Fuse6

True, there is no "gas station" in Mont St. Pierre, however you don't always need a gas pump. You just need to know who to ask. #nicetohavefriends 
 

Absolutely. I prefer this route myself. Very nice trail. 

Phil, I'm a farmer, I hate rocks but we will still go see the Rock. Wanted to stay at Roland's but they never responded to 2 emails and one phone call. Thinking English may be the issue.

This is the route we are planning on doing . I did a lot of research of all the old posts on here.Received some Input from some of the veterans like  Snowfarmer,SMclelan,Iceman and others.
Many people said the Murdochville to LaCache was a "must do Trail"
For lodging go to Quebectrails.com for some ideas.
I had a couple nights was having problems finding rooms. Called Louise at Quebectrails (speaks very good English)and she had us rooms books in minutes. The only way they benefit is if you buy trail permits from them. So 5 from our group ordered permits and she courier to our starting hotel in Mont Joli.
We are started the loop on Monday Feb 27,  
 
 
 

The North Shore got pounded last week 120cm in some places (almost 4'), that's the reason for the sub par conditions around Mount St. Pierre and Murdochville. It can take up to a week to clean up after a storm like that. You should be fine and what rain they get this weekend should only make the conditions better. We are starting in R-D-L next Friday the 3rd, should be epic!
 

Hi Steve.  The groomer map is updated at 6:00 AM and again at 1:00 PM.  We have found a few trails that were white on the map (not groomed recently) this year but actually were groomed.  I don't know what the glitch was but it was a pleasant surprise to be expecting bumps and it was smooth.  The trails were in the Lac St Jean region.
Jack & Sandi

We arrive in Mont Joli This Sat Feb 25.
Depart Sunday morning going clockwise. Wish we were starting 2 days later. Should be lots of snow, maybe to mild for the groomers on the weekend?
Group of friends are arriving in RDL tonight. I will text him late Thurs for a trail report. 
Mont Saint Pierre to Grande Vallee is showing fair on Quebectrails.com. I'm guessing they are still trying to deal with the drifted snow from last week, and conditions will improve. Can anyone confirm that?
Are the grooming maps updated mid day or just 6:00 in the morning
thanks
 

Big problem with the new website it does not resize the pictures for you, you are on your own for that.
Here's what I've been doing to resize them, emailing them to myself, after tapping on Send button the IPhone will list a few optional sizes to choose from. Remember the upload limit is 4.88 mb so choose accordingly to how many pics you want to post in one post.
If there is anyone else that knows another way to resize IPhone pics please do chime in.

This made me laugh. I raised 5 boys. Had to teach them all to ski, I figured out by the 3rd one if you give them a little push at the top of the hill the smart ones figured it out pretty quick.
What a gong show getting everyone ready to go to the hill, By the time I got everyone dressed, loaded the Suburban, Sorted skis and pole, boots on etc etc. By the time I had everyone's skis pointed down the mountain I would be so aggravated it would be happy hour before I'd get my sense of humour back.
First of January we went to Panorama B.C. Skiing with 3 of the kids, they are grown up now so much more enjoyable time.
Modern ski boots have a major design flaw. Wife can't get hers on either. Was going to tell her to lose some weight might help, thought better not when she had a ski pole in her hand. I put a wrap of Saran Wrap around her foot and slid into boot much easier.
Only advantage of a ski hill is much better chance of finding some rich old widow that could possibly finance future sledding trips.
Seems like you have to humour woman a bit to do what we really want to do: SLED.
Just last week took my wife to Mont Laurier for a few days to ride. BUT on route we had to stop in Ottawa to skate the  Rideau Canal. For those not familiar with the Canal in the winter they plow and flood 7 km that winds through the down town. Of course the only place could find parking for the truck and 4 place trailer was at the very south end of the canal.
Had to skate up hill the full 7 km to get to the down town center by the parliament buildings, then another 7 km back for 14 km round trip. High  light was stopping at one of the shacks they have right on the ice for some Poutine. If you like skating it actual is a neat experience . 
Well back to packing my saddlebags for next weeks boys trip to the Gaspe

Aw crap! Now i'm gonna have to drive thru Ottawa again.  My wife and kids would love that ice skating.  Yeah what a pain skiing is but we do enjoy it too.

This made me laugh. I raised 5 boys. Had to teach them all to ski, I figured out by the 3rd one if you give them a little push at the top of the hill the smart ones figured it out pretty quick.
What a gong show getting everyone ready to go to the hill, By the time I got everyone dressed, loaded the Suburban, Sorted skis and pole, boots on etc etc. By the time I had everyone's skis pointed down the mountain I would be so aggravated it would be happy hour before I'd get my sense of humour back.
First of January we went to Panorama B.C. Skiing with 3 of the kids, they are grown up now so much more enjoyable time.
Modern ski boots have a major design flaw. Wife can't get hers on either. Was going to tell her to lose some weight might help, thought better not when she had a ski pole in her hand. I put a wrap of Saran Wrap around her foot and slid into boot much easier.
Only advantage of a ski hill is much better chance of finding some rich old widow that could possibly finance future sledding trips.
Seems like you have to humour woman a bit to do what we really want to do: SLED.
Just last week took my wife to Mont Laurier for a few days to ride. BUT on route we had to stop in Ottawa to skate the  Rideau Canal. For those not familiar with the Canal in the winter they plow and flood 7 km that winds through the down town. Of course the only place could find parking for the truck and 4 place trailer was at the very south end of the canal.
Had to skate up hill the full 7 km to get to the down town center by the parliament buildings, then another 7 km back for 14 km round trip. High  light was stopping at one of the shacks they have right on the ice for some Poutine. If you like skating it actual is a neat experience . 
Well back to packing my saddlebags for next weeks boys trip to the Gaspe

This made me laugh. I raised 5 boys. Had to teach them all to ski, I figured out by the 3rd one if you give them a little push at the top of the hill the smart ones figured it out pretty quick.
What a gong show getting everyone ready to go to the hill, By the time I got everyone dressed, loaded the Suburban, Sorted skis and pole, boots on etc etc. By the time I had everyone's skis pointed down the mountain I would be so aggravated it would be happy hour before I'd get my sense of humour back.
First of January we went to Panorama B.C. Skiing with 3 of the kids, they are grown up now so much more enjoyable time.
Modern ski boots have a major design flaw. Wife can't get hers on either. Was going to tell her to lose some weight might help, thought better not when she had a ski pole in her hand. I put a wrap of Saran Wrap around her foot and slid into boot much easier.
Only advantage of a ski hill is much better chance of finding some rich old widow that could possibly finance future sledding trips.
Seems like you have to humour woman a bit to do what we really want to do: SLED.
Just last week took my wife to Mont Laurier for a few days to ride. BUT on route we had to stop in Ottawa to skate the  Rideau Canal. For those not familiar with the Canal in the winter they plow and flood 7 km that winds through the down town. Of course the only place could find parking for the truck and 4 place trailer was at the very south end of the canal.
Had to skate up hill the full 7 km to get to the down town center by the parliament buildings, then another 7 km back for 14 km round trip. High  light was stopping at one of the shacks they have right on the ice for some Poutine. If you like skating it actual is a neat experience . 
Well back to packing my saddlebags for next weeks boys trip to the Gaspe

Will be arriving in the Gaspe next Sat Feb 25 to start our clockwise loop at Mont Joli. Should be passing through your area Thursday Groomer. Looking forward to riding your trails that have seen so many pictures of. This will be my first tour of the Gaspe

hi fuse !!!
great !!! big storm on the north side of gaspesie !!! tons and tons of snow !!! 3' + in murdochville....6' in the gaspesie park !!!
if no storm to change the grooming  schedule ,on the thursday ,i ll be on tq 5 early morning !!!
 
jean-guy

Scranton
Are you familiar with the Ferry you can take about 10 miles east of Ottawa at Cumberland, crosses to Masson on the Quebec side .
You can completely avoid downtown Ottawa and the zigzagging trying to get to highway #50 if your headed N to Mount Laurier or Montipeller etc. I think the highways through Ottawa were laid out by a drunk fur trader. Takes a good wheel man and a better man on the GPS to navigate through the city unless you know the route.
The ferry completely avoids the chaos.

Scranton
Are you familiar with the Ferry you can take about 10 miles east of Ottawa at Cumberland, crosses to Masson on the Quebec side .
You can completely avoid downtown Ottawa and the zigzagging trying to get to highway #50 if your headed N to Mount Laurier or Montipeller etc. I think the highways through Ottawa were laid out by a drunk fur trader. Takes a good wheel man and a better man on the GPS to navigate through the city unless you know the route.
The ferry completely avoids the chaos.

We just got back Lac William and area and will post trip results tomorrow. ( the 850 has an issue ! More on that later)There are road crosses but no more then in other areas. Really not a concern .

My wife and I just arrived  at Village Windigo tonight at 6:30. Was dark when we arrived but wow what a beautiful place.
The Wood Runner Trail that Mark just posted gives you all the lodges for options if you don't want to base out of town.
In ML for hotels there is Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western and a new Super 8. 
Comfort Inn is my first choice, great restaurant on site, good trail access to go N or S from town, nice rooms.
Quality Inn, stayed there 2 weeks ago, nothing bad just the place is getting old, rooms a bit tired. Trail access is bit of a scrape across the bridge if no fresh snow. Decent Resturaunt on site, Boston Pizza next door.
Super 8 is right across Rd from Quality, Driving by an hour ago didn't see any sled trailers , not sure there is much parking?
Best Western, never been there looks nice on the web. Don't think there is a restaurant on site and don't think any thing walking distance.
Comfort Inn and Quality will let you park while you are gone for few days, might be a small charge. $10.00???? A day. Neither is a gated secure lot. Over years have stayed both places for 4 days each time never had problem, not any recent truck theft that I know of.
Village Windigo, Rasaka, Club Frontbrune are all best part of an hour N of ML by truck.Only 40 km but a rough road. never driven to Mekoos, think a bit further.  They are all very nice lodges, definitely more enjoyable experience vs hotel.
Not positive what your wanting to do. One suggestion would be trailer to ML, stay first night in hotel then head out, maybe head up to 100 Lacs lodge for a night, about 100 miles N of ML. Circle around and stay at another lodge next night. Will never be to far away from ML but there is all kinds of excellent trails to keep you busy for a few days.
I know getting lodging for Friday and Sat nights is becoming a challenge. 
Do you use a GPS. TRakmaps is a huge help getting around and staying on route in villages or trail junctions etc.  The Wood Runner system has installed a lot of new signage this fall, Finding your way around is easy if you know what lodge is near direction you want to go.
I assume you look at the FMCQ interactive map. Those orange trails that look like minor trails on the map; most of them are beautiful trails.
Look at the grooming map 7:00 AM and head for the greens.  once you get out of town even the trails that haven't been groomed for a couple of days are still normally in great shape if it has been cold and have stayed setup after grooming.
Steve
 

My wife and I just arrived  at Village Windigo tonight at 6:30. Was dark when we arrived but wow what a beautiful place.
The Wood Runner Trail that Mark just posted gives you all the lodges for options if you don't want to base out of town.
In ML for hotels there is Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western and a new Super 8. 
Comfort Inn is my first choice, great restaurant on site, good trail access to go N or S from town, nice rooms.
Quality Inn, stayed there 2 weeks ago, nothing bad just the place is getting old, rooms a bit tired. Trail access is bit of a scrape across the bridge if no fresh snow. Decent Resturaunt on site, Boston Pizza next door.
Super 8 is right across Rd from Quality, Driving by an hour ago didn't see any sled trailers , not sure there is much parking?
Best Western, never been there looks nice on the web. Don't think there is a restaurant on site and don't think any thing walking distance.
Comfort Inn and Quality will let you park while you are gone for few days, might be a small charge. $10.00???? A day. Neither is a gated secure lot. Over years have stayed both places for 4 days each time never had problem, not any recent truck theft that I know of.
Village Windigo, Rasaka, Club Frontbrune are all best part of an hour N of ML by truck.Only 40 km but a rough road. never driven to Mekoos, think a bit further.  They are all very nice lodges, definitely more enjoyable experience vs hotel.
Not positive what your wanting to do. One suggestion would be trailer to ML, stay first night in hotel then head out, maybe head up to 100 Lacs lodge for a night, about 100 miles N of ML. Circle around and stay at another lodge next night. Will never be to far away from ML but there is all kinds of excellent trails to keep you busy for a few days.
I know getting lodging for Friday and Sat nights is becoming a challenge. 
Do you use a GPS. TRakmaps is a huge help getting around and staying on route in villages or trail junctions etc.  The Wood Runner system has installed a lot of new signage this fall, Finding your way around is easy if you know what lodge is near direction you want to go.
I assume you look at the FMCQ interactive map. Those orange trails that look like minor trails on the map; most of them are beautiful trails.
Look at the grooming map 7:00 AM and head for the greens.  once you get out of town even the trails that haven't been groomed for a couple of days are still normally in great shape if it has been cold and have stayed setup after grooming.
Steve
 

X2
I have switch to the inreach this year, the explorer that's include GPS capability(very very basic gps). I have it since the beginning of this season and for sure it is in case of emergency way better than the spot because of the 2 way communication.
To answer Fuse6 question, If you ever had to trigger the SOS button of you SPOT it is the GEOS dispatch centre that is based in Houston Texas that will receive the request. At this point they have no idea what king of emergency. The first thing they will do is to call your contacts from the list you enter in your profile spot web page to try to figure out if it is a real emergency or a false alarm (trig by error) so your contact need to have an idea of where you are (snowmobile trip by example) they will probably check the information that you may have enter on your account profile but from what I read about on post emergency stories they mostly rely on the information the contacted peoples will give them. Next they will contact the emergency people of the area (911 crew in Quebec) with the information they gather and give them the ball... In Quebec it is usually the Sureté du Quebec police that will get the call and will try to figure out what to do. Remember, they just know you have push a button, a gps position + the information your contacts have give them,
The same situation with the inreach, you trig the SOS button. Next, the same GEOS dispatch in Houston Texas will receive the request.Then you have a reply that confirm that the emergency was received(not with the Spot) and then they will reach you in text mode on the inreach to gather what's happen and then will have all the information needed to push the ball to the local 911 crew that will immediately handle the emergency.
Force to admit that the spot 911 alone is not enough. In an emergency situation you can't just push the button and hoping, especially for us in winter... you will need to have someone that will contact the 911 in an other way and at this point the spot benefit will be that the emergency case had been already open and begin and the rescue people have the spot GPS position. The spot is more a complement than an emergency trigger solution. It shine to track you and report your position to your family, sending non life threatening information like the end of the day ok messages but being an unidirectional device, you send information and hope that it will reach the recipient but never have any confirmation of it.
An other thing to consider it is if one of your group get injured and you have to trig the SOS button for him. Don't forget that GEOs will call your home contacts that may live a considerable stress during many hours thinking that you got injured and not knowing what's going on.
For sure if you are not in a remote area most emergencies can be handle pretty fast but we have to understand that a big part of the trail system is in remote area where rescue is not easy/fast to handle. There are many emergency communication devices each with their cost+advantages and disadvantages and it is a subject that can be talk a lot.
Hope those clarifications somewhat help
Alain
 

My wife and I just arrived  at Village Windigo tonight at 6:30. Was dark when we arrived but wow what a beautiful place.
The Wood Runner Trail that Mark just posted gives you all the lodges for options if you don't want to base out of town.
In ML for hotels there is Quality Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western and a new Super 8. 
Comfort Inn is my first choice, great restaurant on site, good trail access to go N or S from town, nice rooms.
Quality Inn, stayed there 2 weeks ago, nothing bad just the place is getting old, rooms a bit tired. Trail access is bit of a scrape across the bridge if no fresh snow. Decent Resturaunt on site, Boston Pizza next door.
Super 8 is right across Rd from Quality, Driving by an hour ago didn't see any sled trailers , not sure there is much parking?
Best Western, never been there looks nice on the web. Don't think there is a restaurant on site and don't think any thing walking distance.
Comfort Inn and Quality will let you park while you are gone for few days, might be a small charge. $10.00???? A day. Neither is a gated secure lot. Over years have stayed both places for 4 days each time never had problem, not any recent truck theft that I know of.
Village Windigo, Rasaka, Club Frontbrune are all best part of an hour N of ML by truck.Only 40 km but a rough road. never driven to Mekoos, think a bit further.  They are all very nice lodges, definitely more enjoyable experience vs hotel.
Not positive what your wanting to do. One suggestion would be trailer to ML, stay first night in hotel then head out, maybe head up to 100 Lacs lodge for a night, about 100 miles N of ML. Circle around and stay at another lodge next night. Will never be to far away from ML but there is all kinds of excellent trails to keep you busy for a few days.
I know getting lodging for Friday and Sat nights is becoming a challenge. 
Do you use a GPS. TRakmaps is a huge help getting around and staying on route in villages or trail junctions etc.  The Wood Runner system has installed a lot of new signage this fall, Finding your way around is easy if you know what lodge is near direction you want to go.
I assume you look at the FMCQ interactive map. Those orange trails that look like minor trails on the map; most of them are beautiful trails.
Look at the grooming map 7:00 AM and head for the greens.  once you get out of town even the trails that haven't been groomed for a couple of days are still normally in great shape if it has been cold and have stayed setup after grooming.
Steve
 

I have  a gen 3 Spot and thankfully I have not had to use it for rescue only to send messages home that we are fine. The way I understand the Spot system is that when you send an SOS it goes to their monitoring center in France and they will contact the local authorities here in Canada that there is an emergency requiring immediate assistance and the troops will come prepared for any type of emergency. During my career as  an Air Traffic Controller I dealt with our Rescue Coordination Centers on almost a daily basis and believe me these people are pros. They get an emergency message with a set of coordinates and you will be rescued! These devices are not meant to call for a spare belt! I hope I never have to use the Sos feature but I know if I do it will work.
 
Andy

Is trail #53 from Mekoos going N as nice as it is from Mekoos going S?
Love that trail, fast, twisty but open enough can see on coming riders.

Friend and I had jerry cans on our 2 smokes, one would have klotz while the other gas. Setup worked well.  
Now we have about a gallon in the engine. Much easer there.  Most people would return a vehicle that burns oil.  Now I know better!

Enjoy your stay Fuse6....they do have some really nice cottages.
https://www.lewindigo.com/