vt_bluyamaha54

Thursday March 10 Temps dropped as predicted and were indeed in the low 20s this morning. Destination today was Onachway for lunch with some exploring. After Wednesday's rain we weren't sure what shape the trails would be in. For the most part, it was almost as if it hadn't rained. Some puddling near road crossings within 6mi of the Delta but trails had no standing water! This is what you need to maintain good trails . Lynx at Onatchiwy - one of many stuffed critters The cave at Reservoir la Mothe One of 3 dog sled teams that passed by

After looking over the remains Tuesday, that was my guess. The cab area had more heat damage than anywhere else and the hood/engine still had paint.

Wednesday March 9 We did not ride today. Forecast was for rising temps through the day and going above 40 by early afternoon. Received about 2 inches of wet snow overnight. Rain (Ugh) to begin in the early afternoon. It started raining about 3PM and is switching between light to moderate as of 4PM. Temps are supposed to drop later tonight and be back to low 20s AM (I knew we were in trouble when I started seeing posts yesterday from Val Dor reporting rain)

I said in another post a couple of years ago that we can posture, say, do whatever but the bottom line is that we are entering THEIR country and if there is a legitimate issue to deny you entry - end of discussion. Some here didn't like that but that is the fact -

Tue March 8 Tour du Lac. Saved about 40m by traveling part of the lake but some of the slush was scary and the snow was real deep! Trails near Roberval and Saint Felicien were off the charts. Started out at 18f, warmed to about 28. Why is the sky so blue in the winter?

A couple more pics from when we passed it today. Drag will be salvageable if they can get pressure to the hydraulics so they can move it.

Yup! We're seeing lots of high banks and partially buried signs this week. Groomer ops really need to open up crossings + be sure signs at crossings are FULLY VISIBLE!

For some reason, they're tightening down. We were asked more questions about a rainbow of subjects than ever before. Probably 2x the normal time to cross at Derby Line Vt last week. Still too bad you drove so far to get turned around.

Monday 3/7 A bit over 2" of new snow overnight and 25 to start. Map shows the trails were touched up overnight after a busy Weekend. 368 to 83 to 383 to L'Anse Saint-Jean for lunch the orange 301 to 83 to 383 back. Snow fell thru mid-morning and visibility was poor even with our heated shields. By.afternoon the temps were above freezing - even with overcast skies. Trails all smooth and fast. The weekend traffic all gone.

Not sure how you had the strength to finish after such a grueling retrieval, the disappointing diagnosis, and the lack of good sleep but thank you for sharing another great trip with the rest of us. Great pics and lots of detail.

Tony + Linda are nice people and run a clean, nice place. When we were there last winter we were the only people there. I hope they are doing OK(?)While there's other restaurants up in town, we've always preferred Pub du Lac.

LaBaie for lunch + check out the ice village Saguenay Fjord

Bill - Scott and I will attend Friday only. Thanks for trying to salvage the Gathering 2016. Ken

Shorts were probably about as brown as that sled! Glad no one was hurt. No plans to recover it?

Call me picky but I don't care to ride when it gets warmer than about -3cThe snow will indeed be here awhile

Never ridden the area before so meeting Ray182, his wife, SaguenayBill, and others. Temps next week may rise way above freezing so we take what comes and hope they are wrong. Perfect day today after a below-zero start. (many no-starts) Milot Truck Stop for lunch

Quite an adventure gents. The whiteout conditions, sink, dig, and sink again make for a very long day. More adventure than I'd want now. We had something similar years ago but we threw in the towel. When day turned to night we still had a ways to get to our beds. We decided to find a sheltered spot, build a fire and hunker down for first light. Called ahead to let them know we wouldn't make it but were OK. A few hours later we see the strobes on the groomer faintly in the distance. By the time we dug the sleds out and turned the groomer around you couldn't see his tracks. I'll never forget that wind! We followed the groomer to his barn, left our sleds there and the operator took us to our truck. Good luck, be safe, and I'll hope the sun comes back out for your return.

A dramatic turn of events/change of conditions in the area. WOW!!

Dear God. This is so awful - and so much worse now that we know how close it is to some of our own. Sincerest condolences to all who are affected but my heart aches so for Dallas's family; especially his wife and children. I do love snowmobiling but things like this make me wonder -

Always enjoy reading your reports and adventures Jim. So sorry to hear your sled let you down. Here's to hoping you can find a way back to your vehicle without too much hassle or expense. UGH - always an adventure but always memorable!

Prayers and sympathy to the families and friends of these fellow snowmobilers. We ride among the trees and rocks - don't ever take that for granted.

Looks like lots of good skinin' Trailblazer. Thanks for sharing. Is that a 1.5gal Tom? One for each side?

It also looks really good when you need fuel!!

Very fortunate the operator is ok. This is a groomer's absolute worst nightmare for sure.

She can't be laying around getting massages + pedicures. There's Grooming to do! Lol