snowfarmer

Gathered up Randy and Jay for a last minute trip to Au Canada. Ran to Walgreens and got the NAAT test to cross the border. They say under 24 hour results but we have been getting them mostly in under two hours but up to 12 hours. Makes crossing the border easy peasy. We did get through the border with no random Covid tests but we did get the yellow slip for random search. Jokes on them, the search took 10 minutes and we were out of there. 
We spent the night in Quebec city and though the snow didn’t look over abundance it looked adequate. All worries were gone once we hit the trail as in typical Quebec city fashion everything was groomed perfectly. We did grab some of the orange trails heading out of town to stay off of Route three, then it was route 3 all the way to the 83.
Bummer the relay outside of Bai Saint Paul, (Michelieu) that was rebuilt in the last few years looks like it’s been closed all season. It does look like they recently plowed the road and I’m guessing with the new rules they might be open again soon. We would’ve grab food today there if it was open. The clubhouse/warming hut before there was open but we didn’t go in.
A few tiny reroutes on route three but the miles stayed about the same as always. We did get gas just north of Charlevoix but we skipped lunch which didn’t seem to kill any of us up till this point.  Monday restaurants are open at 50% capacity so people can eat again so no one will die.
Very light traffic on the trail today which may have been due to cold temperatures again or the fact that it’s a Thursday, we don’t know. Either way we like it this way.
 
We grabbed the Claremont express in memory of Bill, and it did not disappoint. Usually conditions deteriorate after the first 25 miles as that’s where the groomers turn around, but not this time. The first 50 miles were all brand new groomed and in perfect shape, not a bump in it anywhere. Then there’s some reroute off of 83 and uses some of the 383 which is the worlds craziest twisty tourney trail , I think 1000 turns per mile, my arms are falling off. 
The last 20 miles of the 83 are into Chicoutimi are the same as always and were groomed absolutely picture perfect all the way to the hotel in Chicoutimi. Again very light traffic but very very awesome conditions. 238 of the easiest miles you would ever ride aside from the grippy trail which took some decent arm strength, but no complaints.
 
The new way adds about 12 miles as you veer quite a bit away from the old 83. If you look close you can see a lot more logging has happened, also additional neighborhoods, additional cell towers and camps that were never there. Civilization is encroaching . No worries I think they will be good for a while and this is a great ride where you don’t have to spend a ton of time in the truck. 
A very different ride has compared to our off trail excursion last time out. But our nerves needed to rest. Period at the end of our last excursion spending 45 minutes fishing one of the sleds out of a beaver pond drained us and we needed an easy ride this time. It will take a few beers and a lot of coaxing for anyone to get that story out of us, for now it never happened.
all of the locals have had more than enough of Covid and are very happy to see and visit with people even if you wear a mask. We found the trails well marked and in perfect condition and gas has gone up about $.25 a liter from even two weeks ago, bummer but it won’t stop us.
Dinner was order on your phone and walk over and pick it up at Le Cage Au Sports, very easy and super good food.  Beers from the gas station,  (Who knew Budweiser came in 40 ounce bottles) and Captains from Vermont, nothing else needed.
 
 

Here the trail path we ride yesterday saturday 22January2022 starting from home near Joliette




The new snow drops from last week enable the opening of almost all the trails of our trail network, most already ready to use. So we had the chance to start our ride from our porch and let the trailer aside. With the polar weather we had (-33C last night and still -25C at our late start) all trails were from good to mint! 
here on #43 trail near home



And here on #3 trail along the railway


I seen on snowmobile interactive map that the Sorel/St-Ignace ferry trail was opened. It's a very important link for the trail network between north and south shore of the st-Laurence river that have been closed for the last 2 seasons but come back functional this season so I decided to go there to take a look at it.
The woody section toward Berthierville was particularly snowy and nice





At Berthierville we switched on the ferry trail



All the rivers arms are nicely frozen and safe with the staking done up to the ferry gate. I have been told that the Sorel side(south shore) sled access to ferry was ready too but to be confirmed...
Here some interesting details for our north shore ferry trail:
-The last St-Laurence river arm have to be crossed by sled on the car bridge.
-All other rivers are crossed on ice. They are staked but not groomed
-The islands are groomed but the acces by the road is difficult/complicated for the groomer so it's not groomed as frequently as the rest of the trails
I filmed some footage on my return from the ferry gate to Berthierville and put this short video together. It give a good picture of the ride in between
 

We then returned on #3 trail in east direction



At St-Cuthbert on the #3 trail side is this interesting new relay creperie/pizzeria that made a nice setup for snowmobilers with wood stove,tables and chairs



There is also a bit farther the Valrémi sugar shack that also offer take-outs and offer a similar exterior set-up with fire and tables for the sledders and also a wide car parking for trailers



It was too early for lunch so we continued on #3 trail



Hard and fast trails





The very cold weather surely help but I felt almost no earth bumps in the skis even in the large windy field sections, maybe a total of 150feets splitted in 2 spots. Very good for a season beginning there.

We then took the #63 toward Ste-Ursule. It's always impressive to see those 3' tall big birds in the trail... last week ones were way smaller! I had not even tried to feed those ones in my hand 😄 


We had continue up to Charette where we stopped at Magnan falls





Without having much relais option near we ate a brief lunch there while taking some pictures of this nice spot







We then continued on the #63 trail and loop back using a local trail in St-Severe/St-Leon area. We also looped on #63 in St-Justin area that had mint conditions as the rest of the trails there



We finally took St-Nortbert local trail to complete the loop home. Again very few trail wear with the deep cold that help keeping the trail in shape and surely discourage a couple sledders from putting a toe outside!



All in all, a nice 145miles loop for us. With the last week snow we are now getting a very near fully operational trail network that give alot ride options. The best of the season is just beginning, if you want to ride this season it's now the moment: good sledding season!
More details on trail opening and condition here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Alain
 

Arrived at Windigo with 226 on the clock. We are the first Amaricans in 2 years. February 2020 we were here last before the border closed. Beautiful day, started cold at two above zero got colder down to about -6 and we end of the day at +6 overall very very nice. We left Saint Michel early this morning and headed off across the reservoir up to the 33, the reservoir was very nice. 33 was groomed all the way to where it crosses the water, no complaints there. They groomed at both directions.
Arrived into Repos at roughly 930 with 60 miles on, I harbor no ill will against the place and admire that they’re still hanging in there. Like a lot of these places I know that they for sale.  We did have plenty of gas so we could’ve bypassed it but we bought gas there and bypass Kanawata, it made more sense for us. If you had a gas situation or a time situation, you could easily have took the road all the way to Kanawata.
Most riders are still using the road for 10 miles outside of Repos, including us. The trail doesn’t really have quite enough snow yet. Needs another groom and it will be fine. Everything has a fresh 4 to 6inches they just need to mix it in.
The next part of the trail on the way to the Kanawata intersection is very nice, very well groomed wide and in great shape, you get there in a hurry. We skipped Kanawata and buzzed up to Casey, as most of you know this section of trail is wide open, super smooth, and amazing. We stopped in to the new place in Casey, Casey de base. We met Norman and he made us some chicken soup and hamburgers and a few refreshments before we headed out. He says next year he will have fuel but not this year. 
We then headed up to the intersection at 83. We took a right to Weymetaci, going into Weymetaci is a hit or miss. It’s plowed all the way to the intersection, though they have a new trail put in for most of it so you go on and off the road. Getting into a Weymetaci for gas is no trouble at all, very friendly though they did stop us at the gate to ask what we wanted. We then buzzed the remaining 60 miles into Windigo.
Tomorrow we have an off trail excursion planned to get to barrage Gouin. We have given the appropriate people access to our GPS and satellite coordinates so if we stop moving they can send in the rescue team. There is a lot of snow up here, I am a bit worried with that but I think we will be OK.
 
We will check in tomorrow if we were successful in getting to barrage going, if I don’t check it and you will know we were in the woods somewhere.
We toasted the first drinks tonight to all of the Americans that haven’t made it back yet. I don’t want to rub it in at all in what you were missing, but the hassle crossing the border is way, way, way, way, way worth it. Love the trails up here, and love the people more.
We were lucky enough to get a trip up early December to Mont Valin with the Team Maine and Rack up at 700 miles in three days, a month delay was too long to be back up here.

Left Marineau’s Saturday morning, headed to Clova via Kanawata.  Laid fresh tracks down the river run on 360.  Kanawata up to Casey was  perfect as per usual.  From Casey to Parent was loose snow., both sides of the driveway to Gouin looked freshly groomed as we drove by, stopped for gas in Parent then continued to Clova for the night. 300 miles.

Sunday we headed back to Parent from Clova, it had been groomed overnight.  Heavy logging since my last pass through area in 2020. We stopped at Fer a Cheval for a coffee break. Then continued down 13 to SADL for gas and a snack, in for the night at Mekoos.  200 miles.
This morning we headed back to Mattawin via Manawan.  Fresh groomed and temperature dropping.  200 miles for the day. 
 
Noteworthy encounters included a Lynx on Saturday and a snow shoe hare being chased by a Fisher on Sunday, the woods were quiet today.  

Here are some pics.
 
 

Here the path of the ride we did round trip yesterday Saturday January8, 2022



We started from St-Damien area on #23 trail going north. The St-Gabriel de Brandon club trail section was mint but the Mandeville was rought. We passed their failed dozer that was still on the trail



The #23 trail change path this season at #350 junction (the red circle on the map)



To follow the #23 we now need to keep right at that junction, toward Koubec for few miles and then turn left at next junction on the very old trail path of the #23 that is the right one this season. This lead us toward Cabanon.



Many sledders in place turn left to take last years path... that is not groomed



There are closed signs but with the rest of the signage still there some sledders are confuse and take closed trail. Pay attention if you pass there...



The sections groomed by Royaume club were very nice





We rode toward Taureau dam





And then kept on #360 trail along Mattawin river toward Marineau auberge



Even with the deep cold there was many sledders on the trails. The first #360 section up to #345 junction(Repos) was already slightly wear but was riding good and few miles farther in the Mattawin club section It was very nice.

I put together I short video of beautiful sections along the mattawin river up to Marineau
 



Marineau covid's measure setup is nice: the toilets are accessibles and they have a section inside for us to warm up a bit. Marie-Josée always as kind and efficient sold us a warm meal that we ate outside on our BRP camping table



During our meal we had a nice surprise guest that came just aside us. Trailblazer was at breaking in his new engine on his sled in my playground. 

We had the chance to talk with him a bit before retracing our steps on the same path for the return





We stopped at our usual spot for a pic break



It give an idea of the snow cover up there...



The day traffic had wear the trails and many curves were swept/icy so we had to adjust the pace. The last #360 section before the dam was rought but between the dam and Cabanon was still pretty good other than icy curves. The only very bad bumpy section was the one already bad in the morning in Mandeville section. They were at recovering the failed dozer when we pass there.



Finally a good ride of 210miles for us. The snow is pretty good on this ride path and if you have the chance to do it on the week days the conditions will be even better especially at the end of the day. I still have some other good footage and I hope to have the time to put together some other video in the next days
think snow!
Alain

We leave our bed early this morning for a 155 miles ride around the Taureau reservoir



-25C at 9:00 when we started from Lac Blanc auberge trailer parking lot. It is a bit limit on snow near the auberge but when in the mastigouche reserve it was freshly groomed: perfect



We did the north side of the loop first so toward Taureau dam. The #23 section that have been plowed earlier in December was now perfect



This water look very hot!!!



Fresly groomed on the north side of the reservoir





We cut on reservoir by the local trail from l'auberge du Lac taureau to the St-Michel village that was nice and fast. The reservoir level is still high and the ice cover had almost no drops yet.



A foursome was playing golf on the court near the village of St-Michel



We fueled up at St-Michel and then stop at an old view point on the top of the mountain for lunch. There are some potatoes in the big hills but the rest of the trail nice.
The sun was nice but it was for the strong one to eat outside today!



The #63 toward Cabanon was nice and the #23 in Mastigouche Reserve even more





The last strech toward l'auberge du lac Blanc was a bit bumpy. It miss some snow but will be ok with grooming. They install a wood stove with tables and bench around to heat up and eat at the Auberge and take out orders are available like last year. 




So an easy 155 miles for her first run to Kristine and 2nd for me. I have tried some video but my camera setup have hard time trying to withstand those temperature. I will check at what I recorded and probably be able to put something together for later.
So the season is really started there. let's enjoy!

Alain

Its been to long!! How can one be deprived of the Monts for an entire season?  Well thats the way its been thru all this. Today that changed, the border crossing ....after following " their process " was uneventful, kind of like normal years!  The drive up after the border was normal, snow over the highlands, a little snow in the Sag valley, and good early  snow in the Monts.  The snow conditions in the immediate area of KM 31 are a solid 4/6" hard base capped with 10/14" of powder.  Now that doesn't groom out to much but its a great start and for our mostly woods road riding, we will be fine!
 
A quick 20 miles this afternoon, more over the next week plus!  
 
Think snow, and start planning a trip to Quebec, hoefully the border stays open🤞
 
RR
 
 
 

Thanks for the info

Looks like a great ride all! Been think about doing by our old convertible car. No one answered Jacks question , do you need to have a motorcycle lincence to rent ?

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/brp-trying-to-honour-every-order-despite-chip-shortage-185721453.html

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/brp-trying-to-honour-every-order-despite-chip-shortage-185721453.html

But things are looking up!!
https://kalkinemedia.com/ca/stocks/consumer/can-brps-tsxdoo-soaring-profits-attract-investors

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/brp-trying-to-honour-every-order-despite-chip-shortage-185721453.html

But things are looking up!!
https://kalkinemedia.com/ca/stocks/consumer/can-brps-tsxdoo-soaring-profits-attract-investors

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/brp-trying-to-honour-every-order-despite-chip-shortage-185721453.html

Write a letter to the court explaining the trail was groomed and the unlawful area was not well marked and ask for an elimination or reduction of the fine.   Whatcha got to lose? This works better than expected often.   Not paying is a bad idea.  

With a look of the oncoming weather forecast we figured we better make one for run. Bad season for us and yes I know better than many of yours but still
So a look at the map and not a lot of opportunities for a weekend run within a reasonable truck ride. Lots of red trails. So we opted for out safe bet area and said Saint Ann du Lac and north. Called around and not a lot of space. Appears others had the same idea. Clova full, Parent full, Windigo closed, Kanawata closed except for gas. 100 Lac's room! So we finished work Friday and hit the road. Wanted to stay in Saint Ann, but you guessed it full. Comfort Inn has rooms. She says there's no snow. Silly lady of course there's snow if you know where to look. Obviously she's not in charge of marketing & tourism. We wanted St Hubert for dinner but they have to close for 9pm with the curfew. Hammer down I want by bird. Ordered ahead and pulled in at 8;58pm. All good well delicious actually 🙂 
Woke the next morning and it was a bit different than our last start. Included the picture from Jan 16 2021. Off we go to Tim's and then off to Saint Ann. Parking was hard to find trucks everywhere today. Unload and off we go. Lake frozen and some snow. Good start. End of lake to the orange trail. Lots of dirt. Dogging here & there for snow but after a few miles conditions improve. Once on the way it actually was very good. Plan today was ride up to parent for lunch and then back track to 100 Lacs. Not a lot of options. Passed lots of sleds, great to see people getting in a last ride. Chatted with some riders at Fer Cheval for a while no rush today.  Came across some sledders with rad issues. Fixed them up with a can of rad leak fix. Not sure why they're surprised I had some. Doesn't every one carry this? Onwards to Parent. Expecting it to be nasty once we got closer to Parent. Yep but actually not as bad as i was expecting. Gassed up got some munchies from the store and pulled across the road. Group of 9 Cats also there enjoying life.
After a nice break off we go to 100 Lacs. Haven't been on this trail in many many years but it was good & fun. Pulled in just before 4. Saw the gas man out so figured better to do it now. Was a little concerned with quality as he's now pumping out of some portable tank, all main tanks are done. Well I made it back so it turned out it was fine. Parked the sled and with the sun shining ordered some cold beers to enjoy outside and talk with some of the others now arriving. Great end to the day. 6;30 dinner call. Beef or Trout. We opted for the beef, came with salad, soup and marble cake. All served in our rooms still. Well considering there's no shooters allowed and wifi sucked i called it an early night.
Breakfast call at 7;30 and choice of eggs or French toast. I tool the latter. Maple syrup was yummy. Paid may bill and off we go. Trails were crunchy this morning. They froze up over night so ride wasn't as spectacular early going. We wanted to go back via Meekos but heard snow was scarce between Meekoos and Saint Ann. So we opted for the safe run back. A noteable difference of snow felt since yesterday. We can hear her singing. Heading across the lake today it was glare ice. Our sleds did not like this. My buddy's shuts off about 1/2 mile from the end, mine was hot so we wait a few minutes its not far we can almost see our truck. He starts and able to go. I start and it won't move. Check the belt and its fine. Crap did i damage something here? Pull out the rope and buddy's son is going to pull me home. Well a group of riders show up. We met them yesterday and one was actually getting his sled brought back with us as his partner had to abort yesterday. So he says lift the sled and hit the track. Couldn't believe it. Track was melted to the slides. First time I ever experienced this or even heard of this. Well start it up and off we go. In the truck and loaded by 11am. 
We know its our last run and this is way early for us as usually our last is early April. We were still beaming because it was a great weekend be it short and will talk about it for some time.
A few pictures of the day. Just the good trails!  Will also see a picture I took a few weeks back locally around my place of a moose. He was on the trail and I just stopped and waited for him to mossy on.
Hoping for all of us that next winter brings us all back to the trails and back supporting the outfitters, mom & pop places we have come to love. Hopefully they will still be there for us next winter.
Stay well and support local.

But isn't that one of the 10 Notorious Lies of Snowmobiling?!
"We have enough gas"...
"The ice is thick enough"...
"I have a great idea"...
Etc-etc-etc...

You can even have issues in the deep!

Took this pic at 2:16 p.m. on 2/25/2020 
next pic was at 3:01 p.m. at gas pump at Lac Failon
My how things have changed....LOL
BTW...my beloved 1200 Enduro that survived 10K plus last year blew a chain case on Tug Hill a couple weekends ago
I got a whopping 720 (mostly super good miles on this year) 
Wasn't the chain case's fault. Upon tearing into it at home i knew what went wrong before I got it open. 
At the top of the case on the backside is a molded place where a bolt and nyloc goes thru. It has an aluminum bar that comes down at a 45 degree  from the pyramid and a black one that comes horizontally across and ties everything in. I could see where the nyloc was but it and the bolt were gone and the support bars were just floating like a fart in the wind. I was hammering some 12 inch Tug Hill moguls a little too hard I guess right when it happened. She is gonna get a serious maintenance smackdown this summer and WILL be ready to go in December. Hopefully in Quebec !!!!
Hope everyone had the best season possible given the state of the world. 
 

Our new ami and fellow Quebecrider Dave from Rivere du Loup needs our thoughts and prayers. Sunday afternoon him and his wife and their dog returned home to find their home engulfed in flames. The fire department did their best but it’s a total loss. His 2 cats perished in the fire. His wife upon seeing the house on fire suffered a medical emergency herself. (I don’t want to give all the details) she was transferred to a hospital in Montreal. She is fighting for her life. 
I am devastated by the news. 
I just met him but connected instantly and in a two hour truck ride together we surely formed a bond. 

 

Yup .  First time ever for me ! Heard a bang , thought a it was a belt but looked up in the air about 20 feet to my left at saw about a 6 in piece of something flying through the air and thought , WTF went to hit the brakes and then it hit me , Track!

Out in Montana at Big Sky skiing but rented some sleds yesterday. Had a blast even though no fresh snow.

You can even have issues in the deep!

Out in Montana at Big Sky skiing but rented some sleds yesterday. Had a blast even though no fresh snow.