smclelan

I am a little slow getting the ride report out of our Feb 27 trip. Our original plan was to trailer from Nova Scotia to Pointe a la Croix Feb 27, then snowmobile to Matane catching the 2pm boat Feb 28. However with mild weather and rain forecast on the 28th, we trailered directly to Matane the 27th. Feb 28 Got up from the Quality Inn and on the 8am boat to Baie Comeau. Off loaded, it was above 0 but still lo rain. We took the orange trail behind the ski hill going East. What an amazing scenic trail. It ends on the TQ3 at the warming shack between BC and Godbout. Stopped at the shack and put a fire on, it was a heavy mist at this point. No one was wet but we were in no rush either. From there we went to the Travelodge for the night in BC and supper at 3 Barils, Great food. Feb 29 Flash freeze overnight, what a jack pot! Handle bars controls all frozen solid! Took off scratcher down. Groomers were out in a few sections to help break up the hard crust. Good trails all the way to Sacre Couer and stay at the Coronet. Mar 1 Out from the Coronet and up the TQ93, it was the best I have ever seen it right to where you meet the first orange trail. From there to the Chappel was good but not as good as the 93. Lunch and off, backtracked on the TQ93 to the orange trail and turned east. One short plowed section by Domaine L or paste but great running to were the 330 meets the TQ3 above portneuf sur mer. Right where the 330 ends we did a quick off trail to the other piece of the TQ3 avoiding running to the coast. Into the Econolodge in Forestville for the night. Mar 2 Original plan scrapped over drinks the night before, no ride to Sept Iles. Boys wanted to go back to Mt Valin. Back we go the way we came back to to a little more riding on the mountain. Late lunch at the Chappel then most of the way back the 93 to the Debut of the 330. Traveled east on it, another great trail. Stayed the second night in Forestville. Mar 3 Sunny warm day, took our riding back to Baie Comeau for the afternoon ferry. We were starting to see some patches starting to bare up. It was easy to tell the end was near. Loaded on the 5:00pm boat and back to Matane and the truck. A few pictures to share. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-HGnsSJNa.thumb.jpeg.eeaf7e98597fad013548a2716a4f412b.jpeg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-8Lj004g9.thumb.jpeg.bb93e473115bcf665292c6c3e3fb50f7.jpeg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-PUNrRBgs.thumb.jpeg.492cb75c76202fd788253c7d812047dc.jpeg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-am64lTui.thumb.jpeg.0686c4fdbad58f721adcb860d950e046.jpeg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-P5OxEgEg.thumb.jpeg.1a055f1007c844814ec4d53e7e0cb0aa.jpeg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-QB6mQwDG.thumb.jpeg.6548b33999eb626504f261536f953455.jpeg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_03/pro-8Y4kjjSp.thumb.jpeg.de324d632b2f8c10b6d5f3fd8cbaefb1.jpeg

Great pictures. The drone shots add a great high level view.

We certainly lucked out with our conditions, snow cover was good. It was hard and icy early two mornings. All the businesses we stopped at commented on how they were missing the normal sled traffic.

Wow rode from Forestville the the Ferry in BC last night. Trails were good considering. There were a couple spots starting to bare up, certainly surprised it is showing yellow and red today.

My 700i actually thought of freezing up today. The screen went black and said something about working at temperature extremes, I pushed ok, it turned back on and no further issues. It was -19°C plus the wind chill. Other then that no issues.

Sad. Never met him but everyone sad he was a super guy. He certainly ran a world class operation.

Fuse6 you have some great pictures. We ran from BC to the Coronet today, much better conditions then expected. It was frozen and hard but no snirt, or traffic. The amount of damaged trees from the Spruce Budworm is unbelievable, miles upon miles of dead standing wood. Heading to Chapel tomorrow, not sure where after that. Snowmaster2112, pull up your big girl panties and come up again, there is still some goodsledding up here. Too early to throw in the towel.

Yes that could be considered thin in spots

Been running the new Garmin 700i for about a month now in Nova Scotia. I really like the bigger screen, however I soon saw where in some lighting visibility wasn't ideal. I set the lighting on Night Mode and found it much better, run it day and night.

Heard some riders were up to Mt Lyall just outside LaCache not sure how far beyond riders have ventured. I good spot for an Expedition Extreme to lead the way! Any takers??

Hope to get there next week and try that one. On the terrian map layer is looks like an awesome trail, with lots of ups and downs.

Was the side trail the loop between Godbout and Baie Comeau? Orange trail?

I consider myself very lucky, 4hrs exactly from home to the Gaspesie.

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.

This could be possible. Andyman had the dash on his new sled switch over to ATV mode, showed he was in 4 wheel drive! LOL

I run a Garmin GPS on my handle bar with Trax Maps. I recieve free annual updates to show trail changes. How do the BRP maps on their 10" screens work? Are updates possible?

Hope you have heavy base layers, looks like tonight and tomorrow will be cold up there.

Have not seen this opensnow before, does it tend to be accurate?

Thanks for sharing Chris, great pictures, maps, and fly overs for each day.

Been talking to a good friend in the Gaspe....I canceled my trip starting Thursday. He said it is not good.

We are supposed to get another foot here in Nova Scotia! I would be happy to send it to Quebec if I could!

Has anyone been to Sept Iles yet this season? Looking at doing a quick loop up there next week from the Gaspesie. Looking for real snow level reports. From online info it looks to be as good as most places, decent but not typical.

There was a hotel in Godbout years back but it closed up. Might be a B&B in the winter, I belive there is in the summer. Nothing else close to my knowledge. It is 2.5hrs from BC to Godbout, it is not a trail to make time on, lots of hills and corners.

Nice looking meals. There are some incredible meals served at some of these outfitters! Excluding Repos! (Unless snowmaster2112 disagrees)

Have stayed at the travel lodgemany times, in fact have reservations there this winter. It is very convenient, right off the trail, close to gas plus there is a great restaurant right across the street. It is dated, but clean. Not positive but think there was a free Contenental breakfast.