towing

it is open since the beginning of the season with the restrictions mentionned and you have to pay your fee of $8,60/day/person on internet before going or place your money in a box at the Park entrance. There are no people or cashier at the entrances but the trail is randomly patrol by parks agents. You won't see it on iMotoneige or interactive fcmq map because it is not considered as a federate trail (don't ask me why!). Personnally I had not ride it and won't, even if i can go with my 4 stroke. For me it's unacceptable restrictions and a dangerous precedent to ask money for passing on a territory(park in this case). Reopening the whole park the way it was in the old years with all the wide trail would have been something but reopening only the Caribou trail, one drag wide with a buch of restriction and asking money over the top: No thanks for me, but this is just my own opinion As for St-Faustin connector, local snowmobile club announce this week that they finally just got all the autorizations from government, environment and they will begin the bidding process in the next week for the trail construction work

Here is my traditional photo report from Sunday, March 17, 2019 ride The last thaw was mainly Thursday and Friday of last week but the weather stayed mild on Saturday so that the snowmobiles clubs have only been able to groom in the Saturday to Sunday night , so we stayed at home Saturday to not wear the trail base and catch up on Sunday with this big nice loop of 300miles that we did in reverse side from last time we did earlier this season. My snowmobile club (Carcamp Berthierville) had groomed overnight . It gave beautiful hard and very fast trails , I lowered the scratchers for safety. Here some pics near home in St-Thomas de Joliette The thaw did not really reduce the snow cover which is very generous this year, just packed down a bit in the south of the area. To my knowledge a single river ice bridge in Berthierville on # 3trail (not on this ride path) have been damaged and it can be easily cross by the car bridge just few meter aside. Here in St-Félix de Valois And this pic on the old railway of St-Cléophas de Brandon. The club of St-Gabriel Brandon had not regroomed it since the thaw, probably just before because it was flat as a pool table...but not much loose snow. A blast to ride with the scratchers down! North from St-Gabriel had been done recently and it was top notch At the hut on the top of St-Damien's hill, agents I knew were doing some trail pass checking and we stopped talking a little Once in the mountains the snow texture changed and from there it was still full winter conditions. The trail section around the Réal Massé area maintained by the Saint-Charles snowmobile club had not been re-groomed and was pretty rough. Need to see a groomer there... Here near #23/#350 trails junction The Cabanon(Royaume snowmobile club) had not been able to groom the #23 south of the Cabanon, one of their dozer had broken down in the Mastigouche reserve area and could not complete its run. Despite some holes it still ride well, We stopped to refuel and eat early at Cabanon. Lot of snow there... We then left in north direction toward Mauricie trail #345 was nice and fast Only one ice accumulation which we already had a good part of the season We chose to go through the Mattawin River Bridge instead of the dam The bridge We joined the #360 that we took to the east. Again very beautiful and fast One of the only break we took at #440 halt area and continue The dirty car road in front ruin a bit the usual view on the river at this spot. One short muddy spot just before the bridge of the St-Maurice River We did a quick gaz stop near Marineau, and continue Instead of going by the St-Maurice river as we usually do, we continued the # 360 to get the # 23 to St-Tite. I was expecting the river to be slushy and I preferred to limit our mileage on it When joining the #23 trail there is a bit of road side to do. It was rather icy but doable. The ice bridge on la rivière des envies is still in shape. My Kristine just photographed the sign but the dozer pushed a good amount of snow over it and the water is still far from the trail We continued on the # 23 Up to the St-Maurice River near Grand-Mère. obviously very hard with some frozen slush spots We then joined the #3 trail in Iceman's playground for the return to the west. Here close to Mont Carmel We crossed again the St-Maurice river at La Gabelle. Very nice and no slush We took our 2nd afternoon break when refueling at St-Étienne des Grès and left at around 5:30 pm. The #3 and the #63 on the return were all particularly nice, very hard and fast: My yammy made some nice music on this back ride! We finally been home around 7:00 pm with 301miles on the venture dreameter. All the trails even those so south in the area where still in great shape. So still a nice snow cover in my area with good trails conditions overall. On the other hand, season's time is running out and we have already passed mid-March: we have to admit that we do not have much time left in front of us, the season is already well advanced so hurry to enjoy it before it ends !!! Snowmobilecountry web site is always a good place to have the status/details on the Lanaudière/Mauricie trails : https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/ The end of season rides, often the best conditions of the year ... Alain

Nice!!! 👍 I really like vimeo for that, youtube is much more popular but their compression algorythm mess up the results alot more.

Thanks Tom! I was searching in my right free music bank one that would fit the sequences I had mounted and this one happened to fit nicely, I just fine tune the sequence transitions to better fit the music beat and bingo! an other great souvenir for us to share...

It's a few weeks old at the end of february, Snowcruiser and us lately improvise a 2 days ride from Champlain(east from Trois-Rivières) to Lac-Bouchette round trip. I had taken few video shots but had miss time to do something with them, which I finally did this week. As usual, better viewed on large screen at 1080p with the sound cranked up a bit... beer and popcorn optionnal! Alain

Keep few shots Jim, we will start a thread at fall of "show me your sled stuck pics" I will have a couple good ones too!

I confirm you that even without the communicators, the communication find a way to pass... not always with words

This is the moment you realize how good he is at what he do. Very talented people make difficults tasks looking easy! You had some very challenging stretches there!!! not for two-up loaded sled... I had the chance to have a solos partner that was making me a trace in the worst sections. Not sure I would have tried yours myself!

No Jim, the Gouin reservoir when we did it was flat and we could cruise at very good speed. We had to crossed one big drift around 4 feet high when exiting an island toward the reservoir nothing more. But we had some tough sections to cross over the years. The worst cases we encounter when traveling was a wind storm after snow when going around Lac St-Jean in the sector of Hebertville. It was big drift with bad to zero visibility... we did Herbertville station to Alma directly on the road #169 that was close by the police because too bad weather. We pass just near the police cars at each end of the close section and got a thumb up from the guy inside! They probably prefered seeing us there than having to start a search and rescue because we would had been stuck in a ditch deep in the woods... This video was on l'ile de Lamèque and some of the worst sections were more impressive than it really was. We climbed over 10-12 feets drifts but the last dozer pass was already 8-10feet high... the snow over the trail was 0 to 3feets(in the top of the drifts) in real... just one requirement: stay on the trail path on those section or you will pay for it!!!

I bet Gemma can identify with the girl who is panicking on the back of a well!!!😄 Thank You Tom! haha!!! 😄 you bet right! In fact I had pretty much fun, it was looking worst than it really was but for the passenger on the back that had not the controls in the hands it is not fun for sure. Just after this sequence I had let my partner going infront and open the trail for us.. at least the drift were cut a bit and did not splash over our head anymore!!! The only time I got a bad feeling is when we completely loose the trail at a certain moment and had made enough long in bad drifts that going back was not tempting. We use the go snowmobiling application for NB trails on our phones that is similar to imotoneige here in Quebec and it immediately locate us on the map. We saw that we were near a road that the trail was crossing so we got on the road and found back the trail at the junction. This cell phone application save our ass more than once during the trip! Thanks Mike! The snow conditions was really good, in fact the drifts were just enought firm from the wind action to get acceptable traction and not sunk my yammy but not too hard to loose control when they were not at 90 degre angle. Yes I like it too , I was wondering if someone would notice... really special, even more on this virgin snow scenery

It's been a long time I had not posted new stuff, was busy on the trails!!! Here a small video we catch on our saddlebag trip last week in N.B. It's not big deal for solo riding but we had some challenge two-up loaded for a week trip, especially for my best half that stress on the back seat!!! Alain

Hi Jim and Gemma! No you don't keep me too late chatting, it was so fun we would had continue a part of the night if we would had not look at the clock! I just review your report from home on my 28" computer screen, so much easier and a better than on my small cell phone that I had hard time to navigate internet with... You made again an outstanding real time pics report with detailed well wrote stories that make us feel like we ride along with you both. Thank you for having done it again and I admire you both to had did it in real time like this, I know it's much time and efforts behind the scene. Too bad you live so far south, can't ride more and post more of those top class report. We are just back home with 1140 miles and smiles mostly in New Brunswick, can't believe it's already finished... as for report I was already 2 rides behind without reports because missing time before this last trip, now stepping back in my fast rolling life I need to catch back the beat. With all the material I have this last one, it's will be a summer project for sure but I will try to be back on the reporting for my next week ride. I will PM you on some informations you may be interest about NB... Thanks again Jim and Gemma!

Hi Jim! It was great to meet Gemma and you again! Very happy to have meet MikeRider for the first time and practice my bad english with all three of you! We were a bit late sunday morning, we arrived at verrière at 7:45 and look for you and Mike without luck. I was a bit sad to have miss Jack and Sandy but it will be for a next time... We start this morning from St-Quentin New-Brunswick and point our skis toward Bathurs. Great ride ride so far. Have a good trip continuation!! Alain

your report and pictures are outstanding Jim! I really enjoy. Glad for you that the trail conditions get back to normal, I really know what it is to ride two-up in those conditions: you are strong ones! I read that you are staying a couple day in Rivière du loup, we are driving today to Hotel Universel in RDL to launch sunday morning from there, aligning our skis toward New Brunswick. I don't know if you stay at Universel but if so it would be great to meet you again and chat a bit. I leave you a pm. enjoy your trip, keep the rubber on the down side, but not too deep!!! Alain

Seems you start your trip with a bit of challenge! can't control mother nature... have to get the best of it I wish you many blue jay days to let you progress more easily and enjoy even more your trip. the forecast is encouraging... good luck Alain

Oh ya! I know what you mean... been on similar situation in St-Alexis des Monts on the Lac à l'eau claire (translate: clear water lake) many years ago. I was leading a group of four and was in federate trail path that run a couple miles on the lake. We were riding on a good snow cover and it was at the end of the afternoon at dusk and suddenly we got on a completely black wide section of maybe 500 feet long. Of course the first thing I tought: it's clear water= a pinch at the heart+ pin the throttle! but few seconds later after a bit of brain processing I realized that it was impossible to have a clear water spot in the middle of the lake in the middle of January so I stopped... one of my followers had not, still on fear reaction! The lake would have been named clear Ice lake! when stopped we were looking at the ice that was clear like a glass and the only thing that indicate us it thickness was some small motionless bubbles in it: at least 3 feets. It was a wind draft between the mountains on the shore that had created this freaking black spot. Thanks PLAYHARD!

After the teaser video, here a more complete version from the first half of our last week ride 9 february between Joliette and Marineau. Best viewed in 1080p with the sound on! Alain

Seems you had a real great trip with just enought adventure, not too much 😄 I Let you know you did an outstanding job on the report too 🏆 what do you use as camera? You have crisp and clean pictures 👍

I'm fully realize it; I'm unable to do it... I raise my hat to mr iceman and all the others who do it, it is not the easy way for sure 👍

Yes I know, you are right I have one of the best snomobile backyard in the world! thanks for the good words! You are welcome PLAYHARD, hoping the recovery goes well for you... Love them two! like I wrote to CARMAN on an other post, I vote for a motion: snow in the night and blue jay day every day!!! We are two! it's my favotrite too. I have pretty good video footage i did during this run along the river and if I can find the time I will try to mount a video from the #360...

I'm no where near a professional but i'm working to be good at what I do!!! When I began to do photo reports 12 years ago very few peoples were doing them because it was somewhat complicated but now it's really more easy and alot more do especially here and on facebook. I'm pretty sure at the pace the technology evolve the video will be really more easy to realize in just few years. Yes sir, picture and video looks so much better in those conditions. And to ride in open fields the visibility is so much better. I will vote for a motion: snowing in the night and blue jay days each day!!!

You are welcome Jim, I wish you many of these blue jays days!!! we have been pretty lucky this season, It's very nice to ride with best visibility and give stunning good pics and videos! Have fun with Gemma and ride safe! Thank you Jack! If only it would be easy/reliable /plug and play but I prefer warn you: it is not... Those gopro are terrible in the cold, just few minutes with a standart set-up. I had worked alot to make my last setup working relatively reliable and hassle free and now I am starting over for this new one and it is not easy, same repice fail = internet searching+try/fail attemps... You also have to take in consideration that even when all work correctly, you result in many minutes/hour of unedited video that it is not so nice to watch as is... that mean that you need to put some more time to watch and process your base files to get something nice to watch but when they worked and with a bit of magic at the editing it can give some very nice results for sure! I think you have to like to play with the cams and editing to enter this game and be happy... it is my case!!!

With the beautiful sun forecasted and the fast trail conditions, we chose to do one of our classics: The Joliette/Mattawin River big loop We were a little uncertain after Friday's rain on whether the trails would be icy or not so on Saturday morning we took a look at the interactive map to see the latest grooming and the majority of the trails had been done during the night so we went for the big loop It is a ride that we make every year (once in each direction!) And that we particularly appreciate for its fast and rolling trails for being so south. The ride gave us 287 miles which when we have good conditions can be done quite easily in the same day. Having no riding partner we did it quite intensive without taking many breaks: We left home at 9:00 in the morning and came back home for supper at 7:00pm So it's under a beautiful sun and -12C that we start from home by sled on Saturday morning. The trail was very hard so I dropped the 2 scratchers from the start It was a stunning sunny day but the wind was very strong. We just rode a bit in the field with the wind sideways and a good draft had made its way in the face of my sweetheart making her a cold spot just between the two eyes and she was feeling like she had just eaten a half-pot of ice cream too fast!!! I took out a sticky hot-pad kit and tinkered her a solution ... not very cute but effective! Top notch riding apart from the side wind that wants to throw us down the Yam from time to time. My sweethearth no longer complains of the cold, not sure if her brain unfroze... or completely froze! The more we rode on the #3 to the east and the more new snow we saw after the rain that turned to blowing snow East of Ste-Ursule, I switched on local trails between #3 and #63 to keep a more direct route. Perfect trail conditions We did a pit stop in St-Étienne to refuel and then continue to the east. Here crossing la Gabelle dam reservoir ... On the way up on the other side of the river, some snowmobilers in the group in front of us had been trapped on an ice strip in the hill. I really love my Iceripper track, had not even free spinned And we go back on the St-Maurice in Grand-Mère The short stretch up to the junction with the #23 was pretty bumpy. Next was better but being two-up on the Yam, it been up to the height of Grandes Piles before I could open the throttle comfortably The St-Maurice river scenery is always as beautiful ... We then ride to get the #360 And we arrived for lunch at Marineau in Rivière Mattawin around 1:00 pm with about 130miles on the dreammeter Alot people there but as always a good nice and fast service Barely an hour later we left, all 3 full (Kristine, the Yammy and me) on # 360 in St-Zénon direction. Just after the bridge the trail connection has changed place and the first portion is on a new, more direct and less twisty path. I like it much better for sure. The classic Mattawin River view The #360 was like a carpet, beautiful and fast. We took a break at the summer rest area 440 It's a picnic area, if you want to use the table plan to bring a shovel! Then back for a lazy-boy ride on the beautiful #360 I chose to cross the river on the dam instead of the bridge, like in old time! The reservoir level is already considerably lowered ... The #345 was nice and fast too. As we expected we met a dozer who was starting his run from Cabanon A last fuel-up for the venture at the l'auberge le Cabanon The #23 south was as good, even in front of the dozer that we passed The only less good section that was bumpy was few miles each side of Réal Massé where #23 and #350 share the same trail, then it was ok and once in the St- Gabriel trails even better. We also crossed their dozer who was leaving for his run too We finally came back for supper at home at 7:00 pm with 287 miles on the dreammeter. The trails near home had enough loose snow with the day's traffic to ride easily without scratchers. Once again the big tour did not disappoint us. Even with some rain last week, the trail network is still fully operational and nice: the best of the season is now! where ever you want to ride, do it now.. time flies really fast!! You can always keep an eye here for trail conditions and more: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/ Have fun and ride safe! Alain

We did yesterday our classic big tour Joliette/Shawinigan/Mattawin/St-Zenon/Joliette 287miles. Here a small sample, best view on large screen at 1080p and crank up^the sound! Alain

Thank you Chris! St-Côme festival is really a must see in person if you are in the area. St Gabriel de Brandon is a top notch snowmobile club. Each years they go farther north on the #23 and their part is always very nice. The area around Real Masse is maintain by St-Charles de Mandeville club and they are not lucky with their dozers, many breakdown... this year is even worse for the #23 trail segment around Massé that received the double traffic from the #350 that have been reroute on this 7 miles of the #23 trail because of logging on the regular #350 path... Good for Massé business but hard on the trail quality and with all the snow from january the dozers all have hard time! As for weather here, a bit of freezing rain today after a bit of snow last night with a high of -4C. Forecast call for a high of 4C tomorroy but no precipitations so no damage in sight... Alain