mccaffrey

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

Mike, glad you got to check the pub out,  we certainly did enjoy it! We got into Perce tonight at Table Roland, great going out here in the Gaspe. Heading west tomorrow, looks like more  blue sky days in the Gaspe! 

We left Cabanon at 3pm on Tuesday and took 345 to M21 then M21 to Matawin River for the night, 100 miles on mint trails and did not see another sled all the way, only 1 other sled there when we arrived.Left for Lac Edward on Wed am, the middle section of the pipe line to La-tuque was groomed when it was too warm, not enough snow to fill it in then it froze, total junk for 15 miles, but the lower and upper half are very nice. Took the right hand turn to Lac Edward, no marks from anyone, mint concrete race way, very nice!! Quick lunch and gas then 355 to Chateau Roberville on Lake st John, super mint again no other sleds in any direction. Thursday am off to relay 22 on 83 south, once again our 3rd blue bird day in a row with temps around 8 f, and no sleds anywhere.The new bridge on 83 above Relay 22 is nearly done, but the section of plowed road needs new snow but quite passable. Relay 22 is packed, even though we see nobody all day long on mint trails. Gas and go to Gouin Reservoir then off to Parent, again trails are mint, only sled we see all the way to Parent is Snow master going east on 83 to Wemotacci, we are headed west, both of us trying to beat dark, we will talk another day. Had dinner at Central and stayed the night, some older men from Ontario share a wealth of info with us about trails to the west where we are headed. Thursday we head out to 100 Lacs for soup and the trial is incredible, could not be better and it is 30 below, not even thinking about the cold weather, we are just amazed that we are on day 4 and still blue bird and mint trail it seems it is our private trail system, still seeing no other sleds!! Below Lac 100 we go left thru the forest, on of the best kept secrets in all of Quebec, this is a gorgeous trail and mint with not a single sighting in either direction, we really cannot believe it. We head for Cockanagog on the north east top of Baskatong Reservoir and arrive at 530, they have a cabin for us with a wood stove, very nice. They are 6 miles down a road, off the trail but a very sweet find, they tell us dinner is in 45 minutes, we arrive to the very best meal we have seen in 32 years of Quebec, that is quite a feat as there is a lot of great food on the trail.Saturday am gas breakfast and west to Point David on Baskatong Reservoir, trails are still mint but we now have company on the trail...everywhere!! When you are in this area have a GPS or know where you are going because the signage out here is a real joke. No east or west signs, no north or south signs, signs on the back of other signs on the wrong side of the trail, signs 3 miles thru an unmarked intersection, etc, do not travel here in the dark unless you know where you are going or have a GPS.We are now trying to figure out which would be the easiest way to get back to the truck, it is 250 miles away at Cabanon and it is 9am Saturday morning. We decide to go to 63 and stay there to St Michelle. The rail bed is quite boring but groomed well and in a blink we are at the airport 150 miles away, very little traffic and we gas and go thru the park from Mecassa, the trail is starting to fall apart in the second half towards St Michelle. We went thru the parking lot of Hautte Matawin ski doo dealer to head toward st. Zenon, and now we are paying for 4.5 days of perfection, the trail is so bad I want to go back to town and call a taxi for a ride!! We arrived back to Le cabanon at 6pm in the dark feeling like we were now members of the Canadian snow cross team, My fault, we should know better to enter this region on a Saturday night or Sunday, but it is a very good place to leave your truck and trailer for safety reasons. Roast beef was great for dinner and we were on the drive home at 4 am.New sleds have 950 miles in 4 1/4 days, and zero trouble, really love this 850 expedition extreme, 2 weeks for the next one , going for 9 days, hope we have the same luck!!

We stopped in Hotel central in Parent, had dinner with slyvia's cousin, he said she is at home and doing well, her eye is going to be OK and is now open. The idiot that did this is most likely going to jail, as far as I council tell he should consider that protective custody, he is not welcome in this area and it would be quite wise for him find a new place to be if he would like to stay whole. We left a 100$ donation for her fund on behalf of Quebec rider, these folks are very nice people and have been very good to our community for decades, support them when you are in this area.

Been promising the mrs more seat time this season, should not be hard to beat as last season she had none. 
She is a very good rider and excellent student. She handles that Apex like its nothing. 
She took me by car this AM to liberate my patient from the hospital aka Moto Thibault. Had no time to get there earlier in the week. 
Now keep this between us because,  I am not supposed to be out goofing off, I am on call running the show at work as boss Marc is in Hawaii. Boss man Alain was in RDL this weekend at Universal for a couple day loops out and back. I decided to take a chance and go riding on this nice blue sky day. Worst that could happen? I get a call and have to beat feet back ASAP. Well my middle name is danger so that’s how I live dangerously. 
Anyway the wife drops me at the shop I dress up and hit the trail for home to join her. Sled is in top shape no worries but I am gonna push her just to make sure. Trails about a 7-8 on 10 seen much worse and seen much better. For Saturday I will take it. Quick run up to house, she is dressed and ready to go. I pull her sled out.(well my spare sled) she is ready to run. Plan is to run to St Anne de la Perade to eat at her friends new resto there. Up 3 through Shawinigan not alot of traffic for a Saturday and the blue sky day. Fine with me. 3 it is all the way to St Narcisse I give her some fresh gas here and a bathroom break at Petro T. Few more sleds around here. I was going to take local through St Luc Vincennes but is closed with big sign saying so. Wife says she saw on FB they are having big dogsledding races there all weekend and must be using part of the trails for this. Says closed until monday. No biggie. Stay on 3 all the way through St Stanislas. Have not been this way at all last year some changes here. We end up at the abandoned Roger’s Cabin. Hard to look at. Down another local trail and join with 351 into St Anne de la Perade. Joint is jumping at the fish shacks,  tout le monde est la today. We cruise on through and up into town to her friends new resto next to Esso station. Nice place normal good lunch stuff nothing fancy but real good. Just how we like it. Took our time relaxed a bit and headed out for home. Straight shot 351 to Cap de Madeline then local back up through St Louis de France and back to TQ3 and home. This last part being the second time up this one today for me. Decent trails not terrible for a Saturday. What matters is the wife is happy and we all know what they say....Happy Wife? Happy Life. 
Great relaxing day. Much different riding with the Mrs than the boys. A different ride. 
Until next time.

I see they fresh groomed the 83 last night. Well.......someone’s gotta do it. Heading to Parent for the night but first not without going to Wemo and back tracking.
No beavers yet this trip. But I’m looking.............
here yesterday at 360/M20 intersection 

It is groomed to a side trail, (68 miles) that ends in Fer a Cheval.  We were told by Dominic that it cannot be groomed or traveled all the way due to a large section plowed and sanded.

Day 4
Plan was Amos to Chapis for the night.
tq 93 was fantastic! Anywhere from 4-6” of light fluff. Stellar day. Lunch in Lsq where Phil had to bury the sled riding 200 yards to get a qt of oil in the center of town. We where going to stay at the opineska but didn’t have the right rooms for 5. So after a stop at the clubhouse off to chibougamau to Motel Chibougamau for the night 288 miles. 93 south in the morning around the top of the LSJ. Plenty of 60 packs in demarisville! Beaver free as of now!

*********** video added on the post #8**********************
Here is the trail path of our last Saturday ride 25 January 2020, before the last snowfall



We took advantage of the chance we have to be able to start our ride by sled directly from home and took #43 trail south from St-Thomas de Joliette in order to explore the south my area. Very mild temperature around -2C. Here along a windbreaker tree line near home



We then took the #3 east. Beautiful and fast trail with correct snowcover



The Chaloupe river in Berthierville is good and staked



We then continue on trail #3, here in the St-Barthélemy sector. There were some spots with  brownish snow but it was before the 6-8 inches of new snow we received in Saturday to Sunday night



I usually take the loop on the #63 east of St-Barthélemy which takes us a little further north, away from St-Laurence river(ie more snow) but this time I kept the #3 which was correct



Just before St-Ursule I wanted to take the 2nd loop of #63 but it has changed places (the interactive map is up to date) and it is only a dead end which leads to the Cascades pizzeria at the old location of the intersection.



We must continue a bit less than 1 mile further to get to the new junction of the #63 trail



This new trail path connect on the #350 trail path of past years in the power lines



We continued straight to keep #63 to see the Magnan falls in Charette




A little further, a big wild turkey crossed the trail in front of us



When you see one, there are more... the rest of the herd was right next to the trail, not shy at all



We then arrive on the site of the Magnan falls in Charette



The falls themselves are frozen hard



but this place is always nice , a good spot for taking a break.



Just downstream from the footbridge, the river forms a sort of large pot. One day I should walk to see the fall on the other side ...



And the view upstream from the bridge



We then continued towards Ste-Etienne. It was very mild and the trails were starting to get soft. Here in an atv shared section a side by side had swung in the ditch. They were already well installed with 2 other vehicles which were  pulling with winches to bring it back into the trail. Good for him because is a lot harder to unstuck than a snowmobile!



The trail being soft it was already starting to get bumpy



We refueled just before crossing the St-Maurice river near the Gabelle dam



On the other side, trail #3 was particularly worn. We got shaken  up to the junction for Lac à la Tortue that we took. We then took a dead end  before the St-Maurice river to go to the Pizzeria du Lac where we ate very well as usual



After lunch we continued and got on the St-Maurice river. The sky was geting more cloudy



We went up to the intersection with #23 trail and saw that the M19 trail (the one that ride on the river toward Marineau) was closed. The club closed it on Friday because of water accumulation. We for our part turned on #23 west



A few bumps but good condition. We feeling of passing through a tunnel here!



The snowcover is good and it was riding well.



We passed near the Vallée du Parc ski resort in Shawinigan



And then continued west


 
Here passing near the l'auberge du Trappeur



Here a small bridge with a beautiful view, we always stop when we pass there



We found ourselves in front of that at the #349 junction for St-Alexis des Monts



It bothered us a lot. I did not know if the detour was to go through the Koubec (#350 trail farther) which would have push me tight for the gaz, so we took a break there hoping that someone who would pass could inform us and that's what happened. About 10 minutes later, a group of 3 sledderss stopped and they were coming from St-Alexis and had just made the detour, so they explained to us what we needed to know. The reason for the detour is the repair of a bridge. The interactive map is up to date but not my GPS map ... I really need to install Imotoneige on my phone ... Here is a screenshot of the interactive map concerning this detour where I surrounded in yellow the closed intersection and green the new.



Just be careful because the signage coming in the direction like we did is not the best and you have to look backward to see the detour sign. This is before the Pin Rouge entrance of the Mastigouche reserve, so if you got up to the Pin Rouge entrance and didn't seen the junction, turn back. You can't miss it coming from the other side



So we easily reached St-Alexis des Monts village where I refueled full but it was already 5:00 pm and we were still far from home! It was late enough for the dozers to had start their runs so we rode on a freshly groomed trail up to the Pouvoirie du Lac Blanc. We did a short very rought segment, then got quite decent conditions in the Mandeville club where we crossed the dozer midway



We cut on Lac Maskinongé staked trail to reach St-Gabriel de Brandon where it started to snow hard very suddenly. It was not too windy so visibility remained acceptable on the low beams. So we came back under the snow and arrived home around 7:45 pm with 215 miles on the dreammeter



A other great ride for us but the mild weather did not help the trail condition and with the chosen path which was slower in the afternoon it gave us a big day. We discovered ourself new muscles sunday morning which we didn't know existed!!!

In summary, the snow cover is good everywhere and will be even better with the snow that we have just received. The snowmobile season is at his best and now is the time to enjoy it.

For details on the trail conditions here is the place to look: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/

Alain

Stay right, Simple, superior and no cost.  I will give a hand signal if its safe and I still like to get one when its safe, but no need for the whole group to do the countdown, have seen it down right dangerous at times.

Hi Alan, thank you for the report, as always we all enjoy your reports,

Our group stayed there back in 2010.  It was not in the plan as we were headed back to the Saint Zenon area.  A bent carbide and some bad heated visors caused delays and backed us up several hours.  We stopped, gassed up and had a quick bite.  We hit the lake and by time we got to the end of the lake, the two guys having shield problems were completely frosted over.  Decision made,  we can not ride that far, this late in the day (about an hour from dark at this point) with those shields like that.  Back we went to the Domaine du Lac Edouard.  We got three rooms, unpacked, had a great meal, and had a great time that night.  Towards the end of the evening, a guy came in that was way out in front of his buddies.  He said, I might as well have a beer while I wait.  He ordered a beer and one of our guys said, “they’re all out of that, we drank them all”!  The guy went through a few more, with our guy saying, we drank all of those too before he finally found a brand we had not cleaned them out of.  Great fun that night, great memories that we still laugh about.

Did you see this Car on the Trail?
https://www.dootalk.com/forums/topic/1578699-le-cabanon-st-zenon-quebec-report-day-2/
GutZ

7 of us rode out of Cabanon 3 days and then did a 3 day loop. Overall trails were 7-10. Area received 8-12 inches of snow the day we arrived. Rode thru the following places during the week. 1,000 miles total 6 days of riding. St Zenon, Mattawin, Repos, St Gabriel, Kanawata, Weyomentaci, Relay 22, La Tuque. Only 1 potato in St. Michel. Trails south toward Gabriel were fine. Cant say enough about how much I like this 2020 Renegade Enduro 900 Turbo for Quebec riding. Was snowing good when we left also.

Who names a snowmobiler Summer?  lol

I just cancelled my 5 days heading that way, to many problems. Making new plans.

Mike, looks like you guys found some good going too today, as we mentioned at breakfast, we went east towards Rimouski and down to St Gabriel de Rimouski for a great lunch at the Restaurant de table Le Maman. I would definitely stop here again for lunch.  We to were pleased with the conditions. Yesterday when we were out the snow was loose and pliable, last night the base set up nicely and we had very similiar riding conditions as Mike described, and on top of that a Blue sky day!  One definitely will not be disappointed with the riding in this region now. We talked with a gentlemen in Rimouski who said that this good snow had just come with that storm and the riding was not that good prior.
Tomorrow we head east to meet some friends riding up from Lac Etchemin.  We will connect  for lunch at St Pamphile with them and ride back to RDL for the night. Here are some pics that resemble Mikes, just great conditions for sure
RR
 
 

First day of riding for the new season. I was a little worried if the conditions would be good enough. Well, from what we saw today, it was  amazing, midwinter conditions in most areas we rode.  Yesterday's afternoon flurries left about 2 to 5 inches in most areas. Trees are caked with snow. The groomers had been over about 95 percent of the trails we rode. Jack and Sandi, Jak, and I had a great day.  Ate at Chevelliers Club House.
We started out going west along the St. Lawrence. Not as much snow there, but enough that it was very good. From then on perfection. We next headed south to trail #5 and dropped down to 561 going south. We went down the lake, it used to be 35 and is now 561 this year. Lake was kinda slushy in spots. Got gas then lunch. Continued southeast on 35 to almost Cabanno and began working our way north  weaving in and out of some of the loops off the rail bed.
Sandi did an amazing job leading followed by her posse of misfits.
FYI   My ATM card would not work this year at the ATM inside the Universel. Desk clerk believe a new ATM card with a chip is now needed. Drove down to the bank and their's accepted my card.
 
 
 
 

Pulled into 100 Lacs last night at 730 pm 
came from M21 & M20 area. first tracks to 345 junction. Single lane down the middle all the way to Repos. 
Repos to Manawan good on the logging road sections.Manawan to Lunic was all good on the loggging roads but wooded sections 8-10 miles before there were TRASHED with hanging limbs and branches. Will take a lot of work to clear. Fresh groomed from Lunic into 100. Lacs. The 13 north of 100 Lacs this a.m. was rideable but very bumpy and needs a good grooming. In Parent now and we are heading back to the M21 camp tomorrow and 90% looks like it’s all been groomed.

Yesterday ,  Sunday west of Relais 22 on the 83 .  No rain,  lots of fresh all the way from Barrage Gouin to La Tuque  . 

snowmaster, we were in Chapais by 2 pm, decided to slide into Chibougamo for the night, the Opemiska looksd awesome, and we checked into the Tandem restaurant and found out it’s open until 8 pm, so that’s an option in Chapais for dinner.
 
we had an awesome dinner at the pub, in downtown Chibougamo. There is only one taxi, so make sure you get his cell for the ride back.  
There is a great steak, seafood casserole and Chicken pesto on the menu and many tap beer options

Dooright and Playhard, oh the Beaver that snow master had looked like a treat, we were tempted!  And yes Dooright, we had time to get to Misstassini today, but didn’t,  what a fast, flawless run today.  The trail was perfect all the way, and traffic was heavy😳....we met 2.....sleds all day long!  The traffic hasn’t picked up any snowmaster from your trip.
We did get to encounter a “registration” check at the road crossing coming into Chibougamo, huh, he must have gotten a call that 3 strange sleds were in town lol.  While waiting for the check, one of our riders turned and was doing a normal nature call, when the officer came back he said he could right him a ticket for that, we said seriously, and he said with no humor, yes
😳yeah I guess I get it but we are in Chibougamo! and not even in town

We cleared the check and on we went.
As Snowmaster documented last week, for those looking for mid winter riding conditions, it’s here!
A perfect trail day today,
Happy trials
RR
 

Thanks guys.  GoPro some day.  Sometimes I add pics.  Once in awhile Sandi lets me use her smart phone to take a few pics.  It is such a step up from my tried and trusted flip phone.  I know, I'm old school.
So the ride home was fine.  Misting in the air thru L'Etape.  A steadier rain from Quebec City down route 20.  Temp was above freezing most of the way, 32 - 37 F.  Not a lot of snow cover south of the river.  Drummondville was very thin.
I see the groomer map shows a lot of activity around Lac St Jean.  RDL shows some grooming too.  The forecast ahead is temps below freezing and maybe some snow.  I'm optimistic that RDL will get something for our trip starting Jan 13th.
Thanks for reading along.  It adds to our enjoyment knowing that others are riding along with us.
Jack & Sandi

Why doesn't he just use the green key?  You can always wait for him at the next intersection!😀