doonali

Mr. Iceman, we left Labrador this morning at 7:am trying to get back to Sept-Îles before the next winter blast, luckily today’s snowfall was at our backs as we traveled 180 miles back into Harrington Harbour.
 

Left Campbellton this morning and got a ride in a nice Silverado with an enclosed trailer from mundles Towing 40 Canadian each. After a quick 10 minute ride left point of LaCroix heading to Hotel Fraser in Chandler. But after passing only about a dozen sleds and 246 MI we decided we didn't need reservations, big mistake as the hotel was completely booked so we had dinner and then rode Grande Riviere (sp)  can't understand why no one's up here in March mid-winter conditions with anywhere from two to five feet or maybe more in the higher elevations. So one wolf in Bonaventure, first time for me in over 20 years. And then we saw wolf tracks later after Chandler 2 times must have walked down the trail for at least 2 miles.looked like a big Shepard with a slightly grey coat.  original plan was to go to Murdock Ville but it was 280 MI and it was snowing in the a.m. so we chose a different route. 
Team Iceman sticker in last picture
To be continued...
 

we are currently at the Northern Light Inn , Blanc something or another in Labrador. Thin snow up high as we made our way, signed very well. We left St Augustine this morning, a very busy little village with plenty of amenities. We stayed at Leo Mckinnons B&B lots of Lake running out this way probably 95% once you leave Havre St. Pierre. Fortunate to have had sunny skies since I left Complex Pelchat on Thursday!

Saturday 7 March 
after a short week with the ride with the Mrs. 
Snohorse arrived at Chez Ice at 11:30am, I was ready and waiting. Gear packed, saddle bags ready and sleds in driveway. Trailer was here already but, needed to pin it to the truck before loading them up. Done finished by noon. On the road 12:15. Quick stop at ATM in Cap de Madeline and eastbound Autoroute 40. Lots of police out on this fine Saturday for running the black trail. Hammer down with caution. Great ride to Quebec City. Traffic at the junction for Saguenay and then smooth sail all the way to Baie St Catherine and the Ferry to Tadoussac. Perfect timing right onto ferry no lines no waiting. Quick cruise across and up the 138 to L’Escoumins. Touchdown 5pm. Stop at grocery for supplies and to hotel and all unloaded ready to ride. 
Calm before the storm literally as it seems we cannot catch a break. Second run in a row with a storm in the middle of it. Not many options as snow will be here and Gaspe and Saguenay so no matter what it’s gonna be snowing somewhere. We are sticking to our plan and it will be what will be. Up TQ3 direction east. We shall see. 

 

We take 85 toward the chute to check out the view. We hop on the local to the lookout. It’s the first time over here. You can see the north shoreside. It’s a nice view. I can see the bridge that goes over the falls. The trees are kind of blocking it.

We get going about 8:30. It’s 28 degrees and sunny. Trail 526 is groomed again this morning. It seems like the club works real hard keeping the trail nice here around town.

The local is short. 35 is smooth with fluff on top. We make haste.

When we get back on the trail it’s snowing pretty hard. The trail is accumulating a good amount. We make our way West to a short local that connects to TQ35.

Day 6
Last day here, time to head back to the trucks in Victoriaville. Up early for a 7:15 departure. 2” of new snow overnight. Off we go, within 10 miles of cabano snow gets deeper now close to a foot breaking trail on the rail bed. Awesome an unexpected  powder day! Into the Tourville clubhouse for a late breakfast. Fresh snow levels drop as we head west from there. Little traffic and blue skies. Closer we get to to victoriaville obvious they got only rain. Trails still good and groomed last night. Into the hotel Le Victorian at 3:15 with 265 miles for the day. This area will be done shortly if no new snow. Awesome 1425 mile ride with a great bunch of guys! Looks to be my last ride this year but you never know! Great seeing groomer and Linda sled girl and Joel in Amqui. Mr and mrs gt rider, Mike rider and farmerold in RDL. Only issues where a blown belt and starter solenoid. Wrapping a rope around the clutch gets old! Hope you All  enjoyed following along!

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Day5
woke up this morning not sure what the weather had in store for us. About 2” and snowing, this is good, no rain. Plan is moose valley for lunch. Take the local orange that takes you across lake humque instead of going up to st Irene. Snowing good and as you climb in elevation a good 6”. Absolutely beautiful! Lunch at moose valley and on towards Biencourt. No tracks heading that way see first sign biencourt to the right.  Off we go, somethings not right, yep it’s a quad trail rut ro. No packed base. Not easy to turn 5 sleds around in deep snow. After an hour of digging out we get back to the trail and continue farther and find the right trail to biencourt.  Continue on to Cabano for the night at motel Royal. 225 miles. Super wet snow all day , wiping the shield every 10 seconds. Last day tomorrow.

We take 44 to 85. As we get to 85 I see the trail is getting thin. Wednesday snow!

We get on 571. The trail is in nice shape.

It’s 30 miles to Quebec from Moose Valley.

We did not see any Moose but could tell some were around. The trails are nice.

After lunch we backtrack to get trail 150. And head for RDL. Again we are first tracks for a few miles then we follow one track.

We arrive at Moose Valley at 12:15. We get fuel and stop for lunch. There are quite a few snowmobiles here. We saw only 3 all day.

It’s about 44 miles to Moose Valley. We take 155 to 17. The trails are smooth with a little fluff on top. The signing is less than Quebec. I have trakmaps on the GPS.

At 44 miles we reached the border. There was some logging in this area. 

We reached the Zec Bas-Saint-Laurent 29 miles in. 

Last photo of the day. 
 
We arrive at the hotel and meet up with mike for dinner. Another great day.

We’re back in Quebec on the orange trail. We pass a road and can see puddles. It’s been warm today.

Day4
Today’s thought is Amqui . Dusting of fresh snow Last night and onto the 595 towards new Richmond. Freshly groomed last night and in stellar shape.  About 20 miles out blown belt on one of the 850’s quick swap and a stop at the dealer in new Richmond for a spare. Tq5 also in top shape. Lunch in Carlton at the clubhouse. Temps ridiculously warm, trails holding up with lite traffic. Into the select hotel in amqui. 225 miles. Storm coming tomorrow, we will see what transpires in the morning. Only 2 pics today after yesterday’s photo Rama. Gotta keep the picture police happy! Lol!