PISTON LAKE CRUISER

Absolutely nothing however that is not likely to happen as most landowners realize the trails are put in by not for profit volunteer clubs. The other Zecs would likely get on board first I would think. Personally I think the best way to fight this is just stay away from Zec Martin Valin. The managing group won't want to pay for fee collectors if the money coming in is less than the cost of collecting it. It will hurt the businesses in the Zec during that period.

Wow! Am I reading your post correctly Jeff? Roberval to Val D OR via Chibougamau in one day? If so that's a big 450 mile day. You guys are truly high milers! I guess that comes with your past profession LOL.

FCMQ has no real control over this fee but may get involved only because of where this could lead. At this point it is only in one small area of Quebec so punishing the FCMQ will only hurt you and the Zec Martin Valin won't even know you are upset. Unless you are going to quit sledding in Quebec, you'd end up spending more on a couple of 7 day permits than an early annual. I wonder what will happen to riders that just don't stop for the Zec Gustapo?? Sounds to me like they are similar to your local bylaw officer.

I'm going to go with they see it as another source of income. They are probably stretched pretty much the same as the majority of similar not for profit organizations in Canada are.

Try this link. It shows a map that gives a pretty good idea of the size and boundaries in relation to the river and towns: https://store.avenza.com/products/zec-martin-valin-2022-zecs-quebec-map

I take the pledge.

Very strange that your thread and post are dated Monday 9:58 AM and yet just showed up for us to read on Thursday afternoon.

Ontario uses a similar setup to Quebec and in Ontario it is up to the individual clubs to GPS their trails and trail changes. Sometimes it has seemed to be a cluster to get those new tracks to show up on the online map. That said, it seems to be getting a bit better in Ontario. I'm sure it is somewhat dependent on how techy the club volunteer doing the work is,

The online Quebec trail map will give you the current trail info that you need including when it has been groomed last.

Agreed. The majority of scenic view sledding pics you see from Gaspe are taken along that stretch.

The one shown on your post is at Marina Chibougamau and has normally been closed in the winter. The one being discussed is the gas stop that was open until 3 years ago at a sawmill about 85 miles further south on 93.

We ride the same type of day that you are planning but without the newish rider. Assuming you don't run into bad storms when you are on your ride, 5-6 days will work pretty well if you start around Riviere Du Loup. Depending on where you want to stay, you may have a longer or shorter day to accommodate that. The north shore east of Matane has 7-8 mountains to ride over and is where some of the best scenery is so the ride is a bit slower and plan some time for more scenic stops. It also has fewer places to stay and eat so plan accordingly. This past summer some normally open motels and restaurants said they would be closed this winter due to labour shortages or other issues so this season will be different from that prospective. On the north side especially, it can be a few kilometer ride off trail 5 to get to the shoreline villages for fuel so make sure to fuel when you have lunch or when fuel is close. Personally, after riding Gaspe multiple times, I prefer to spend our time on the north/east and interior of Gaspe. Don't miss the ride up trail 597 to Murdockville or the local trail west from Murdockville to La Cache then 595 north to trail 5. The Copper Hotel in Murdockville has a neat snowmobile museum in the basement and pretty good food. The area south of Amqui is nice and trail 587 is quite scenic. The Quebec online trail map works well for planning a trip although it takes a while to get used to it and find the features available. Hope you have a great time.

When you are looking for 2 rooms with 2 beds in each (assumption LOL) and especially going in a busier part of the season, I would be making reservations ahead. On the north shore many places are villages as opposed to towns so limited facilities. Some places with restaurants don't stay open very late for meal service. The other issue mentioned on various forums last summer and fall was that some hotel/motels and restaurants were not going to open this sled season due to things like labour shortages.

I'm thinking it came down from the flight rear end first but not a perfect landing. On further review, the scratches on the edge of the tunnel may indicate an unwanted visitor came in the back door.

Merry Christmas to all QR members and their families!

It's 2 days over to Roberval and 2 days back so with the 2 days needed to/from Temiskaming that would fill 6 days. For the extra day there's lots of nice trails around Lac St. Jean or you could easily spend a day on the trails north and west of Val D Or. You could go up around Amos from Val D or and over to La Sarre (the trails north of La Sarre are a great ride) and end the day in Rouyn-Noranda at the Quality Inn. That would leave you a good last day down to Temiskaming from Rouyn-Noranda. I envy you doing this trip!

If you are going to do your loop counter clockwise from Val D Or Jeff and you want to be in Roberval in 2 days then the best choice for an even break would be to stay in Parent. That would give you about 250 miles a day both days. In Parent there is Hotel Parent. It apparently is staying busy with out of area workers but maybe somebody more familiar with it these days could chime in. I there had read one time that there was one or two other spots in or close to Parent as well.

I noticed this today in an article promoting snowmobiling in Quebec: Shuttle services are available to transport snowmobilers between Forestville and Baie-Comeau and between Sept-Îles and Sheldrake. Consult our Northern Trail itinerary for more information. For more information: Between Forestville and Baie-Comeau Petro-Canada - Migneault Service J.M.Y. inc., 418 567-4211 / 418 297-5503 Mécanique D.A.I., 418 587-1333 Between Sept-Îles and Sheldrake In Sept-Îles: Remorquage FG 24/24, 418-965-0171 In Rivière-au-Tonnerre: Garage Remorquage Poulin, 418-465-2920 (reserve at least two days in advance)

Read Iceman's and Andyman's posts above.

Book Lac Faillon early if you want to stay there. They fill up quick.

Instead of going into Val D Or, as a suggestion, consider heading east from Senneterre on 83 to Pourvoirie du Lac Failllon. It's an awesome spot. Very clean, food is great and fuel on site. It would make it a 293 mile day BUT the first 161 miles to Lebel Sur Quevillon will go by very very quickly. That would also give you a couple of hours extra the following day in case you have an issue in the remote area.

Are you aware there is no fuel between La Dore and Chibougamau (234 km.)

That's to bad, I sure like that trail.

I was just thinking that this morning.

No restaurant at Rodeway. Eskers or Amosphere have restaurants but Amosphere restaurant isn't open Sunday night.