Je me souviens

Here's the ride we did on Sunday February 4, 2023

Here in the fields near my home

We tried the brand new #345 trail path to St-Félix de Valois which had been closed for several years due to a loss of right of way in Notre Dame de Lourdes sector and also in the village of St-Félix de Valois the urbanization had taken over the old route which was no longer possible to use. The new trail connects St-Thomas/Ste-Élisabeth via the east side of #131road to St-Félix.  Here next to Benny in the fork south of St-Félix.

The trail goes around the village of St-Félix on the east side to connect with the old trail north of St-Félix near the small narrow bridge which connects the Guillaume Tell snowmobile club in St-Félix and the St-Gabriel de Brandon Snowmobile club

There is a bit of roadside and shared trail but it is still a great realization for the St-Félix snowmobile club to have succeeded in making this new acces of 15kms to connect south/north... personally I was no longer believed it! I take my hat off to them!
Here on the Black River in St-Jean de Matha near Gero Brp dealer

We went up the #63 trail, passed through Coin Lavigne in St-Côme and went up the #33 trail towards St-Donat. The mountain just before arriving was frosty like I had never seen it


There is a new meal option in St-Donat, a St-Hubert! we had our lunch there, it's just a counter with a small dining room but it was full and we had good, fast service and there's a gaz station just in front to feed the BRPs!

We then took Lake Archambault to go towards the Montagne Noire

In the middle of the lake there was a big puddle of slush with a snowmobile deeply stuck in it... When in doubt, throttle out!

Unfortunately the Black Mountain area was under clouds when we arrived there. The rising trail scenery was heavily painted with snow


Once on the top was just as beautiful, too bad we didn't have the sun

But the gray jays were there as usual


Having still a good run to do to return home we continued towards #33 south

And here on Lake Esterelle

I didn't remember how winding and mountainous the #33 section south of Estérel was, a real roller coaster with a zipper! We felt the snow cover a little thinner when we reached St-Calixte. We took a break in St-Lin to then have our dessert at the driving level with beautiful long fast fields towards the south.
As weird luck would have it, we crossed #125 road just few minutes before a fatal accident occurred there, a snowmobile with 2 people have been hit by a car at the road crossing giving no chance to the 2 sledders, we found this out the next morning in the news. On the ride we just seen the police cars on flashes going up towards St-Esprit on #158 while we were just a few kms away near St-Alexis(next village). From what we read, it was the 3rd sled of a group of 4 and some people told the icy trail approach to the road may had contribute to the accident. The 2 peoples were a couple that now leave a 9 years old child orphaned. Road crossing are no joke guys, be double careful when you cross them... this kind of impact rarely forgive.... Sympathies to the affected families and friends
We were finally back home at 7:30 p.m. with 359km on the dreameter. It's ultimately a pretty big ride, not just in terms of mileage but also several winding, less rolling trail sections. We left at 8:30 in the morning and did a good ride. Good conditions overall with the cold we had during the night before and the majority of trails which were freshly groomed.
We closely watch the forecast for the next weekend, hoping for the best!
Alain
 
 

This is your turn to the Mummys. N48.39468° W67.78175°

If you are sitting home wondering about the trails get off the couch load up and go. We just ran 1098km and with the exception of low snow around Amqui all good to go especially with this new snow. There is a big reroute on the 595 south of La Cache. It takes you east and intercepts the trail to Murdochville for a short distance. I kept looking at my GPS thinking where the Hell are we going but it actually only adds 12km to the trip to New Richmond.

Well, 6 of us reluctantly headed up on Saturday, the 3rd.  Being that is was free weekend, we wanted to try and avoid heaving traffic areas, so we parked off 322 between Mount Laurier and Maniwaki and headed North on the local trail towards Le Pensive.  We continued on for a stop at Club Gatineau.  Trails to this point were 9/10 with good snow and little traffic.  Went on to Club Notawissi and then down the cutoff to Club Fontbune for the night.  This was my first time staying there and let me tell you, awesome little place.  The team there works their butts off to make sure you have an excellent experience.  Fun staff, nice cabins, awesome food.
The next day we headed back the way we came and up to Le Pensive and Lepine road to Clova.  Very little traffic and even though Lepine wasn't groomed, it was a real nice ride.  The logging at the end wasn't even very problematic, sort of looks like they are done there and other than the last mile or so, there was plenty of snow on the road for lubrication.  Clova was exactly what you would expect, although I did overhear it being said Dominique may be considering hitting Lepine with the groomer. 
The next day we headed towards parent.  Clova to Parent was pretty tuned in.  They are now working you around the logging there, so other than some stretches to cross water run offs and some crossings, you weren't running the bare road.  I give it a more than acceptable work around.  Parent to 345 intersection was total dog shit.  I think they may have groomed one time, but I needs hit 2 or 3 times before it comes into shape.  There seems to be enough snow on the trail for grooming.  I was thankful the new bridge was in.  We were prepared to cross, but after seeing with my own eyes, I understand why those who have crossed said it was an adventure.
345 down to Kanawata and then down to Repos was freaking awesome.  11/10 for sure.  Fast and Fun.   We continued on down 33 to Auberge Taureau for the night.  Snow is definitely thin as you get down that direction, but groomers are doing a great job keeping the trails in as good of shape as possible.
Next morning we head out 360 to 345 and head back north.  This section of 345 was almost as good as the northern section.  They had it tuned up real nice and it was quite enjoyable.  From Repos, we head west over to 53 and down to Meekos.  I give this whole stretch 8.5/10.  A few obstacles to be mindful of hear and there, mainly water wash outs, but all and all, pretty nice ride.
Half the group jumps in the lake at Meekos, we have a good meal and wait for the next day wondering how it might be getting back to the truck as we decided to man up and try going down the St. Anne Du Lac, Devils Mountain, etc. picking our way back to the truck.
Well, this ride had lots of ups and downs.  There were sections that you would have felt like full on winter conditions and sections that would feel like the end of March with lots of rocks, gravel, etc.  That being said, sleds never overheated and we made back to the truck at 11:30.
We were all super happy we came up and it ended up being a great trip.  I would say 900 total miles, 50 or so utter dogshit, 200 ish 8/10 and the rest were classic Quebec.
 
Now for the real question..........What's it gonna be like in say a week or two 

Lots of pumpkin sized surprises lurking out there
Rocks and Rocks

Oh , Rolled this moon rock out of the center of trail  !

Out on a 3 day bash. La Tuque to Pourvoirie la Dore via 73 , 355 , local ,  93 .. left turn to pourvoirie.  All pretty decent,  good snow  , low snow,  logging , Feeder to the run up lac Eduard groomed ! .. no deal breakers.  

Nice looking meals.  There are some incredible meals served at some of these outfitters!  Excluding Repos! (Unless snowmaster2112 disagrees)

Short ride
yesterday to st Michael from home 80% super 20 bad to rodeo
today same thing to Fer a Cheval. Great parts all the way to bad bad. That’s this season ride now or wish you did not wait.

False start on the dessert 
 

Fer a cheval 

Somewhere around Cheval & Parent?...
 

Here are some pics from last weekend. Another 600 miles of smiles.  The most snow I have seen so far this season, but still not quite enough in spots.  TQ83 is really having a rough season.

Awesome in the summer too, let’s doo it this year.  Outfitter tour by SxS
 
 

Hey Chris, save some for me.  I am planning on Windigo for Saturday night.   
Cheers

Here are some pics from last weekend. Another 600 miles of smiles.  The most snow I have seen so far this season, but still not quite enough in spots.  TQ83 is really having a rough season.

Here are some pics from last weekend. Another 600 miles of smiles.  The most snow I have seen so far this season, but still not quite enough in spots.  TQ83 is really having a rough season.