towing

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!

Ho yes there is a season that is already begin here! You know how it work, if the snow isn't go to you... you have to...

You are welcome M21, the table is set for you to have a great time next week up there! It held up nicely, even better on Mattawin side from what I see yesterday! When you mention Carly Simon I had an hesitation because the one I was remember from her was "you're so vain" 😜 loll We have a bunch of very good trail reporters here, curiously i'm nearly the only one on the french forum...and on facebook they put a nice picture without even writing where is it!!! Thanks guys!! You are welcome mikerider, from me and Kristine that is at trying to tame a new camera to replace her old sony that is about dying. It's a good question for the annual trip, don't have the answer yet... at least my vacations week is book on the shedule! I'm a last minute planer and i'm not limiting the options to Quebec... There will be some nice dreaming/planning for options! I did St-Michel/ Mattawin yesterday and had a blast, what a nice ride!!! I will as well post my report of my Mattawin yesterday ride tonight

After the PM of snobeeler I raise the flag to my contact at FCMQ this morning who came me back 20 minutes later!!! (I think I have the right one!!!) here the answer traduction: Hello Mr. Garceau, We are well aware of this problem and are currently in the process of remedying the situation. Thank you for your patience.

as a bonus, here a video of my yesterday ride, in the AM from St-Gabriel to Koubec. Quality is weaker because the lack of sun but it's good enough to see the conditions. enjoy!

You are welcome Pipemaster! the 22 seems to me far at first but I realize it is in facts in 2 weeks! I had begin to see good things north from Mt-Laurier, the season really begin actually. I agree with your Koubec comment. It is a very different experience than a 5 star modern hotel but I myself really prefer this kind of authentic places with soul, operate by people that put a part of their life and heart in it. The only thing to consider is that the small road that lead there from the public road is narrow on some section + twisty and hilly. You need to have the appropriate truck/rig depending the road conditions. Helen will be able to advise you wisely on this if needed You will explore at some point but from what I see and read you will having a great trip! Thanks Iceman, have a great season! You were in the early birds that contribute to pack down that new snow! The big snow drop +thaw is a good scenario for this rocky area, it seal down the rocks and we will build on this base for the rest of the season. I wish you that your area got snowy but yes here looks to be a great option in the next weeks You are welcome Florida Snowman! Starting in a week will left the time to the trail network to build up and the info to be available. Right now there is more than what it is advertise but it's a season beginning and it take some time to put all together. Happy new year and have a great trip! thank you lachdave! as I wrote to Florida Snowman, you have just the perfect timing IMO to get the best of it! Hoping that we get cold weather and just a bit of snow to keep the cake creamy!

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

The traffic is high for sure but receiving that much snow they had on the same drop without having deep cold after can't result in strong trails conditions, it can just support light traffic. Having some rain can actually help to firm up the trail base but we need deep cold and the forecast is not that promising... I anyway expect better conditions as the playground enlarge and the trail base firm up. You had a good timing this week with the weather forecast i see for the next days, I'm just myself starting vacation tonight and will have to wait few days before hitting trails. Thank you for having share your season opener with us, a pleasure to see/read as usual!

They are still recovering from the storm so you will be in the opening of the trail system, Lionel at La glaciere should be good help. Just to give you an idea, Royaume snowmobile club report Cabanon/Dam #345 closed because power lines were fall in the trail!!!. It is hard to predict what will be open outside St-Zénon/St-Michel. I know Mattawin toward Mauricie is open and had groomed before the storm. Manawan side, trail to Repos is done but farther to Manawan not sure it is... In the "out of ordinary" Koubec also named as pourvoirie Mastigouche worth it. I also love the restaurant Le vieux moulin a scie in St-Michel des Saint(back of the Central) for the ambiance. The pourvoirie Bazinet souther of Glaciere on #63 have usually a very good meal. You and Snowmaster will be the trails openers, comeback with details... I myself don't think to be able to find time to ride before the beginning of January.

It have been a real good one for sure! It's hard to know the exact numbers for snow but I had heard 24" many time yesterday evening for many areas and it continued in the night. With the very strong winds we had (some tree down) and so much snow it will not be just a regular grooming pass and it is just at christmas time, it will put some delay for having the trail system groomed and ready but at least, we already know the material is here to open most of the trail system: all the north for sure and most of the south trail, minus some rivers not ready yet. We will have a nice wide playing ground ready in just few days

Yes St-Michel des saints started tonight and the Mattawin snowmobile club from Mauricie had did the first pass on the #360 from Marineau auberge toward St-Michel des saints yesterday and will groom the #360 toward St-Joseph de Mékinac tomorrow 19 dec. Their facebook page is not very active but you can follow what I mentioned on the Marineau auberge website, section trail conditions (sorry no english): https://www.hotelsmarineau.com/sentiers-motoneige/conditions-pistes?fbclid=IwAR1KlR6dLrB3pD5hWCcW5lEOlXHECTn5mToTTUyDEW2_64s7xP5ON7BEzDk Some others souther snowmobile clubs like St-Gabriel de Brandon have mentioned having begin to work on the trails but ask to not ride yet as their trails are not ready/safe. I seen some ride reports in Cabanon area that are nice. I expect very beginning conditions... but it begin at least!

This information was from summer time but I had the confirmation that Denis left his place as for the Royaume snowmobile club direction at the general meeting of the snowmobile club at fall when they were voting for the new club direction members. A young girl name Mélodie Vaillancourt that was already in the club team since a couple year(and work at Cabanon) took the presidency supported by an experienced team members. The last motoneige Quebec magazine devote 3 pages on the Royaume snowmobile club. I had not the chance to speak to Denis or his wife since the announcement of the ownership change but still been told that they are supposed to be there... With the season now starting we will know more soon...

It is surely looks more promising than a week ago. With the small crusty base they already have I'm pretty sure they will begin to groom at least some forest road sections like the Mastigouche wildlife reserve trails. Both the Royaume snowmobile club and St-Michel club wrote they are ready and just waiting for mother nature cooperation. The amount of snow received and the weather degrees will determine how far they will be able to go... need snow+cold. my 2 cents

the 2 bugs are corrected, map now route correctly 👍

Hi Snowmaster! all is well for me, Kristine involuntary started her backseat training last week by missing the first top step of a stair at home and went all way down on her back/butt!!! she was walking like a robot for a couple days but she's now getting better... she will be in great shape to start the season in a couple weeks!!! I read that your limousine is back to life, congratulation for new heart transplant! we definitely need to hook up on snow this next season, let me know of your plans when you come to my side of the border... With your info I identify the 2 routing bugs on the map and already wrote tonight to FCMQ to ask them to do the corrections. I already ask for other routing bug corrections in Lanaudiere this fall that have been done in just few days later so I'm confident it will be corrected soon. Here is where I suspect the actual bugs to be (red circles)

Linda is right, in my area some changes have been updated but many others have not yet( on both the interactive web map or Imotoneige) As now you can't assume what you see is be the final trail version we will have this season. I have been told they temporarily deactivate the grooming fonction on the interactive map to avoid sledders think a trail is open because a dozer pass once to begin to fill ditches or do maintenance/signage (They did this at last season beginning after this situation lead to loose some trail segments) They are supposed to reactivate when the season will be more started. The bug with this is they do not seems to be able to activate just an area without enabling the whole map... So you may have to wait a little while before seeing Mont Valins trail grooming state

I learned that the new Cabanon Auberge owners are named Michel and Mélissa and they should be present at this weekend snowmobile show in Quebec city at Cabanon booth. I won't be at the show myself and don't know if Iceman or somebody else not too far planned to go but it would be an opportunity to talk with them before the season opening.

Don't worry guys! I know the info is real but I have been told that Denis and his wife should still be there this next season to ensure a smooth ownership transition. I had stopped by in june after Snowmaster had wrote me about rumours and had talked with Diane about the potential sold but nothing was done at this moment even they were in negotiation. She had told me that they were both in mind for continue to operate as usual this next winter, Denis had just leaved before my arriving for a FCMQ meeting for the weekend (he came back at royaume snowmobile club direction). I had confirmation that the deal was in serious way to happen a week ago and had tried to seek more info about the new owners but just been told from trusty source that the info was real and that Denis and Diane should still be there this season... Will keep you inform when I know more...

Hi guys! While doing some video archiving of my memories this summer I came across this funny event: the 1997 Gareau Folies in St-Gabriel de Brandon. Some of you probably remember I wrote about it before( the trail pass just aside this site, just below the belvedere of St-Gabriel) and for others, the concept was quite simple: using snow that had been buried during the winter and make a snowcross track to race for an afternoon...in July! Another great sledder idea!!! A torture for the sleds and the pilots, especially after a few hours at 30C, but the show was great! The track was well thought out with jumps and several long water holes to keep the machines cooled. We filmed it on 8mm tape so the quality isn't great but it gives a good sample of the event. In the 2nd half of the video I edit you a lap of the open category final at 4 sleds wide which had offered quite a show. Turn the sound on! Alain

to give follow up, Mattawin groomed yesterday the #360 and M20 and St-Michel des saint Club will groom tonight and tomorroy https://www.facebook.com/clubmotoneigesmds/posts/2777400189230065

I did a 200 miles in St-Michel des Saint area Saturday. Some small brown spots in St-MIchel village and around but farther still a good snow base but it was really slushy and by the end of the day the trails were pretty much choppy. With the mild temperature there was no grooming yesterday and with the forecast I wonder if they will continue grooming or not... There is still a good snow cover but would need at least a good after weekend grooming to make good conditions.

You are welcome PLAYHARD! Mother nature have breath really warm on us today and this for a few days ahead on the forecast... I don't think the south trails will survive to this, hope the north trails will with the good snow cover they have... have to wait and see Thank you for the good words Chris! All of those who post ride report here have their own different touch which make each interesting in a different way but all very enjoyable to read and your own real time ride reporting is absolutely outstanding, impossible for me to match this: each post is a slice of adventure and we just wait for the next!!! Yes we will have to plan something together next season, we will keep in touch... I think of your Goldwing motor problem this last week, a guy that I chat with over facebook have a twin of my ride partner's enduro and was telling me that he got a sudden overheating problem that develop on his 38K kms 900 ace enduro recently. Long story short it was a plastic drive gear failure that drive both the oil and water pump...he also told me, and this is the interesting part, that when this happened there was no more oil on the dipstick!!! the loss of drive of the oil pump make the oil not returning in the reservoir where is the dipstick and staying in the bottom motor base...His dealer said him it is a typical symptom of a plastic drive gear failure I'm not sure it work the same way in the 1200 but it surely sounds similar at what you got... Think snow my friend!

Here our last ride, Sunday March 13, 2022. Time flies! we are already at mid march and having a very good snow cover with a fully operational trail network in my area, it was a perfect timing to ride this Lanaudière/Mauricie 280 miles loop, a classic one day ride for us that we had not did yet this season. Here is a first video of the ride from St-Thomas to the Cabanon in St-Zénon And here a second one from Cabanon to Marineau in Trois-Rives (Mattawin) where we stop for lunch at 1:15pm with 155 miles done We took a good lunch break at Marineau and headed back south. Very good conditions up to the St-Maurice river which was also very nice and fast There was a kite kite festival in Grande-Pile on the St-Maurice river From Lac à la Tortue to Gabelle crossing the trail was bumpy but we met 2 groomers there who were at work Gabelle crossing was good and coming back to the west the fields were very windy and there was a lot of loose powder on the trail which slowed our pace a bit. We met Berthier's dozer on #3 trail who gave us a much appreciated last break And here is a last video of our afternoon. I don't know what mother nature have for us ahead for the next days but at least the snow cover for the date is excellent!!! It's the time of the year that some outfitters will begin to shutdown some services so just do your homeworks before the ride depending where you go. I know Kanawata just closed the kitchen and accomodation but gaz still available. Repos is still fully operational up to next weekend at least... Leave you this link for more details https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/ Alain

Ha! it's a small world! We had our room toward the left of the motel. It's the same for me, I had a small Iceman team sticker on my old yammy but I not installed any on the brp. What you wrote make me realize how close we were to meet that moose. We fueled up at La Cache past 12:30 and passed the dozer within the first mile from there that was just beginning his return toward St-Paulin. We stopped a bit later on the side of the trail for lunch and also at this heated relay farther so we were ahead of you but probably not that much. We arrived at Nanook motel early around 4:00 I think. Here a sunset shot took later from our room

Were you at motel Nanouk/Cap-Chat on Thursday to Friday night??? I remember have seen sleds very similar to yours in front the motel in the morning...