revct1

I think the hotels are playing with the room reservations.  I originally made this week's reservation back the end of January.  I was told Friday and Saturday night they were booked full.  So we reserved thru Thursday.  Joe JAK had the same issue.
When Joe JAK arrived this past Saturday, he asked if he could extend his stay.  "No problem" was the response from the gentleman at the front desk.  He then asked if my stay could be extended.  Plenty of rooms.
Sandi and I think the hotel(s) allow Trivago and the other internet sites hold blocks of rooms for their sales.  Then whatever rooms are not sold are turned back to the hotel a week or so before the date.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

We are heading back home to CT this morning.  Padragon and I rode the past two days in the Artic vortex.  Sandi stayed at the Universal.  I was wondering if we should have too.
Friday was a ride to Squatec.  We stayed on what was groomed as much as we could.  Trail 5, 565, 540 and 571 into Squatec.  This route is mostly in the woods but the fields were drifted and blowing snow pretty good.  Not many sleds out.  I wonder why?  🥶
We were too early for lunch so we had to stand on the porch for 10 minutes.  The shades were pulled down so we couldn't see in.  A few minutes before 11:00 am the door opens.  Boy does that heat feel good.
Planning our ride back, I was thinking about the way we came in and Padragon asked about trail 35?  I said it is over the mountain and a little further but shows groomed.  So we decide on 35.  I'm leading and about halfway up, I miss a right turn.  One of those spots where the "road" goes straight and you see the cut thru the trees but the trail goes to the right.  I ran past the turn by 20'.  A little tugging and pulling and the sled backs out.  Pay attention Jack.  Too cold to be making mistakes today.
Other than my little missed turn, it was a good choice.  It was cold at the top of the mountain but all wooded and the trail is like concrete.  With less wind than in the fields, it was good.  We turn right on 85 and cruise back to the Universal.  Not a long ride but we did ride.
Saturday it is warmer but not by much.  Padragon and I head out.  Again we look for the groomed trails. 
So 5 west to the little connector over to 526 and back to 85.  526 is a nice trail thru the woods.  If we time this right, we will be at Cabano around 11:00 for pizza.
85 going thru the construction is the worst of it today.  It is pretty open and the wind is blowing the snow around.  We take our time and make it thru.  Top the sleds off at the Shell station in Cabano and over to pizza.  Perfect, 11:00 am and the doors are unlocked.  We are the only ones here.  I thought there maybe a few locals coming in via car or truck but nope.  Just us two.
A couple of pepperoni pizzas and back on 85 north.  The wind has finally calmed down and it must be a balmy -20 C out here.  The sun is out and that makes it feel even warmer.  We turn left on 544.  This trail is perfect.  Not much traffic on it this year due to the logging going on local 40.  Saturday there are no logging trucks and the wind has blown in enough snow to cover up the sand on 40.  The last mile on 40 is old school rough.  This isn't getting groomed this season due to the logging.  We get to 526 and it is sweet looking.  We go straight on 526 to Explorer and then right on 561.  The trails are set up so good from the cold and no traffic makes it a perfect ride.  At trail 5 we turn right and finish the day into the Universal.
It was a cold two days but it is still snowmobiling in Quebec.  There is plenty of snow up here and the groomers are out every night.  After a late start with the snow in January, February should turn out to be a good month.  Pack up and head north.  The trails are waiting for you.
Jack & Sandi

I think the hotels are playing with the room reservations.  I originally made this week's reservation back the end of January.  I was told Friday and Saturday night they were booked full.  So we reserved thru Thursday.  Joe JAK had the same issue.
When Joe JAK arrived this past Saturday, he asked if he could extend his stay.  "No problem" was the response from the gentleman at the front desk.  He then asked if my stay could be extended.  Plenty of rooms.
Sandi and I think the hotel(s) allow Trivago and the other internet sites hold blocks of rooms for their sales.  Then whatever rooms are not sold are turned back to the hotel a week or so before the date.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

The Cabano Pizza is closed Mon - Tue, opens at 4 pm Wed - Fri and opens at 11 am Sat - Sun if I remember correctly.  When we stopped on a Saturday, there was only one waitress taking care of the dinning area and the bar.  It was almost an hour wait but the pizza is good!
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we stopped at a restaurant over by Squatec that we have never been to.  Maybe others have.
The restaurant is off of trail 546 and on auto route 232.  The turn off is 7 or 8 miles east of the 571, 546 and 35 junction in Squatec.  The trail was groomed and somewhat marked.  The cul-de-sac is just under 2 miles to the restaurant. 
There is another cul-de-sac a little further east that is not groomed and signed for Lac-des-Aigles.  That is not the trail.
The name of the restaurant is Resto Chez Lelou.  The signs on the trail are not appealing but the restaurant is a appealing and a fine stop for lunch.  The two ladies working there both spoke good English.  The restaurant is clean inside and seats 20 - 30 people.  The four of us had two chicken wraps, a club sandwich and fried chicken.  The portions are good and the prices reasonable.
Since the bigger restaurant closed in Squatec, we have been eating at the cantine by the gas station.  Which is fine but small and a little cramped.  Resto Chez Lelou is an alternate that is close by.
Jack & Sandi

All this time we were holding your friend back!!!
LOL!
GutZ

I think the hotels are playing with the room reservations.  I originally made this week's reservation back the end of January.  I was told Friday and Saturday night they were booked full.  So we reserved thru Thursday.  Joe JAK had the same issue.
When Joe JAK arrived this past Saturday, he asked if he could extend his stay.  "No problem" was the response from the gentleman at the front desk.  He then asked if my stay could be extended.  Plenty of rooms.
Sandi and I think the hotel(s) allow Trivago and the other internet sites hold blocks of rooms for their sales.  Then whatever rooms are not sold are turned back to the hotel a week or so before the date.
Jack & Sandi

We heard it was on trail 85 in St Honore.  Poor guy.  It was the first time he was leading the pack.   He was so far ahead of the other guys, they were able to make believe they didn't know the him.
Jack & Sandi

I think the hotels are playing with the room reservations.  I originally made this week's reservation back the end of January.  I was told Friday and Saturday night they were booked full.  So we reserved thru Thursday.  Joe JAK had the same issue.
When Joe JAK arrived this past Saturday, he asked if he could extend his stay.  "No problem" was the response from the gentleman at the front desk.  He then asked if my stay could be extended.  Plenty of rooms.
Sandi and I think the hotel(s) allow Trivago and the other internet sites hold blocks of rooms for their sales.  Then whatever rooms are not sold are turned back to the hotel a week or so before the date.
Jack & Sandi

I think the hotels are playing with the room reservations.  I originally made this week's reservation back the end of January.  I was told Friday and Saturday night they were booked full.  So we reserved thru Thursday.  Joe JAK had the same issue.
When Joe JAK arrived this past Saturday, he asked if he could extend his stay.  "No problem" was the response from the gentleman at the front desk.  He then asked if my stay could be extended.  Plenty of rooms.
Sandi and I think the hotel(s) allow Trivago and the other internet sites hold blocks of rooms for their sales.  Then whatever rooms are not sold are turned back to the hotel a week or so before the date.
Jack & Sandi

Hi Jim & Gemma,
As always, very nice pics.  We are at RDL this week and the lot is full of trailers but not many snowmobilers.  I think most of them are at Gaspe.  Enjoy the ride.  The trails look beautiful.
Jack & Sandi

Hi Jim & Gemma,
As always, very nice pics.  We are at RDL this week and the lot is full of trailers but not many snowmobilers.  I think most of them are at Gaspe.  Enjoy the ride.  The trails look beautiful.
Jack & Sandi

The quick report (rushed)
Monday Matane to Riviere au Renard
Mixed trails on the way.
Trails out pretty good. Then like other  people posted around Cap Chat - Sainte Ann not great. Starting Madeleine Center fresh groomed all the way! We passed 4 groomers last night.
 
 

Update:  When we returned yesterday afternoon from our beautiful ride, the PetroCan was open.  We gassed up there last night.  Back to normal.
St Bruno doesn't have gas.  The store is open the pumps have a paper sign on them.  The lady inside doesn't speak any English.  All I could get was "No Gaz."
The trails are in top shape right now.  Terrific base, smooth with a little little snow on top.  Absolutely perfect!   http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_drinks.gif
Jack & Sandi

Update:  When we returned yesterday afternoon from our beautiful ride, the PetroCan was open.  We gassed up there last night.  Back to normal.
St Bruno doesn't have gas.  The store is open the pumps have a paper sign on them.  The lady inside doesn't speak any English.  All I could get was "No Gaz."
The trails are in top shape right now.  Terrific base, smooth with a little little snow on top.  Absolutely perfect!   http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_drinks.gif
Jack & Sandi

Update:  When we returned yesterday afternoon from our beautiful ride, the PetroCan was open.  We gassed up there last night.  Back to normal.
St Bruno doesn't have gas.  The store is open the pumps have a paper sign on them.  The lady inside doesn't speak any English.  All I could get was "No Gaz."
The trails are in top shape right now.  Terrific base, smooth with a little little snow on top.  Absolutely perfect!   http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_drinks.gif
Jack & Sandi

We heard it was on trail 85 in St Honore.  Poor guy.  It was the first time he was leading the pack.   He was so far ahead of the other guys, they were able to make believe they didn't know the him.
Jack & Sandi

Update:  When we returned yesterday afternoon from our beautiful ride, the PetroCan was open.  We gassed up there last night.  Back to normal.
St Bruno doesn't have gas.  The store is open the pumps have a paper sign on them.  The lady inside doesn't speak any English.  All I could get was "No Gaz."
The trails are in top shape right now.  Terrific base, smooth with a little little snow on top.  Absolutely perfect!   http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_drinks.gif
Jack & Sandi