Sled Dog

Nice trip! Funny you say that about Tug Hill. A couple weeks ago I was in the same area as you and at one point I stopped and asked my buddy, "Where we staying tonight, Flat Rock or Montague???!!!"

We took the local trail and then 322 on our way back to Maniwaki. Your right, it was pretty good. Have you ridden the Gaspe? Some trailering for you but totally worth it. A lot different than your area.

Storm is supposed to hit us. As weird as it sounds, I can only hope!! Is doing the Chibougamau loop a bad thing? Or are you guys looking for something different?

As usual, great info!! Thanks! Last Thursday Lepine Road was faaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssstttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!

Parent to Seneterre was great last week. 369 was also top notch!

Followed advice from Midrange and left from Maniwaki. Glad we did! Day 1. 338 miles. Our goal was to ride the Chibougami trail. We 4 people who were very capable riders that don't mind long rides. It was not to be. We left Maniwaki at -28f. Took 13/63/13/319 to Mekoos for lunch. At this point, we realized Clova was too far for us to make comfortably, so we made reservations at Kanawata. Trails at this point were hard. Maniwaki to Mekoos needs snow. Totally ridable, but with the cold temps the trails were very hard. Great job grooming with what they had but the trails were not the typical Quebec ones. We expected that though with the lack of snow. We left Mekoos for Repos. Arrived at Repos for fuel around 5:30. They were full so we couldn't stay there. So on to Kanawata! Absolutely could not find the trail (369). We had asked at Repos and were told, go 10 k down 345, there is a left and its signed. Could not find it. We actually rode some staked lakes for quite a while and ended up back at Repos. Very frustrating. We then headed South. At this point, we just wanted a place to stay. Signage in that area was not very good at all. We came to many intersections that were groomed with no signs. We ended up going to Canadaventure, they had no fuel as we were low now but they sent us on to Lake Taureau. Very nice place! 8:30 at this point. I've ridden Quebec many times and the signage in that area is not good. Maybe because of winters late start? Day 2. 295 miles. Left Lake Taureau and headed up 33. We were going to try to find 369 again. Maybe in the light we could find it. Nope! Decided to head to Clova by way of 33/13/83. then some Canadians pulled up. They were headed up north of Casey so were also going to take 369. Great, we'll follow you! Same thing, no signage. They were both puzzled at every intersection we came to. Finally, we came to one that said, 369!!! And it was the best trail so far! Perfectly groomed with some snow on top! Outstanding! Headed to Clova. 83 was perfect. Stayed at Hotel Tamarac. Talked with new owners for a while. They've only been open for 3 weeks. Very nice people and I wish them luck. They have a great attitude. Day 3. 255 miles. Left Hotel Tamarac and headed to Balbazard for fuel. They have a fox that's been there all winter. Pretty cool! Left there for Lake Faillon. Decided to stay there. But rode to Seneterre for fuel and just to keep riding. Only ones in Lake Faillon. The devestation from the fire is still amazing to see. I would not want to travel those trails in a snowstorm or after one. Day 4. 295 miles. Clova to Mekoos. Took the private trail. VERY FAST! Got fuel at the loggers relay station. They had just finished grading a bridge. The groomer had been there, we saw it on the trail, and I give the guy a lot of credit. He groomed the side of the road as best he could. Could not have been fun! Day 5. 120 miles. Left Mekoos on 319/local trail/322/63 into Maniwaki and back to truck. Trails around Maniwaki much better! They got a little snow and it made a big difference! Back home by 7:30. Great trip. Most miles I've ever done. 06 Yamaha Attak ended the trip with 15,800 miles. It has 1 more Quebec trip left this winter and then she will be retired!

Guys, thank you so much for the advice/help! Really, really appreciated. Will probably head out from Maniwaki. Not sure of the direction yet. Whatever we do, I'll post up pics and the route next week!

Hey guys. 4 of us have the week of 1/24 off and I'd like any ideas for a 1000 mile loop. From what I see, the Gaspe may be our best bet. Am I wrong? Can we leave from RDL and do a full or partial loop? I've ridden the Gaspe before and it is awesome but coming from Syracuse, NY its a bit of a drive!! Thanks for any advice!

Great news! Get to work Groomer!!!! And thanks!

Great report! I'm drooling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info! I still have a key with the little piece of wood on it from there! Forgot it a couple years ago before the fire. Its a momento!!!

Just like the topic says....What are your guys stories of saddlebagging and riding during a storm? Mine are dull but here goes.... I think it was winter of 2007. A Nor'easter came through. We were planning a saddlebag trip around NY...Leaving from north of Syracuse. First day, 200+ miles. Next day, woke to about 6 inches of snow. Our normal run is about 200+ plus miles but this day all we could manage was 80!!! It snowed hard ALL day. And it was cold. We were the only ones on the trails (it was during the week). It snowed all day and if you went at all off the trail...stuck. We stayed in a rat trap hotel in Rome and then rode home the next day. The road crossings killed us. Some of them were 10 feet high. Can be pretty dangerous. Second story was in the Gaspe. I believe around Matane. It wasn't a storm but I think they get snow like that all the time! Couldn't find the trails, they were single track and blown over when we could find them. We wern't the only ones either. There was 2 groups of us that stayed together. We finally took a road to a small stop...old church??? Trail was right next to it and there was no way we would have made it. Snow must have been 3 feet deep. The trails looked a lot like Groomers pictures before he grooms them! Finally a guy on a Crossfire came through and yelled out Vive la Canada!!! We then followed his tracks...while they lasted! I have since been to the Gaspe 2 more times. That same area looks totally different when the trails are groomed and its not snowing and blowing!!! Tug Hill can give us here in NY some massive lake effect which is always fun to ride in! Any more stories?

I'll keep you in mind. I'm in syracuse and ride CNY or Tug Hill. We try to get to Quebec twice a year. Saddlebag 1000 miles in 5 days. Keep in touch!

You getting the hang of your new camera Groomer?? This latest batch of pictures are incredible! I especially like the waterfall ones. Must be getting colder at night there. We had in the upper 30's F here in upstate NY a couple nights ago.

The waterfall pics are fabulous!!

Thanks Groomer!!

How many miles do you put on your 4-wheeler a year?

I would also be willing to contribute to the Groomer Camera fund but understand why you wouldn't accept. You put it so we understand. Your just really appreciated around here with your pictures and trip advice. Very nice thought Coldsmoke. Now go buy another camera and keep the pics coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday from your friends in Syracuse, NY!

Tough year for Quebec snowmobiling. Usually your good to go but this year it was a search for snow and even then you had to hit it at the right time. I feel for the business that rely on snowmobiling $$. The hotels on the south shore of the Gaspe must really be hurting....

Some pics....

Another great Gaspe ride! 1148 not pushing miles! 3 of us went, me and another who have ridden the Gaspe before and his brother from TEXAS! Came up to ride sleds! Hasn't ridden one in over 10 years I think!!! He did great. Day 1 - RDL to Matane. 230 miles. Stayed at the Riotel. 5 to 579 to 587 to 591 to 5W to 5E. Trails leaving RDL were pretty hard, recently groomed. I had ice scratchers and I'm glad I did as all Yamaha riders know, they can eat slides. Trails rated from 5 to 10. It was snowing in the Matapedia valley, around a inch of fresh on the ground. Bare spots around Rimouski but very doable. Bare roads getting to the Riotel. Most gas stops and getting to hotels were on bare ground in fact. Day 2 - RDL to Grand Valee. 240 miles. Trail 5 all the way. The higher we went, the more fresh snow. I'd say 4-5 inches of fresh at times. In the lower elevations, the snow was getting mealy. 8/10 day. We stayed at La Maree Haute. Ok place. Well signed to get to but....they wouldn't call ahead for us to make a reservation at Hotel Copper. She said it was long distance and had no way to charge the room. I was willing to pay cash but they still wouldn't do it. That annoyed me as every other hotel we have been to will call the next one for us. I figured that was kinda a hotel thing. They had a pay phone but my credit card rejected it as "high risk". Whatever, we decided to wing it. I knew we might have trouble getting a room at Hotel Copper but we had plenty of time to go further if needed. Day 3 - Grand Valee to Murdochville. 213 miles. Stayed at Chic-Chac. 5 to 597. Around Gaspe it got a little thin. We got gas right off trail 5 and it got really thin. Riding over grass and at one point we had to do a little mud bogging! About a 10 foot stretch of open water. No big deal. After that trails were great again. We wanted to take the local trail that connects 5 to 597. I have been on it before and kept looking and looking and finally figured out I was on it! We were somehow diverted to it and they were calling it a 5 detour. I did not see where 5 ended and the local trail picked up. Oh well! That trail and 597 were great. We arrived at the Murdochville gas station to about 10+ mountain sleds fueling up....not looking good for staying at Hotel Copper. They were in fact full at Hotel Copper but the guy at the counter (with the Hummer) told us to wait and took off. He had told some guys skiing that we needed a room. Turns out they are running a hotel, "Chic-Chac". Its to the right of the church you pass on the left getting to Hotel Copper. I think we paid $55.00. We had the huge house to ourselves. Meals were a short walk or shorter sled ride up the road. We ate community style with all the skiers. Pierre was our contact there and he was great, spoke very good english. I guess they tow people up the mountains with a tracked ATV or utility sled and then let them ski down where ever they want. Very cool and the skiers seemed to love it. Its another place to stay there if Hotel Copper is full, or if you want a different experience. Lots of snow in Murdochville. We took the local trail that connects to 595 for a while...very good. Turned around at 5:30 as dinner was at 7:00. 9/10 day, even with the thin conditions around Gaspe. Day 4 - Murdochville to Amqui. 250 miles. Stayed at hotel Ambassadour. 5 all the way. Not much to report. Groomers trails were....spectacular! Smooth, corners slightly banked...great end of day ride. Day 5 - Amqui to RDL. 215 miles. Hotel Universal again. 5 all the way. Inner idler wheel on one of the Yamaha's spun a bearing. Noticed it at a pee stop, replaced with one I carry. Filled the Arctic Cat chaincase about 40 miles from hotel with 2-stroke oil. It had been smelling like burnt oil at every high speed run. Turns out it had no oil in it. Only "problems" we had....and to me, they are not problems if they can easily be fixed. Trails around RDL were getting snirty and it was warm. We did see the groomer go by the hotel on Saturday though! Trails for the most part were great. Some were hard and choppy but I could still do 50+ over them. They are ice based with chopped up ice on them. Higher elevations have snow on them. For me, I'd rather ride though a snowstorm at -10f but that's me. We had 30f temps, blue skies 90% of the time and fast trails. My 06 Attak ended the trip with 13700 miles on it. Without a hiccup. New sleds are expensive so I'll probably put another season on this one....unless I can find a good deal on another!!!!! :drinks: I do have pics but still have to get them on computer...

Sent you a PM with my cell number Alan....

Thanks for the info! In RDL right now and it looks like spring! Parking lot is muddy, trail in front of hotel is mud/snow. The hotel says all trails leading out are good though so....it is what it is!!! Heading to Matane tomorrow. I`ll post up conditons when I can!!

We are leaving from RDL on the 8th and will be back on the 12th. If you want to call me or something I'll tell you what we ran on. Don't know if they have public computers at RDL but if so I'll post on Friday. We are not supposed to be back to RDL till around 5 so I don't know if this helps but the offer is there!!!