snowfarmer

Just arrived in Mont St Pierre for a little lunch at the Le Delice. Trails to here have been all top notch . Will continue on 5 and see how things are on the top side

Just arrived in Mont St Pierre for a little lunch at the Le Delice. Trails to here have been all top notch . Will continue on 5 and see how things are on the top side

Well we put it off a few times because of the weather and finally pulled the trigger and landed in RDL at the Universal Thursday night . By looking at the the grooming map  we should of waited one more day lol! Any way the 8  us of loaded up and headed out on 5 distination Cap Chat and the Grande nature Chic-Chocs.  
The trail was a mixed bag and that was to be expected with the near freezing mark and the traffic. The power lines where great with about 3 inches of new snow . Just before we reached Rimouski we lost a ski doo 800 to a blown engine( more on this later! )  It was windy with some blown drifts in fields but not bad. We took 578 to Mont Joli and hit 5 to Saint Damase . Well we got to the river and a club member was just putting up the tape to close the trail across it . The edge on the east side opened up about 4 feet . They had some wood pallets they had used but it had open up to much to be trusted . The water was about 4 foot deep he showed us . Well he said he would float them one more time for us . Nora was unsure but went along and made the crossing . We were the last , but with the cold it might tighten up in the next couple of days. In St Damase we met up with Mcstar and his crew for a nice little visit at the club house . The rest of the way was a mix of groomed and chop to Cap Chat. 252 miles and the crew was glad for the end of the day . COLD and windy this morning!

Just arrived in Mont St Pierre for a little lunch at the Le Delice. Trails to here have been all top notch . Will continue on 5 and see how things are on the top side

Well we put it off a few times because of the weather and finally pulled the trigger and landed in RDL at the Universal Thursday night . By looking at the the grooming map  we should of waited one more day lol! Any way the 8  us of loaded up and headed out on 5 distination Cap Chat and the Grande nature Chic-Chocs.  
The trail was a mixed bag and that was to be expected with the near freezing mark and the traffic. The power lines where great with about 3 inches of new snow . Just before we reached Rimouski we lost a ski doo 800 to a blown engine( more on this later! )  It was windy with some blown drifts in fields but not bad. We took 578 to Mont Joli and hit 5 to Saint Damase . Well we got to the river and a club member was just putting up the tape to close the trail across it . The edge on the east side opened up about 4 feet . They had some wood pallets they had used but it had open up to much to be trusted . The water was about 4 foot deep he showed us . Well he said he would float them one more time for us . Nora was unsure but went along and made the crossing . We were the last , but with the cold it might tighten up in the next couple of days. In St Damase we met up with Mcstar and his crew for a nice little visit at the club house . The rest of the way was a mix of groomed and chop to Cap Chat. 252 miles and the crew was glad for the end of the day . COLD and windy this morning!

Thank you for taking us along for the ride it was a great read!
I may have missed this ,sorry about that ,what happen to the two guys from Montreal  that  you up picked up along the way? 
The other is sled reliability, any make ,any model doesn't matter and technology.I know this trip is a real hard one to make , tough conditions , deep snow ,conditions harder  then anything most any of us ever ride. You guys are well prepared for most anything and the sleds are prepared to the nines. I understand anything can break at anytime new or old but looking at this I'm not sure whether or not I trust many sleds can make it through without any issues. The point is we spend a lot of money on these things , they are suppose to be built well are you a little surprised you had so many issues ? That's what would stop me from something like this is, do I trust my sled!

Just trailered and checked in to the Unversal . Warmday today got to plus 8 Celsius. Have talked to a few guys arriving by sled tonight and say trails are all good! Parking is at a premium here holy cow!! 

hi RiverRat !!!
 
great meeting you and the rest of your group last weekend and on tq 5 last monday morning !!!
few pics from last sunday riding next to my camp !!!
and absolutely right !!!...linda could show some men here in town how to ride deep snow around the lake and my camp !!!....this could be funny !!!
glad you enjoyed the gaspesie !!!
 
jean-guy

Either busy riding QC, or busy dreaming about it...

hi terry and mario !!!
rough weekend !!!
started grooming at 4 am .....back at 3 20 pm....in 17 years of grooming ...i don t remember seeing tq 5 destroyed like that !!!
4 windy days in a row...week with no school...carnival in ste marguerite + the tourists ...timing was perfect for rough trails...
this where i met mario...about 4 miles west of st fidele cb !!!
met 2 guys..americans i guess..just before the drifts after the 90' corner on my way down to st fidele cb....they were happy to see me....and they still had a great sense of humor !!!
 
jean-guy
 

All of us who ride with our special ladies know the motto " happy wife happy life " 

Our last ride was on February 12th at Relais 22. Since this, busy with the job+ the bad weather but especially my life partner who was knock out because of pneumonia have thrown away all opportunities of riding. My Krikri, who was now a little better, was very frustrated to not being able to follow but she just begin to feel better and riding back on a snowmobile as a passenger at this time with the current cold would have simply ruined the gains she had managed to make In the last week.
So it was solo on my venture accompanied by our partner Snowcruiser that I saddle up. Having lost my official photographer, I had to managed to take some pics myself. It's why I have much less beautiful stuff to show you but still some decent pics.
Here is the path of our ride.


Saturday morning, beautiful sunny blue jay day -21C at start



It was very dry at start, the dozer of Carcamps snowmobile club of Berthierville had not groomed since the rain few days ago. With the scratchers down and going moderately we had did well.

A few miles later we entered the Joliette snowmobile club territory  who have made a pass since the thaw, it already ride much better.



At the next intersection we seen the dozer of Joliette finishing his run and have just put some ice on the cake for us



Further along on the trails of St-Felix de Valois, the dozers also passed



Not alot loose stuff over the hard base but was ok. We did not raise the scratchers but it would ride without.



We chatted a bit with a couple of nice guys from Joliette before heading up toward Saint-Jean de Matha



The Black River north of Matha near the BRP dealer Géro was still very solid and easy to cross



The good thing in those conditions is that there are no bumps. Just beautiful, hard and very fast trails, here just south of Ste-Émilie de l'Energie



North of Ste-Émilie the big hills were beautiful, no ice at all





The altitude makes a big difference and at the top of the hills the conditions become winter one



Here passing in front of the Pourvoirie Bazinet



We followed the #63 and made a small detour on the local trail that goes to the Auberge du Vieux Moulin, starting point for the dozer of the area and which allows to make a loop and to take back the #63 farther. Very nice trail/point of view especially in the southern part



Here during a break on the #63 between La Glacière and St-Zénon village. Beautiful conditions and much loose stuff on the trail



With our late start it was already noon so we stopped eating at the Relais St-Zenon in front of Lake St-Louis



After a good meal we continued on the # 63 north



We passed the Auberge Le Cabanon and continued towards St-Michel des Saints, very nice trail



Here just before before arriving at St-Michel, we see the village in the distance



We stopped to refuel at the Harnois gas station near the Central. We took a moment to re-evaluate the initial plan, already 2:20pm  and we were just about to loop around the reservoir ... we won't be back home soon! After consulting, we agree to keep the initial plan and took the lake shortcut to quickly reach the Auberge du Lac Taureau.

The level is already well down and yes, it is the summer docks you see in the air in front of the chalets



The level is not yet at its lowest and even it is necessary to be careful there are not too many big slopes to pass, it ride well.





We see better here the level once passed the Auberge while the trail passes on the beach shore ...



The section from there to the junction with the #33 to the Repos had a bit of ripple, nothing big but a little less beautiful. Then the #360 eastward  was really nice. This year it takes another route than usual because of wood transport . I loved this new trail a very beautiful and pretty fast path. We stopped at the dam for a few pictures but we did not stayed there long because the wind was whipping!



The rest of the #360 was just beautiful, at its best. Let's say we caught up some time there! Very quickly, we arrived at the bridge of the Mattawin river where we took a break  away from the wind. I was able to heat up the kodak who was freeze and take some good shots









The #345 was perfect, I think this is best conditions I had seen there on a Saturday at the end of the day. In addition, a little further south we cross the dozer who was at making it another pass!



We stopped at the Cabanon to make a last fill up before taking the #23 south. Beautiful at first but we passed the dozer who was not grooming for nothing on that one! We stopped eating at Réal Massé around 6 pm. When parking,  enduro reverse of my partner  refused again to engaged ... He's been already twice  to the dealer for that, the last time relays replaced. Maybe a gear problem like Iceman pointed in an other post? if anyone have more info on this issue, do not hesitate to comment because apart from that it is a whole nice machine but this irritant is intermittently there since the beginning of the season and he will have to go now for a third visit at the dealer.

After a good hot and comforting meal we left around 7:15pm for the last segment of our ride. The #23 was just a little worn out by the day's traffic and we crossed the dozer that was going up about midway to St-Gabriel's Brandon. We arrived at 8:15pm in front of an ambush south of the village of St-Gabriel. A small stream that was overflowing on the trail in between two hills. We saw that there were several sleds that have crossed it but we do not know the deepness of  the water nor if it is mined below, at darkness is not evident. I was not really stressed to cross it on the throttle but my partner did not feel it, the prospect of a bath, even unlikely, left it ... cold! So why having to stress, we left in the morning to ride and a detour mean even more riding !!!

So we turned back and headed back to St-Damien of Brandon than headed west on #63 to join our morning path just north of the St-Jean de Matha slides site. We then followed our morning route integrally. We were pleasantly surprised to meet the Dozer of Berhtierville who was grooming the #43 trail near home in St-Thomas. We were finally back to our starting point at 10:00 pm with 285 mile on the dreammeter.

In summary still very nice winter conditions everywhere north of Ste-Émilie de l'Énergie. The last thaw left harder base that give outstanding trail conditions and very solids trails that are strong over traffic. Still plenty of snow up there. I know that there is again some rain/freezing rain on the forecast for the next days but feel it won't hurt so much, especially with the cold wave that it is also forecast after. We are already in march, season's is well advanced but not done for sure, still very good riding to do, in the best of what this winter have to offer to us, it is to you to enjoy it!
Alain
 

Yeah...  i was bummed to hear this.  The last communication i had from them was that they were coming to the La Glaciere where there is secure sled and trailer parking.  The hotel where the sled was stolen is right in the main part of town...right off of hwy 131.  On the way home on sunday...I saw a another truck and trailer park there and wondered if the hotel management would warn them of the incident the day before...hmmm???  My wife and I stayed at the Montagne Coupee earlier this year and they have a nice setup for your sled.  They will also let you park trailer in there if there is room.  Only downfall is the garage is a little hike down the hill from main hotel...also a little bit of asphalt riding to get to main trail, which can be an issue in spring weather.  On a bright side....me and my daughter had an amazing time riding the trails this past weekend after her deployment.  From the desert sands to the frozen lands....she was all smiles !!!   

Pictures from today.  There are feet of snow in the woods.

Here is yet another thread on doing the Gaspe loop! Wife Molly and I drove up to the Universal yesterday from Vermont. Met Mikerider, Jack, Sandi and several other Quebec Riders. Had dinner and breakfast with Jack and Sandi, then said our good-byes. Left the universal at 8:10, destination Carleton. Took 5 east all the way to 579 south, to 587 and stopped at Groomers clubhouse for a bowl of soup at 12:30 with 190 miles. Lots of fresh grooming, fair amount of day old stuff, and very little bumpy terrain. Some drifting in the open areas. No sign of groomer, maybe Linda sled girl over served the rouge last night! From. The clubhouse we took 587 briefly, then took an orange shortcut trail through Sainte Florence back over to 5 east. This was a good move, great fast trail with no traffic. Our next move, or actually lack of, cost us so.e extra miles with many bumps added in. Planned on taking the short cut orange trail off from 5 that dumps you into L'Alverne back on the 5, but we missed it! Ended up staying on the 5 down through Pointe a-la Croix, and that plain sucked! Once we got within 30 miles of Carleton, we had a super flat and fast finish all the way to Hostellerie Baie Bleue. Good way to finish the day, pulled in at 5:45 with 303.1 miles for the day. Getting cleaned up and headed to the bar for some well deserved bourbon! Will try to post some pics....

Great trip with all of the components that make our sport the greatest. Comaraderie, memories, challenge, ingenuity, adrenaline, natural beauty and the thrill of whatever the trail sends your way. Great job to all whose talents and skill made this mission a total success. I've gotta believe that the SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca SideWinder was the first SideWinder ever at Havre St Pierre.

Trailblazer checking out the approach to Godbout
Takes a decent sized blower to chisel out a bank like this 
Iceman likely !  

kdelabruere,  They are common friends of ours....  i was hoping they were going to meet up with me and my daughter and stay at the La Glaciere in St. Zenon where there is secure parking.  They were staying at the Hotel La Porte de la Matawinie which is located in Saint-Jean-De-Matha.  The hotel looks to have nice accommodations but trailers and sleds are exposed...several gas stations right near parking lot too. Busy little area.   If I had known they were staying there I would of warned them.  Such a bummer for Mark....seeing how that sled was brand new.  I was hoping to meet up on the trails with them but then got the text of the bad news.   The Montagne Coupee Hotel in St-Jean-De-Matha also has secure sled parking.   Friggin hate thieves !!!!  i hope karma bites them in their thieving ass !!!

If we ever needed Iceman to scribe, it was yesterday! Ooh Ice did you why miss that opportunity? As mentioned earlier, there are lots of parts to this day, can only do justice once we get everything back together and sorted out. But the 11:07 pm arrival at Gabriel kind of helps set the stage.
For just a piece of yesterday, In order to get the busted expedition out of Lake Garemand and into the uniforest railsiding , where we left it for the night, we had to tag team 2 -154 sleds in line to pull the hills in the loose snow conditions. We kept those sleds tied together for the entire 15 mile pull into the abandoned  uniforest rail siding. More chapters from the beginning! Later on. RR

What a gorgeous day to come down the St Marguerrite river and reservoir system today, after a 30 mile exploratory long cut on a trapper line at the end of our river run, looking for alternates routes into Gabriel and a 30 mile round trip partial recovery of Rob's expedition with a blown transmission shaft. We made it to Gabriel as a  late arrival ! All in a great day of riding. We still have recovery work to do tomorrow, some other sled issues to resolve, before the next leg to Forestville. Many more great parts to this story, will save for a later date, here are some pics of our 300 mile adventure today!

Day 3- Just a Dustin’
 
 
Left Hotel Copper at 7am bound for Pointe A La Croix. Little bummed about not seeing Perce Rock, but there is always next time. Cruised over the local trail toward La Cache breaking trail in a couple inches of snow, Hit the 595 and hammered down. Could only get the sled to hit 100 in 4 inches of snow. Started freezing raining closer to New Richmond and needed to scrape the shields every 30 seconds or so. Got to New Richmond and it changed back to snow. Ate at my first Dixie Lee chain restaurant which was pretty good, then headed for Pointe A La Croix as it turned to plain rain. Thank goodness for Gortex Klim geared. Stayed perfectly dry. Eneded the day about 208 miles. Couldn’t believe we finally had a trip that went mostly right after 3 years in a row of breaking trail in over 18 inches of snow, then losing my track in Riviere Du Loop last year, etc.. Must be the new sled got rid of the funk!
 
 
Snowin’ a bit:

 
 
Old Olympics and TNTs

 
 
595 Hammah Down!

 
 
Covered Bridge:

 
 
Nice Spot:

Sunday 3/5 255 Miles.
We are in BSL.
We take 578 out of Mt Joli the wind caused drifting but in the woods you can see the trail was recently groomed. We take 5 to 548 to 569 going toward Degelis. Trails are good. On 569 we rode on 2 sections of logging road that was a little thin. From Degelis we take 85 to 548 to 571 to 544 to 565 back to 85. All trails were in good shape. Lastly 85 to Hotel Levesque (Thanks Tom).
Today had the best overall trail conditions of or trip so far. No track hitting the tunnel all day.😃
 
 

We rode from the Universel to the Ambassedeur in Amqui.   Early on the  fields had some drifts and there were studded bumps on some of the power lines.   Took the 579 after a recommendation.  Nice trail in the woods. Had lunch at Domaine Valga, a first.  Nice log cabin.  The trail to the wind mills was pretty drifted and bumped up with all the soft snow.   Beautiful sunny day with great views up top.    There is a ton of snow here. The banks are 1-2 ft high on the sides of the trail.   Most was groomed and in great shape-the wind was the problem not the grooming.    Overall a great day!   It won't upload my pictures.  I'll try later.  

This morning the groomer map doesn't show much overnight activity.  Not quite as cold as yesterday and a clear blue sky.  Sandi and I are off to the east.  We take the local trail between the highway and the river thru Notre Dame du Portage.  This is fine.  A little tiny bit of drifting in the fields.  This local trail turns into 559 and joins up with 5 which we head east on to Relais Sportif.  So smooth with a little loose snow on top.  At the relais we take 557 to 35.  From here it is a quick jaunt over to 557.  Mike told us about a restaurant they stopped at yesterday on Lac de L'Est.  The restaurant is about 1 mile off of 557.  Pretty little place sitting on the edge of the lake.  Its early so we have a couple of hot chocolates.
Back on 557 and this is nice.  I haven't been on this in a long time and now 557 is on roads that are closed for the winter, wide, gentle and fast.  We make our way to the relais at St Pamphile.  Sunday brunch and it is full with the local people.  Lets keep going.  We head up 55 north to Tourville.  This is pretty busy too but it is lunch time.  We go inside and the service is pretty quick for the number of people that are here.  We watch the sleds coming and going while we eat.  Now its our turn to leave.
Off we go on 55 still heading north.  This is a quick run up to trail 5 where we turn right.  We cruise thru Hiboux's parking lot.  They are busy too.  Everyone is out taking advantage of a beautiful day.  Running down 5 we catch up to three sleds taking their time.  It looks like the middle driver is getting their learner's permit.  There's a nice straight away and Sandi pulls out and goes.  I only get one sled.  The next straight away is my turn.  The two sleds slow down and let me by.  A quick thank you wave and I'm off to catch up to Sandi.  Trail 5 is fine.  A few chops in some of the corners and a little drifting in open areas but it is a weekend.
We get to 561 and drop down to Realis Explorers.  This place is busy too.  The groomer is out back and it is running.  He is going out tonight.  We take 526 to 85 and back to the Universal.  What a nice ride today.  You can feel the chatter of the skis on the ice base but plenty of dust for lubrication and cooling.
Jack & Sandi