SnomoGary

I hope you are correct Iceman.  We are itching to get out there on the trail.
Jack & Sandi

We are not in RDL at this moment.  Sandi and I have reservations at the Universal starting Sunday night January 15th.  We haven't decided on whether we are going or if we are going to cancel.  There isn't much snow on the ground currently but there has been limited grooming going on.  A few trails are showing yellow and green but many are still red.
The forecast is for 30 cm of snow tomorrow and then below freezing temperatures for the next 10 days.  We are going to make a few phone calls Saturday and make our decision.
Jack & Sandi

Beautiful sunny Sunday with winter temperatures (-15C at start around 9:30), we did this ride: a kind of Taureau reservoir loop with a fuel up at Marineau Mattawin!

We parked the trailer in the parking lot of Pub 111 in St-Michel des Saints, the trail passes through the parking lot.

We left a little late around 9:45 and headed off on #63 towards the Cabanon. The snow base held the thaw good but there was a bit less new snow on top around the village of St-Michel. The big slopes facing south near the village are the only place that suffered and some rock has risen to the surface and is mixed with the snow. the little snow we got today and forecast this week will help getting this spot better

This pic is not very representative and unfortunately I had not a lot of photos at the start of the ride because my Gopro didn't want to cooperate and we are at testing with a new camera to replace Kristine's old Sony which is about dying(the camera 😉). You may notice some photos of a different look in my reports.
We rode up to Auberge Le Cabanon and then took the #345 towards the Taureau dam. It had not been regroomed overnight and Saturday's heavy traffic day+warm weather had sculpt the trail shape! .The lady behind me was swearing into her helmeth... that's why we don't have communicators!!!

We took a little break at the dam. We see that the reservoir level has started to drop down...

And the water output flow is still high...

We then continued on #360 east. Grooming was much better despite some bumps to watch in the curves up to #345 junction (towards Pourvoirie Lac du Repos)

We then got superb, almost perfect trail conditions on the #360 up to Mattawin. I like this very panoramic section


the snow cover is even much better going toward Mattawin

This is one of the most beautiful section of the #360 with a fast trail along the beautiful Mattawin River.


We took our usual little break at stop 440 to admire the river which is currently flowing at high flow.


we then continued east...

As many of you know, the M20 trail (and M21) are not done this season due to logging, which requires plowing the road of the usual route of these trails to get the wood out. Here the M20 path which is closed to snowmobiles this season

The Zec Chapeau de Paille road that we usually use for the continuation of the #360 towards Marineau is also plowed, so the club made detour trail further north. It's a bit winding at the beginning especially the first miles but it quickly becomes better and then very good for the 2nd half with beautiful nice stretchs


The detour joins the usual trail at the height the Zec entrance and we continue on familiar trail path


To finally arrive at our refueling point around 12:45 with 93 miles on the meter


After a good meal break at the auberge, we left in the opposite direction a little before 2:00 p.m. for the second half of our ride. It bugged me to not be able to film in such beautiful conditions and by dint of trying I managed to find a way to convince my gopro to stay alive in the afternoon and I finally have images in the bank for a future video.


it was really good and nice ride


We took a first and only break at #360/#345 junction (towards Repos) and surprisingly we had a little beggar who came to ask for his food!

After all these years in Lanaudière, we have often had gray jays come in our hands, but black-capped chickadees this is the first time here. We had some last spring in Gaspésie... they may have spread the word about us!!!

We then continued and once near the dam held the #360 to loop around the reservoir on the west side

It was riding very well, just usual season beginning ruts to watch out for. There is a short section less than one miles where the club had started to groom the trail next to the road path where we usually pass??

The trail became even nicer from the  #33 junction which had been groomed the night before. We were quickly  near the Auberge du Lac Taureau and chose to cut across the Taureau reservoir to return to St-Michel. The snowmobile club had published earlier last week having marked it out after testing the ice at 15" thick.
The level of the reservoir is still high enough so that the ice cover is still almost flat on the whole length, riding this was like a creamy cherry on the top of our day ride

 
We finally got back to the trailer around 4:45 p.m. with a total of 188 miles/302kms on the meter to say it's pretty much the same distance either way of the reservoir

So a 2nd great ride in the last 3 days for us which kicks off our snowmobile season this year. I expect that the trail network will continue to grow rapidly with the actual cold and snow ahead and also that the information on the interactive map will become more up to date as there are open places that are not shown on the map actually but also several other places that the clubs are at finish opening.
Everything is finally falling into place for a great 2023 snowmobile season!

Hi Jean-Guy,
As always your pics are incredible.  We really enjoy looking at them.  
Are the conditions getting any better out there?  Anything good in the forecast?
Thanks,
Jack & Sandi

Talking it over I think I am going to plan on going up next week. Hoping the storm coming up this week will open up everything around the area.

Under a cloudy sky with a little snow/-2C we made this ride yesterday January 6, 2023 in St-Zenon area through the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve starting from St-Gabriel de Brandon

As a drop point we chose the parking lot of the Multifunctional Center 111 Chemin du mont Lanaudière (it's the road just past the Highschool) which is an official parking lot for trailers and the trail pass just aside. We arrived a little late and parked on the roadside in front of it. 

Despite the last thaw there is still a lot of snow, the conditions are good here in the field in St-Damien.

Even the big hill in climbing on the mountain was nice with barely a couple browning snow spots , otherwise very good. Given the traffic there were a few bumps but it ride very well.

We passed the Renard Bleu outfitter

The road is plowed farther this year but has been widened and our trail is next to it. We just have to cross it a couple of times as the trail change of side otherwise it's fine.


the snow cover is very good


From the #23 we then took trail #350 east.

After this thaw I was expecting to ride on very hard trails but no there is a good layer of loose snow on top , thick enough that the skis were not even bite the trail hard base most of the time. Very good conditions


Passed the junction for the #23 towards the Cabanon we continued on the #350 towards Koubec with even better trail conditions

 

We stopped for lunch at the Relais Koubec (Outfitter Mastigouche)


It's been a while since we stopped eating there. It was very good and quick and their huge double-sided fireplace in the center of the dining room always impresses me!

After the lunch break we continued in the Mastigouche reserve. I did a round trip stretch on #23 eastbound. We passed the junction for the trail to Gaston (#350 towards Lac Blanc)

Before turning around and continuing on #23 westbound


The section of #23 which comes to reconnect on the #345 (towards the Taureau dam) is less used and as usual it did not disappoint us with its good condition and beautiful fast sections.



There had been more traffic on the #345 towards the Cabanon. The snow cover remains good even if there are a few spots of more brownish snow in the few km that leave the forest road and which had been reworked with a bulldozer just before the season.


We stopped to fuel up at Auberge Le Cabanon


And we went back down to our starting point via #23 trail

Real Masse outfitter, which had major problems with their plumbing and water distribution system during an extended power outage (christmas storm) is not open and the trail goes straight, trail not groomed yet

the #23 south of #350 was weared from traffic and was bumpy on the way back south, especially in the section maintained by St-Charles club

The last section groomed by St-Gabriel club was better but the traffic had still done its job. With the announced cold and grooming, it will come back good because the snow cover is good.

To summarize,  the storm of December 23 had left impressive amounts of snow, the following thaw packed it down to give us a solid base for the trails and the last snow put some cream on the cake which gives very good conditions. There are still a couples of not frozen small ditches and you can still see the remains of fallen /damaged trees but the ride we did was very nice overall. 
Trail opening and grooming is still underway, I know that from St-Zenon or Mattawin it is possible to go to Pourvoirie Repos. Kanawata wrote their trails was open (4January) and Alliance du nord club that groom norther on the #83 state that they finished opening trails and are at grooming them. Many places in Parent/clova were starting their operations this weekend. Latuque snowmobile club also state their trails opened.
With the cold announced I expect that the open trail network will continue to expand and connect rapidly in the coming days
Happy 2023 season!
Alain

Conditions aren't promising right now.  The temps are OK but not much for snow in the forecast.  All we can do is wait and see.
Jack & Sandi

You may get your wish afterall. The warmth and rain predicted this week is trending toward all snow now in Quebec.

It has the Dodge Warranty.
And it only has 55k on it, I blame Covid, it sat more than usual, I had to have all the brakes replaced since they rusted together, the shocks were just replaced, because they had rusted, E-Brake Cable snapped due to Rust.
So... may get some idea tomorrow.
GutZ
 
 

We are back in CT.  The drove home yesterday was depressing.  Rain, drizzle, fog and anything else that was not winter like.  We watched the temperature rise all the way back.  Not only is it green here in CT, the forecast is to be in the 50's F and may even hit 60 F this week.  Please let in change back to winter for our trip to RDL.
Jack & Sandi

Great to read your reports Jack...  hope  it's a bit better in valin tomorrow.. can't wait to read more  ... be safe and see you both in a few weeks... 

Good morning.  We are making the hard decision.  Looking at the different weather forecasts isn't promising.  It is 40F right now at the Sagueneenne at 6 am.  Two of the forecasts show intermittent rain over the next few days.  The best forecast shows not much rain but temps getting near or above freezing each day.  I can't see much grooming going on with it being mild and the Holiday.  The mountain being the only place to ride is going to get rough.
Sandi and I have decided to pack up and head back to CT.  In a couple of weeks we will be heading to RDL and hopefully better conditions.
Jack & Sandi

One more try.  Text first then drag and drop and submit.

Hello all snowmobilers and arm chair riders!  Another snowmobile season is here.  I thought it would never come.  It was a busy year at work for Sandi and I but now it is time to enjoy the Quebec winter.
We drove up yesterday, Tuesday the 27th, as we normally do.  A little snow on the ground in St Johnsbury and the further north we went the coverage got better.  A good drive except for 20 miles before Quebec City.  The traffic was very heavy there.  It took an hour to get from St Apollinaire thru Quebec City which would normally be 20 minutes.  After that, the drive thru the Park was nice.  We are at Hotel Sagueneenne for the week.  A few trailers here and a foot ± of snow on the ground.  Maybe I should say less snow than more.
So it is Wednesday morning and a couple that we spoke with rode Mount Valin yesterday and said the mountain was good.  The parking lot at Valinuet is not plowed but you can park there.  They are heading there today.  Sandi and I are going to try riding out of the hotel.  Nothing big today.  Lets go out and stretch our legs a little and get back into the feel of things.
We are on the sleds and out the back of the hotel.  The trail hasn't  been broke but that is typical right after Christmas.  We are expecting 83 to be OK.  On the spur going to 83 by La Cage and behind the businesses, doesn't even have a sled track on it.  We poke thru the parking lots and the sidewalk by Route 175 working our way to the Ultramar station.  We tank up with some fresh fuel and follow the sidewalk behind the tire shop.  A big pine tree fell across the trail.  Turn around and go thru the parking lot behind the tire shop and by pass the tree.  Now we should be all set.  Cross the railroad tracks and we get to 83.  Yuk!  One sled track and nothing else.  Sticks and hay growing up thru the little bit of snow that is here.  This isn't looking good Sandi.  Lets turn around and take the truck and trailer somewhere.
So we are back at the Sagueneenne and loaded up.  In the truck we head to the Delta.  Yes the groomer that lives just down the street from the Delta has been out.  Lets unload here and give it a try.  The Delta is the same as last year with truck parking in the big lot and the fenced in area between the buildings for the sleds.
On the sleds and off we go on 83 west.  The trail has been broke.  Sled tracks on it and the groomer may have made a pass but probably without the drag.  I'll say it is rideable but not good.  No dirt areas but the snow is thin and there is snirt and sticks in the trail.  We turn right on the first local trail that heads up towards Spence SkiDoo.  Some parts are OK but most of it is marginal.  There are other sleds out taking a shot at the early riding.  We loop back to the Delta on 383.
Not our kind of riding.  No sense in beating ourselves up when there maybe better trails across the river on Mount Valin.
Short day today.  Tomorrow we will drive to Valinuet and ride from there.  As much as I would prefer riding out of the hotel, a short trip in the truck to what should be better riding is worth it.
Be safe and ride safe.
Jack & Sandi

Hi Iceman.  Some years are good right from the hotel and other years it is get in the truck and drive over to Valinuet.  This year is an in the truck year.
Hi Gary.  The Delta is looking good.  I've got to make our reservation for February.  You can fill us in on the matters from Great Britain.  See you there.
Hi Steven.  It is good to be here.  We will get some rest and relaxation while away from the hub bub back in the States.
Jack & Sandi

Great to read your reports Jack...  hope  it's a bit better in valin tomorrow.. can't wait to read more  ... be safe and see you both in a few weeks... 

Great to read your reports Jack...  hope  it's a bit better in valin tomorrow.. can't wait to read more  ... be safe and see you both in a few weeks... 

Merry Christmas guy's... have a great day with friends and family.. be safe. 

Merry Christmas guy's... have a great day with friends and family.. be safe. 

Merry Christmas guy's... have a great day with friends and family.. be safe. 

Merry Christmas guy's... have a great day with friends and family.. be safe. 

Merry Christmas guy's... have a great day with friends and family.. be safe. 

I do recall that little pizza place was pretty good.  Sorry to take this post off track, but here I go… Funny story.  The second time I ate at that pizza joint my wife and I were passing through LSQ on our way to Matagami for the night, and stopped there for lunch.  I went outside for a second and one of the other customers had one of the Cat T660’s from back in the day.  They offered a remote starter on that sled.  So the guy hit the button as I walked past the sled to see my reaction as they were watching from inside.  I laughed because I knew a guy that had one and he told me about the remote start option.  So when I went back inside we all had a great laugh.  So the group asked where we were heading, and when I replied they said they were headed to the same place, so we teamed up, and travelled together for the next two days.  The second morning we were talking on the side of the trail when I noticed one guy was missing the breather flap on his BV2S helmet.  So I said your teeth must be cold.  He looked surprised and said how did you know that?  I said because I can see a piece your missing.  I had seen this issue pop up before and make life really uncomfortable for a friend. Ever since that day I carry spares.  So I fixed his helmet and off we went.  Later that night at dinner he wanted to pay me for the part, i told him thanks but no thanks, they cost almost nothing, you just have to have it when you need it.  To this day I still call that man once a year.  Turns out he was the club president in his region, Serge McDonaugh…doesn’t speak a lick of English mind you….lol.  His plane is the one you can see in the picture in front of the store in Clova on Dominic’s website.  Sorry for the long story about nothing more than snowmobiling tales…. Shit it’s why we are all here right?
 

Today
 

http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_09/Sleds2022.thumb.jpg.b52e36581dccd38ace03c1a64733c344.jpg
So it Begins!!!
GutZ