doo4adoo

Thanks 
im a bit leary on these radar shots. I like to hear that someone actually saw and touched it lol
hopefully opens from Le Domine up soon

joyeux noel a tous !!!
 
jean-guy
 

Maybe it’s time to start another guess when the groomer passes contest...

Sorry Ricky Bobby not sure it’s gonna be like that. 

judging from her look she was laughing when you said about 2''
not sure what she was thinking🤣

bonjour !!!
 
snowing since yesterday....about 6 '' right now....windy this morning ...-10c !!!
 
jean-guy

On Saturday, December 15 Krikri and I once again started our ride from near the Lac Blanc outfitter in St-Alexis des Monts accompanied by Steph, Snowcruiser and his friend Michel. My first idea was to go exploring on the #23 east side  but we had to adjust our plan and instead we had dinner at the St-Zénon village then in the afternoon made a loop between the Taureau dam and the Mattawin River Bridge and been back via #23 north toward our starting point, a total trip of 175miles.
The interactive map has still not been updated but this time I started the tracking on my  Inreach satellite beacon that generated me a gps track of my ride that I put on a snowmobile map to give you a real view of the current configuration in the Mastigouche reserve. I suggest you to keep this image as a reference. If anyone ever needed my .gpx track file you can contact me privately here or via facebook.

Cloudy sky and very mild temperature (around the freezing point since the evening before)at start so expecting softer trail base for the ride

The trees were still snow loaded and just lose a bit during the day with the mild weather.


The trail was not just groomed (but ok) probably because of the mild weather and also the work overload for the club that ares still in branches cutting to open their other trails.

Once on the #23 trail, we tried  some exploration on the east side

but we have not done a quarter mile, the trail is still full of fallen trees. I read today on the facebook site of the Mastigouche snowmobile club that they decided to use the big machinery to open the remaining trails not done yet... not easy this season. This is the#23 trail  right in front in this pic and it's alot worst at many other places

So we turned back and took the #23 in west direction which was perfect

towards the middle of the reserve, we forked  towards the south in Cabanon direction

Just before arriving there is a miles along the plow road where the snow is dirty but it's not really bad

We then switched toward the village of St-Zénon

It is a more mountainous segment which was more bumpy but we met the dozer in it

We went at the gaz station a little south of the village of St-Zénon also hoping to eat at the next door restaurant but the restaurant was closed. It is supposed to open within a few weeks, according to the gaz station clerk. So we came back a little and went at an other restaurant just at the south entrance of the St-Zénon village.

After lunch we retraced our steps

Pass the Cabanon

And went to the Taureau reservoir dam


We took a break there and then crossed the dam to do a loop via #360 trail up to the #345 junction

that we took toward south to cross the river by the bridge


rear view

We then rode down to the #23 junction where we took another break

then taking the #23 east which is further north this year, on the #31 road of the reserve

We then joined the morning path a little further and continued toward our trailers. Here taking the #350 trail at Gaston

We were back to the trailer around 5:30 pm with 175 miles on the dreammeter. The trails suffered a bit of the mild weather but kept better than  expected, a very nice ride overall.
The clubs continue to work hard to open the trails, the wood transport was ended on the 15 dec on the #360 toward Marineau so the trail network will continue to expand in the next day. 
Take a look here for the last new: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
:bc:
Alain

No freezing rain all snow, warm up did not effect the area at all, trails are in mid season conditions

Sure Don is a good guy and all but some of those lady weather reporters are lets say more appealing 🙂

Congrats 
im happy you’ve the winner since it means we’re riding sooner
obviously we owe a great gratitude to all the volunteers who made this happen
also a thanks to Ice who runs this fun contest 

The conditions were already good in the Mastigouche Wildlife reserve during our last ride when they had received a good layer of big wet snow that had laid down several trees giving considerable work to the snowmobile clubs to open the trails, although they received another one that over-painted the scenery even more but also giving even more work to the snowmobile clubs to re-open a second time several trails they had already logged a week before and putting a layer on those that they had not had time to do. The work is not completed yet everywhere but it advances greatly.
After looking at the information on the open trails, I chose to go once more in the Mastigouche Wildlife reserve, but making a loop this time from the already ready trails. We therefore left the same starting point near the outfitter of Lake Blanc accompanied by Snowcruiser and Toxie. Brutally cold: -28C when starting at around 9:00 am Saturday morning (December 8th, 2018)

As for the exact route, the current map of Lanaudière does not really represent what is groomed so it's difficult to show you on a map. We left the outfitter of Lake Blanc by the trail # 350, then the M10 and trail #23 to the west as our last ride but halfway in the reserve Mastigouche we forked to the south on the trail # 345. Currently if you continue this trail along its length it ended a few miles south of the Cabanon on #23. Halfway along the same trail, we took a fork on the left to go to Koubec Outfitter and then came back on #345 to have meal at Cabanon. In the afternoon we made the same trip as our last ride ie #345 north in dam direction and 12 miles from cabanon took the #23 east up to our  morning path that we redid in the opposite direction.
In terms of trail maps, I went to the sources and was told that an update for the interactive map and Imotoneige is on the way and should be done within a week to adjust those maps to the trails on the field in real
The trails had lost nothing of their beauty compared to the previous week. Here on the #350 near the Lac Blanc outfitter


Toxie who ride in front of us broke in a brand new grand touring 900 ace in these beautiful trails that he also traveled for the first time


Snowcruiser who was with us had pass there last Wednesday and did a lot of zigzagging between the trees lying down to manage to pass after the 2nd layer of snow from last Sunday. Everything was perfect on this Saturday morning, a big thanks to the snowmobile club Mastigouche for their work and recent grooming!

The woman behind the camera: the one who takes all the pictures you see, who has been sharing my life for over 34 years and been on my  snowmobile back seat for almost the same time. She is also the mother of our 4 boys, the woman of my life. She does the meals and the laundry in addition !!! ..... lollll I love you darling !!!

We then forked on the M10 trail to the north, notice the snow ...


And then took the #23 to the west. The difference compared to the previous week is obviously the better snow to the ground but especially the amount of snow hanging in the trees


Halfway in the reserve we forked to the south on trail #345

And switch again on the left to show the outfitter Koubec to Toxie. Everywhere trail conditions looks like of the end of January in the reserve

The Mastigouche outfitter

better known as Koubec by most snowmobilers. A real historical gem.

We then retraced our steps over several miles

to take the back the trail toward the Cabanon in the Mastigouche Reserve

A little less snow going east but trees still well loaded and good ground cover


We had arrived just a few miles south of the Cabanon. There is a little brownish snow around the Cabanon but nothing bad and everywhere else was beautiful

We stopped there to refuel the venture and us

We met by chance Bily a friend with whom Snowcruiser and I had already ride a couple time and he joined us with his daughter for a good sledder meal. 

We then took the #345 trail north towards the Taureau dam

rear shot 

And around 12 miles from the Cabanon we took the #23 trail toward east which takes the path of the Wildlife Reserve road #31 (indicated by big signs). The sun that had been present in the morning let place to some clouds with light snow


We took a short break at the fork to the south that we had taken in the morning. Kristine took the opportunity to  catch this nice shot of a small river next: superb!

We then continued on #23, the same morning path toward the trailer. Notice the amount of snow hanging in the branches everywhere


We took a last little break before taking the #350

The sky was already too dark for the pics but it was special to ride this trail that sometimes looks like a tunnel at the sleds lights

We got back to the trailer a little past 4:30 pm with a 136s very relaxed miles for the day, all 4 very happy with our ride

In the summary, extraordinary conditions for the date for both snow to the ground and scenery. In fact, I don't remembered since I've been snowmobiling that I've seen such large area in Lanaudièrewith scenery so much snow painted in white by the sticky snow that froze there. They preview cold for the coming days so there will be  many other lucky people who will have the chance to admire these beauties of nature
Several clubs are still in the branch cut to open the trails but it is going well and the playground has grown considerably. Bily, whom we met at Cabanon, told us that he had left from St-Gabriel de Brandon(pretty much south) via trail #23 and everything was good on this side. As the clubs complete their work, they will officially open and you will see the details here: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
an outstanding season start that is very promising for having some great riding in the christmas holidays. 

bonsoir !!!
 
back from grooming...left albertville around  9 30 am .....down to st fidele cb and back in town...11 hrs run ...
need a bit more snow at some places....tons of moose tracks !!!
victor walking in street to go to clubhouse !!!
 
jean-guy

These latest pictures are great shots, magazine worthy!
Thanks

bonjour !!!
 
a bit of sightseeing this morning !!!
losing sunshine !!!
 
jean-guy

Ice, you are right, unfortunately the first guy that crashed, it was his first day In the north country with us ever, his first ride of the season, and there were other issues. It’s kind of one of those things where you had to be there😉.
The second Guy, same issue, both experienced riders that broke the 100 mile rule.
We have  a rule, after 40 plus years of riding, that those riders running the first 100 miles, need to be take extra caution getting used to their sleds and gear that they have just purchased.  
This is an individual rule, with each owner having to take those responsibilities required,  themselves! so take it easy boys on those first 100 miles.
Unfortunately that rule did not get followed yesterday.
Fortunately, this group is very flexible and capable for most situations
As many members in this group regularly crank out in excess of 5,000 miles a year and several of us in excess of 10,000 miles a year.
When you run the territory we do, if you don’t come out with scratches in your (brand new) sleds and terrain induced damage, you aren’t riding😉
i enjoy sharing these adventure on Quebec Rider, and will continue, but many of these rides are not groomed trail riding.
We had a great 200 mile day today up towards the Pipmuacan reservoir, , one rider got the flu and was sick at the turn, a long afternoon for him!  100 miles out in the bush!
Looking forward to the new season of riding, and reading everyone’s reports
 
Happy Trails
RR
 
 
 

That's it, our first ride of the new season done yesterday in Lanaudiere! I would have liked before but  winter has taken us by surprise: A season starting with groomed trails in mid-November is a new record here and I was not ready at all. To summarize, we catch up well yesterday with extraordinary conditions for a first December.
Due to the early opening, there is still active wood work/transport that forces the clubs to adjust the trail network and the current map versions do not represent what is groomed. To show you our trip track, I use a gps map on which I have drawn in pink-purple our trip trace and an approximate of where #23 trail join on  the #345 (between the Cabanon and the Dam). For those who know well the area, it is the #31 road of the reserve which is several miles further north than what the sled interactive map currently indicates.



Our friend Snowcruiser joined us and we chose the Lac Blanc Outfitter near St-Alexis des Monts as a starting point which minimized the car travel of each. It turned out to be an excellent choice in all aspect



We then took the # 350 trail north, also called the Gaston's trail for regulars in the area



From the start the amount of snow to the ground left by the last week storm was impressive ...



But very quickly that's what was still hanging in the trees that amazed us






The snowmobille club has clearly worked a good shot because despite it is an incredible beauty, the trails were completely blocked before the dozer passes. Good job guys!







We forked on the M10 trail in north direction to get the #23trail. On a short strech there were some small branches reminding us that it is the beginning of the season.



Otherwise,  next very nice.



A little further we took the #23 trail westbound. A little layer of new snow over the last grooming as well a couple trees fallen in the trail on the first miles (easily bypassed, just be careful)




 
Then back on freshly groomed trail. The sky has cleared and the sun was present, the snowy scenery has become even more beautiful





Trail conditions are at their best on the #23.





At the beginning of the ride on the #350 although the scenery was amazing, it was after storm conditions with a rather soft trail and not much grip on the skis. Here on the #23 a little less new snow on a good solid trail base allows us to ride at a good pace in full control with very little effort.





We then took the #345/#23 trail (between the Taureau Dam and the Cabanon) in a south direction



The amount of snow on the ground was  clearly less than when we start more east. The trail base is very good but thinner and traffic helping, some curves are a little swept. On the last miles before the Cabanon while the trail path leaves the reserve road to enter in the wood (on about 4 miles) it lacks some snow but not really bad.



We got at the Cabanon at around 11:30, pit stop for us and the sleds



Many snowmobilers in the place and always as well received



After a good meal break, we leave to make the same track in the opposite direction.





The sun has accompanied us a good moment





We took a break at the intersection of the M10 trail that we then took in south direction



Another brief break at the other end of the M10 where the signage was a little deficient. We guided a couple sledders in the right direction and also briefly met 2 CMIQ forum's guys for the first time: Greetings guys !!!



The Gaston's trail was really the most spectacular end in terms of scenery





too bad that the sun had quit, in these tunnels it would have gave incredible scenery






Here a last break in front of the Lac Blanc outfitter



All this big snow on the lakes before the big frosts has a worrying side however ... caution, it is still early in the season.




We returned to the trailer with a total of 120miles in relax mode.

 
In summary a fantastic first ride for us, surprising snow conditions especially more to the east. The trail network is still very small and not interconnected so check the areas you want to go before you go there. I know that the logging will delay a bit the early opening of some sections but the playground will be able to expand anyway in the coming weeks
Check out the details here: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Wish you an happy and safe new sledding season to all of you !!!
Alain

Krikri and I did our season opener between the Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc and Cabanon in St-Zénon, 127 miles of smiles in outstanding conditions for the date
Here a little teaser, the report will follow soon...
Alain

Wow what a mess ! real example of how much effort goes into keeping these trails maintained big thanks to all who help 👍

83 Surfaced to Auberge du Ravage by Club Motoneige Saguenay. Today.

 

I though that they were already new owners in the past year or so.
All the same good news and enjoyed by stay there last winter.

I though that they were already new owners in the past year or so.
All the same good news and enjoyed by stay there last winter.

Alerts for: Charlevoix
Winter storm warning in effect for: Baie-Saint-Paul area La Malbaie area a major winter storm is forecast.
From 50 to 70 centimeters of snow expected between tonight and Wednesday.
Evaluate the possibility of delaying non-essential travel until conditions improve. The rapid accumulation of snow will make travel difficult. Visibility can be suddenly reduced at times in strong snow. The snow will be accompanied by strong winds from Tuesday evening.
 
Amen!  Praise Jesus, Moses & Allah!  Hallelujah!
(Hoping the ground's good n cold)

26 November 
 
https://www.zone911.com/actualites/divers/item/27719-tempete-de-neige-pour-quebec-charlevoix-et-autres-regions

The funny thing is, she didn't speak any french. She is the boyfriend who is from Gaspe and she was from Italy and just finished University. Spoke english and Italian