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mccaffrey

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  1. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to dooright in Team Vermont, heading nord   
    Mattawin to Gouin today  , all pretty decent.. 360 , 345  83 .
    Super nice new garage at Kanawata,           The Jonny Gouin trail fresh groom.. we took the ungroomed east entrance . 






  2. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to Yankee Troller in January 19-21 trip - Mont Laurier/Kanawata/Mekoos (Pic Heavy)   
    First off I'd like to thank the clubs and establishments in Quebec for a great time! Snowmobiling up there never disappoints.
    Jan 19th - Mont Laurier up to Kanawata with stops for fuel at Mekoos and Lac du Repos. Trails were perfect!
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    Jan 20th - We left Kanawata on one of our favorite trails. You can cruise comfortably at 60 miles an hour for about 15 miles. It was an 80+ mile hike over to Parent for our first fuel stop. From there we threw an audible on our route to stop by an outfitter for lunch we've heard great things about. 100 Lacs did not disappoint. It will certainly be a place we'll stay at in the future. From there it was another 60ish miles to Mekoos for a total of 216 miles on the day. We had a fun night at Mekoos! They had a live band and a great atmosphere. At one point in the night people were climbing out of the hot tub and jumping on their snowmobiles
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    Jan 21st - Saturday was our low mileage day so we could get back to the truck and get started on our 6.5hr drive home. We made sure to stop and smell the roses at some really neat places. The first stop was Windigo Falls. Our second stop was Mont Diable. At 2400' elevation on a clear sunny day the views were pretty amazing. We ended the day with around 85 miles and very sore muscles from riding hard for three days.
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  3. Like
    mccaffrey got a reaction from nyskidooerinnewhampshire in Fer a Cheval   
    Staying Thursday night, maybe there will be room.
    Time to head north of the border and start having some fun!
  4. Like
    mccaffrey got a reaction from dooright in Fer a Cheval   
    Staying Thursday night, maybe there will be room.
    Time to head north of the border and start having some fun!
  5. Like
    mccaffrey got a reaction from markusvt in Fer a Cheval   
    Staying Thursday night, maybe there will be room.
    Time to head north of the border and start having some fun!
  6. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in Fer a Cheval   
    Free heated garage included with overnight stay. Snowmobile package with meals. 
  7. Haha
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Fer a Cheval   
    I like me a heated garage. I grabbed the english version for those of weaker in French 😁
     

  8. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to revct1 in 2023 Riviere-du-Loup Trail Conditions   
  9. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to towing in Joliette/Grand-Mere by #3/#63 trails photo ride-report January 15, 2023   
    Here is the ride we did last Sunday

    With the good snowfall on Friday followed by a mild temperature night, we already knew that the trails conditions would deteriorate  quickly under the effect of traffic, so we postponed our departure to Sunday. We launched directly from the home in St-Thomas de Joliette on Sunday morning under a beautiful sun and a temperature of -15C.

    Superb winter conditions, very hard frozen groomed trail  giving ideal conditions. Here on #3 towards Berthierville

    The wood sections were very snowy

    Nice encounter on this winter morning


    The La Chaloupe river is ok but stay in the marked trail!

    We continued on #3 to the east with perfect conditions

    Another great encounter! they weren't nervous at all, just happy to run outside

    In the St-Barthelemy sector where the trail get souther the snow was a little swept but on an icy base it ride very well

    I chose to keep #3 and go through Maskinonge village instead of #63 which goes through St-Justin. It's good but there is a section of 500' swept away where you can see the dirt. In the afternoon we came back by St-Justin on #63 instead and it's more snowy

    Here Ste-Ursules sector


    We are used to heading between #3 and #63 via St-Sévère but the Rivière du Loup that we have to cross direct on the ice is not safe yet so we opted for #63 trail

    We took a break on the beautiful site of the Magnan Falls in Charette

    The falls are usually completely frozen but this year you can still see the water flowing


    We continued on #63

    And took the #3 towards St-Étienne

    And crossed the St-Maurice on the #3 at the height of La Gabelle. A few slush spots but it's marked and rides well

    The east side of the St-Maurice was a little rougher but still ride well and the snow cover is very good

    We stopped to eat at pizzeria du Lac at Lac à la Tortue near Grand-Mère.

    After a good meal break we left and retraced our steps on the same route with a few exceptions. Here in the area of Notre Dame du Mont-Carmel

    We did a pitstop in St-Étienne. Unlike past years where the trail passed in the yard between the gas station and the BRP NC dealer, the trail this year passes behind NC and you have to take a very short trail to go to gas or at NC

    We saw this impressive dogs team on the way back, there are 2 wide...

    We took a break again at the Magnan Falls in Charette but at the top of the falls this time

    As I said at the beginning it's rare to see the water in the falls it's usually all hard frozen

    We then continued west. The trail conditions had deteriorated a little since our lunch but from the fork of the #350 St-Paulin sector it became very beautiful and fast again until St-Cuthbert.

    Here a snow bridge not far from the village of Ste-Ursules

    We took the #63 to go through St-Justin, it was superb

    We came across the Dozer de St-Barthelemy without the drag which was at finishing some work on the trail

    We went through St-Norbert to come back, the trail was more bumpy from the traffic but it was ok

    We were back home around 4:30 p.m. with 322kms (200miles) of happiness on the meter!

    I know that most of you won't ride that south but the good news is that the trail network enlarge and is getting more and more connected to spread the traffic through. There are few rivers mostly along the St-Laurence river that are not ready yet. St-Maurice river is crossable but the trail on the river is not ready yet. The interactive map seems pretty accurate now on the trail condition. 
    If we can keep getting January like temperature it will be perfect...
    Bye!
    Alain
  10. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in 355 opening soon ?   
    23  St Tite the river Envies is not frozen (yet) 
    355  logging and lots of prep to make it safe for sleds with log trucks
    i think you may see both open soon but cannot guarantee. By Thursday.
    are you arriving wed? Send me a PM maybe we could meet up. 
     
     
  11. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to smclelan in First Gaspesie Tour   
    Came up for a quick three day tour.  Conditions are decent and the snow today is helping quite a bit.
    Started in Pointe a la Croix from the Interprovincial, they have built new sled garages, forgot to take a picture, I will when we get back to the truck.  Ran up to Amqui the first afternoon, stayed at the Select.http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/20230112_165358.jpg.7f8d09ff07d349ed86fe8100990501aa.jpg Breakfast at Ste Adeleme, stopped at St Paulin which was closed. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/20230113_111609.jpg.6354a7b54f2d304a5c9e8bb1e8645b85.jpghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/20230113_121957.jpg.38a598af6f45e5640df89d7fb4cc9bc9.jpg Then stopped at Grande Nature for a break.  http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/20230113_133617.jpg.fb3b4e01c48ddab1b6b07a3da2499a8f.jpgHeaded out without a plan, stopped mid day and called the Copper, but restaurant is closed till Jan 20, so scratch that. Ended up at the Hotel Cie in SADM.http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/20230113_142732.jpg.e3aaa459f88e26e18ba848985fc5d744.jpg
    The forecast was for 40cm, so far I would say we have got 20.  Will try to update a bit more tomorrow.  It is great to be riding again.
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  12. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Team Vermont mid week travels   
    Best trails this trip Weymetaci on the 83 to Casey turn off and the first 40 miles out of 100 Lacs towards Maniwan. Worst was the 7 miles either side of Parent.




  13. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in 2022-2023 Shawinigan Snow Reports   
    12-13 January
    -2c snow snow
    started around noon yesterday kicked in heavy overnight 
    About 8” so far
     

  14. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Team Vermont mid week travels   
    Yup, another beautiful day. Traffic picking up a bit but we will be long gone by the weekend. Reroutes here and there but generally well marked.  Evidence of all the hard work to get trees cleared and trails opened.
     







  15. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to dooright in Team Vermont mid week travels   
    Today,  Windigo to 100 Lacs. 
     
    The 83 west of Wamo fresh groom since yesterday.  No logging so its on the big road the whole way Parent
    Gouin trail looks perfect.. Thanks Jonny !
    Stopped by Central in Parent.. all dark .  Store in town has awesome pre-made sandwiches and hot pizza on a spinner.  Works for us . Trails in and out of town topical Parent,  sno cross .
    The 13 from the 83 intersection south moved around a bit again this season but all good .
     
    100 lac .. full up tonight 
     








  16. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Team Vermont mid week travels   
    Saddle up, Quebec open for business 😜
     












  17. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to dooright in Team Vermont mid week travels   
    SMDS up to Windigo today,  various conditions but all pretty decent early season riding . Nice lunch at Camp de  Casey , Norm is no longer there but the new guy Rafael seems a excellent addition.  83 has a reroute east of Wemotaci , passing by a nice lookout over the river and village.  Apparently we're the first overnight guest here at Windigo for this season Martine tells us ! 








  18. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in News from Club Passe-Partout Roberval   
    Bonsoir à vous tous 
    Aujourd'hui, le secteur Roberval - Lac-Bouchette a été surfacé. Condition de début de saison et manque de neige pas endroit, surtout quand on se rapproche de Roberval.
    Nous avons également travaillé le nouveau sentier a St-François.
    Demain matin, le surfaceur va partir de Roberval via St-François pour descendre au chalet Spa à Chambord.
    Le sentier Chambord vers Desbiens  devrait être visité d'ici quelques jours. 
    Le lac est non sécuritaire pour l'instant et aucun test de glace n'a été fait.
    Secteur Lac Édouard, en évaluation pour peut-être dimanche.
    Merci et soyez prudent dans les sentiers.
    Good evening to all of you
    Today, Roberval - Lac-Bouchette sector has been surfaced. Early season condition and not a lot of snow, especially when we get closer to Roberval.
    We also worked on the new trail in St-François.
    Tomorrow morning, the groomer will leave Roberval via St-François to go down to the Spa chalet in Chambord.
    The Chambord trail to Desbiens should be visited in a few days.
    The lake is unsafe at this time and no ice tests have been done.
    Lac Édouard sector, in evaluation for maybe Sunday. Thank you and be careful on the trails.
  19. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to Blueblood in Senneterre to Pourvoirie Fer a Chavel   
    I would suggest everyone carrying fuel.  that's a long run if your pushing any snow and if it's like it normally is and smooth its hard not to run fast.
  20. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in 2022-2023 Shawinigan Snow Reports   
    10 January
    -11c 
    yesterdays white gold
    2”

  21. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to groomer in Pics from the Matapedia Valley !!!   
    and this afternoon ....i went on logging rd up to mile 45 !!!
     
    jean-guy












  22. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to towing in St-Zenon photo ride-report January 6, 2023   
    Under a cloudy sky with a little snow/-2C we made this ride yesterday January 6, 2023 in St-Zenon area through the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve starting from St-Gabriel de Brandon

    As a drop point we chose the parking lot of the Multifunctional Center 111 Chemin du mont Lanaudière (it's the road just past the Highschool) which is an official parking lot for trailers and the trail pass just aside. We arrived a little late and parked on the roadside in front of it. 

    Despite the last thaw there is still a lot of snow, the conditions are good here in the field in St-Damien.

    Even the big hill in climbing on the mountain was nice with barely a couple browning snow spots , otherwise very good. Given the traffic there were a few bumps but it ride very well.

    We passed the Renard Bleu outfitter

    The road is plowed farther this year but has been widened and our trail is next to it. We just have to cross it a couple of times as the trail change of side otherwise it's fine.


    the snow cover is very good


    From the #23 we then took trail #350 east.

    After this thaw I was expecting to ride on very hard trails but no there is a good layer of loose snow on top , thick enough that the skis were not even bite the trail hard base most of the time. Very good conditions


    Passed the junction for the #23 towards the Cabanon we continued on the #350 towards Koubec with even better trail conditions

     

    We stopped for lunch at the Relais Koubec (Outfitter Mastigouche)


    It's been a while since we stopped eating there. It was very good and quick and their huge double-sided fireplace in the center of the dining room always impresses me!

    After the lunch break we continued in the Mastigouche reserve. I did a round trip stretch on #23 eastbound. We passed the junction for the trail to Gaston (#350 towards Lac Blanc)

    Before turning around and continuing on #23 westbound


    The section of #23 which comes to reconnect on the #345 (towards the Taureau dam) is less used and as usual it did not disappoint us with its good condition and beautiful fast sections.



    There had been more traffic on the #345 towards the Cabanon. The snow cover remains good even if there are a few spots of more brownish snow in the few km that leave the forest road and which had been reworked with a bulldozer just before the season.


    We stopped to fuel up at Auberge Le Cabanon


    And we went back down to our starting point via #23 trail

    Real Masse outfitter, which had major problems with their plumbing and water distribution system during an extended power outage (christmas storm) is not open and the trail goes straight, trail not groomed yet

    the #23 south of #350 was weared from traffic and was bumpy on the way back south, especially in the section maintained by St-Charles club

    The last section groomed by St-Gabriel club was better but the traffic had still done its job. With the announced cold and grooming, it will come back good because the snow cover is good.

    To summarize,  the storm of December 23 had left impressive amounts of snow, the following thaw packed it down to give us a solid base for the trails and the last snow put some cream on the cake which gives very good conditions. There are still a couples of not frozen small ditches and you can still see the remains of fallen /damaged trees but the ride we did was very nice overall. 
    Trail opening and grooming is still underway, I know that from St-Zenon or Mattawin it is possible to go to Pourvoirie Repos. Kanawata wrote their trails was open (4January) and Alliance du nord club that groom norther on the #83 state that they finished opening trails and are at grooming them. Many places in Parent/clova were starting their operations this weekend. Latuque snowmobile club also state their trails opened.
    With the cold announced I expect that the open trail network will continue to expand and connect rapidly in the coming days
    Happy 2023 season!
    Alain
  23. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to ODog in gaspe trip, what are good km days?   
    I was going to say the same thing. That section of 5 from Petite Vallee to St Anne Des Monts is quite possibly the nicest trail in all of Quebec. Lots of snow, incredible views of the St Lawrence river and fun elevation changes with switchbacks.
     
  24. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in This   
    Just had to
     
     

  25. Sad
    mccaffrey reacted to MrGutz in 2023 Jack & Sandi's Trips   
    Hey GuyZ
    So who ever had the pool going this year, the winner is "The Durango" 
    There has to be a pool, right, what will we blow up next..... 
     
    We would have been unloading the Trailer by now if things had gone well and giving J&S a call to plan for tomorrow's ride......
    But you see LongHair somehow has grenaded the Durango..... 55k on the Odometer....
    ( I cant say he did anything wrong, but this does make the second SUV of mine to need a new engine with him at the helm, and his forth engine in misc trucks this year....)
    Fortunatly we were only 20 miles from the house, and it was 40 degrees....
    NoHair was only wearing slippers, PJ Pants and his Foxy Headdress.... so 40 degrees was just up his alley ......while we waited for LongHair to get his work truck and tow the trailer to the house. 
    The Dealer Service Agent went by while AAA was loading the Durango, and told me he said to himself ,"is that coming to my door"?
     
    Pulled on to 91 North from the pike and each light on the dash lit up in turn......
    Pulled over just past the Holyoke Mall, opened the hood, coolant everywhere.... its had no issues in the last few weeks ; in the couple times I've used it and tested with the trailer. I like to do a shake down run up in to the hills around us, really put a load on it, because we dont use it more than 10-20 times a year.
    Oh well! I checked Rental Trucks today and they were not bad, so our next launch date is the 19th. Pistons Crossed for Luck!!!
    By the way, I also checked out a new Lincoln Navigator.... WOW...  Taking Mrs GutZ for Test Drive Soon! 
    Stuck at Home
    GutZ
     
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