Je me souviens

Day 6 final day 230 miles. Headed out over to LaSarre this morning the first 35-40 miles was pure white carpet the type of thing snowmobilers dream about with the fresh snow from last night the sun coming out, and the snow covered trees made for an unforgettable ride. Did a couple of the loop trials north of LaSarre all of which are totally awesome then headed over to La Reine which is right on the Quebec/ Ontario border you get there by running about 10 miles of rail bed, which again was pure white carpet. At the end of the rail bad we ventured into Ontario for a bit via the same rail bed which is unmaintained into Ontario side but still a fun Boondocking experience. Then made our way back to Amos via TQ 93. Another epic day to finish out an epic riding week. Anyone who wasn’t up here missed out on some amazing conditions. Hard to believe the weather for the next 48 hours which looks downright horrible Hopefully this area makes it though. I hope everyone enjoyed following along, and I just made a few people jealous along the way! 

I was thinking about Lac Moreau, I had forgotten about Trout lake.  They were kinda ball busters too, but it was a sweet place.
Funny story.  About ten years ago we stopped and ate there not knowing they mostly cater to reservations with full package only, so it wasn’t cheap and the food was pretty bad.  As we left I asked about gas.  It was waaaaayyyyy over priced, and I mentioned it, but needed it so we paid….So off we go back to the trucks.  Long story short we went the wrong way for about an hour before realizing the mistake we had made.  So we ended up back at his gas pump for another round a couple hours latter.  The guy laughed a little when he said that I liked his gas so much I came back for more…lesson learned, never run your lips to the guy with the gas, no matter how bad he gouges you.

Hi Mike.  Glad to hear the trip wasn't a washout.  The FCMQ map showed some riding where you found it but limited or closed west of RDL.  What a short season.
Jack & Sandi

Day 5: gonna end the trip with 2 short days instead of 1 big one. Today we rode from PALC to Valga. Took 5 all the way to Albertville. Trails pretty thin near the towns. Should have took the orange trail to avoid Causapscal. Also really thin around St. Marguerite and Albertville. Continued on 5 to 587 to St. Irene, much better here. Had lunch at the Ski Hill then went up and checked out the lookout tower up near the Radar. Looks like winter up there but not like a normal one. Continued through the mountains on 587 to 579 and into Valga for the night. Early day, a little too early really 😂😂 150 miles for the day.

Day 4, Left Pabos, took 5 West and trails are still pretty nice. Not great snow depth but the clubs have done a great job with what they have. Trails were all in pretty good shape until New Richmond. Really thin there and some bare corners but not terrible. Same for Carleton, mostly smooth but thin. The thinnest sections and most bare spots were around Nouvelle. Definitely spring conditions there. The snow started getting better and less bare spots and snirt as we headed West. In PALC tonight.

Decided Friday afternoon to roll the dice and head to the Gaspe. 2 hours from our launch point of RDL. Will make tracks tomorrow and see what is out there. Crappy year gonna take the gamble. As much as we hate to waste time on the ferry, if need be we can cross to the North Shore or head down to Moose Valley. Time will tell

Day 6, last day left Valga and doubled back south to 5. When we get to 35 we take that, some of the trails around Rimouski are showing red again and since we took 5 on the way out we will try and stay more inland. Stay on 35 to the 546 cutoff and take that, it’s in really nice shape. Local traffic is starting to pick up now but everyone is acting nicely. We take the 571 when we hit it then the 544 into St. Cyprien and have a good lunch at the St. Cyp. Continue on the 544 to the Orange local, think it is 44 but not positive and take that to 85. 85 still in good shape and covered well but icy. After the Adventiers clubhouse things get pretty bad. Mostly dirt and gravel with a little snow here and there to the 526. The 526 is no better and pretty much no snow the last 2 or 3 miles into the Universal. We had a great trip, the clubs are all out doing their best and trails are mostly good. All towns are bone dry getting in and out, even Murdochville is dry blacktop at the gas station. Many areas WILL NOT survive the warm up and rain this week. It will take a good dump of snow after Wednesday to open it all back up. 142 miles for the day 1050 for the week

Drag strips-anyone around?

Great trip you guys are having! Abitibi Temiscamingue is by far my favorite snowmobiling area in Quebec. TQ93 between Amos & Senneterre is on the list of best trails in Quebec. 

Trails look amazing 👌

Day 4: 298 total miles epic day! More amazing riding cold nights and days really make excellent trails! 90% of the trails today were 9.5/10 just simply awesome! Today ride took us from Amos over to Seneterre then up to Quévillon the the trail between the two places which is TQ93 might be one of the best stretches of trail I’ve ever ridden in Quebec! After lunch in Quévillon back down 93 to Seneterre then continuing south to Lac Simon for fuel. After that we did a loop north of Val’dor to take us back into Amos! 

Internet really wonky with this many people here 
 
 
 

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Ran cross lots from Gouin to pourvoirie La Dore (iceman's oasis)  about a hundred miles each way for lunch  . Snowing almost all day with the temperature dropping 30°f during the day  . Wicked windy as noted in another post . 
So yes  , Back at Barrage Gouin for tonight.  Full house of 27 riders here ..  Jonny say first time this season full for them  ! 

Yeah WIFI was great 😏 34F at the start of the day and 10F at the end and getting colder by the minute! 

Next time I need to listen to you.   Did you need your spare gas often on those high speed trails?  I think my 600R would be out at the 100 mile mark.
mike
 

Day3: 254 total miles. The temperature dropped like a rock last night making for excellent trails all day lost count of all the groomers I passed trails are on tip top shape here! Was a very cold day high of only 3 or so but that makes for the best conditions! Todays ride took us south of Amos to Malartic to top off fuel then over to Rouyn then up to La Sarre then back over to Amos to complete the loop all trails were excellent! Anyone who’s not up here is missing out big time. Some pictures from the day enjoy!
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Hey Chris,
We have the same plan of heading up there on March 4. Today’s warm-up and then the warm up and heavy rain for next Wednesday-Thursday have me concerned for sure. I hope the forecast changes. Be nice for a big nor’easter instead!

Day 5 Friday 
 
Woke at Pouvoirie La Dore. I like it here. Snowing again. Not super cold as my gatorade aint frozen on porch. It’s cold thought This will hold me over until getting some coffee. Boys are stirring around looking like the warm has lost the battle this go round. Wind picking up still snowing on and off. Enjoyed talking for a long time with Stephane last night. Quite interesting as I learned alot we all did asking hunting and fishing questions trying to get an understanding on how they do it all year. Great place and super hosts. Go and stay they have one big chalet with four bedrooms 
So 8 singje beds max, only chalet insulated for clients thus winter. Next year probably 1 more. But this will remain an intimate place. More personal to stay here. For lunch they have been doing well. Many clients. They make their living May to November. 
Like i said before there is just something about this place. 
Stephane met us after a great breakfast and we took a ride out and up the lake and back. He took us out the back over the bridge and showed us the way to join up with the local orange trail branche ouest. Interesting.  But not as fast as the TQ93. 
He showed us another nine mile loop around the lake by the lodge. This has Team VT written all over it as he said no problem go and explore, their are trails everywhere. We had to say goodbye for now and bailed out the backdoor to La Dore. Still snowing on and off temps already noticeably colder, wind is biting. TQ93 to Gas n go La Dore. 
Trail mint. Been 95% all week. Very little traffic. This being the “Tour to nowhere” we got nowhere to go to. All day to do it. Now those of you that pay attention know what is next……if you guessed trail bingo = winning. 👍
 
Stayed in the sweet spot. All around above lake. St Felicien to Dolbeau. To 373 then back across 373 searching for red sticks with wind howling in the fields. One of those days you think about where to stop for a break and finding somewhere tucked in the trees to block that wind. Temperature has plummeted and with wind not great for the hands being out of the gloves too long. Only real rough spot few KM between middle orange trail and TQ93 up near Lac a Jim. Everything else very nice. Likey likey. 
 
Bingo card full it’s time for early happy hour. Into Girardville. Happy campers. 
 

Out over this bridge  ?

Slid out the back this morning

Friday 
BINGO 
tour to nowhere continues in the honey hole.