SnomoGary

Joe is right.  The trails are fine.   Yesterday we went up 5 to Rimouski and back 35 to Squatec.  Around Rimouski the trails were a little chatter but this is compared to super smooth for all of the other trails we were on yesterday.  A little chatter describes you could feel the trail.  The other trails were like riding on a cloud.  Fresh groomed with 2-3 inches of powder and very little traffic.  Some of the trails we made the first tracks.
There are drawbacks this year as Joe pointed out but the trails are fine.
Our last day of riding is today.  Tomorrow Sandi and I head back to CT.
Jack & Sandi

Trails are amazing up here, 900mi 4 1/2 days, will have well over 1000mi after today's ride. PITA getting across the border, PITA eating lunch but well worth it. Anyone on the fence come on up you won't be disappointed. Relays are open on the weekends (Fri,Sat,Sun) but you have to eat outdoors. Kind of silly cause you wait inside for your food, you go outdoors eat, then go back in and get dressed?

Curfew is ending in Quebec.

Arrived at Windigo with 226 on the clock. We are the first Amaricans in 2 years. February 2020 we were here last before the border closed. Beautiful day, started cold at two above zero got colder down to about -6 and we end of the day at +6 overall very very nice. We left Saint Michel early this morning and headed off across the reservoir up to the 33, the reservoir was very nice. 33 was groomed all the way to where it crosses the water, no complaints there. They groomed at both directions.
Arrived into Repos at roughly 930 with 60 miles on, I harbor no ill will against the place and admire that they’re still hanging in there. Like a lot of these places I know that they for sale.  We did have plenty of gas so we could’ve bypassed it but we bought gas there and bypass Kanawata, it made more sense for us. If you had a gas situation or a time situation, you could easily have took the road all the way to Kanawata.
Most riders are still using the road for 10 miles outside of Repos, including us. The trail doesn’t really have quite enough snow yet. Needs another groom and it will be fine. Everything has a fresh 4 to 6inches they just need to mix it in.
The next part of the trail on the way to the Kanawata intersection is very nice, very well groomed wide and in great shape, you get there in a hurry. We skipped Kanawata and buzzed up to Casey, as most of you know this section of trail is wide open, super smooth, and amazing. We stopped in to the new place in Casey, Casey de base. We met Norman and he made us some chicken soup and hamburgers and a few refreshments before we headed out. He says next year he will have fuel but not this year. 
We then headed up to the intersection at 83. We took a right to Weymetaci, going into Weymetaci is a hit or miss. It’s plowed all the way to the intersection, though they have a new trail put in for most of it so you go on and off the road. Getting into a Weymetaci for gas is no trouble at all, very friendly though they did stop us at the gate to ask what we wanted. We then buzzed the remaining 60 miles into Windigo.
Tomorrow we have an off trail excursion planned to get to barrage Gouin. We have given the appropriate people access to our GPS and satellite coordinates so if we stop moving they can send in the rescue team. There is a lot of snow up here, I am a bit worried with that but I think we will be OK.
 
We will check in tomorrow if we were successful in getting to barrage going, if I don’t check it and you will know we were in the woods somewhere.
We toasted the first drinks tonight to all of the Americans that haven’t made it back yet. I don’t want to rub it in at all in what you were missing, but the hassle crossing the border is way, way, way, way, way worth it. Love the trails up here, and love the people more.
We were lucky enough to get a trip up early December to Mont Valin with the Team Maine and Rack up at 700 miles in three days, a month delay was too long to be back up here.

Thanks Dave.  We got in a little while ago and got in touch with Joe.  Glad you guys had a good ride.
Hi Mike.  It looks good up here.  Not a ton of snow but more than what was up at the Sag a couple of weeks ago.  The groomers have been out.  We are waiting for Joe to come over and give us an update.
The ride up in the truck was good other than freezing out there.  -15F on the top of Sheffield Mountain, VT.  A few snow flurries on the way too.  Crossing the border was fine.  A couple of questions (all good) about what we were going to do for food since the restaurants are closed.  We pack food now.
Jack & Sandi
 

Hi Dave,
I'm glad to hear Joe Jak made it.  Sandi and I are leaving CT tomorrow am.  We have been boosted and tested and we are ready to go.  We will see you tomorrow night or Wednesday morning.  We are bringing supplies (food, Advil, drinks).
Jack & Sandi

Here the path of the ride we did round trip yesterday Saturday January8, 2022



We started from St-Damien area on #23 trail going north. The St-Gabriel de Brandon club trail section was mint but the Mandeville was rought. We passed their failed dozer that was still on the trail



The #23 trail change path this season at #350 junction (the red circle on the map)



To follow the #23 we now need to keep right at that junction, toward Koubec for few miles and then turn left at next junction on the very old trail path of the #23 that is the right one this season. This lead us toward Cabanon.



Many sledders in place turn left to take last years path... that is not groomed



There are closed signs but with the rest of the signage still there some sledders are confuse and take closed trail. Pay attention if you pass there...



The sections groomed by Royaume club were very nice





We rode toward Taureau dam





And then kept on #360 trail along Mattawin river toward Marineau auberge



Even with the deep cold there was many sledders on the trails. The first #360 section up to #345 junction(Repos) was already slightly wear but was riding good and few miles farther in the Mattawin club section It was very nice.

I put together I short video of beautiful sections along the mattawin river up to Marineau
 



Marineau covid's measure setup is nice: the toilets are accessibles and they have a section inside for us to warm up a bit. Marie-Josée always as kind and efficient sold us a warm meal that we ate outside on our BRP camping table



During our meal we had a nice surprise guest that came just aside us. Trailblazer was at breaking in his new engine on his sled in my playground. 

We had the chance to talk with him a bit before retracing our steps on the same path for the return





We stopped at our usual spot for a pic break



It give an idea of the snow cover up there...



The day traffic had wear the trails and many curves were swept/icy so we had to adjust the pace. The last #360 section before the dam was rought but between the dam and Cabanon was still pretty good other than icy curves. The only very bad bumpy section was the one already bad in the morning in Mandeville section. They were at recovering the failed dozer when we pass there.



Finally a good ride of 210miles for us. The snow is pretty good on this ride path and if you have the chance to do it on the week days the conditions will be even better especially at the end of the day. I still have some other good footage and I hope to have the time to put together some other video in the next days
think snow!
Alain

here is a video fro this ride between the Taureau dam and Cabanon passing by St-Michel des Saint and the reservoir highway
 

Note to self......
do NOT be in Quebec on 2/19 & 2/20

We leave our bed early this morning for a 155 miles ride around the Taureau reservoir



-25C at 9:00 when we started from Lac Blanc auberge trailer parking lot. It is a bit limit on snow near the auberge but when in the mastigouche reserve it was freshly groomed: perfect



We did the north side of the loop first so toward Taureau dam. The #23 section that have been plowed earlier in December was now perfect



This water look very hot!!!



Fresly groomed on the north side of the reservoir





We cut on reservoir by the local trail from l'auberge du Lac taureau to the St-Michel village that was nice and fast. The reservoir level is still high and the ice cover had almost no drops yet.



A foursome was playing golf on the court near the village of St-Michel



We fueled up at St-Michel and then stop at an old view point on the top of the mountain for lunch. There are some potatoes in the big hills but the rest of the trail nice.
The sun was nice but it was for the strong one to eat outside today!



The #63 toward Cabanon was nice and the #23 in Mastigouche Reserve even more





The last strech toward l'auberge du lac Blanc was a bit bumpy. It miss some snow but will be ok with grooming. They install a wood stove with tables and bench around to heat up and eat at the Auberge and take out orders are available like last year. 




So an easy 155 miles for her first run to Kristine and 2nd for me. I have tried some video but my camera setup have hard time trying to withstand those temperature. I will check at what I recorded and probably be able to put something together for later.
So the season is really started there. let's enjoy!

Alain

I have been hearing the same story that this thing may run its course soon.  Let's hope this is true 

Unbiased experts are saying the peak of Omicron is 2-3 weeks away and will die out very quickly. Not like the other variants. Lets hope so.
If thats the case…. Feb-March should be much better with less restrictions.

Day 2: still written by Mrs. Ice. 😉
Matane to Murdochville, 275 km. 
Before I begin today’s story telling, let’s recap on a few details from last night. 
At the Quality Inn the restaurant was closed on the 1 of January when we arrived but we got a delivery from a local restaurant that was opened. It’s was good. 
As for yesterday, at our return, the hotel’s restaurant was opened, so we ordered and they called us to pick it up when it was ready. 
For $102 CaD a night with breakfast included, you can’t go wrong.
 
Now, today. I thought I had some great sightseeing yesterday, I was even more spoiled today.  I took some pictures but not as many as yesterday, guess why, it was colder!!! But still got a few nice ones. 
Left Matane at  around 8:45 I’m not going to name all the trails since there are only a few towards where we were heading. 
But I can tell you something useful, for the second of January the trail all the way to La Cache was amazing! And beyond! 
We saw our friend Keeve that we met last year. We were welcomed to warm up a bit, which we did because Mrs. Ice is still waiting for her new pants, her old ones being a little tight, I get really cold on my thighs and buns. Stayed an hour. Iceman got the grand tour, pictures to follow. 
Then off we went towards Chic Choc and Murdochville. We were told by Jacques from Hotel Cooper, that the first 40 km from La Cache might be so so, but we were going to check it out anyway, cause I wanted the views! As they say happy wife happy life! 
It wasn’t groomed, however it was broken by the machine, no drag Mr. says. Anyway, I had seen worse last year near Quebec City. It was drifted in at some places, but not bad at all according to Mr.Iceman. I thought so too. It went well, couldn’t rip it, but that was fine it’s was so beautiful that you have time to admire it. Mother Nature treated me today. 
I was more impressed by the frozen landscape up there than the mummies yesterday. Of course, the sunlight had to add to this. I wanted to stop and take so many pictures but couldn’t, too cold and I was on the clock to get back, fighting against the darkness, because darkness means colder. For me anyway. I still can’t get over it, I have never seen winter  like that before.
Jacques was right on, 40 km then we passed the groomer’s trail where he turned around. 
Now the trails were absolutely stellar all the way to Murdochville, white carpet like Lover said. I have to agree with him. 
As good as the trails are, there are some early season hazards as expected, we saw 2 places with open water. And a few dips here and there that need to Be filled  in with more snow. 
Before La Cache , I blew up one of my fuses because my magnetic wires disconnected from my helmet and touched metal so it blew it. We stopped to change it, Got to learn about that today. My lover fixed it up for me while I was busy making yellow snow. That’s right, I’m not afraid to pee in the snow when you gotta go, you gotta go. You men have it so easy. You haven’t live until you have it all hanging out there with a windchill minus 25. That will get your attention. If I don’t do it, i’ll Get colder, so got  to suffer a little to feel better. 
Got to see 2 moose today, a mother and her baby, probably from last year because it was pretty big. Our radio were shot at that time, so lover stopped TO warn  me and I went in front to see them, after few seconds they headed in the woods. Magnificent beasts! Nothing wrong with our radios, simply should change for a new battery, probably died in the cold. They work fine. The funny thing is that Iceman was still talking to me even though I couldn’t hear... hahahah. 
Then, later in the day, he let me ride in front for a while, was about time with all the snow dust I endured behind him the whole day. 
Here at Murdochville we are the only two snowmobilers. Last night there were 2 men from PEI at our hotel, that was it. 
Like I said, trails to ourselves. 
It was  a lovely second day. All worth it. 
 
 

Open as of Today.

Thanks for sharing Jack,  love reading you're reports safe trip home and hopefully see you on 7th February...  

Hope the meds kick in soon  Jack and you feel a bit better .  Like what been said at least you're riding...  and listen to Dr Sandi  ...   lol 

Really enjoyed the reports Jack and Sandi.  Thank you for sharing.  We need to have a go fund me and get you a camera.  lol

Hi Steve, we were on Kenogami yesterday.  Many tracks on it.  No signs of wet spots anywhere that we were at.  We ran the tip of the lac for 83 to Relais Grenouille.
RR & Je me souviens, thanks.  Part of snowmobiling is sharing it.  Maybe I was able to put a smile on someone's face.
Northbound, we will be at the Delta.  You can tell us about your boat adventures.
SnomoGary, you and Pat will have the most hoops to jump thru to get here.  I know Pat is nervous but has it all under control.  You on the other hand are sitting back, waiting for the "Come on Gary, we will be late!"
To everyone else, thanks for following along.
Jack & Sandi

Thanks for sharing Jack,  love reading you're reports safe trip home and hopefully see you on 7th February...  

So tonight we’ll shake things up a bit, you’ll read about our today’s adventure through Mrs.Ice’s eyes. Hope you like it. 😁
After hearing Mr.Iceman’s melodies all night long, we opted for a late departure since we’re only riding to the mummies and the surroundings to be back at Quality Inn for a second night. 10:30 it was.
Started on 5 to 591. At the beginning, near the hotel, I have to admit that we’re missing some snow. However, only 10 minutes up the mountain and it’s  much better. Snow is somewhat loose, so a little shaky but for sure rideable, I just need to adjust my driving. 
I don’t know about when you’re riding, but I love to look around at the nature, see the fresh snow in the pine trees and sitting on all the branches. Oh, how I was spoiled in today’s sightseeing so early in the season. 
I kept stopping to take pictures for me, for you, so you see it for yourself, but a picture never truly represents what your eyes can see on the spot. Anyway. I guess I was stopping too much... someone’s patience was challenged, hahaha. 😅
Trails were really great all the way to La Redemption. Only saw a few sleds, you know when you can count them, but lose the count because they’re too far apart... gotta love to have the trails to yourself. 👌
I realize that I dislike to be tilted on one side due to an incline on the terrain, we were in the fields at that point, good to ride on, but lack of snow to ride straight on flat. Lover said it was good practice for me. I guess. But I also need to tell you that I do not enjoy big downhills, but I did encounter a few on Cote Nord last week and I’ m sure will see more this trip. I’m getting used to them slowly, gaining confidence each time. 
I get good advice. I know i’m In great hands. 591 to 587 now. 
Got to see the beginning of the mummies’ formation, how nice it was to be in winter’s wonderland. My Hands froze up there because I took too many pictures, Oups. It was worth it though, so beautiful. I can only imagine the look in February. Wow. 
Then, we saw a sign marked canyon about one km off the main trail, 587. Up we went, It was impressive as well. Sketchy trails for us to get there,  but we managed. Lover said there are tracks, we can go. 
Afterward, we came to a point where I was asked if I wanted to go back the same way as this morning or this other trail, little longer he said. Apparently was 30 minutes, 40 some km more. I said you pick. Junction of 591 and a local orange trail. It goes towards St Paul. 
So off we go on that new trail. Some narrow and twisty parts, which I don’t mind because it warms me up. Then here it it, some sort a wide trail on a dirt road. Perfect to go a little faster, just a little. 😉 It brought is all the way back to trail 5, we completed our loop from the east. 
We made It to home base near 4:30. It was a good 240 km. 
Overall, it was a lovely day, not as nice as it was in Escoumins last week, but for January 2nd, it has advanced pretty well, can’t complaint. 
Forgot a thing or two that I will add here.
We do have radios to talk to each other, lover warns me for things to look out for and sleds coming. However, if we’re too far apart I’m on my own. So I’m working hard for my turns to be sharp and tight  on that right. I try to be more on my right than him. 😜 not easy.
Last, we came back in the dark, it has been a long time since I rode in the dark. I was flashed by another sled once no clue why, until lover told me I had big lights on. 😬 
Mrs. Ice

Going up Sunday, will report what we find.

Jack, thanks for taking the time to share real time info. Safe trip home for you and Sandy. Hope you get good news from your shoulder doc. We are hoping to see you in feb.   Jeff and Sandy

We are having breakfast in our room again.  I guess we have to get used to the new norm.  Bring your Danish and donuts.
A little chilly today, -18̊ C.  Dress warm Sandi.  Our last day.  We won't make it too long.  We have to pack up tonight.  Lets stay on the south side of the Saguenay River.
Out to 83 and turn right.  We are heading to the Delta.  The few centimeters of snow covered up some of the snirt but not all.  83 was groomed last night.  We stop at the Delta and we make reservations for the week of Feb 6th and the week of Feb 20th.  I know February will be busy so I want to get our room now.
That is done and we continue on 83 west.  Some good some bad.  Some clean white snow and some snirt.  All in all the trail isn't too bad for early in the season.  It will only get better as more snow falls.
We get to Relais Grenouille at the top of Kenogami and the groomer has just made a pass.  There aren't any tracks on the trail yet.  Go Sandi.  Follow the groomer towards St Bruno.  At first the trail is fine but as we get into the fields, we realize how thin the snow is here.  Well smooth snirt is better that rough snirt I suppose.  Lets keep going.  10 miles and we are at the south end of St Bruno.
The groomer kept on going but we have to decide.  If we continue up thru Alma and get on 93, we will have to take that bad section thru St Charles or we can turn around.  Lets turn around.  We know what it is and its OK.
A u-turn and back to the Relais Grenouille where we pick up 83.  Across the top of Lac Kenogami.  A few sleds here and there.  Not a lot of traffic.  Still on the cool side but a nice day for riding.  We pass the Delta and head back to the Sag.
We turn left onto the spur and as we cross the railroad tracks and round that first turn looking at the back of the Ultramar, we see a lot of emergency vehicles at the intersection of 175.  Slow down Sandi.  What is that?  A vehicle on it's side, in the parking lot to the right of the Ultramar.  The color of the vehicle is safety green.  That's an ambulance Sandi!  Wow!
The ambulance appears to have been heading into Chicuotimi with the Ultramar to its right.  There must have been a vehicle or two in the intersection or pulling into the intersection and with nowhere for the ambulance to go.  Avoiding the intersection, the ambulance went to the right and then rolled over on its side into the parking lot.  Hopefully there isn't a fatality.
Traffic is backed up and the power is out to the businesses.  Wow!
Back at the Sag, we park the sleds for the night.  It was good to be riding again since covid closed everything down last season.  We hit some good trails and some not so good trails.  Changes have been made to the trails but that happens every year.  I hope the restaurant take out only mandate is lifted before the end of the season.  Like MikeRider said, the social life is a big part of snowmobiling.  Until then, we will have to bring our food and drink and have small gatherings in our rooms.
Maybe we will see you in RDL Jan 11th.  Take care of each other.
Jack & Sandi

Hello Jack and Sandi,
Thank you for the great story telling. Hopefully Jim and I will be there, too. On a side note, when you get back home, if you want to bring with you an OTC (over the counter) pain meds, there is Advil Dual Action that you can buy. It is a combination of  acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen ( NSAID). These two pain meds work in different pathways so it is very effective for relieving pain. Plus it is also very effective for a toothache if you ever have one.🙂
Looking forward to your next report!
Gemma

What should we do this morning?  The restaurant is take out only.  Lets have some of the instant oatmeal in a pouch.  A little hot water and some of that 35% heavy cream Sandi found.  None of that light duty 10% stuff.  If the snowmobiles command 91 octane, I can certainly command 35% fat in my heavy cream.  Yum yum! ☺️
Not much was groomed last night but that was expected for the holiday.  We can't expect the groomers to work 24 / 7.
On the sleds and out of the hotel.  At 83 we turn right. Lets go north of the river Sandi.
We cross the two bridges and turn right onto 134.  About half way to the junction with 93, Hydro Quebec is installing another set of power line towers.  These things are massive when they are lying on the ground.  They are big standing up but lying on the ground you see how huge they actually are.
We get to 93 and turn left.  This has been closed for a few years.  Lets see where it goes.  It follows the same route it did many years ago.  A few miles in and the trail crosses a river with a lot of fast running water and water falls.  You would recognize it.  The trail conditions are good.  Before it gets to the potato field in St Ambroise, the trail turns right.  We follow this along and at the next junction is where we were yesterday coming back from Relais des Lacs / Begin.  It runs along with the VTT trail.  Don't stay on 93 Sandi.  We will end up in that bad stuff at St Charles.  Sandi turns right towards the north end of the potato field.  All nice riding.
Oh, did I mention it is mild today with light snow.  It looks so pretty.  The snow is sticking to the helmet shield.  I have to wipe the snow off with my glove every mile or so.  Keep going Sandi we are doing good.
We turn left onto 328 heading towards Begin.  328 is fine up to Begin.  The trail that goes north from Begin to Lamarche and ScoobyRaid is closed.  There are tracks on the old trail but two big stakes in the shape of an "X".
We carry on and 328 gets pretty rough.  We were on it yesterday and it is only worse today.  Slow down and tough it up for the next 7 or 8 miles.  Finally we are at the junction with 554 just a stones throw from Relais des Lacs.  Time to take a break.  We look at each other.  That wasn't much fun.
We turn right staying on 328.  A little improvement now.  We get around the lac and the trail gets better.  We are approaching the blueberry fields and they are almost always good.  Today is no exception.  This is more like Quebec.  Too bad we had 10 miles of bumps to get here.
Just cruising along.  The snow is still falling.  It has covered up some of the ugly stuff that has been on the trails.  Looking and feeling more like winter.
We make our way over to L'Ascension.  The Sonerco gas station is open.  I figured it would be.  It is on a main road.
Choices.  Continue on towards Alma and pick up 93.  That means going thru that horrible section at St Charles. I wonder how the ice crossing would be.  It has been cold but why bother chancing it and then have to put up with St Charles' bumps.
We turn around and head back the way we came in.  No surprises this way.  It is still snowing.  A few centimeters have accumulated.  Not a lot but every little bit helps.  Thru the blueberry fields with smiles on our faces.  We get to Relais des Lacs and stop.  OK Sandi.  Time to beat ourselves up for a few miles.  Bump after bump.  We go by the farm that is about half way to Begin.  Not too much further.  Keep going.
At Begin we stop and agree, that is behind us now.  It may not be pristine ahead of us but it certainly won't be any worse.  The trail continues to get better as we approach the big fields before St Ambroise.  Instead of going back the way we came in this morning, we stay on 93 to St Ambroise, Le Geant Trailer.  Distance wise there isn't much difference whether we go thru St Ambroise or head towards St Honore and take 134 thru Pickle Park.
At the end of the scrubby pines, the trail turns right and runs the edge of the road for a 1/4 mile or so.  As we approach where the trail goes to the left back into the woods, a sled is stopped on the side of the road.  We slow down and take a look.  Oh oh.  There is a big two up sled in the ditch.  He was heading north towards St Ambroise and slid into the drainage ditch along the edge of the road.  I get off my sled and myself and the two French men are tugging and pulling trying to get this beast to move.  We hook up two tow straps to my snowmobile and the other snowmobile and try to pull the one out of the ditch together.  No luck.  The two upper is half on its side.
One guy takes a shovel and starts digging out around the sled.  He gets enough snow removed for us to muscle the sled back on its track.  We point it parallel with the road and one of the guys gets on the sled and manages to get it moving.  He runs along the ditch for 100' and then pops back up on the road.  Yea!  Success!
I don't know why Sandi decided to go that way but we did our good dead for the day.  A couple of high fives and all of us are on our way.
A few more miles and we are back home at the Sag.  Its still snowing and the wind is picking up.  The temp is forecast to drop tonight.  That is fine.  We will be tucked into our nice warm bed.
One more day of riding and then back in the truck.
Jack & Sandi