left into the woods.  It runs a good mile and then goes thru a couple more fields.  Nice and open.  We come to a stop sign and this is where the cul-de-sac for Chicoutimi joins.  A little easier running.  You don't go behind the houses any more.  That is part of the  cul-de-sac now.  Then we are back on the old 83.
Good running along and we turn right onto 368.  The trail has been a little bumpy but enough snow.  No trouble with dirt.  A few miles in and the groomer for Laterriere made a pass from here last night.  We turn left on 383 still following the groomer's path.  We are first tracks now.  What a nice ride this is.  Crossing back and forth over the quad trail.  The quad trail is on the old road that went to the old Relais Boullanaise.  I know I must have missplet that.  The trail gets cranky after the old Relais.  Still groomed but tugging back and forth on the handlebars.
We pull into Ferland for coffee break.  A few sleds and quads outside.  Sunny day and mild temps.  What a great day for riding.
We continue south on 383.  Just after Ferland, wow has this area been logged.  Much of it has been clear cut.  A lot of nice scenic views.  The trail has been changed around here too.  It's following the access roads for the logging operation.  Nice gentle sweeping turns.  The up and downs are too big for big trucks.  Maybe its access for the smaller equipment.
383 now cuts back up to 83 on what was the old local 22 trail.  It joins 83 near the spur to St Felix.  383 no longer goes straight south to 83 where there was a warming hut.
83 is used but in decent shape.  We haven't seen too many sleds today.  I would have thought there would have been more traffic for such a nice Sunday.  At the little bridge for the cutoff to La Baie, Trail Security is checking sleds.  They have 3 sleds stopped and the younger riders are pulling out paperwork.  Oh oh for them but good for us.  One of the Security workers motions for us to continue on.
Into La Baie and gas up the sleds.  We cross the road and get on the local trail that runs on the walking path.  Slow going here of course.  In town and it is narrow and bumpy.  We jump down onto the bay and see the fishing house scattered all around.  A lot of activity but as we approach the north side, we notice no fishing village!  The signs are up and the lot markers are here but no fishing huts.  The only thing I can think of is the bay was so late in freezing thick enough, the trucks and tractors used to pull the houses onto the ice weren't allowed on the ice.  I don't know.  A disappointment because it is really cool to see the village.
We get off the ice and back on the trail.  Oh my is this bumpy.  I don't think this has been groomed this year.  The red stakes are in the ground and the stop signs are in but no grooming.  Rough is being polite.  About 8 miles of torture and we finally join back onto 83.  The rest of the ride back to the Delta is nice once again.
We get back early enough to trailer Jason's rental back to Evasion.  Overall it was a nice weekend for them.  Tomorrow they drive back to Connecticut.  Sandi and I are here for the week.  Can't wait to see Pat and Gary.  They should be on a plane right now coming across the pond.  See you tomorrow.
Jack & Sandi

The grooming map looks good.  They were out in force last night.
We head back up 373 the way we had come in.  We wanted to go to the zoo but couldn't find the trail for it yesterday afternoon.  Today as we head north on 373, we see the auto road for the zoo but no signs or snowmobile trail leading to it.  One would have to run the side of the auto road to get to the zoo.  Carry on.
We go by Relais des Buttes and turn right to cross the river.  Instead of the local trail to Dolbeau like we came in on, we turn left and head towards Normandin.  The trails are fine this morning other than a little thin in a few corners.  Nothing to get concerned about.  Turn right and go thru Albanel and then head south towards Dolbeau.  Just before Dolbeau at the intersection of 93 and 901, there must be 20 - 25 sleds here parked all over the trail.  The maps are out and they are looking at the signs.  Come on guys, at least pull over to the side of the trail so others can get thru.  We get past that mess and continue on.  Nice riding to Relais Vauvert.  Good spot for a coffee and bathroom break.  Quite a few sleds here.  Most of the riders are almost as old as me.  They must out taking the wife for a ride.  Great day to do it.
After Vauvert, we take the local trail to St Jeanne d'Arc.  This trail is always nice.  Not much traffic and it is well groomed.  After Relais Erabliere the trail is getting rough.  Still enough snow but just a lot more traffic.  Its getting pretty bumpy into the truck stop.  This place is full.  There has to be 50 sleds here.  No wonder the trail is beat up.  A good lunch as always and off towards the big bridge on 373.  This is a very scenic trail but everyone must be heading to the bridge.  The trail is showing a lot of wear.
First time we are at the bridge and it must be Happy Hour here.  Got to be 25 sleds before the bridge and another 35 sleds up on top of the hill overlooking the bridge from the east side.  Everyone is stopped, taking pictures and having beverages.  I'm sure they aren't consuming alcohol.  We stop and no beverages for us but I have to take a few pictures.  I'll try loading a couple.  I usually don't have very good luck doing it though.  Quite an impressive bridge.
Back on the trail.  Very rough going down 482.  As we get further away from the bridge, it smooths out a little.  I decide to take 328 to the east and then 134 south to the two bridges.  134 is perfect most of the way.  The last 10 miles or so get rough again and the snow is thin on the hills and corners.  Not as much snow the closer we get to Jonquiere.  We cross the bridges and get back to the Delta.
The best riding was from Alma to St Felicien yesterday and then today from St Felicien to St Jeanne d'Arc.  A lot of traffic the closer we got to the east side of Lac St Jean.  It is the weekend and many people were out.  Lets see what tomorrow brings.
 

Having coffee at the camp and waiting for the boys to wake up. We finish our trip today with a quick 80 mile run back to the truck in Mattawin. Just shy of 1400 mi. For the week. All in all it was a great run albeit some challenging sections here and there. No breakdowns, no mishaps and we all stayed on our seats and out of the ding weeds.
So good to ne back in the land of the snowmobile. Now the load up and long journey back home……ughhhh
i leave you with some pictures yesterday of the little church 200 ft north of the Manoune “B” (I think) dam on the 345 trail heading to Kanawata.
they have been constructing this little church for the last couple years and it now looks 99% finished. It truly is beautiful and someone put a lot of time and money into it. A MUST see whether you’re a religious person or not. 
The chapel is named after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha who was the first female Native American ordained as a saint in Canada back in the late 1600”s and the chapel is dedicated to “ Benny Petiquay” which one would assume was a local native from the area. I hope to hear his life story someday but it’s kinda hard to find a local around to ask. Every time I come through no one is there but surely someone looks after the place.

And the video of the ride. As usual crink up the sound and the resolution if needed 🍿🍿🍿
 

We have returned from supper. 
So this morning, we wake up and look out the window from the tenth floor of the Delta.  Sandi, all of the vehicles out in the parking lot have snow on them.  Maybe an inch or two.  Not a lot but we will take anything Mother Nature will give us.   A good breakfast and we load up the sleds and head out.  Sandi's son, Jason, and his wife, Yushen , are with us.  Not a lot of snow, a few inches, but the trail has been groomed and really not much snirt.  Just a little at the top of a rise or in a corner but better than what we were expecting.
We head for the two dams.  Just before the two dams is the scale house by the gravel pit.  The trail did go straight to the dams and 383 went off to the left towards Spence Ski Doo.  The trail no longer goes straight.  You have to turn left and about 1/4 mile there is a hard right, signed, to go to the two dams.  Easy enough to follow but it made me think for a second.  Be careful of the hard right.  There is a good drop off to the side.
The trail to the dams hasn't been groomed in a few days but is in decent shape.  We are heading to St Felicien so after the dams we go left on 367 instead of taking Pickle Park.  The trail is good.  Thru what were the scrubby pines which are now really tall, the trail is very good.  Cross by Geant Trailer and we turn left on 93.  Oops, detour around the Crevier station.  It is closed and there is the temporary construction fence around it and an excavator in the parking lot.  Looks like that station is coming down.
Not too far into 93 and it bears off the old trail and heads south.  I remember this from last year.  10 miles of a still young new trail and it is twisty, narrow and bumpy.  This is not what Quebec is known for.  Finally we get to road crossing.  I see a sign that says St Charles 2 km.  We cross the road and get on the old St Charles trail heading back to the warming hut where 93 used to join in.  The trail is much better now.  Sit back and enjoy the ride Sandi.  The further we go the better it gets.  The new section of 93 around Alma where the auto road was expanded is nice.  No more bumpity bump in Alma.  That is history now.
Time to tank up at St Henri.  The Petrocan is an easy in and easy out.  Good bathroom break for the ladies.  Now the trail is really getting to feel like Quebec.  The trail thru the fields is wide, flat and fast.  The sun is out bright and it is a beautiful day to be riding.  A fair number of sleds are out.  Everybody is behaving and staying on their side of the trail.  Cruising down the 8 mile stretch of power line after St Monique.  A little bit of chatter in the trail but still a beautiful ride.
We turn left on 367, the Peribonka trail I like to call it.  All of this is just gorgeous riding.  We have found where all the snow is in Quebec.  Maybe it isn't as deep as it usually is but it is smooth.  We pull into Relais Vouvert for lunch.  Only 3 other sleds here.  What a beautiful day.  My phone rings at lunch.  Who could this be?  Oh, I won't say my "friend's name" but he was scheduled to be with us but changed his mind at the last minute thinking the trails would be bad.  I tell him how bad the trails are so he won't feel like he is missing a really good ride.  More snow for us.
Back on the sleds and ride on.  We cross the river at Dolbeau.  Turn left on 901, local trail to St Felicien.  We catch up to 3 slower sleds.  I take my time thru the woods here and stay behind them.  We get to a nice open stretch and we carefully pass and give a thank you wave.  Making good time thru here.  These yellow trails are always well kept.  We cross the river at Relais des Buttes.  Boy is this place packed.  There has to be 30 sleds here or more.  No need for a break now.
We run down 373 and pull into Hotel du Jardin.  It has been awhile since we have been here.  A lot of businesses along the road.  The first time we were here, this was all empty fields.  We came in from the back side of the hotel back then.  What a difference but I'm dating myself now.  That was a time when snowmobiles had pull ropes to start them and reverse was tuggin' on the rear bumper.
It looks like no snow in the forecast but the temps are going to stay below freezing.  We head back to the Delta tomorrow.  See you then.
Jack & Sandi

We are here at the Delta.  It was a nice drive up.  An easy border crossing.  As we approach Drummondville, a little rain sprinkles on the windshield.  Temperature, 37F.  Not good but there is snow.  All the way up route 20 the temperature fluctuates but always above freezing.  The highway is wet but not frozen.  Not much for traffic and I don't see many snowmobile trailers in either direction.
In Quebec, we get on route 175.  As we climb in elevation, the snow off to the side of the road gets deeper.  The temperature is now below freezing.  Not the typical February snow depth but so much more than what we had at RDL last week.  We pass L'Etape and where the trail runs along side of the road, we can see the red stakes.  Looks like a good 2' of snow here.  The sprinkles before Quebec City have turned into a light snow now.  I'm smiling.  I wasn't sure of what to expect but this looks promising.
We pull into the Delta and the parking lot has snow.  Not deep but there is a couple of inches here.  That is all were hoping for.  All we need is enough to get out of town.  From the FCMQ trail map, it is showing decent snow north of the river.  3 other sleds in the lock up when I park ours.
A lot of hockey kids here tonight.  A tournament in town.  As far as snowmobilers, 1 two place trailer and 4 four larger trailers.  Ours being one of them.  There is a grey Proline that looks like the Gutz entourage but I don't see them.
We ate in at Boston Pizza.  I had the "Big Dipper" sandwich in honor of one of my QR buddies.  It was just as good as I remembered.  Sandi had the smoked meat sandwich.  I never ordered one for years until recently because I didn't know what it was.  Now I have learned it is a Rueben and they are always good.
That is it for now.  A ride to St Felician tomorrow.  We will report back.  Happy trails to all.
Jack & Sandi

It does look like the top of the hot tub is groomed flat,,,, we rode less in spots last week.....sooo that trail is open?
LOL
GutZ

Here on the Kanawata/Casey express

Awesome in the summer too, let’s doo it this year.  Outfitter tour by SxS
 
 

Trip # 2 brought us further east.  We left Quebec City just before 7am and headed Nord Saturday morning.  We were second tracks all the way up to L’Etape.  Had some breakfast and headed up to APICA.  Stopped in for a quick second and continued nord up to the New bridge crossing the Peribonka.  
Our dear friend Jeff left us too early, so his wife asked us to spread some of his ashes for her on a sled trip, he loved riding Quebec and I have many memories of riding with him. 
we stopped for gas and supper at Onatchiway, then made our way back into town at the Delta for the night. 330 miles on the ticker, needless to say it was a late one. Bonus of staying out so late you might get to follow the groomer back into town after he lay’s down some more fresh ribbon.
Sunday we headed back up the east side of the mountain, had lunch at the Chapel, then headed out to the Domaine Hors Piste for a beverage. Turn and burn back to the delta.  200 
Monday we left at 0 dark thirty and found fresh groomed trails awaiting us all the way back down to Quebec, only problem was the heavy freezing mist hanging around until way past 10 o’clock.  The first 25 miles were a chore.  Wipe, scrape, use sun visor only, then stop and thaw the shield out.  Go another 2 miles and repeat.
We had another small ceremony at the top of APICA that morning and spread some more.  Gassed and eat at APICA and headed back to the truck.  700 some odd miles for the three days.  
We saw the good, the bad and the ugly for snow conditions.  The groomers are performing miracles for the snow they have to work with.  Hats off to them.  

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

This is the snow level and trail at font brune on 30JAN. 

Mmmmm,……good

here the ride path I did on last Saturday

We had very mild temp this last weekend, trail tend to brownish on some spots even it's sill 24"+ snow to the ground. We especially need some more cold like we got today (Tuesday), and snow would be nice too to whiten the trails.
I had ride with 2 buddies but alone on my sled, my back seat photograph exceptionally stayed home this time.
Here's a music video from the first part of the ride going to our lunch spot Saturday