snowfarmer

Mrs Ice wanted to put the helmet on this morning. So up and out 9am. -18c at departure. Pas chaud. South today. 3 ouest through St Etienne then to Yamachiche and Louiseville nice frozen trails all fresh groomed and not many others out yet. Down to Maskinonge and to the service area on the Autoroute 40. Bathroom break for the Mrs and some Tim’s coffee to warm up. Back out and we retrace our run then north on 350/63 up to St Paulin the back on 63 to 3. At the 63/3 jct are the Police checking paperwork, 2 friendly ones. Lots more people coming out now time to make for home quick. Nearing St Etienne you can see how badly they have torn things up in just a few hours. Wow. Big difference. Across at La Gabelle and on home to a nice hot tub and now a cranking fire to warm it up. 
Great day but cold not many pictures 180km or so.

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Today's ride in Maine was northeast to Oxbow, following York's recommendation to see the bisans  and  eat the bisons at Homestead Tavern and Farm. Trails were Quebec worthy again today, as were the cold and blustery temps. Oxbow looks like an awesome area to ride judging by the amount of intersections and trails in that area. 
mike
 
 

Not going to happen my friend . Dr Tam who is in charge of the federal medical stuff says no way! Even if you are a returning snow bird you will have to do the 14 day quarantine even if been vaccinated. She says “ the vaccine might be 90 % effective but she is worried about the other 10 % “ WTF !! I get the whole safety thing and the quarantine thing but if it was left up to her there would be no cross boarder movement or any movement! That’s all fine and dandy if you got a government job and get paid no matter what but the rest of the world has to start making a living after a year of shutdown up here! 

Not going to happen my friend . Dr Tam who is in charge of the federal medical stuff says no way! Even if you are a returning snow bird you will have to do the 14 day quarantine even if been vaccinated. She says “ the vaccine might be 90 % effective but she is worried about the other 10 % “ WTF !! I get the whole safety thing and the quarantine thing but if it was left up to her there would be no cross boarder movement or any movement! That’s all fine and dandy if you got a government job and get paid no matter what but the rest of the world has to start making a living after a year of shutdown up here! 

Today was another good one, landed in Madawaska, Inn of Acadia. All trails were groomed nice. Went thru Portage, Eagle Lake, Fort Kent.

Headed north again today, taking York's advice to go to Umcolcus Sporting Camps for lunch.  Back thru Shin Pond and then NE. The last 25 miles to the camps were perhaps Maine's fastest trails. long straightaways for miles, nice and hilly, make a turn and more miles of straight. Fun trail.  Need more horsepower!  Pulled into Umcolcus and another turn of the century sporting camp. Impressive place. Lunch was excellent. Trails today were all 8 to 10's, really a super ride.  Not too many sleds on the trails. Andy was working the lodge and said Umcolcus was named after a duck, and pointed to a stuffed duck on the wall. Later I looked up Umcolcus ducks and found no such thing. Must have been the name of a pet duck, who now sits proudly stuffed and on a shelf. 
 
(Anxious to hear how Snowbeeler is liking Aroostook County riding, hope he reports).
 

we went 83 south which is nice wide smoth trails. right onto 111 (rough section about 4 miles)  to lunch at wildwood trailside cabins. up 111 north to 109 north.  ran that up too 85 86.  back neoc 170 miles today most great trails.

Got it!
 

After a somewhat dismal day yesterday of a mix of lots of  big and small bumps in the Millinocket area, I left this morning in frigid temps to head north into the big wilderness. Destination at least Shin Pond Camps, better yet Libby's Sporting Camps.
Got to Shin Pond way quick, stayed the north course for Libby's. Almost the entire trip was on freshly groomed trails, and a few that weren't were still smooth and fast. Again, this area has  nice big wide logging roads with plenty of hills. Gas at Shin Pond, lunch at Libby's and back thru Mattagammon Wilderness store,   and Bowling Sporting Camps.
Based on the grooming, and big wide roads,  views of lakes, streams and rivers along with a few mountain views, and very low traffic count,  sunshine good part of day; this would have to be one of the top ten best rides ever. It was Quebec worthy.  
Libby's Canps is nothing short of right out of the early 1900's. It is an Orvis Fly Fishing approved camp. I would have to rate lunch there as the best ever trail stop lunch. I had been told it was amazing food.
On the way back I also poked around the Northeast Outdoor Center, big log cabin restaurant and rental cabins that appeared very large.
Pic of the large building the the Mattagammom Wilderness store. All others pics of buildings inside and out is Libby's.
 
Snowbeeler,  I must have been ahead of you as at times there were no tracks in the fresh groom. I am guessing after shin Pond I went north and you went northeast. So glad you had a good day. Presque Isle Inn should be a nice step up for places to stay, heard it was great.
mike
 
 

Stellar ride. Decided I would against my better judgment, head out for an early ride to see what I could get. Need to tune up for Gaspe next week.  Mrs. Ice was having none of it, once she heard it was a 7am departure it was a dealbreaker. Up and out -16c this am. Showing groomed all tge way. Mostly true. First 10km to Rivere in Grand Mere was used up bad. Probably groomed Friday night but not last night. Rough as hell. I was having second thoughts when I arrived at junction of 23 but was keeping the faith it would be better. It was. Just off river and fresh groomed no tracks. I knew being out early I had the best chance on a Sunday of getting it all. Did not take alot of pictures but a few. I was hell bent on playing a new game and pushing it to see how far I could get before seeing another sled. Trail was groomed to perfection and froze up nice. Rolled through St Matthew and it just got better as I went. More snow as I get closer to Pin Rouge and near Saccocomie. First two sleds headed east right at trail for Saccacomie. Continued on 23 west perfect trail all mine. Saw no one else until arriving at Lac Blanc. No one at first as I stop to take a break. The. A group of 5 sleds arrive from the Lake as I was parked in front of Lac Blanc all alone. 350 was just as nice as 23. Took it all the way to 63 then to 3 St Etienne and the party was over. Crossing the river at La Gabelle was not bad. Better than the trail to home, like the first 10km the last were used up. Wicked rough. Good with the bad and the good  right? All in all sweet rip. 200 km give or take home before noon with a few breaks along the way. Everyone else headed west all alone headed east. Saw just 10 sleds the entire run 









 

Because most of the last snow falls had seems to have hit harder on the south shore of the St-Lawrence river, we tried this loop last Saturday 6, 2021

We were a bit disappointed ... not that it does not ride well but we expected  way more snow. In fact the trail conditions were similar as the south of my area. The trail is often easy to follow due to its color,  especially in woods, and the skis often scratch the base, especially in curves.

The 10km/H speed zone along the reservoir near the Victoriaville drive me crazy each time I pass there! it is not that long but it looks damn long !!! after that we appreciate 30 zone!!!
The fields trail sections south of Victoriaville are in better shape because the wind brings more snow into the trail shaping up the  condition as well as #35 west of Warwick which was very nice.

Here a short video of our ride. Best viewed with the sound on and the quality cranked up at 1080p
My Venture hit the mental mark of the 25000 miles/40000kms during the ride


On the way back we pass through St-Léonard D'Aston which was nicer than the morning trail path
Finally a good 210 miles run for us. Like Iceman mention in one of his post, the trails do not have a real hard base... no thaw since our recent season start so it's a bit normal that we are dealing with the conditions we have. Hoping for more snow ahead....
Alain
 

Blue skies and near 0c today. Everything showing a fresh pass of the drag, so after 2 hours of online teaching this morning I told the Mrs to suit up its her turn today to take a spin around. Requested permission for takeoff and was cleared by the tower. All systems go. I asked her like always long or short ride. Being her first day out I already knew the response but I asked anyway. Out the driveway and TQ3 to Shawinigan is nice, still brown but nice. The new snow helped alot but I have discovered the problem that exists all around here on every trail I have been on. You know what it is? There is no base. Zero frozen base. The meltdown Christmas cost us the base we had and we never really had time to set up another. As soon as it snowed the sleds and quads were out tearing it down to nothing, sure they groom it but there is nothing solid frozen under the snow except frozen earth. Understand? Once it warms up it will be gone fast near here. 


 
Well anyway back to the ride.
Few more sleds out today on this beautiful day. She is a nervous one with her gas situation and near half of a tank is making her twitch a bit so I head for Lac a Tortue and petro canada to get her filled up. Trails much more decent than yesterday. After the gas we backtrack to TQ3 then head toward St Severin on 353 i think to Relais de Station. I got to tell you I honestly have only been inside once many years ago. It’s a great pitstop and the Mrs has used those facilities many times. They got a pretty good crowd for a Covid Thursday. 2 big trailers to go in to warm up in parking lot.(i did not go in these) Its open for food. You order on one side then pay then go to the dining room where you are sitting in litte isolated cubicles. 2 per table supposed to be from same address. They take your name and address and phone number when you order. Nice stop but time to ride some. St Severin to St Stanislas all nice great ride. In Stanislas trail no longer passes through old Rogers Cabin which is now demolished and One new private house sitting on the side of the property.








 

Local trail to St Genieveve de Batiscan I have not been on this trail in years its changed alot. But very nice. Less traffic on this section as I can still see the fresh groom trail . Interesting. Once we arrived at the River Batiscan in the village it was obvious why. The river looked great lots of tracks running down the middle but getting out there hmmm. Let’s say I had to think about it. A good five to six feet of broken ice and water (overflow is what I told her) but it was just separated from the shore. I was not sure the approach was small and steep and I knew I could hit the bottom and nail it, and lift my skis and skip it. I had to convince her and talk her through it. Once I explained it was do this or go back to St Stan to make it back home we were going for it. I told her watch what I do (hoping it was not sink my sled in this river) my instincts were correct. No worrys skipping out onto the solid ice. She handled it like a pro and now we are blasting down the Batiscan river. Lots of real slushy bits, pretty sketchy for February. I told her keep up we aint stopping on this river, I had to laugh when as I said that and looked back for her as I was railing it she was right on my bumper telling me go faster. Ok honey. Getting off the river open water there too but here was more really just overflow there was ice under the water. 
 
Now we are on the 351 and as those of you that know it will agree as it follows the Autoroute 40 its got some nice long rips. We had stopped for a break and just got rolling I am cruising at about 120kmh and damn if she don’t pass me like I am standing still, chuckling on the radio as she goes by. I must say I am more and more impressed with her skills everytime we ride. She has very limited seat time but is a great rider. So many times i speed ahead through the twisty stuff and wait to watch her cornering. She is right all the way everytime. She better be. She had a good teacher. 
She leads us back to Cap de Madeline and up through St Louis de France great run back to the house. Great first day for her.

Where were these guys 15 years ago when I need them. Helped my daughter and her friend build a snowmaking project for a science project and it was a pain in the can ! This equipment would of made it so much easier lol

Easy to get lost up in here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/SNOWatHOME/videos
And here:
https://www.snowathome.com/videos/
 

Busted the ole girl out of the garage this afternoon. Dusted off the helmet and squeezed into my pre covid lockdown snowmobile gear. Still fits. Decided to go see what it looked like locally with a quick spin. Fresh 4” of snow maybe a bit more than that. Windy though and saw some drifty parts to prove it. 
Left home made a left 3 ouest to local trails to St Louis de France direction Trois Riveres. This fresh snow will help alot when they groom it in. Not much traffic at all midweek but most using a single track. I decided to break her open a bit wider as I just cannot ride down the middle. Not bad close to home a sloppy trail with the fresh snow drifted up all over. Felt good to squeeze the flipper and hear my Apex sing. Running on fumes from last year but made it to gas in St Louis de France. Filled her up and my rotopak spare juice gan too. Pay at the pump. Keeping my social distance. Enjoyed watching the guy trying to clear the snow with the front end loader must be his first day, but hey practice makes perfect. 
Continued on down to Cap de Madeline rode to the shop to make sure no one was driving my truck. All good there she is cozy in garage enjoying her day off. Back up the local and its groomed here and in the woods pretty nice. Followed the groomed trail to junction with 351 and headed for St Maurice. Passed a couple of people leisurely. Into the fields after crossing the Autoroute 40 it got interesting. Searching for sticks in blowing snow it was a great “hey I remember this moment” big drifts here. The groomer wasted fuel coming through here but I guess I am lucky he did. Once to the Junction with TQ3 a group was stopped there. My phone was ringing in my pocket but I was not answering. TQ3 groomed and not drifty all the way to Lac A Tortue. Burned it up. Followed 3 to Shawinigan,  freaking Shawinigan Sud is snirty brown snow all along by the junction to Reggies at Drakkar. Never seen that ever in February not even in March. Crazy. They been burning it down to the sand. Really need about 40 cm more to fill all the dips and holes. It’s truly like early season riding here still. Sure you can ride but its nothing like it usually is in February. Need more snow. 
Cruised on back on TQ3 to chez Ice. Good first ride. Tested out the garmin Inreach mini tracking, mrs Ice likes follow along. Riding alone it’s another tool, nice to have. 
Maybe tomorrow after they groom it up I will venture out further. Did about 50 miles. 
Its just about good enough to take the Mrs out but I won’t be riding on the weekends way too many people with limited skill sets and new sleds.

 
 

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Whoa.  Just checked some of the video reviews & comparisons.
Great quote: "It's chock full of stuff you didn't know you needed and now you can't live without"
 

I got the 650 Matryx VR1.  The midrange of this engine is incredible., nail it at 60 and the skis are still dangling off the ground at 80, The sled is super light. This is not your grandfather's Polaris.  Handling is the most confidence inspiring sled I have ever ridden. It just feels glued to the trail. The engine is fairly quiet for a two stroke and is extremely smooth.  For some reason the track feels like it hooks up better than the Doo's.  It rides very nice, not quite as soft as the RMotion, in fact feels totally different but really nice. The skis and ski suspension felt several times better than what I am used to on my SkiDoos. Overall, it is just what owner's are reporting, that this sled is really fun to drive. I would encourage anyone who is  a bit of a performance driver and sled head to rent one for the day. I was grinning from ear to ear.
mike
 

Here the ride we did yesterday January29 2021

Due to circonstances and other reasons we had not ride much this season and this 2nd real ride for us was really nice. We had good cold weather and even we would like more snow, the actual cover do the job especially with the cold we have.
I make you a first video for the ride from home to Koubec
 
And the second one from Koubec to Pourvoirie du lac Blanc where we stopped for lunch.
Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc like all other snowmobile relais can't open their dining rooms because of the covid's sanitary measures. LIke many others, they comply with Quebec goverment rules by opening an exterior takeout desk where you can buy some food and they also offer a different interior snowmobile relai section that respect all goverment sanitary rules as for mask/distance etc,  where you can bring your food and eat there. It's not like usual but it was really nice to be able to eat in a warm, clean and safe place. When it's not too cold like on our first ride it's not so bad to eat outside but when riding in the -15C and below for many hours, a short break in a warm place to eat was more than appreciated! Kristine had also well appreciate the warm toilets, way more that the cold back of a spruce tree!
They also have a big fireplace outside

We streched the ride a little bit by making a round trip run to St-Alexis des Monts village and retraced our steps to ride down south towards St-Paulin and join the #3 trail in St-Ursule / Louiseville area and then ride home. There's some small spots with brownish snow and a few knocks in the skis but there is still enough snow to ride well and with the cold, conditions where good to very good on the majority of the ride. Here down the #3 trail south 

We are already at the very end of January and even there are still a few closed sections(mostly because rivers), the trail network is fairly well connected and we can go pretty much where we want. The 8:00pm curfew and the covid's sanitary rules complicate the puzzle but with some planning and adaptation it is possible to ride and we are just entering in the best part of the season to do it...
as usual, more trail condition details and more: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
2021 sledding season is now!
Alain

Nope but good guess!

No takers?
Domaine La Guadeloupe/ Saint George’s 

No takers?
Domaine La Guadeloupe/ Saint George’s 

Here’s one but it goes back a bit. Not open anymore I do believe.

Nope, they did the cooking.  I seem to recall we were the only guests there that night. 
The other memory of the Buzzard was that Ray and I were taking turns each night paying for the lodging.  This was my night to treat.   OUCH!
I would think the forest fire must have killed their summer and fall business. It looked like a wasteland after the fire.
mike
 

At Champlain border crossings,
we lower all left-side windows & shut off engine,
we hand them stacked passports open to picture pages,
they ask our destination & intentions,
we answer that we're going sledding,
they ask where are your sleds,
we all look at each other with that dumb-n-dumber:
"I THOUGHT YOU HOOKED UP THE TRAILER?!"
"DANG, I THOUGHT THE RIG WAS FEELING LIGHT!"
look...