MrsGTRider

From St Anne De Monts, trails were flat and fast. Good snow cover and the groomers were out. The 900 Ace was happily maintaining 7900RPM so the miles clicked fast towards Matane.  Not much traffic out today except near Matane, and luckily it all came at once. We happened to be stopped in a farmers field, and while we were there several groups of sleds passed, probably 25-30 overall, some looked like tour groups of 5-8. We could see them coming from a mile away so we just waited till they passed.
The entrance to the 591 south that had running water a few days earlier, was now frozen solid so we too that to Amqui. Drifty and a little lumpy, but not bad. At a trail junction, I PM’d Groomer from the trail to say we would be heading to the clubhouse one more time.  He replied and said he would join us, so ripped the 5 to Alberville, wow was that a fast stretch, awesome!
Groomer joined us for coffee and conversation, was great to catch up in person and sharing stories. The place filled up, lots of locals riding in for a beer.
JG said the mummies were naked, so we had to go check that out!  Sure enough, the warm temperatures melted most of the snow off the mummies.  We climbed the tower for pictures, what a view.
Some year we need to get back to the golf ball near the ski area.
 
Finished the day with a rip to Gaspesiana in St Flavie.  While unloading sleds who pulls in but Lance and Doug from Oneita who we’ve been leap frogging with for days. Our 2 groups are the only sleds here tonight.
A walk out on the dock for sunset pics was beautiful. Seagulls, icebergs, and rolling waves.
 
Lots of bare black dirt patches in the farmers and road crossings field between here and 5, easily passable today but just days from being impassable with the warm weather coming. Supper was great, definitely a great place to stay and eat.
 
Next Lance and Don are off to Montmagny, and we are off to RDL to drive out before the rain. Supposed to be 41F

could be interesting to know !!!! 
back in the 60's and 70's ...they were floating logs on the river !!!right there at the bridge...there was often log jams !!!
10-12 miles up the bridge...there was '' dumps '' for truck to unload logs  in the river...few miles from my camp !!!
looking at one of the pic....road for the lake ( the one i groom ) not built yet ...can see road is turning hard left ...for lake casault ...remember being there with dad....they were still working with horses...early 70's !!!
 
jean-guy

just for fun!!!
 
1922 and 2019 !!!
 
jean-guy

Here is my traditional photo report from Sunday, March 17, 2019 ride




The last thaw was mainly Thursday and Friday of last week but the weather stayed mild on Saturday so that the snowmobiles clubs have only been able to groom in the Saturday to Sunday night , so we stayed at home Saturday to not wear the trail base and catch up on Sunday with this big nice loop of 300miles that we did in reverse side from last time we did earlier this season.
My snowmobile club (Carcamp Berthierville) had groomed overnight . It gave beautiful hard and very fast trails , I lowered the scratchers for safety. Here some pics near home in St-Thomas de Joliette







The thaw did not really reduce the snow cover which is very generous this year, just packed down a bit in the south of the area. To my knowledge a single river ice bridge in Berthierville on # 3trail (not on this ride path) have been damaged and it  can be easily cross by the car bridge just few meter aside.
Here in St-Félix de Valois






And this pic on the old railway of St-Cléophas de Brandon. The club of St-Gabriel Brandon had not regroomed it since the thaw, probably just before because it was flat as a pool table...but not much loose snow. A blast to ride with the scratchers down!


 
North from St-Gabriel had been done recently and it was top notch



At the hut on the top of St-Damien's hill, agents I knew were doing some trail pass checking and we stopped talking a little


Once in the mountains the snow texture changed and from there it was still full winter conditions. The trail section around the Réal Massé area maintained by the Saint-Charles snowmobile club had not been re-groomed and was pretty rough. Need to see a groomer there...

Here near #23/#350 trails junction




The Cabanon(Royaume snowmobile club) had not been able to groom the #23 south of the Cabanon, one of their dozer had broken down in the Mastigouche reserve area and could not complete its run. Despite some holes it still ride well,







We stopped to refuel and eat early at Cabanon. Lot of snow there...






We then left in north direction toward Mauricie



trail #345 was nice and fast






Only one ice accumulation which we already had a good part of the season



We chose to go through the Mattawin River Bridge instead of the dam






The bridge









We joined the #360 that we took to the east. Again very beautiful and fast






One of the only break we took at #440 halt area



and continue



The dirty car road in front ruin a bit the usual view on the river at this spot.






One short muddy spot just before the bridge of the St-Maurice River





We did a quick gaz stop near Marineau, and continue


Instead of going by the St-Maurice river as we usually do, we continued the # 360 to get the # 23 to St-Tite. I was expecting the river to be slushy and I preferred to limit our mileage on it



When joining the #23 trail there is a bit of road side to do. It was rather icy but doable.



The ice bridge on la rivière des envies is still in shape. My Kristine just photographed the sign but the dozer pushed a good amount of snow over it and the water is still far from the trail


 
We continued on the # 23



Up to the St-Maurice River near Grand-Mère.



obviously very hard with some frozen slush spots






We then joined the #3 trail in Iceman's playground for the return to the west. Here close to Mont Carmel



We crossed again the St-Maurice river at La Gabelle. Very nice and no slush


 
We took our 2nd afternoon break when refueling at St-Étienne des Grès and left at around 5:30 pm. The #3 and the #63 on the return were all particularly nice, very hard and fast: My yammy made some nice music on this back ride! We finally been home around 7:00 pm with 301miles on the venture dreameter. All the trails even those so south in the area where still in great shape.

So still a nice snow cover in my area with good trails conditions overall. On the other hand, season's time is running out and we have already passed mid-March: we have to admit that we do not have much time left in front of us, the season is already well advanced so hurry to enjoy it before it ends !!!

Snowmobilecountry web site is always a good place to have the status/details on the Lanaudière/Mauricie trails : https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/

The end of season rides, often the best conditions of the year ...




Alain

Left Baie Bleue, 595 toward LaCache was a rip, beautiful trail. Had plenty of gas so we didn't stop at La Cache. Was overcast when entering the Chics, but sun peeked out for us on the east end. Glad we didn’t miss that trail. Into Murdochville for gas, soup and ailes. The plan was Caribou, but after talking with the guys from Oneida, it looks like the 8” of snow we were supposed to get friday is now ½” of rain. Their plan was to bolt back to Montmagny early and head home.
We recalculated and came to the same conclusion, better to be in the truck driving than riding. So we ended up tonight in Mont St. Anne a day ahead of schedule.
 
Chic Chocs were fluffy, tons of snow at the highest elevations. Mont St Pierre and north shore are really nice conditions, with only a few bare spots starting to show on some hills. Much better than the south shore.
 
Maybe Amqui tomorrow, hopefully have time to ride 5 down and back on JG’s awesome ribbon of white 
 
 

good morning !!!
 i misread yesterday morning....
but it happened tonight !!!
et walla !!!
 
jean-guy

Day six. Woke up to -12 windy and a light snow. After a big breakfast left 100 Lakes with two batteries fully charged. Down 53 to the 319 two hours into the trip, sled dies. Changed batteries . Had lunch at Sainte-Anne-du-Lac onto The Village De Windigo, but it was Closed and not enough gas to make it to Maniwaki. Off so off To Mount Laurier. 10 km in sled dies again. Changed batteries and get up another 10 km. Pulled out cluster, disconnect it and the head lights. Changed out battery again and it started up and took us all the way to Mount Laurier. Get hotel and spent the night. Wake up to -20 and off to Maniwaki we go. Trails have all been groomed and are as hard as concrete-ice scratcher are a must. Load up and back to Oliphant by 9. Anybody thinking about going sledding, trails are in great shape and lots of snow. Over and Out, The Byrd 

they ordered a new front bumper for the apollo !!!
 
 
jean-guy

It's a few weeks old at the end of february, Snowcruiser and us lately improvise a 2 days ride from Champlain(east from Trois-Rivières) to Lac-Bouchette round trip. I had taken few video shots but had miss time to do something with them, which I finally did this week.
As usual, better viewed on large screen at 1080p with the sound cranked up a bit... beer and popcorn optionnal!
Alain

Last Thursday morning Coyote and I left Sweet Baby St. Ray headed north to L'Anse St. Jean. Stayed at chalets sur le fjord, great meal at Chez Montagner.  250 miles by way of 23 368 383.  Bill's trail was in tip top shape.   
Friday we went east and crossed in Tadoussac had lunch at the white birch clubhouse in Les Escoumins. The Pelchat did not disappoint,  stopped at the chapple for a mandatory caffeine and chocolate fuel up at the zoo, a splash of fuel at Onatchaway and in for the night at Mont Vilain.   260 miles by way of 383 3 Pelchat 252 251 93 267 476 484.
Saturday morning we headed west to Milot, north to Lac Eden back south to Dolbeau and La Dore, ending at the Nordic in Chibaugamou.   The rally was in town that night,  lot of cool vintage sleds running around. We had a good meal at the Royal pub.  300 miles by way of 373 local 93
Sunday we headed west to Senneterre staying at Faillon.  The first 3 days had been hard packed fresh groomed,  things were about to change.   Once we got to Quevillon the snow started.   After lunch in Senneterre the trail had a few inches of fluff, by the time we arrived Faillon we had declared it a powder day.  Another great meal that night.   300 miles by way of 93 and 83.
Monday morning we woke up to a fluffy blanket of fresh powder covering our sleds.  The Coyote had the wisdom to hook up with the a couple guys from the Lake George area.  This turned out to be the greatest idea yet, turns out we are all headed to Kanawata for the night.  The open areas west of Clova were fun to play in after the Fire Chief, Coup and Coyote had plowed a path for my heavier 4 stroke.  250 miles by way of 83 345.
Tuesday morning we continued southeast back to the truck at the Roquemont.   We met the groomer just north of the Repos, perfect.  The only segment of the trip that concerned me with trail quality due to high traffic south of the Repos was fresh.  We parted ways with The Fire Chief and Coup at the intersection of 345 and 360.  It was a classic moment in the woods that I think will be remembered by all 4 of us for some time.   I enjoyed meeting fellow QR members and spending 2 days swapping stories about our shared passion for snowmobiling in Quebec.   250 miles by way of 345 360 M19 23 73
1627 miles was my final tally.
 
 
 

yesterday went riding with linda + friends ...from clubhouse to st alexis...st francois...matapedia...via 587 .... and up the mountains for tq 5 and back to clubhouse...
met our friends from nova scotia in albertville ....always great to talk with them ...
on 587 , they were ahead of us....met them again lower than st alexis i think ...doing some splashes in the deep snow !!! i wonder what linda is thinking on the pic ???
great day for riding ...even a bit too warm !!!
back at the clubhouse around 7 pm ..
 
jean-guy

Keep few shots Jim, we will start a thread at fall of "show me your sled stuck pics"
I will have a couple good ones too!

Are you referring to the pounding on your back from her....? That is why my wife now has her own sled!

I confirm you that even without the communicators, the communication find a way to pass... not always with words

Day Deux, left Lac Taureau around 10:30, up 33. Took local trail south of Repos on north side of 33 that lets you protage across many lakes, for anyone that has not done it, it is a great run and highly recommended. On to Relais du Repos gas and go, down 345 to M20 to the 360, Picnic lunch on trail at the intersection. 345 and M20 are in great shape. On to Trois-Rives gas and go east to M19 down the river, to trail 3 to 351, made great time on the 351, back on 323, one more gas and go, getting dark light snow. Into Roquemont, big dinner and off to bed. Kudos to the Mrs for her 455 km day

if you remember me posting the moose pics...back in 2017 ...
moose were going down the hill right in front of your sled...on the pic , they turned to the right just before the intersection of tq 5 .
 
jean-guy

hi mario and steven !!!
 
great weekend ...tons of laughs...rode the last 3 days....
back from amqui about an hr ago...snowing like crazy ...not nice at all ...2'' + in a very short period of time !!!
yesterday , when we left camp ....went east ...toward orange camp...very surprising there !!!lots of snow !!!
went to mommies today !!
 
jean-guy

Awesome Alain!
I can hear Krikri as you hit those drifts!
Not easy!
Great video.  

Waited while it passed.  
5AB821C6-3655-422E-A3C3-779731C981F1.MOV

Hi Jim and Gemma!
No you don't keep me too late chatting, it was so fun we would had continue a part of the night if we would had not look at the clock! 
I just review your report from home on my 28" computer screen, so much easier and a better than on my small cell phone that I had hard time to navigate internet with...
You made again an outstanding  real time pics report with detailed well wrote stories that make us feel like we ride along with you both. Thank you for having done it again and I admire you both to had did it in real time like this, I know it's much time and efforts behind the scene.   Too bad you live so far south, can't ride more and post more of those top class report.
We are just back home with 1140 miles and smiles mostly in New Brunswick, can't believe it's already finished... as for report I was already 2 rides behind without reports because missing time before this last trip, now stepping back in my fast rolling life I need to catch back the beat. With all the material I have this last one, it's will be a summer project for sure but I will try to be back on the reporting for my next week ride. 
I will PM you on some informations you may be interest about NB...
Thanks again Jim and Gemma!
 
 

Sm and Playhard, well we didn’t get cheated on our adventure ride for sure! 
 Thursday and Friday did not disappoint us😁.  Thursday started out so nice but high clouds up in the Long Range mountain highlands in the distance had other plans for us.  As many of you saw earlier in the week, The highlands,  a few days ago had a beautiful blue sky, and felt very inviting. 😉 
As mentioned , We had heard several stories of trouble and tragedy in these highlands all week.  Well we got taste of just how wild it can get.  By mid morning our clear view morning ...had changed into a slow crawl, dirty visibility and several dig outs of drifts as we crawled our way up into the highlands.  Wow we still got a long ways of to go! This is what its like when the weather goes bad😉 , This is going to be slow going! 
Just before noon we decided this is not going to work!  We had just got to a rough shelter about half way in. This looks like our chalet for the night! 😊
As we settled into our very.........rustic accommodations, some gathered fire wood , others water, an inventory of overnight supplies started popping out on the rustic picnic table in the shelter.  A wood stove provided heat, but that was about it.  The wind howled all night, but by 3:30 am it seemed like we had a window of opportunity and visibility was better, but we had 10 sleds buried in snow and we needed to get rolling. With winds forecasted to pick back up to levels we experienced yesterday, we knew we had a a narrow window. 
Robert Gardner and Dixon Clements, both Cain’s Quest Champ’s and old pros at these types of riding conditions 
, gathered the troops and said well...it’s now ...or ....we most likely will be here another day. So at 4:40am, sleds are all running and we are heading down out of the range, at a crawl.  3 hours later, and 35 miles under our belt, we dropped down into the tree line.  Lots of stories and laughs to share, but also a reality of just how quick things can change in the high country! It’s always an adventure.
With 10 experienced riders it was awesome to see all the safety and overnight equipment pop out of everyone’s bags. Multiple Garmin in reaches, Spot tracker devices, food, food lines for hanging gear to dry, fire starting equipment, jet boils, tarps, ect. You guys get it because we all tend to carry those items whether adventure riding or groomed trail riding, and at times thinking, wow, do I really need this stuff?  Well yes, on occasion you do!
The other neat observation was to observe your riding partners under challenging conditions. This group all remained calm and focused. Good attributes for any type of ride, especially when conditions change.
As mentioned a few days ago, we had planned to get into the Gross Morne Park, but do “unforeseen circumstances” we ran out of time!!  We did get to see territory and ride a regions that  even many locals have never done. 
We catch the evening ferry back to NS tonight.  We will be back to the Rock again!  This has been another great adventure ride. And many more things to see and experience here! 
 
Happy Trails!
 
RR

Yesterday and today rode with Mark and GKW. Past week was fantastic trails and weather riding with so many great friends like Jak, Farmerold, Keith, & Jack. Even got to briefly see Snowdog.  Today was windy and there will be some good drifts tomorrow. We did get back to the brick oven pizza again in Cabano.  Few pics of recent days. Also, '19 ACE 900 just went over 6,300 miles. No problems to report. Gas and go.
mike
 

good morning !!!
 
just back ...11 hrs run ...bumpy ....
thx....-22c 
 
'' off the trail '' rider in ste marguerite while having lunch !!!
 
jean-guy