Grampsledder

La Cache looks great.  

Tons of snow up here, more than we have ever seen in our 8 trips.   The clubs have done a great job grooming and keeping the trails open after the snow and wind last week with two exceptions.   Started at the Riotel in Matane Sunday.   The weather was clear, a sunny blue sky day.   The coastal views were great as always.    Stayed at Grand Vallee.   Great food and friendly people.   Trails were a 10.   Day two started with a flatbed to the dealer-fouled plugs caused the sled to run through 4x the normal gas and oil.    The 5 of us took the TQ5 to meet him.   Had our 3rd “never again” experience in that section.  The first 30 miles were perfect then the grooming stopped.   The next 30 were bad.   A few sections were heavily wind blown.   Ended the day with a great run on the orange cut through to the 597 to chandler.   The trails were in great shape even with the new snow in top. The 597 is a favorite for sure.   

Tons of snow up here, more than we have ever seen in our 8 trips.   The clubs have done a great job grooming and keeping the trails open after the snow and wind last week with two exceptions.   Started at the Riotel in Matane Sunday.   The weather was clear, a sunny blue sky day.   The coastal views were great as always.    Stayed at Grand Vallee.   Great food and friendly people.   Trails were a 10.   Day two started with a flatbed to the dealer-fouled plugs caused the sled to run through 4x the normal gas and oil.    The 5 of us took the TQ5 to meet him.   Had our 3rd “never again” experience in that section.  The first 30 miles were perfect then the grooming stopped.   The next 30 were bad.   A few sections were heavily wind blown.   Ended the day with a great run on the orange cut through to the 597 to chandler.   The trails were in great shape even with the new snow in top. The 597 is a favorite for sure.   

We’re in Chandler.   Took the TQ5 from Grand Vallee yesterday because we had to meet our buddy at the dealer in Gaspe.  That was the 3rd “never again” on that section in our 8 times up here.   After 30 miles or so it gets better.   We took the orange trail from Gaspe to the 597 then south, it was great, groomed perfectly.  Highly recommend that.  It was a little bumpy again about 10 miles out from Chandler.   We plan to run up to Murdochville, cross the Chic-Choc trail and head south to New Richmond today.   Good luck.  

This years adventure takes us again,  out of the QR territories.  We are currently waiting for the ferry to Port au basque Newfoundland.  Our scheduled 5 hour ferry ride last night was cancelled from North Sydney NS. But we are on for a 2 pm departure today.  Arriving in NL tonight around 7pm .. hopefully!  This will not be a high miler run but we are looking forward to lots of snow, great views and lots of good conversations.  There are 10 of us and we will be covering the north eastern tip of NL, from Deer Lake, and north.  Happy hour in the trailer last night waiting for the ferry was the high light last night after an 11 hour drive!  A blue sky day today is in order for the sail!
 
Happy trails
 
RR

Room was renovated nice views, food was ok. No complaints 
at mount villain tonight no WiFi except at the bar

Pics from Ray182:

Congratulations Bill!    Which trail did they name?
Russ and Pam

Hi Russ and Pam don't hold me to this but i was led to believe it's going to be the new rerouted 383 from the dam to 368 that's been  closed for the last 2 years.
Ok found out a bit more  it's  the 368 from junction of the 23 right up to the 383 about 48k section.... we love that trail it's one of Pat's favourite...

Stopped for lunch a few weeks ago.   Restaurant was nice.  They have individual cabins, and large cabins with 6 or 8 bedrooms and a shared living area.    Their view should be good over the Fjord, but it was a white out so we couldn’t see anything.  It is pretty remote-nothing else down there so I wouldn’t be concerned with theft.   Stayed there 15 years ago and it has been fixed up a lot.   Might try it again sometime.  

Wanted to share a few pictures of the big snow we encountered Thursday.   We started the day at KM 31 headed to the Delta via 93 and the 383 south of the river.   Only 50 miles of our 217 mile day was groomed.    The snow was near 2ft for a lot of the ride.   We broke trail for 50+ miles, then a group of 5 guys led.   Never would have made it without them.    It was one of rose days you never forget.    It was Epic!

Thank you was unaware that restaurant closed. That would put KM 31 as the logical choice.

We were just up there last week.   The restaurant that was up the road from gas has closed.  The ski area had food.   They opened up a yurt restaurant with good food but it is down the trail a short distance.  

https://gopro.com/v/nrJn5G5EVrdn1
The Gang spent a few days in the Backcountry around Barrage Gouin , Awesome time we had !

We like KM 31.   We stay in the lodge.   Basic lodging but good food and friendly people.  We priced the cabin last week but it was more expensive than the lodge.   Never stayed at Passion.   We don’t like to get back on the snowmobiles to eat.

In arriving to Matane we stopped off @ the local ski doo dealer - Andre Halle & Fils -  here in Matane QC. WOW ! Great inventory . Obviously only recently opened. Jean-guy Hallé I think you posted photos of the grand opening some months back. 
The service writer David Rioux couldn’t be nicer. He represents the Ski-Doo product well. 
Because of D. Rioux’ professionalisms our machines are getting their first service in accordance to the current mileage recommended in the service manual. 
Customer service @ it’s best. Highly recommended .

Wanted to share a few pictures of the big snow we encountered Thursday.   We started the day at KM 31 headed to the Delta via 93 and the 383 south of the river.   Only 50 miles of our 217 mile day was groomed.    The snow was near 2ft for a lot of the ride.   We broke trail for 50+ miles, then a group of 5 guys led.   Never would have made it without them.    It was one of rose days you never forget.    It was Epic!

I noticed they stopped posting when the FCMQ started selling the trail passes.  I assume their pass sales were lower, revenue lower, and they didn’t have the staff (or the incentive) to call the clubs for daily reporting.  Just our guess.    I agree it is a huge loss.   Dale and Louise were a great resource.

Wanted to share a few pictures of the big snow we encountered Thursday.   We started the day at KM 31 headed to the Delta via 93 and the 383 south of the river.   Only 50 miles of our 217 mile day was groomed.    The snow was near 2ft for a lot of the ride.   We broke trail for 50+ miles, then a group of 5 guys led.   Never would have made it without them.    It was one of rose days you never forget.    It was Epic!

That first picture is really nice.
mike
 

Wanted to share a few pictures of the big snow we encountered Thursday.   We started the day at KM 31 headed to the Delta via 93 and the 383 south of the river.   Only 50 miles of our 217 mile day was groomed.    The snow was near 2ft for a lot of the ride.   We broke trail for 50+ miles, then a group of 5 guys led.   Never would have made it without them.    It was one of rose days you never forget.    It was Epic!

Wanted to share a few pictures of the big snow we encountered Thursday.   We started the day at KM 31 headed to the Delta via 93 and the 383 south of the river.   Only 50 miles of our 217 mile day was groomed.    The snow was near 2ft for a lot of the ride.   We broke trail for 50+ miles, then a group of 5 guys led.   Never would have made it without them.    It was one of rose days you never forget.    It was Epic!

We are headed up Saturday.   Hope to see you!
Pam and Russ

Thanks for the suggestion.  Interested for our next 129 sled.
Pam and  Russ