Scranton1

Thanks for all of the responses.  We are humbled to be able to give you something to smile about.
This morning we get up to a brisk -25C.  A little slow getting started today.  Our first ride of the season. 
No heated snowmobile tents, fire, like last year.  I bring the sleds over to the room and let them warm up for a few minutes and then shut them off while we get ready.
Sandi, does the Tekvest go under the bib or on top?  Where is the cord for my heated shield?  They should mark these boots left and right.  How come I forget how to get dressed each December!
I'm finally ready, go out and go to start Sandi's 1200.  I push the button and nothing!  What is up with this it was just running 5 minutes ago.  I try my tether, nothing.  Kill switch up, tether in and I'm pushing the right button.  Now it is turning over but won't start!  I take the Garmin out of the cradle and try it again.  Voom.  It starts up.  I put the Garmin back in the cradle and the sled keeps running.  This is bizarre.  Fast forward - Sandi had to pull the Garmin a few times this morning and then in the afternoon she didn't have to take the Garmin out.  What a crazy thing this is.
I don't have to tell Sandi to go first.  She is already gone.  We take off heading for the two bridges to get on the north side of the Saguenay River.  Good riding.  Plenty of snow and the groomers have been out doing their thing.  We turn right on local 134.  A couple of miles in where the trail crosses the bridge with the road and Pickle Park is straight ahead, the trail no longer runs the road.  Now the trail takes a hard right.  It  runs thru the fields and comes back to the road just before the lookout tower.  Here the trail goes up to the lookout tower instead of staying on the road.  It meanders back and forth but doesn't use the old road anymore.  Once we get a few miles out, the new trail  does join back up with the old trail.  Easy enough to follow just that the new trail wanders around a bit.
We turn right on 93, go thru St Honore and buzz up to Le Passion to top off the tanks.  A quick u-turn and back to Bras Louie for a quick run to local 477.  We are off to Onatchiway for lunch.  
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The trails are great and the trees are covered with the fluffy snow.  We haven't seen much traffic on the trails but there sure is a crowd at Onatchiway.  A table for two please.  What a nice morning.
After lunch we take 476 running along the side of Lac La Mothe.  This was recently groomed and Sandi loves it.  At 328 we turn right, a few miles later we turn left onto 134.  this has a few drifts as normal but the trail is in pretty good shape.  We still don't see much traffic other than the six sleds parked on the blind corner.  Come on guys.  Leave one sled so it can be seen from a distance.
We are early so we run over to Spence SkiDoo.  Sandi needs another cord for her heated shield and a little anti-freeze for the sled.  I guess I was lucky this morning by grabbing the good cord.  We finish the day going back thru Jonquiere to Chicoutimi.
Everything is frozen solid and the trails have a great base.  Really, really nice December riding.
Tomorrow may be a Milot day.  Until then, start packing your snowmobile stuff for some fantastic trails.
Jack & Sandi

Another summer has come and gone.  Now it is snowmobile season.  Yea! 
Five feet of snow in PA was tempting but we already have reservations at the Sagueneenne.
Sandi and I drove up today.  Snow on the ground from home in CT to Lac St Jean.  It hasn't been this way in many years.  The roads are clean.
We stop at Motel Berniers in St Nicolas to check out the renovations.  The new Normandin restaurant is complete in the big parking lot across from where the old restaurant / motel originally stood.  The original part of Berniers, the restaurants and the "L" part of the motel are gone.  The new part of the motel that was put up a few years ago still stands.  The motel is closed during the renovations.  No riding out of here this season.  The trail head for trail 75 is also gone.  The 75 now ends where it crosses the road about 1/4 of a mile from Berniers.  There isn't any signage for the transport to Colibri.  We didn't ask in the Normandin.  Anyone wanting to transport should call ahead.  If anyone know the status of the transport to Colibri, please post.
We continue on up thru the park.  The road is a little icy around L'Etape.  We get into the Sag.  A few rigs here and plenty of snow.  As we are unloading, the sledders are coming back in from their day's ride.  We met two couples at supper, one from MA and one from Ontario.  They said the trails are in great shape and very little traffic.
Tomorrow is our first day of riding.  Not sure where yet.  We will post tomorrow.
Jack & Sandi
 

I asked the admin to delete my post regarding accidents.  I put that post on for one reason and one reason only with the hope that one QuebecRider will read it and think twice before having a drink and riding or not riding hard right or riding beyond your ability.
I do not chase ambulances I simply follow a number of news sites and snowmobile clubs on FB and it is hard not to see stories on an almost daily basis about tragedies in our beloved sport.
I love snowmobiling and I know you all do as well. I have met a lot of QuebecRiders and I consider many of you true friends. When I go on a saddlebag trip  I think of the other riders as my brothers and I want everyone to have a great ride and come home safely.
I have  a saying that I always say to new riders "Ride your own ride" . What I mean is ride within your limits and ride safe! If I am ahead I will not leave you and you will find me waiting at the next intersection for you and if you don't show up in a couple of minutes I will be back to look for you.
So with that being said have a great winter everyone and be safe!
 
Andy
Pic was last Wednesday northern NB.
LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS YOU WILL NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM ALL YOURSELF!

Shannon and I followed in Dave and Eddie's footsteps for our first foray of the season.  St Ray to Alma and back.  Midwinter conditions in the parc des Laurentides.  New steed ran well, or so she tells me. A little chilly this morning. 20 below. The river had some serious snow mist coming off it this morning.  I missed that photo op.  Stay on the right and enjoy the season.  
 

bonsoir !!!
 
back from grooming tq 5 + 1 local trail !!!
-15c when i started at 6 am ...and -16c right now...windy all day ...but no damages....drifts...only 2 local tourists on the trail ..
bad day for pics...day to fall asleep and take a ride in the rhubarb...grey sky most of the time !!!
 
jean-guy

Rode 120 miles yesterday and 212 today. The season has definitely opened early!!.. 63 from St. Michelle to Cabanon was about an 8,  33 to 360 to Hotel Marineau 7-9. M 20 a ten.
NOTICE!   33 North of St Michael where 360 starts , is still being logged according to owner of Cabanon. The loggers were supposed to be out two weeks ago.
ALSO  350 from Le Glaciers to 23  is closed due to flooding and washout. It is not marked, no signs saying it is closed until you are almost to 23 about 4 miles in.
Temps were mid January 0 to 10 deg. F, trails were well covered and groomed, hard pack with only a couple of water holes.
Thanks Mother Nature
Jeff

Breaking news.,, it is over 
RoadRunner is our winner.
congrats and thanks to all who took part.
RR pm me your address please.
 
woke up to the Mrs. telling me she saw it pass and it is confirmed.

Not Quebec, but my 9 year old got to warm up the 300 Twin Enticer                                                             

Looks nice!!
It's not Quebec, but we Took Mini-GutZ out in fields up at the farm over the weekend on his Kitty Kat, he loved it!
GutZ

We rode on opening day. Dec 16 in Vermont.  Some nicely groomed, some breaking trail and some rough but passable areas.  All in all... a great 110 miles.  Here are some pics....

On Sunday we noticed that 23 was freshly groomed So we decide to take the same trail for our early-morning quick ride we rode  35 miles and turned around did not see one sled on the way out we counted 53 sleds on the way back In the truck at 11:30 back home at 7:30 last night

bonsoir  jack and sandy !!!
 
great thx...thats our paycheck when someone say thank you !!!
...and you re right...only local traffic right now....and with the job i did yesterday ....no problem...very passable with a good  width !!!
back from grooming 3 local trails...cloudy all day...windy ...- 11 c !!!
im taking a break tomorow...start cleaning tuesday around town 
 
jean-guy

Trail 23 north to relais mt Apica and back to Roquemont st Ramond  trails were good in the am but a little ruff  the last 20 miles back Great early season riding Lots of mountain sleds 250 miles for the day
sorry for lac of photos battery very low 
more pics tomorrow 

It was our season opener yesterday Saturday December 16 2017, in fact it was Snowcruiser's and mine because Krikri was still on a trip outside the country and I had to manage myself to get some pictures! I do not have her talent and I do not stop often for pics so it's the gopro who did the job, a bit less good but not bad at all.
We went to have a lunch at Koubec through the Mastigouche wildlife reserve, which gave us a bit more than 120 miles round trip


So we started our ride from l'auberge La Glacière. I was first thinking to start on the #350 toward east but an unfrozen savannah delay the grooming there so the 5 miles on the #350 between la Glaciere and the #23 trail junction was not groomed yet (with the current cold it should be done soon). It was not block for snowmobile but without grooming looks more like an hare trail than a snowmobile one so we took the #63 to the village of St-Zénon



It was the first grooming pass so not perfect but very correct for an early season. Got some toc tocs under the skis in the big hills



North of the St-Zénon village conditions were already better, very good for an early season





The spruce section still on #63 trail to Cabanon



We stopped to fuel up  at l'auberge le Cabanon before continuing toward Mastigouche wildlife reserve


The 4 dozers at rest in the morning were gone at work when we went back at the end of the day



The #23/#345 north was in full winter condition. The trail base was made since late November/early December and hardened with the thaws. With the new snow added it's like the icing on the cake, really nice and fast





Here a very nice shot




8 miles from Le Cabanon we took #23 east in the Mastigouche wildlife reserve




Beautiful trail in full winter conditions,  10/10


 
The whole #23 north section was a treat, very beautiful and fast



To go to Koubec we had to take the #345 south, the trail number signs are there but not the directions signs, even we used to the area we had a doubt and took a look at the map to confirmed because there was no Koubec indication yet at this intersection.



Also very nice and snowy





We stopped to have a good lunch break at the Pourvoirie Mastigouche better known as Koubec place



This site is a real historical gem,  this outfitter building built in the 1800s is really unique, to see and see again



I had originally planned a loop to return to the Cabanon via trails #350 and#23 but even if we had good comments on those trails , the one we had just done was so beautiful that it was unbeatable so we decided to do it again ... just too good!



Here, back at #23 junction



The #23 was just as beautiful on the way back





We crossed some sledders  but not crowed at all





We took a break at the #345 junction to go either to theCabanon or the Mattawin Dam/Bridge. During our break 2 dozers started their run, this one that was going to groom the #23 we had just done.



And this one that went straight to go to the Taureau dam or Mattawin River Bridge


So we continued on the a freshly groomed trail



Very nice. Being just groom we did not seen it but other sledders told us that some curves began to be icy under traffic effect in this section earlier



Back to le Cabanon



Even the #63 to St-Zenon village had just been groomed too



We passed the Dozer just before the road section before the village



As expected the last strech was not as good but fine and with a few dozerpasses  it will help a lot. We were back to La Glacière around 5pm with a 124 miles on the dreammeter.

So a first relax ride for us, a beautiful day with conditions that have far exceeded what we expected for a season beginning with more than 2/3 of the trip in full winter conditions almost perfect. Those who did Cabanon/Marineau toward Mauricie side report as good conditions there too .There is definitely very good sledding to do in this area!
The trail network actually change and progress quickly  so take a look on the trail conditions site often to know the last developpements:  https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Alain

Looking to break in a couple of new sleds a few of the Vermont team members made a one day run from la glaciere to Matawin and back . Conditions were better than expected plenty cold at -9°f ! The 63 between Zenon and Cabanon had a few "baked potatoes" in the trail to watch for , but other than that 👍. Trail 350 across the road from la Glaciere isn't open yet because of water over the trail . The old trail to the dam is all groomed , a little grow in from a few years of sitting idle but nice to have it back as a option . sounds like the 345 to Repo should be open a in week or so after the logging operations finish up .   all in all a great way to start the season . 

arrived at Saint Raymond around 1 o’clock check-in unloaded sleds Trail 23 to trail 73 took local trail SR3 Taking trail 23 tomorrow up to the lake halfway and had to turn around  back to Saint Raymond Taking trail 23 tomorrow up to the lake

Last year Dec 21 - 23, 23 up to LSJ, was quite nice. 
 

hi all !!!
 
bienvenue !!! 
thats why back then they had big ,they were working with heavy chainsaw...axes...etc
the big belly ...was the beer of the weekends...hahaha
 
steven... a bit of respect for the elderly !!!...ahaha
 
pics of cap chat ....house on the beach ...and the mountain in the middle of pic...sea on the left 
car down the bridge....looks like a member was scouting tq 5 at st fidele cb !!!
carleton ...with church and mountains........gaspé ...car near water and the one with a set of chains + bridge across bay !!!
grande vallée...tractor pulling sleights with woods...and the horse right side of pic.
riviere au renard...'' bull '' pulling sleight...car on the right side of the road...going up hill
road going up the valley ..somewhere between percé and gaspé.....railroad by the river...west side of matapedia
lac aux americains....gaspesie park....at the beginning of 1900 !!!....gros morne car under the cliff..woman with snowshoes...don t know
crane on the railroad...next where i took my pics ..sunday 
road with fences on both side...st alexis....back in the 70's...average 3 sleds per house there...ski doo dealer there !!!
ste anne des monts with rough sea and st octave with the depanneur on the left side ...
gaspe canoe on the river...at the '' forks '' in town...auberge on the left !!!
 
jean-guy

hi all !!!
 
for the connaisseurs of the gaspesie !!!
found these old pics this morning !!!
 
cross point ...campbellton...percé ....my town...st octave....msp .....ste anne des monts...riviere au renard and murdochville !!!
i read that the obelisk on the percé rock (the last one ) fell down in 1951 
it is written that back in 1603 , samuel de champlain was already  talking about the percé rock !!!
 
jean-guy

good morning jg !!!
 
no mosquitoes in sight this morning .....-22c and blue sky !!!
without paying much attention , i saw snow for the gaspesie on the news ,for tonight or tomorrow!!! 
met a friend at the grocery yesterday...12-14 '' of snow at the lake !!!
hope to start before christmas !!! vroooooooooooomm !!!..aahhaa
 
jean-guy

just for fun !!!
an extra 2 '' since 4 pm !!!
 
 
jean-guy

an extra 3 '' in town !!!
 
sunny....-8c !!!
 
jean-guy

We rode back to Forestville with Johnny 24 wide today , some goat trail riding and a few bog crossings, but it is also good to report that we saw Forestville and Escoumin out and grooming. The Pelchat trail is  groomed and connected to Mt Valin.  So a mini saddlebag trip would be possible and enjoyable. Our trip ended today, we were very fortunate to end up with 1660 Miles on our sleds.
A great start to our snowmobile season.
 
see you on the snow soon
RR

Congrats 
another thing that makes riding so great.
the anticipation of new iron.🍻

When saddlebagging, brining gas is a necessity in my opinion.
 
Regardless of how much you plan your gas stops you may need it.
i.e. Heavy fresh snow kills mpg,  towing a breakdown (minimal mpg),  wrong turn, reroute cuz of forestry etc
expect the unexpected