PISTON LAKE CRUISER

I'm not sure I'd want to negotiate those stair steps going up after Happy Hours or down with a hangover!

I wonder why it's closed. There must be a safety issue involved.

It appears that the vertical pieces (and most others) are trail stakes. They obviously had to reduce the weight allowed to go over the bridge so they used what they had available to get the job done quickly. Who cares what the temporary fix looks like if it accomplishes the end goal. The trail is open and now there is some time to plan a permanent fix this summer.

You will be golden Zrtcat! Have a great time.

I figured that so that is why I suggested the 2 side trips to get you some miles. If you did what I suggested it would be a decent day to ride from Lebel sur Quevillon up to Mattagami then Amos then pick one of about 3-4 ways to get to the Forestel.

I don't believe there is much in Mattagami since the Hotel burnt 2-3 years ago. There is a very small motel called Motel Caribou. I was told that it is usually full with people working in the area. There is also one bed and breakfast called The Gite De La Belle Rivière. There is one small restaurant in town I think. If you are coming from Chibougamau that day you might consider riding up to Mistissini (northeast of Chibougamau) and back or riding up to Opemiska and back from Chapais then stay in Lebel sur Quevillon at the Motel Du Lac. Then ride up through Mattagami the following day. JMHO

At the present time, #83 is closed for an 82 mile stretch from Wemotaci to Relais 22. The thread (post) I referred to is right above your post from last night. Maybe someone who is more familiar with the issue will chime in here with more details on the closure. The thing is if you get through that one you have another one to deal with on 93 on the way to Chibougamau at present.

You better do some checking Jeff. Trail 93 between LaDore and Chibougamau has a big portion closed due to a bridge that was deemed unsafe. The closure is about 75 miles long. They are still grooming to the closure from both ends so there is some thinking that it won't be closed too long. Have a look at the TQ93 thread. Also there is an issue on trail 83 from Wemotaci to Relais 22 Milles. Its about 82 miles long. See thread 82/93/2025.

I can't speak for Quebec rules on closed trails but in Ontario there is no requirement for Closed signs on the trail that is affected. Th online map is the legal source and riders are expected to use it for current availability. Afew years ago the OFSC told us not to use Trail Closed signs.

Try clicking on the number waypoint. It will expand and show food / fuel / motel icons then you can click on each one for more info.

If you read all the comments about tthe new online map it appears you can't trust what it shows. Riding through closed trails is Trespassing and I'm pretty sure the Surete would not take kindly to it and in Quebec they don't seem interested in giving you any break at all on charges. I was told however that if it had closed while you are riding through they will not charge you. In this case its 120 km. of closed trail with highway crossing and trail close to the highway in places making it easy pickings for a up to $450.00 fine + Contribution $.

Like having the GPS turned on in the Groomer??

I've only been up it once. I remember it was wide road running on 43 to 386 but 386 was windy and as I remember had quite a bit of 1 groomer width trail. I don't remember much road trail till we got up close to the top I'm thinking it was likely 2017 or 2018 we did that trip from Mattawa up 386 to Verendrye to Lac faillon, Mattagami and the Abitibi then back through Temiscaming to Mattawa.

We rode from Joachims up to Pavillon La Verendrye a couple of years before Covid. I have it written down that it was 172 KM. from the gas station in Rapide de Joachims. Its good road riding up 43 to 386 and 386 is what we call a "work for your miles trail".

Someone who owns the land the trail goes across has has an issue with the trail or its users. It could be any number of things but most often around our area it is entitled sledders who feel it is their right to go where they want to when they want to and either are on a closed trail or are off trail riding on private property. If their issue isn't being dealt with to their satisfaction, they really have no other option than to refuse passage .

Thank you to all the Volunteers who put so many hours into trail and administrative work!

Having been involved with a grooming Association in Ontario for over a decade years ago, I can understand why they wouldn't want to publish realtime groomer activity. Groomed trails require a minimum under ideal conditions of 2 hours to set up. If they don't get the opportunity to set up the first sleds that go over it can easily undo much of what the groomer accomplished.

I really don't like how tough it is to bring up a town name if you can even find it. The base map sucks. JMHO

Plan we always used if we couldn't get in a locked compound was to park with the trailer backed into a snowbank and pull the ignition relay from the fuse panel under the hood. Maybe we were just lucky but we never had an issue in over 30 years of saddlebag trips.

You are correct. Either can be searched out and downloaded. I have no problem with this site using Chrome on my laptop.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the Quebec Riders out there! May all your trails be white and smooth!

Just think about how Canadian riders from outside and even inside Quebec feel about it with no $ exchange to enjoy.

If the traffic is bad coming into Montreal from the east on 20, you might want to consider dropping south on the Trans Canada through the tunnel from #40 and taking the A15/A30 west which would bring you back up to #20 west of Montreal. It is about 20 miles longer than continuing through the city on #20 & there is a toll of $3.90 Canadian on A30 but if the city traffic is mid day busy its faster. I just saw now Pierre's post above. A tunnel closure would defeat my idea to save time.

Check out the picture on their home page. There are vehicles with sled trailers at one of the cottages. https://www.aubergedu31.com/

That's exactly what I was thinking. To stock food and other supplies for such a short period makes it hard to make enough profit in 2 weeks to bbe worthwhile.