Another cold one this morning. I start my sled and the motor temp reads -15 F (-26 C).
Today it is 2/3 of the Gutz brigade, Joe and myself. A lot was groomed last night. We cross the two bridges and take 134, pickle park. Not too fast, I'm still adjusting. Turn right on 93 and this is fast and flat. The machines love this cold air. We are going to be on the mountain today so we top off the sleds at the Nutrinor station in St Honore. Back on the trail. Just how we like it, smooth with a little dust on top.
We get up to the airport and the groomer had just left his house and is heading toward Mont Valin. The trail is fine. It doesn't need to be groomed but we will take it. Unfortunately we go around him but like I said, the trail is just fine. Winding around on 93 and we start up the mountain. The trail is getting a little chopped up as we approach Valinuet. A lot of tracks from the mountain sleds crisscrossing over the trail. The further up we go, the trail gets better. A lot more fluff on top of the trail here. We pull into KM 31 for lunch.
Sometimes we stop here and sometimes we patronage the Chapelle. Not too busy but more sleds keep arriving. Beautiful view of Lac Jalobert up here. Nice and clean at KM 31 and good food.
After lunch, we continue on 93 a little further to the groomer's house and we turn right onto 262. We are going down the back side of the mountain. The sleds are pushing some here. More fluff on the trail. A lot of tracks from the off trail guys thru this section. We get to 264 and turn left.
Its a clear day and we decide to take a quick ride up to Pic du Lac du Sundicat lookout. It has been a few years since I've been up there. Only about 1 mile up the lookout trail to the top. Nice view. I think that is Jonquiere over there in the distance where the smoke stacks are. Very peaceful up here so far away from everything. I've got some old pics on a thread from a few years ago. I'll have to go find it and bring it to the top. There are 5 major lookouts made for us snowmobilers in this area. If you haven't been on the top of them, it is worth the ride.
OK. Back down the trail and left on 264. This is in good shape as we get away from the top of the mountain. Not as much traffic on the lower half. We get to 328 and turn right. I remember the FCMQ put a lot of money into 328 a few years ago to make it more rideable. It is much better than it was but there are a lot of ups and downs and lefts and rights. No high speed runs on this. About 20 miles later we get to 93.
Decision time. It is early and it is a nice day. Go back the way we came on 93 or stay on 328? We vote for 328. It looks like it is in good shape at the junction and it will add a few miles to the day.
Off we go down 328. It is good. Not as much fluff as up on the mountain but the sleds dig into the corners so much better. This isn't anywhere near as twisty as the eastern part that we were just on. A good run thru here. We pass St David and then turn left on 134 /93. We were on this yesterday and it is still just fine. No drifts. A really nice trail. Not too much for elevation change. Just nice gentle curves and long straightaways.
We cross the 2 bridges and back at the Delta. Not gassing up tonight. Tomorrow we are going home.
This may have been my last trip for this season. I have to see what is going on back at home and work. That nasty four letter word. Overall it has been a good season. The sleds have been fine. The truck and trailer were asking for a little attention but that has been taking care of now.
I'll see if I can find the old pics from the lookouts. Be safe everyone.
Jack & Sandi
It is so sad this happened but it is good that the body has been recovered. May peace be with the families now. Jack & Sandi
