mccaffrey

After a somewhat dismal day yesterday of a mix of lots of  big and small bumps in the Millinocket area, I left this morning in frigid temps to head north into the big wilderness. Destination at least Shin Pond Camps, better yet Libby's Sporting Camps.
Got to Shin Pond way quick, stayed the north course for Libby's. Almost the entire trip was on freshly groomed trails, and a few that weren't were still smooth and fast. Again, this area has  nice big wide logging roads with plenty of hills. Gas at Shin Pond, lunch at Libby's and back thru Mattagammon Wilderness store,   and Bowling Sporting Camps.
Based on the grooming, and big wide roads,  views of lakes, streams and rivers along with a few mountain views, and very low traffic count,  sunshine good part of day; this would have to be one of the top ten best rides ever. It was Quebec worthy.  
Libby's Canps is nothing short of right out of the early 1900's. It is an Orvis Fly Fishing approved camp. I would have to rate lunch there as the best ever trail stop lunch. I had been told it was amazing food.
On the way back I also poked around the Northeast Outdoor Center, big log cabin restaurant and rental cabins that appeared very large.
Pic of the large building the the Mattagammom Wilderness store. All others pics of buildings inside and out is Libby's.
 
Snowbeeler,  I must have been ahead of you as at times there were no tracks in the fresh groom. I am guessing after shin Pond I went north and you went northeast. So glad you had a good day. Presque Isle Inn should be a nice step up for places to stay, heard it was great.
mike
 
 

Stellar ride. Decided I would against my better judgment, head out for an early ride to see what I could get. Need to tune up for Gaspe next week.  Mrs. Ice was having none of it, once she heard it was a 7am departure it was a dealbreaker. Up and out -16c this am. Showing groomed all tge way. Mostly true. First 10km to Rivere in Grand Mere was used up bad. Probably groomed Friday night but not last night. Rough as hell. I was having second thoughts when I arrived at junction of 23 but was keeping the faith it would be better. It was. Just off river and fresh groomed no tracks. I knew being out early I had the best chance on a Sunday of getting it all. Did not take alot of pictures but a few. I was hell bent on playing a new game and pushing it to see how far I could get before seeing another sled. Trail was groomed to perfection and froze up nice. Rolled through St Matthew and it just got better as I went. More snow as I get closer to Pin Rouge and near Saccocomie. First two sleds headed east right at trail for Saccacomie. Continued on 23 west perfect trail all mine. Saw no one else until arriving at Lac Blanc. No one at first as I stop to take a break. The. A group of 5 sleds arrive from the Lake as I was parked in front of Lac Blanc all alone. 350 was just as nice as 23. Took it all the way to 63 then to 3 St Etienne and the party was over. Crossing the river at La Gabelle was not bad. Better than the trail to home, like the first 10km the last were used up. Wicked rough. Good with the bad and the good  right? All in all sweet rip. 200 km give or take home before noon with a few breaks along the way. Everyone else headed west all alone headed east. Saw just 10 sleds the entire run 









 

Because most of the last snow falls had seems to have hit harder on the south shore of the St-Lawrence river, we tried this loop last Saturday 6, 2021

We were a bit disappointed ... not that it does not ride well but we expected  way more snow. In fact the trail conditions were similar as the south of my area. The trail is often easy to follow due to its color,  especially in woods, and the skis often scratch the base, especially in curves.

The 10km/H speed zone along the reservoir near the Victoriaville drive me crazy each time I pass there! it is not that long but it looks damn long !!! after that we appreciate 30 zone!!!
The fields trail sections south of Victoriaville are in better shape because the wind brings more snow into the trail shaping up the  condition as well as #35 west of Warwick which was very nice.

Here a short video of our ride. Best viewed with the sound on and the quality cranked up at 1080p
My Venture hit the mental mark of the 25000 miles/40000kms during the ride


On the way back we pass through St-Léonard D'Aston which was nicer than the morning trail path
Finally a good 210 miles run for us. Like Iceman mention in one of his post, the trails do not have a real hard base... no thaw since our recent season start so it's a bit normal that we are dealing with the conditions we have. Hoping for more snow ahead....
Alain
 

We did ...only had 6 split top buns.Toasted those and stuffed two dogs in each.Delicious 😊

Almost feel guilty..almost being the key.
300k plus today on perfect trails. Amos to Macamic-la sarre-palmarolle-amos
Zero morning traffic. Fast and tight all day. Definitely long John weather though. Gourmet trailside beefaroni and steamed dogs for lunch.
Tucked in at Atmosphere now. Val Dor Via Cadillac and environ tomorrow
Stay well
Gowser

Our first Pandemic ride of the season. Considering lack of snow in many areas the map showed our best success for shortest commute would be the run from Saint Ann du lac to the Gouin. Map was showing green for go. We each drove up separately and met in Mt Laurier. Nothing available in Saint Ann as all booked. Comfort Inn was a happening place. Parking lot was full of trucks and sleds.  Picture included. I thought at first they had Valet parking as there was an attendant. No he just there to tell us where to park so everyone could get in. Registration was easy but had to sign  a form saying you're healthy and only people of same address in room. They gave you a  list of restaurants that deliver. St Hubert was our choice. Spoke sort of to  a guy, he's French I'm not and the gist was trails weren't very good but he had only gone local.
Woke to find only a small amount of snow. Was disappointed as I had expected more. Off to Saint Ann to launch. Arrived and the lots & street were packed with rigs, more than I had seen before. Given this was one of the few areas its understood. Plan was the local up to the 13 and then 83. Off across the lake some slush but nothing of concern. Once off the lake the trail was used. I'm guessing the trails being good is like going to the bar and at the beginning she's a 5 and then as the nigh goes she becomes a 10. Well onwards. In fairness it did get better and some areas were actually good. Still rather be riding than sitting at home reading the latest on Quebec Rider 🙂
We stopped at Fer Cheval for gas. Wasn't overly busy. They have set up 2 fire areas to relax and warm up. take out was available and some enjoying a beverage. Pictures included.
 
Off we go towards Parent. Trails OK until about 10 miles before. Once you're in more of the bush and off of the roads its big need of snow. We opted for the road where we could since there was a couple of inches of fresh. Gassed and grabbed a snack as it was lunch time. We were luck the weather was about -2 C which is pleasant. Decided with snow on the road to well take the road. Nice 60 miles of smooth running to the Gouin.
Check in was easy and the same drill. Off to our room. They have the main entry-dining area closed off. Its just the lounge area where you enter-exit now. So it was room service Drinks started at 2;30, dinner we opted for 5;30. Place was booked for the night as well. Options was fish or chicken with a soup and desert. I opted for the chicken and sugar pie 😋 Picture included. If you are a group of 2 you had to eat in your room, we were 3 (buddy & son) so we could eat at the 1 table in the lounge but had to have masks if not eating. They also gave you your breakfast to put in the fridge for morning.  The 2 fox came by for scraps. Sorry none from me. Woke the next morning to maybe 4-5 inches of new snow, picture attached. Nothing to make the day a challenge. We had planned on going back the way of 345,33 and 53 but we heard gas lines were long at Repos. Not surprised as Manawan is off limits. While we were getting short changed on the snow up north our spouses  sent us pics of over a 1 foot at out places with the the note of Hurry home to clean please. So we hit the trail a bit earlier for us at 8 and went back the same route. No pictures today. Just gas & go. Road back was good. Did get startled when we came across the snow plow but the road is big enough for us all. Once we hit Parent and down trails with this new snow had really gone to shit. Oh well. It was interesting when we arrived back at the truck our 2 rigs were the only ones there at 1. Day before packed, next day empty. Must all been day riders. Typically many rigs with people out saddle bagging. Maybe it will change as more snow comes. 
Overall good run for the first of the season. With this new snow in many areas and colder temps this week it should only get better.

We finally received a good snow drop of around a foot or a bit more on last Satuday (16 January) with still mild temperatures just below the freezing point. It was still mild on Sunday morning so we just did a short 45 miles run from St-Gabriel de Brandon going north on the #63/#23 round-trip to enjoy the scenery before the soft new trail base turn bumpy.

I mounted a short video of our small ride. The video is in color but have alot of white!!! outstanding scenery, too bad the sun wasn't there.
The temperarure drop to January like weather in the next days and with this new snow, most snowmobiles clubs will be able to open their trails and I expect the trail network to greatly shape up this week up to the south of our area even if some swamps and rivers will still need more time to be safe. We can tell that this season will really begin with the conditions we have now
Alain

We shall find out today, but the rumor is another full lockdown here for at least 4 weeks. I fear this season is in serious jepoardy. You folks stuck south of the border may not miss out at all. Right now with the lack of real snowcover its not so terrible. If this lockdown comes to fruition and we do get rideable snow in that time and they do not open trails. Those who shelled out the $$$ for trail passes will surely be not so happy.
#Scamdemic

Relais Ontatchiway

Domaine Bazinet

Drawing a Blanc... wink wink.

Pfizer’s vaccine freezer?

This thread does seem to be what the doctor ordered. Believe me I am suffering too, I am north of the border and can't travel to PQ either. 

No guess from me on this one, but I did want to thank you for starting the longest running where am I thread ever.  This is my only source of reprieve.  Locked up sud of the border and the season is just getting started...PAINFUL doesn’t even start to explain it.  HOLY SH!T this sucks.  Sleds are all prepped with no where to ride.

The chicken joint, L'Etape?

The chicken joint, L'Etape?

Yup, got rebuilt even better!
Miss the old place, was perfectly located for trail system at the time!

The cafeteria in Tremblant park 

It's Roselins !     Located about 20 miles east of Obedjiwan. Basically between Barrage Gouin and Obedjiwan. A awesome native meal of fish just netted out of the Gouin out front. Everything is made , grown  picked local , even the flour for the biscuits was hand ground .
 

First class joint for sure !  , this is a view out my rooms window staying in the lodge.  

A gin and tonic where?
 

This is one of my favorite pictures, drove by this the first time back in 2007. 
Where am I?