snowfarmer

Ok 2nd day March 3, 2021

Starting from Mont-Laurier after a good outdoor breakfast at Tim's



We headed west on #63 trail to get on the #322 and ride on the Baskatong reservoir. Fortunately it had snowed a bit overnight because there is a long plowed road section at the start of #322

Here is a first video which summarizes this section. For best viewing, turn on the sound and crank the player's quality to 1080p on the big screen.
 
Then we did the local trails in the Devil Mountain Regional Park. Here to start, the tower's mountain and the Devil's mountain views
We then went for an outdoor lunch at Windigo Falls. It had been several years since I had been there and I was a bit disappointed to see that we could no longer approach the fall site by sled. We have to park and walk a 700-800 feet to get at the base of the falls but the walk is well worth it! I also climbed up and went up the river a bit to capture some nice images
 
We then headed east on #322 trail through Chutes St-Philippe and passed the #53 trail to take a local trail toward north that took us to the Kiamika dam. We then joined back the #53 to our night destination
We ended the day with 154miles and we heated the wood stove in the evening in a chalet at Mekoos



day#3 to follow...

Here the path of our small annual trip 2021



Day#1: Joliette/Mont-Laurier by #63+petit train du nord trail
Day#2: Mont-Laurier/Mekoos passing on the Baskatong reservoir+Devil's mountain attractions and the Kiamika dam east from Chutes St-Phillipes
Day#3 Mekoos/Joliette by the north on #33/#345 trails and St-Zénon #23 trail

It was also a ride to try our new snow toy that I had just bought: a BRP Grand Touring limited 900ACE 2020 slightly used at 1700miles



After several Polaris and Yamaha, this is my first Ski-doo. It have huge shoes to fill because my last Venture modified to my need/taste was pretty much the "Ultimate touring machine" for Kristine and me. I appreciated it so much that I kept it 2 years longer than the usual 5 years but now, exceeding 25 000miles with the AD Boivin (rear suspension) which exceeds 40000 miles and which  is no more manufacturated since 12 years ago, I had to turn to another option and I try my luck on this one.

So Tuesday morning (March2) was a start for our small trip. All just refreezed night before after Sunday/Monday thaw and not all the snowmobile clubs had regroomed. Scratchers were mandatory to ride in the south but was more snowy toward north. Here near the Domaine Bazinet outfitter



We refueled at Coin Lavigne, it was pretty cold  at -17C on their thermometer with a strong wind.



We took the #33 trail north-west



Here near the closed cafeteria



The #63 trail was handsome, especially the half groomed by the St-Michel des Saints snowmobile club.






We ate our lunch between La Macaza and Riviere Rouge on the edge of the trail in a wooded area to be sheltered from the wind and a happy coincidence wanted our friend Luc who was also passing there had recognized us and stopped with his friend Gilles talking to us a few minutes.

After filling up in Rivière-Rouge we took le petit train du nord trail toward north (still #63)



And arrived at the Quality Inn in Mont-Laurier around 4:30 pm with  202 miles on the dreameter
I was not able to film that day, I first thought it was because of the cold, but it was ultimately a wire on the power supply that was faulty. I corrected that and shot some great scenes on the next 2 days.
I will bring you these other 2 days as soon as possible with pics and videos, come back and see from time to time to have the rest of the ride...
To be continued...

This has probably already been posted by someone but we got to ride in Quebec Saturday!! OK, so it was only about 100 feet.... (trail 105A in Vermont shares a bridge with Quebec) 🙂 
The big tower thing is board patrol watching.

The world is small we crossed you and Caro twice around the Taureau lake yesterday, we were doing the loop reverse as you from Pourvoirie du Lac-Blanc where Snowcruiser and me dropped the sleds from the trailers. We first crossed you between the #33 junction and the road side section on the west side of the lake and then on the #345 middle way between the dam and the Cabanon.
No chances you would reconized me with my new ride but even I had not noticed your stickers, the lights on your apex are very distinctive+ on a blue and a white/red yammy I had highly doubt is was you. Don't worry, all your group was perfectly on their side of the trail!👍
Glad you had the chance to enjoy those good trail conditions. in contrary of other years, it's the souther trails that turned to junk at the end of the saturdays and the north trails hold pretty well, way batter than south...Curfew/covid effect... all is different this year! 
thanks for the pics report 😍
 
 
 

We get going. I cannot really see Denis as he is leading but I do know one thing, I am not used to being 3rd in line. I like to lead and that will not change. Claudia goes pretty good she is keeping right, much more than I expected. Doing a fine job, I give her lots of space as I can tell she is nervous when I can see her she is checking her mirrors constantly, maybe too much. I back it off more. Now I got mrs Ice i had told her you have been on this trail before you like it. She does and she is ready to run. 
trail is perfect in Parc 10/10. We hang back and stay close enough to stay in sight. When its straight. Fast run to intersection for Repos. Here, Denis who had been up here once is ready to go toward Repos. I had to explain nicely this was not the right way. He pulls out his cell phone and I think ok he is gonna show me IMotoneige, Negative he pulls up a photo he took his first time up here. Shows photo of VTT trail sign 257 i think. Sure enough there is a 257 (I don’t remember exactly which number as I have no VTT trail number knowledge) going up toward repos. I explain that is a VTT sign and means nothing to me. He is very cool and so is Claudia she just follows him. I told him trust me I kinda been around this block many times. 
I wanted to be (and was) super polite. He had let Claudia lead a bit but she wanted none of that. Denis goes at a good speed. Caro is faster than Claudia and more on the right. 
At this point. He says we will follow you. Perfect. Back to the point where I belong. We head on toward the Barrage trail is top shape no one has caught us from behind however the traffic is starting to pass heading the other way. At days end Claudia said she has never seen that many sleds pass in one day. There was alot for sure but not a record breaker. Big trail in great shape all good. We cruise on and arrive at Auberge Lac Taureau, i been by here lots never been inside. Bisto bar is open we park and head on in. 

 

It was great to be back at Marineau in Mattawin, lots of fond memories here, well along with Le Montangard and of Auberge Mekinac. I miss Richard and Edgar. 
It was at Mattawin when I was a much younger Jedi that I first met the Florida Snowman as he was arriving for a trip as we had just returned. 
This is a great stop being a short 2-3 hrs back to home so makes for a great first night if we leave in the afternoon or a great last night to get back home early. 
Now this year with the river trail being closed it’s definitely only one option for the quick ride up or back but with the river that makes two. Nice. 
Hotel has limited menu 

you order and go upstairs to pick up and eat in room. Closes at 7pm so last pickup is 6:45. They offer some prepared box breakfasts too. But we just stocked up on stuff from Depanneur across the street. Two bite brownies and blue powerade are much better than a box with a croissant and an apple. 

Friday Afternoon 
we pack up and leave out around 2pm. Not bad near home badly deteriorating closer to Shawinigan sud. Still lots of snow just brown and bumpy. Through Lac a Tortue and like usual the farther from Shawinigan the better it is getting. Still a bit rough on the gas line part of 23 into Herouxville, better as we approach St Tite. No big rush for us just need to arrive in time to order some takeout from restaurant that closes at 7pm. 
We stop for the bathroom break in St Tite. Then onward on 23 still just so so. We arrive at 360 and I am thinking “this could be heaven or this could be hell” 
Sorry Scorpionbowl you missed it again. I cannot believe how nice this trail is. Being in the woods it really set up nice and does not get alot of sun so it has held up. Beautiful ride up to St Joseph de Mekinac 9/10 that trail.
Just ouside St Joseph in the twisty pine section just before popping out by the now closed relais/auberge, I spy through the trees flashing yellow lights, tight left hander. Groomer. Starting his run early as it’s not quite even 4pm. 
Another great learning experience for Mrs Ice as she has never had to move over and let a groomer pass.. Very tight here I had told her stay back and she was stopped a good distance behind me. I had to back up so he could swing the corner. I pull one ski off the trail and he can just squeeze by me. She is not so sure of this but I tell her just stay where you are do not move he will go by you. He manages to cheat it over to the right, much easier for him with the wide tracks, then he moves the drag enough for my girl to pass on by. 
She is impressing me greatly each time we ride. She is becoming quite the rider and always asking great questions, which tells me she really wants to learn. 
Quick stop in St Joseph then we continue on. The trail to Mattawin is a 11/10 unreal how nicely set up. We rip it over to gas and hotel. Unbelievably beautiful trail from St Tite all the way to Mattawin. 
Check in park them sleds and we are happy. Lots of sleds here. 
120km
https://www.relive.cc/view/v7O9VGegWQ6

Hi Blueblood.     Winds were crazy all over the state yesterday.  Sounds like you have taken up residency in Maine!
I am at about the same mileage as you. May be back next week, watching the weather.  We found that when heading north towards Shin Pond, if 85/86 is rough, we detour onto 112 to 83 to bypass that section, the latter almost always great.  That's probably the only tip I have, as I imagine by now you have seen every inch of the area and then some.  If you are looking for something different to do, Shin Pond Camps rents out Polaris Maryx 650 sleds for a day or half day. These sleds are so much fun to drive.  I rented one in Jackman,  made me feel young again. lol        I never found any restaurants in Millinocket downtown area worth mentioning. 
mike

In Eagle Lake woke up to 6” of new Snow Tuesday very windy but Trails were groomed to Perfection!!!

Lac Blanc Loop
knowing fair well it was the open door weekend and that Sunday temps would be too warm for nice trail. We got up early Saturday and decided to head out and ride just until noon. We knew a storm was coming and that did not bother us at all. Left 7am and being first day of free weekend everything was groomed up. TQ3 to Shawinigan Sud and it was set up nice. Surely we were not the only early birds with the same idea but all the others were headed the other way. Beautiful trail all the way to River in Grand Mere and we cross and join a just as beautiful trail the TQ23. Smooth sailing all the way to the 350 and down into Lac Blanc. As we arrive there it just starts snowing. We take a quick break and in comes more sleds and then more and more. It’s time to beat feet and get out of here. 
Still great trail but lots of folks riding right up the middle. I got a fix for these people. When I see someone coming at me using it all, I crowd it right over onto the middle and make them decide if they want to move over or not. Cause I aint flinching. My wife is loving the show as I move left  to crowd these morons and give them a taste of their own medicine. I move left and slow down almost to a stop and they don’t seem to understand but they slow down and move over. Most were well behaved all along the route but a few needed some discipline and they got it. Big wide trail and they cannot ride the right needs to be right up the middle. That’s weekend riding. 
Snowing heavier now and we join back onto the TQ63 and just outside Charette near St Paulin we find the checkpoint. Just checking stickers no looking at paperwork so its stop and go. Another Great teaching moment for the Mrs today. Snowing and in the big fields she says wow cannot see anything. I explained to her to concentrate on the red sticks, telling her fortunately here they are plentiful and yes while it’s snowing heavily at least there is not much wind. Which would make it much more difficult to find sticks. She gained alot of respect for riding in conditions not so perfect. We continue Back to St Etienne and back to TQ3 to run back to the house. Great ride.
212 km 
https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqDQgneWwv

My local dealer allowed me to take this riding for a day(160 miles) and it was a very fun sled! The transfer that seems to be everyone’s concern is part of what makes it so much fun. It is very controllable and roomy to move around on due to the narrow “cockpit area .“ Motor and clutches are the same as the Doo 850 but the skid frame and ergos are completely different. I did not find the seat to hard at all, not as plush as my XRS 850 but still fine. The suspension is amazing in that I did not bottom it once and I hammered it pretty good on the pipeline yesterday, it sucked up everything. Now everything is a trade off so it was not as smooth in the normal stutter bumps etc as as gen 4 Ras x rear. I had all clickers 3 to 4 from full soft and it still sucked up all the big hits. It was extremely fun to ride, perfect Canada sled ? Depends on how you ride, if you are a trail cruiser, nope. If you like to wick it up in the twisties and launch off of over verticals etc....yes it the sled for you. The linq combo bag will not fit on it though due to the different seat but all the other Linq luggage pops right on. Skis worked awesome to, if I order a 2022 XRS Gade and not a Lynx I would love to add the skis. Overall a great sled, put a huge smile on my face 👍

Lac Blanc today

Well, we surely missed Quebec and Ontario this year, but were blessed to have the best winter in 20+ years here in North Central PA.  Riding opportunities almost everyday from Mid December until now.  Working in the crazy field of healthcare, I for one, was extremely thankful for some great stress relief 3 hours away from home.  Even found some Quebec like conditions on occasion.  Sure is an awesome place to ride when they have a winter.

Wrapped it up early today and Mrs Ice was.“working from home” (no students today) so i called on my way home and told her get ready we ride a few hours. Blue sky day and big sun but cold wind and temps around -7c. Trails were looking mint when I left this morning at 6am. I was drooling , it was -23c white asphalt this morning. I was in St Luc, through St Narcisse and up to Lac a Tortue and Grand Mere then back through St Etienne but this was in the big rig not the Apex. I saw all I needed to see to know they were holding up today. 
Got home dressed and out we went for a quick 3 hour tour. Out and back. From home was beautiful to St Etienne we arrived at junction for trail 63 to Trois Riveres, this is basically in reality a cu de sac, it goes south passed airport Trois Riveres and continue to just near the Pont Laviolette where you need call the Flatbed to cross the river. This trail is used mostly by locals coming up from parking at Airport and their houses to access points north. Always mint down here and we make a run down with the intention of checking out a new relais open this year. Its a campground called Domaine Corral. Anyway been hearing good things about this place and decided to go check it out. Awesome trail all the way. Some real nice runs through this section of trail. 
We arrive at 1pm we are the only sleds. Like I said this is kinda out of the way, but well worth the trip. In summer its a hopping campground with a big country western bar. (Before Covid Time) , we were greeted warmly and ate well. Great homemade fries. We hung outside by the fire and they had a windbreak constructed was well though out. Great stop. A few others arrive we stay and chat awhile. Time to ride some more. We head back the way we came and it’s wonderful. Back up through St Etienne and west this time just for a short bit. The TQ3/63 gets alot of traffic here and it’s starting to show now by 2:30pm. Not terrible but not like the other section we just rode down and back. I could ride that section up and back for a half a day and be a happy sledder. We turn around just before St Barnabe and backtrack to the house. Sweet afternoon tour. Quick 100km with a one hour break at the relais. 
https://www.relive.cc/view/vr637APdg86
 



 

Thanks mike for re- Introducing the area to me as  al Quebec rider I might not have ever came back to this area the trails and grooming are top notch and I have a lot more to explore also my first 300 mile day in Maine 
 

Today Skidoo 420, Jak, and GKW and I went to Libby's Camps for lunch.  3 to 4 inches of new snow coated the trees adding to a winter comeback.
A couple pics of the trail and Mattagammon Wilderness Store and Restaurant.  We are blown away with trail conditions here. The Baxter Inn owner has been so good to us. He has provided our own happy hour room .
 

Jak and Skidoo 420 joined me today for a romp down to Wildwood Cabins and lodge.  I was embarrassed showing them the area on a Monday after the somewhat heavy weekend traffic.
Pretty much every inch of the way was freshly groomed to perfection. It was the perfect day and Quebec like trails.  The husband and wife team at Baxter Park Inn are turning out to be the perfect hosts.  The food at Wildwood was great and portions were huge. Couple pics of the lodge at Wildwood. I thought this winter would be a disaster, turns out it has been awesome!
mike
 
 

Meanwhile all the High-Mileage Forum'mates here know, riding without a saddlebag can feel naughty! Like not wearing any underwear!
Looking forward,
thru a square bottle,
with sunniest regards,
from One Happy Island,
 

The end.



 

Encore




 

More pics






 
 

Well, since we all know everything is messed up this year, we decided to visit a place where Covid doesn't exist, at least all the BS associated with it!  A quick trip to the Big Horns in Wyoming was great medicine for this crappy situation of a winter.  Here's a couple pics.  Files are too large to share too many.