mccaffrey

Day 1, word of the day….Thin!  Got 2” overnight made it nice leaving RDL. Never seen it so thin here in February. Trails pretty smooth, not enough snow to be rough. Snirt is gone with the fresh snow. Get out of town and take 5 East. Rimouski Club says stay on 5 for best conditions. Hasn’t been our experience but let’s try it. Away from town coverage not bad. Once we get to Trois Pistoles it’s actually pretty nice. Continue on 5 to the 35 outside of Rimouski. Traffic is light all day groomers are doing their thing. Meet back up with 5 East to 587 short cut to 5 at Padoue. Took the 5 all the way to Matane to the Riotel. Very scratchy in town, basically blacktop and dirt.

Alain, thank you for your report. 
What a crazy season for snow.
 

14 hrs one way…that’s no joke.
I am sure you will be rewarded accordingly by the groomers and trail conditions  in that neck of the woods.  Post some pics of the run to Matagami.  It’s been too long since I laid eyes on that west side of 396.  Pretty sweet through there as I recall  
 

Figured I’d post on here in case anyone wants to follow along or is curious of conditions. Trucked up from PA up to Amos at the Amosphere 14hr run but bluebird day made travel easy. Pretty good amount of snow here considering how crappy a year it is grooming map shows lots of activity, so should be some excellent riding. Just doing day trips and big loops each day from Amos might head to Mattagami tomorrow will post report and pics. 

Would like to take the GF from Pointe a la Croix-Matane-Baie Comeau- Sept Iles-Godbout-Matane-Relais LaCache-PALC..  
You guys are making it sound very doable as far as conditions are concerned.  I really like from BC to Sept Iles, it's a great and fun run.

Day 3. Escoumins to Baie Comeau. 175 miles. Another sunshine day made for mild temperatures in the high teens. Trails were very good, except for about 30 miles, which were OK, but had chop in all the turns.The building by the water in the last picture is our hotel for the night. Le Manior
 

Today’s path took us from the Delta to Escoumins through Mount Valin. The Chapel was crowded but service is second to none. Trails leaving Jonquire, where acceptable once we got over the second bridge they got much better. The orange Trail past lor Piste was a little rough. Plenty of snow but needed groomer. Once we hit Trail 330 it was a 10. Surprised to see how much snow is here in Escoumins being near the river. There Has to be 25 trailers here must be a good starting point. Couple guys came from Sept-Tiles and said the trails are perfect all the way. Can’t wait!

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

At the last minute I decided to drive to RDL two days ago, on Sunday. Didn't have much hope for great riding, but was going stir crazy sitting around the house.  I also heard SkiDoo invited the sled magazine press to Quebec starting Sunday to ride the 2025 sleds. Several years ago they did this same thing and stayed at the Universel in RDL. It was great getting to talk to the factory guys. Turns out (found out today) this time around they went northeast of Montreal. 
Driving up thru Maine, Jackman actually looked pretty decent. The Chaudierre region of Quebec looked like toast, no riding there. In fact I didn't really see good snow until about 30 miles before RDL. Pulled into RDL seeing bare tar everywhere. Yuck!!!   Less than an inch of new snow fell Sunday night.
Today I finally decided to unload the sled and take a look around the area. Anyone who has been here knows how big the hotel parking lot seems when it is bare tar. Onto the trail heading for the clubhouse.  Snirt, dirt, some ice, and more snirt. This may be a short ride. I remember my January trip here, 1,800 miles of low snow but perfect conditions, except on the last day when the warm up came.
Drive by the club house, closed today.  Thinking head South and SW.   In the blink of an eye, or maybe someone spiked my morning coffee with magic mushrooms, I was in the middle of all out winter, a true winter wonderland. Beautiful packed powder, groomed to perfection, trees coated in white,and what appeared to be a better snow depth than my January trip. Giddy up MXZ baby.
Further I got, it appeared this area got half a foot of fluff Sunday night.  I did a 100 mile loop that was 5 star riding,  every bit as good as the 5 star meal I had last night at Hotel Levesque.  Quick meal at Exploreteur Clubhouse. Eventually made my way north to trail 5.  The last few miles of trail 5 was much lower snow pack but still really nice except for a couple snirts here and there.
Since arriving here, weather forecast changed from a cold week to a gradual warm up starting tomorrow and rain later in the week. Hopefully I can remember to bring my camera on tomorrow's ride.
Several groups left for Gaspe in the past few days. Just saw one sled return via flat bed a few minutes ago.
mike
 
 
 
 

Yesterday Sunday February 18, 2024, we rode from St-Michel des Saint to Marineau Mattawin round trip for a 306Kms total

After the last weekend thaw(11-12 feb) the south of my area was very thin and some clubs had stop grooming waiting for new snow. It was still possible to start riding from home but we wanted to ride some nice, wide and faster trail so we did a trailer run and dropped at the village of St-Michel des Saints. In St-Michel village it's thin but rideable and we directly reached the Taureau reservoir to take the trail toward auberge Taureau. The ride on the reservoir is rather rough, there was traffic when it was slushy and it refroze like that. If you have the heart strong enough to move between 100 and 200 feet away from the stakes it is very nice and flat and a new path formed there with many tracks but there is an associated risk and I cannot officially recommend it to you, the safe option is close the stakes.

The reservoir is not at its lowest yet but must be lowered by a good 25-30 feet already

Trail #33 past the Taureau Auberge is a little brownish in the short section that is near the beach

but when you enter on the forest road  just a little further it is very nice

There are some short spots with dirty snow or a few rocks but 95%+ that's it

We went around the Taureau reservoir on the west side and continued on #360 towards the east. The trail base was very hard with a thin layer of loose snow and new snow, very fast conditions but icy enough to have to be careful in some curves

The Mattawin River has decreased in flow a bit but it hasn't been very cold this year and there are still long sections at clear water


We took a break at 440 halt, my prefered break spot. Beautiful view on the river


The whole old path of #360 is very nice. When you enter the woods at the height of the old M20 there is some dirt in the snow on some curves but still beautiful overall, the same thing on the fast sections of the detour further on which come to join the edge of the river before the point of view

The section in the woods after the viewpoint up to the bridge was a little less beautiful but OK. The bridge was quite dry so we took out the rouskis


We left St-Michel at 9:30 a.m. and arrived at Marineau at 12:30 p.m. with 153km on the dreameter

We had a very good big meal there, love this place! As luck would have it, I also met a retired work colleague and his wife who I hadn't seen for ten years! they live on the south shore of St-Laurence river and were passing there by car, a great unplanned encounter!
We took the same exact route for return, The sun had hidden and it was snowing a little. Here the point of view.



We went at the edge of the Taureau dam for a short break

and we started it again towards St-Michel


We came across the St-Michel dozer which was starting its grooming run a few kms north of the Taureau Auberge. I have to take my hat off to these snowmobile clubs, in this case St-Michel and Mattawin who work hard and do miracles with the little snow they have to give us beautiful trails... Thank you!!!


And we were back to the trailer around 4:45 p.m. with 306km for the ride, very happy with our run. It had a bit of new snow yesterday there and at home as well, and even a bit more in Mauricie where my partner Snowcruiser told me around 6 inches of new stuff. We would need more than that to optimize all the trails but at least it help to greenish the trail map on Imotoneige!
We were hoping for better at mid february but it's hard to argue with mother nature! We still hope for more snow and cold but in the mean time the groomers do miracles with what they have and it's still possible to do some great sledding.
My video camera cooperated very well during the ride and I should be able to post some video footage from this ride soon.
Alain

Heading that way next week, enjoy. 
Thank you for the pics and info.

Heading that way next week, enjoy. 
Thank you for the pics and info.

funny think every now and then seen 850 etech foul a plug...haven't seen 2 at once...trying to index the gap so it points towards the injector was a service tip early on...but never found a us dealer with the index washers....plugs use to be 5 minutes...now next to impossible on the trail without a little knowledge and the right tools...hopefully that is your last problem.

Truck to Lac Bouchette to Auberge Eva. Not viable to leave from Shawinigan. Monkey wrench right out of gate, Got 5 strong this run. With snohorse, nhmoose, Mark and Phil. We had complications with the 850etec backcountry. No fire, turned over no go.  Recalculate. Tough decision. Got spare bullet in my garage 3 hrs by road 3 hours back. Freeride is there ready to run. Or go for DRC Sport in Alma and try to get in on Monday morning for a diagnosis. Snohorse is adamant we go to dealer and try it. Arrive there in Alma at 7:26 am 2 guys already waiting outside. I go over to talk with them and service manager opens door says we can wait inside but don’t open till 8am. We get acquainted and he assures me he will get us in and looked at. We get in and by 10:15 we are good changed 2 fouled plugs. Truck back to Eva to catch up with NHmoose and crew. Left Eva noon. Icy straight out from Eva but very good. 
different kind of year this season will keep you honest. Further north we go the better. 
 
355 to 83 to local orange past St Hedgewich. Then local orange to La dore then 93 up to 373 junction then u turn back down 93 to orange to chef then to 93 and to Pouvoirie La Dore. 
only 5 here tonight private party just for us. Stephane, Cynthia , Alex and Meti. Great gang here. 
Love it here. 
get here and encourage them. First year on I motoneige second winter open. Well worth tge stop. 
Trails very rideable and it’s now or never. Get out or miss out. 
 

Left Hotel Marineau yesterday
355 was good to great with the exception of 3-4 k just below lac Bouchette where they are logging
Lunch stop at lac eduard… great pea soup
Restaurant / bar Closed at Le Jardin in st Felicien …scramble for supper but we survived to fight another day!
 
 
 

Well , this is the Vermont app 😳 

These are from today

A measly 24k for a million dollar bridge
220 feet long at a height over river with view of falls at 75 feet high
 
Finally a permanent bridge in St-Georges!!!! 🤩
No more waiting after the ice!
Trail 75 linking St-Georges to Beauceville!
 
A lot of work and hard work!
But we got it :) 👌
Club Motoneige Beauceville Inc
#Motoneigebeaucesud
Motoneige Beauce Sud 03-355
 
Hello snowmobiling friends of the Chaudière Appalaches. A team of volunteers is currently working to complete the financial arrangements for a new bridge over the Rivière Famine in St-Georges. Once completed, it will offer an incredible view of the Plamondon Falls. The project also includes the redevelopment of trails on both sides of the river.
To date, business owners, our Members of Parliament, snowmobile clubs, Bombardier Recreational Products and the Desjardins Grand Fund have joined us in offering donations to help us realize this project, which is so important to all snowmobilers on Trail 75.
Factory construction of the bridge has begun at structures SBL in St-Benoit, and the project is being carried out by Construction Binet. Excavation Lapointe et Fils will carry out the approaches and earthworks required to bring the bridge into place in 4 sections.
As you can see, it's a big challenge for a small team of volunteers.
Fellow snowmobilers who will be using this bridge during your 2025 outings, we need your help to finalize the project. A donation would be greatly appreciated.
Each time you visit us, you'll be proud to have participated in this project for the snowmobiling family.
 
The volunteer team looks forward to meeting you.
To make a donation, contact Serge Lessard at: 581 372-1758
 
 

Just pulled the trigger on a 2024 Lynx x terrain brutal 850...trading in the 2020 extreme...lighter sled without the two speed transmission with XRS suspension...and 4 more wheels in rear skid and a 7.2 cluster...all the Linq accessories swap over...great trade and 1.4 interest...putting my faith in many more great winters ahead of us...and hopefully the best is yet to come this season...like ice said...IT ISN'T OVER!!

Alright, here I am!!! It was a much-needed get away as lots of my friends teachers are gone on sick leave and report cards to be done by Monday. I had to be in the nature for a bit. 
I don't know if we're lucky or what, but we got some great trails considering the kind of year that it is. Born and raised in Quebec all my life ... I have never seen it like that ever. Even I'm surpised. Never had to fully open my jacket in February... 😳

Love the new helmet, I get a better look when I cross the street, there is no air leaking through which will be great in colder temperature since my previous helmet had the air vents on my chin broken open. I also love the color/look  turquoise! It's also much lighter than my other one so I feel the difference after a couple of hours of riding. 

New radios are great too. My favorite? It's to hear other people talk when we're set in mesh... I like to spy and sometimes jump in the conversation!! ahahah like yesterday! I almost got free chips! 

Like lover said, was the first time passing people, i'm not the fastest but not the slowest either... I was getting bored behind them... I don't understand why they never let us pass them. When I see some people catching up to me I tell Don and we let them go by. I mean if you caught up, you should pass us, no? They had several occasions (road-crossing) and the leader of the pack never really looked back. Anyway, we got through, one of them got nervous a little. 
I thought I was back on an old trip in April in Matane at some spots like you can see on the pictures. BUt the rest was really good. I'm happy!!

It was the second time that I passed the bar of the 300 km in one day. Proud. Even though I was maybe too tired for that, and the boys never stop for lunch. 😒
 
First real riding in the pack with Snohorse cause I was the middle. I felt safe knowing he was behind me. 
I also got to lead most of today, calling out coming sleds, studying the turns on my own, basically reading the trails for myself, looking where  it goes and all. I also got to ride on my private groomed trail, you know, the one all the way on the right!! 👌 Best place to ride. Some turns were mushy so a little harder to deal with for me, but I managed. 
Even yesterday at the end of the day on the TQ5 coming to the hotel I still had my private trail even though hundreds of sleds had passed by.  Got to love it!  

To the next time, I truly believe we'll get more snow ... I mean it's QUebec here.
Otherwise I'll be shocked that that was the winter 2024. (But it would mean an early start of paddling season with a small spring flood. ) 🙂 
GOt to have more than one hobby. 

Til next time. 
 
IMG_2117.HEIC

Yesterday Sandi took a day off.  Dave and I went out for a little toot.
Once again the groomer map showed most trails done overnight.  We took 83 west to St Bruno and then 23 north.  83 was fine.  23 is showing the lack of snow thru Alma.  A lot of snirt where the trail runs in town and across the bridge to 93.
When we were at the bridge, I recalled the first time Sandi and I were there many years ago.  The trail stopped in a small park just before the south side of the bridge.  This was way before many of the businesses were there.  There was a pay phone in the park.  Remember pay phones?  The trail map had a phone number printed on it to call for the transport.  A dime went in the pay phone and I called the number.  I don't know where the phone rang but it was answered and I was told the transport would be there in a few minutes.  If I remember correctly, a van with a trailer came over the bridge to transport us and the two sleds.  It wasn't much money.  A couple of dollars per sled.  He brought us across the bridge and dropped us off at the Tourist Center's parking lot.  Off we rode.  Boy things have changed but that shows you how into snowmobiling the Quebec people were and still are.
Back to our ride.  There was a club member checking trail passes at the intersection of 23 and 93.  A quick look and he waved us thru.  I like the little re-route around Alma that was done a few years ago.  It gets the trail out of the yukky stuff in town.  As we approach the intersection of 93 and 367, I see a dozen sleds parked.  Must be a group of newbies reading the trail sign.  Nope, I see two Police officers checking sleds.  Odd to be out on a Wednesday.  Usually weekends are better since there is more traffic.  The officer asks for the paperwork for the trail pass.  He checks the pass number on the paperwork to the number on the sticker on the sled and waives us on.  Its good to see them out checking.  Of course we weren't going over the speed limit as we approached them.
The 8 mile stretch of 93 along the power line is fun and we turn left onto 367.  It is starting to snow a little.  What a pleasant sight.  Not hard but a nice light snow.  Just enough to kick up some snow dust into the air.  We pull into Vauvert just to see that it is closed on Wednesdays.  Off we go on the local trail to St Jeanne d'Arc.  There is a bar on the local trail just before St Jeanne.  We stop to see if they have food.  Just beer.  I wasn't sure of the French but he may have said food on weekends.
Off to St Jeanne and we tank up the sleds.  Back on 93 towards St Augustine.  Relais Érablière is open.  I haven't stopped here in a long time.  It has been closed whenever I've rode by.  Good stop for lunch.  Not many choices but soup and an all dressed hamburger with fries of course is fine.
Back down 93 to the 367 intersection.  The Police have left their post.  We turn left on 367 and run along to Evaion Peribonka.  Right on the local trail and then 328 thru Begin.  All nicely groomed.  At 93 we turn right and work our way back to the two bridges and back to the Delta.
Another lovely ride.  Around Alma and back in Jonquiere the trails are showing some snirt.  No snow in the forecast and worse that that, it is warming up for the weekend.  I think north of the river and down thru the park should be fine.  In town, the road crossings and parking lots I imagine will be showing more pavement.  The big fields are thin on the hills and corners.  Quebec desperately needs some snow.
Jack & Sandi

Going to give you a bit more. Then bedtime. 
 
we are going nowhere it’s out n back 2 days from here Universel..
Got some new hardware and trying it out while getting mrs ice some much deserved seat time. (She gets very little) nature of the game. 
 
Sena 50s awesome. Group mesh and love it. 
CKX Mission Carbon helmets. Why I waited till now i do not know. Game changing comfort and vision. Badass. 
 
Wheels down February 9 at RDL. This is a special year. That’s it. It is what it is and if you want to ride you can make it happen simple as that. Bitching about it or wondering how it will hold up is a waste of energy. 
 
Close to hotel is boney i have seen worse and rode worse returning here before. Not far out much better we left with no set plan. Following what felt good. 
 
526 to TQ85 to First orange we can find. Let’s Go. 
early morning TQ85 nice and then orange fresh groomed. Beautiful. 
up orange to 544 another beauty  very few sleds and great trail. 
new helmets are sweet. 
now 571 and another stunner. Real nice. Then to TQ5 to the trail of the day 518. WOW WOW WOW, never rode this it is spectacular 
east n 518 to local orange down to Fabien sur mer. To a scenic overlook just niot the best day for the views. But awesome riding. 
Gassed on the orange there right on the 132 been by on the road never on sled here. 
 
to be continued 

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