SnomoGary

Hi Jag.  We are planning on arriving Feb 25th or 26th for a few days.
Jack & Sandi

Thursday morning our last day for this trip.  We haven't been on Mont Valin this trip and its during the week and the groomer map shows green.  Lets try it.
The six of of us, same as yesterday, take off for a ride up 93.  We leave the Delta and do our normal 383 to 134 to 93.  We turn right on 93 and run thru St Honore and start up the mountain.  Everything is good so far.  We stop at Le Passion for fuel.  93 is chopped up some around Valinouet but that is expected.  Once we get to the little bridge seven miles out, the trail improves greatly.  There is some fluff on the trail but it is smooth and fun to drift around the corners.
We get to La Chappelle and have a short break.  Too early for lunch.  

It looks like one of those new 850's but the suspension is sitting a little low.  Maybe the driver should forego a few cheeseburgers all dressed and settle for Salad Caesar.
We spin around and head back down 93.  Onatchiway sounds good for lunch.  We turn right on 267 and go.  267 is always a great ride.  We then turn right on 477 for Onatchiway.  A lot of people miss out by skipping the yellow trails and that makes them good because of low traffic.
We pull into Relais Onatchiway and what's this?  Twenty five or thirty sleds in the lot.  A lot of them look the same.   A tour group?  I know they may not be our favorite sledders but they contribute to the economy too.  We go inside and there isn't a seat to be had.  The group must have just arrived because they are just getting served drinks.  No we aren't going to wait for this one.
Plan B is Mont Vilain.  This end of 484 is groomed and in forty miles we will be at Mont Vilain .  Lets go Sandi.  This is better than waiting for a table any day.  Ten, twenty, thirty miles gone.  The groomer marks are getting fresher and less sled tracks.  Hmm?  Just before we drop down onto the river for Mont Vilain, there is the groomer getting ready to spin around.  Perfect timing.  We carefully squeeze by the groomer, drop down on the river and run down to Mont Vilain.  This is more like it.  There are only a dozen sleds in the lot and it is a little after 1:00.  We go in, sit down and have lunch.  We talk about how great a trip this week has been.
After lunch  it is down to Lamarche for gas and then head back to the Delta.  We take the local trail to Begin, 328 to 367 and then to the two bridges and home.
Another fine day of riding.  A great way to end our trip.
See you on the RDL Trail Conditions thread in a week.
Jack & Sandi

These are pictures from the Snowmobilers Appreciation cocktail 2 hour affair that the Delta put on this past Wednesday evening.  Does the hotel you are staying at do this for you?  If not you might want to reconsider where you are staying and make a change where you are truly appreciated.

This past week my father and I spent a week riding around the Lanaudière & Mauricie regions.  We have been regulars of the area for a good amount of time but life got in our way and we haven't been back until now.  We stayed at Real Masse as this has been our home away from home for a good amount of time.  We haven't been to Real in roughly 10 years so it was freshing to walk in and have everyone remember us as we were there yesterday.  I can't say how amazing this place is, no matter what they will help you with whatever you may need.  So lets get onto the import part of the trip the riding....
Day 1: 2/4/17 
We arrived at Real around 2:30pm, checked in, changed and took a quick ride. My father had to break in his new sled for the first time so we though why not.  The ride wasn't long but we rode out to La Glaciere then up to the intersection of 23 and 350 then back to Real.  Trails were good, bumpy in the corners but that is what you would expect for a Saturday.  

Day 2: 2/5/17
Sunday's ride was a relaxing 175 miles.  Left Real around 8AM headed up towards the dam and then over towards Lac Taureau.  After that rode the reserver down to Saint-Michel-des-Saints and then over to Koubek for a nice ride.  Trails were great even by the afternoon they were smooth and didn't pass much traffic for a Sunday.  Also dinner at Real I believe we were the only people there for about 2 hours until another couple showed up.



Day 3: 2/6/17
Monday's ride was a nice trip of to St. Donat and then south from there.  Trails were fully groomed the night before and were flat and fast.  Another 175 miles done for the day with passing maybe 8-10 sleds all day.


Stopped for a rest before heading towards St. Donat at Coin Lavigne

Stopped for a little rest in Entrelacs.
Video from the day.
Day 4: 2/7/17
Tuesday's ride is a familiar one with almost anyone who rides the area.  We took the trip up to Riviere-Matawin and then back since the trails were so smooth.

Took a little break at the river crossing.  

As you can see the trails were smooth.

Video from the day.
Day 5: 2/8/17
Tuesday into Wednesday they were calling for snow and ice, we received way more snow then ice.  Received about 6-8 inches with a very thin layer of ice on top.  Decided to head into the Maurice region and down to Lac Blanc then head up towards Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.

Took the 23 that comes out above Le Cabanon back.  Trail was good, needed to have the fresh snow packed but passed 2 groups of sleds.


Enjoying the fresh snow on top of the great trails.
Day 6: 2/9/17
Thursday we took a look at the grooming delay and realized everything was bright green so we took the best run possible back up the river again.


Woke up to an amazing view from Real

Stopped at Le Cabanon for a break in the afternoon and got to watch a plan take off on the lake.
Day 7: 2/10/17
Friday was our last day, we covered over 1,000 miles already so we decided to have a nice ride and take in some different area.  We headed south towards Saint-Gabriel to view the look out and run through the fields.



 
 
Overall what can I say, my dad and I had an amazing time again and we look forward to heading back.  Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I will continue to post videos from the week.

Father on the left (Mike), mrgrumpers on the right (Kyle)
 
 
 

Hi Terry.  The trip is turning out great.  What a season.
This morning we have a change in cast.  Farmer Old and Michigan Rev have bid their farewells and are off on the black highway.  Have a safe trip guys.  Sandi and I are looking for volunteers to ride with.  Not everyone wants to ride "lady miles" but we find John and Ethan from CT that are willing to go with us.  They asked me to say hi to Sig who couldn't make it this trip.  We miss you Sig.
So with the new team we head off.  It looks good to the north.  383 to the two bridges and 134 it is.  About half way up 134, the groomer came out of the cul de sac on the left.  Good show.  At the junction with 93, the groomer stayed straight continuing on 134.  Guess which way we are going.  This part of 134 can be really nasty when it is drifted in but right after the groomer it is paradise.  It is relatively flat, nice turns and long straights.  Time to book.   Quick work of the 134 and we turn right on 328.  At 476 we stop and look.  328 isn't fresh groomed and either is 476 but 476 looks better and we are off to Onatchiway.  The lower part of this is twisty to say the least but Sandi loves it.  Sometimes I think she had power steering installed when I wasn't looking.  She is gone.  About eight miles into the 476 and it eases up and straightens out some.  The trail is in good shape.  Traffic has been on it but that gives the trail some texture for the carbides to grip.
We pull into Onatchiway for a short break.  Too early for lunch.  Mont Vilain would be a good choice for lunch.  Lets check out trail 484.
We get on the sleds and go to the edge of Onatchiway's parking lot and yes, it was groomed last night.  This will be good.  The four of us are off and running.  484 doesn't get used much and it is one of those really fun trails.  Not a high speed rail bed but you can get up a good pace and just lean back and forth thru the turns.  Before you know it we are dropping down onto the river and heading down the last stretch to Mont Vilain.
Wow.  For a Tuesday this place is has a lot of sledders.  It is just after noon and there are a lot of wide track utility type sleds here.  The locals that have their camps in the surrounding area are all here for lunch.  Another nice place for lunch.  We didn't beat the noon rush today so it takes a little longer for lunch.
After lunch we get back on Lac Tchitogama and head west to pick up trail 367.  This is more fun than running 367 thru the woods.

We get off the water and on 367.  Another fun trail with its gentle curves and rollers.  Off we go.  We work our way down to 328 and stop at the Sonerco in L'Ascension for gas.  We continue down 328 to 93 and on into Alma.  We are early and the trails are great so lets take a little detour and cross the river in Alma on 23.  We then get on local 563 which is great and then 562 and this isn't so great.  This has been drifted in overnight and is choppy.  OK we can put up with 8 miles of some bad stuff and we are on 383 and this is good again.  At Lac Kenogami we pick up 83 and scoot back to the Delta.  83 is fine other than the 500 meters that isn't getting groomed.  I haven't heard why but it must be a land use issue.  Back in the corral safe and sound.
One more day for this trip.  This is so much better than work.
Jack & Sandi

Saturday morning and it is cold again.  The skies are overcast but it is forecast to clear later today.  A lot of grooming activity overnight.  Lets see, we want to stay off of Mont Valin on the weekend.  Lets do a loop thru Alma.
Sandi, myself, Farmer Old and Michigan Rev take off from the Delta all bundled up.  We head down 383 and cross the barrage to get to 368.  Trail 368 wasn't groomed last night but it doesn't get whooped up because it is wide, fast and very few stops.  Just a nice steady pace to 23.  At the 23 intersection, we noticed this was groomed last night.  A few tracks on it southbound but not many tracks northbound.  I mention to Sandi it is Saturday morning, we will get traffic coming down from the Hebertville area.  We take off heading north and in just a couple of miles here is a group of six beating feet heading south.  There is plenty of room.  Not too much further and two more sleds.  The first one is positioned fine but the second one is crowding our side of the trail.  What is up with that?  The trail must be 25' wide here.  I don't understand.
We continue up 23.   I see the new trail that runs over to St Andre but 23 is just perfect.  We will stay on 23.  The sky has cleared now and it is that bright blue Canadian sky.  So pretty.
We run up past the Presbytere, a little too early for lunch.  We go to Ski Bee Doo instead and there only a couple of sleds here.  This will be lunch.  You know I like to beat the lunch crowd.
We go in, get a table and place our order.  Four sleds pull in and then five or six more.  The sleds just keep coming in.  By the time we get lunch,  the place was three quarters full.  This is another stop we like.  The workers and food are great.
After lunch  we continue up 23.  We decide not to go up 23 into Alma and take the local 563 and 562 around the east side to get to the bridge.  These yellow trails are nice.  Groomed and no traffic.
We cross the river on the bridge and stay straight on local 555.  Another one of those little used local trails and it was groomed last night.  We buzz up to Lac Labrecque and loop around the north side of the lac to get to Relais des Lacs.  Once again these yellow trails 552 and 553 are groomed, no traffic and are just plain old fun.
A quick stop at the Relais des Lacs and we take 328 thru Begin, a little soft here from all the drifting the other night and a right on 367 and a left onto 93.  These are fine!  After that we drop down on 134 to cross the two bridges and back at the Delta.
Back to the hotel safe and sound.  After a beautiful day of riding it is time for a few refreshments!
Jack & Sandi 

Thanks Delta.  Wonderful idea to post availability.  
Everybody should know the trails are the best they have been in many years.  Come on up and enjoy the ride!
Jack & Sandi

It is good seeing everybody up here.  Quite a few QR folks.
This morning is another chilly morning, -10F.  We are heading to the truck stop at Milot today.  We leave the Delta and cross the two bridges.  367 has been groomed.  We cruise along thru St Ambroise and stay on 367 thru the woods to Mont Vilain.  Very nice ride.  Time for a quick warm up stop.  The snow piles around the parking lot are getting taller.

After lunch, we cross the river and take the beautiful local trail to Milot.  This was groomed last night and only one sled track on it.  Way to go Sandi.
Only a couple of sleds and quite a few workers.  A good lunch as always here.  We get back on the sleds and continue on to St Agustine and down to St Monique.  We stop at the intersection with 367 and take a look.  Yes 367 was groomed.  Here we go.  This is one of the really fun trails.  Relatively straight and flat.  Nice to pick up a little speed.
We turn right on 328 and head into L'Ascension for a gas stop.  We top off the sleds and continue down to 93.  All still well groomed.  At 93 we turn left and go to St Amboise and then take 367 back to the two dams and home to the Delta.
Another wonderful blue sky day here in snow land.
Jack & Sandi

To bad things aren't marked as well as this! 

Take that

This is Ken Casey's daughter Julie.  Thank you all for such kinds words and memories about my Dad,  I think I used to belong to this organization online to check the trail conditions for him.  He wasn't too computer savvy.  When he wanted to go snowmobiling I would look up to see if certain trails were closed.  It was probably towards the end of the season and he wanted to get in every ride he could.  I knew he was a legend in the snowmobiling world and this proves it.  Again thank you and if anyone wants to contact me it is JulieMomOtter@aol.com

So sorry to hear this I never had the privilege to meet him , but even I have heard the story's  of Ken .
RIP Ken.

Only way to go. ...Having fun. That's what life should be
 
 

Ray, where did you ever find that?  Is that a Columbia or a Schwinn?  You spend way too much time on the computer!
Jack & Sandi

Maybe you can try one of the new snow bikes

Now Phil you know better than that.  I remember you on a rental 660, non turbo, that you had on the door handles one afternoon.  Do you remember or do you want to forget it never happened.  Bet BJ was never told about that.

At the height of snowmobiling season, Quebec's farmers say they'll begin blocking trails as of tomorrow because of a dispute over taxes on their land.  
Well over a third of Quebec's 33,000 kilometres of snowmobiling trails are on farmland and other plots of private property.  
The Quebec Farmers Union decided to go ahead with the protest even though the Agriculture Ministry changed hands last week when minister Pierre Paradis was sidelines by a sexual misconduct investigation.  He has been replaced by Laurent Lessard, who appeared to have a less contentious relationship with farmers when he handled the Agriculture portfolio in previous Liberal governments. 
The farmers are angry about a reform of the tax credit for agricultural land.  
The Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is not pleased with the protest, especially since its members won't know where or when the blockades will pop up.  
The only sure bet for snowmobile enthusiasts is the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, where farmers have opted not to participate in trail blockades.

Probably an Arctic Cat...

RIP 
On a trip around the Gaspe in 2006, 
And at one of Kens favorite gas stops in Le Martre
 

This is getting old, everyone asking the same questions over and over. Go back and read here in this thread. Many of the answers are already here.
 

Today was a IB Day.   Cold, low of 0F, high of +6F, blueberry skies and great trails.
IB day is as follows:
"Blue skies smiling at me nothin but Blue skies do I see
Never so the sun shining so bright, never so things going so right
Never so the days hurrying by when you in the Saguenay  may how the fly".
Had lunch at the best place in town, Truck Stop.  Then stopped at Relais du Lac for a hot chocolate 
back at 4Pm with 180 miles for the day.

Sad to hear his journey has ended but, sounds like he made the best of what he loved all these years, we should all be so lucky. RIP.

Might be time to book that trip to the Caribbean. Look out Beach here i come.