towing

Around 2-3 inches here in Joliette last night Alain

No offense iceman,there's actually alot of new post each day on cmiq and it's impossible to follow all. You are right, it is what he said at the beginning of last week. I think they were really discouraged by this situation that sink them alot of energy but the wind had finally turned now and all the efforts they did will pay... great news.... Alain

Hey hey guy!!! There are very good news about this trail. LaTuque club is now at work in the wood on an alternate trail since this last Tuesday. Géo, a great guy from this club that regularly post on CMIQ french forum keep us update on how it goes but by now, they expect to re-open the #73 by next tuesday 24 january. The last news are from those french posts: http://www.motoneigeauquebec.com/forum/showthread.php?129176-Nouvelle-aujourd-hui-pour-la-73-N-vers-Relais-22 http://www.motoneigeauquebec.com/forum/showthread.php?129546-Conditions-La-Tuque-et-Mauricie Great news Alain

A good friend of mine, Coyote, did St-Donat/Gouin/Clova on the 8-9-10-11 january. It was before the last week 2 snow storms and he state at that moment that St-Donat to Repos was a bit thin but Repos and norther was fantastic with alot more snow. His ride give him 800 miles in 3.5 days. They did: day#1: St-Donat-St-Zenon-Kanawata day#2 kanawata-Gouin loop then the #83 to Clova for the night Day#3 Clova, #83/#369 to Casey then #33 to St-Michel day#4 St-Michel to St-Donat (arrive before noon) Since this we received the 2 storms and it's snowing right now. St-Zenon last sunday was already in full winter condition. It can be a base to start with....hope this help... Alain

Very nice Iceman !!! Alain

Hey viper I just read a report on CMIQ french forum from a guy that recently did St-Michel/Gouin ride and he mention that he took the new #25 trail between Parent and Casey that gave him a 30 minute ride... http://www.motoneigeauquebec.com/forum/showthread.php?129001-Sentier-de-St-Michel-des-Saints-au-Barrage-Gouin Alain

And we come back to our starting point on the lunch time with a lean 87 miles. We load it back in the trailer and return home. I dine and then check the Venture. What I suspected is confirmed: broken spring I guess I was lucky it did not break right in the middle and not pushing at all ... 10500 miles on the meter ... I not expected that but I figure it could be worse . I had changed my two pulleys springs on my 2005 at 13 000 miles as preventive maintenance ... it is still early ... so I pick up the old spring and put it in to end the day. Take #2: from home in St-Thomas de Joliette in extreme south of Lanaudiere We take the # 43 and # 3 in Berthierville direction. The trail just been traced but it is surprisingly good. We must be very careful because there are no signs at all yet... The # 3 along the railway track is very good and fast We switch then to see what Berthierville trail looks like Once near the city, we see that the trail to the ferry to south shore of the St-Laurence river is not yet complete and is closed for now. Our curiosity leads us to the first river, they have already made the descent. I guess with the current cold it will surely be ready soon ... We return, therefore, our steps and continue on the # 3 east The fields ride pretty well The Bayonne river can be crossed Further east is acceptable in the fields but on the thin side. But it is possible to drive fast. It'll take more snow. We continue into the area of St-Cuthbert and we switch on the local trail that takes us back to Joliette. At St-Norbert, we see that nice big Bombardier which was fuelling at the village. It looks really clean ... Fields to St-Elizabeth are fast even it’s a bit thin And we return home with a little 50 miles more to a 137 miles total for the day. In summary, this is full winter in the north and a good start in the extreme south. With the last snow storm, the trail network will be completely groomed and interconnected soon which is really great. The playing field had grow alot and now the trails will now have more chance to stay in good shape . Let’s hope the forecast for next week will be as correct as those of the past week and we get promised snow. At least for now, we have very good winter trail conditions Alain

Today sunday, beautiful sunny morning, Krikri, Snowcruiser, Bily and I began our ride in St-Gabriel de Brandon. The plan of the day is to go to dinner at Marineau in River Matawin (Mauricie). The night was very cold and it's around -28C at start.... brrrrrrrr...... We go up north via trail # 63 and # 23 then. Snow from the past week combined with the cold temp give full winter trails conditions This is day and night for conditions compare to last week end The last miles trail before the Cabanon are a little less good but had really improved. The scenery is beautiful Unfortunately, I get a problem then with my sled. It was running fine but when I stop and restart, the belt slips and causes a bad skeaking noise ... a quick check shows me that the problem is the secondary pulley that not close properly, I suspect that the spring had just broken and I am a little surprised that it still works so well with a broken spring??? We must therefore Krikri and I forget to had a lunch at Mattawin and turn back .... My ride partners also decide to change theirs plans and to accompany us a little bit and had their dinner in St-Zenon area. It's frustrating for us to tack because the conditions were beautiful and curiously if I don’t stop completely, the RsVenture going very well ... no vibration and although I feel that the engine a little more loaded on acceleration, that could almost go unnoticed. Anyway, we take advantage of our return trip in beautiful conditions. to be continued

Exact samething at home here in Joliette actually Looks good B) Alain

My friend Coyote did a trip St-Donat/reservoir Gouin round-trip starting last sunday morning and coming back at the truck in St-Donat wednesday noon (yesterday) and it have a good 4" of new snow on the truck For this last storm, here at home in the south we probably had around 3" today, it still slightly snow now with strong winds and the second part of this storm should hit us tomorroy. forecast seems to had reduce their snow amount but let's wait to see. I will be on the trails next sunday so able to report conditions on next monday for sure. The other good thing for the condition: sunny with max temp sat/sunday: -18C/-19C B) winter seems finally coming... Alain

I searched a bit but did not found information on the french forums to answer your 2 questions. The Dam Gilardo is probably this one: Krikri snap 2 pics when we crossed the bridge just after we turned left and the river from the bridge on the opposite side of the dam (she's crazy fast to snap that without stopping !!!) But I don't really care at if there was some tracks that were going straight before the bridge. For sure it was not groomed and there was no signs at all... The #369 junction was just few miles north from this dam on the #345 last year But there was no signs at all this season and we were tell to pass by the Repos.It is groomed but I think it's because the dozer is parked just a couple miles from there. If I remember right it was a 120 miles ride from Kanawata to Cabanon with last year trail... It can be really tight if you try this same path this year and have an offtrail section to do.. . I have found when shearching for your questions this pic from the #369/83 junction took around last new year day Alain

It's not well marked on the trail this year but from sledder reports you take it at he Repos by going north on the road(no sand) and turning left at the stop and than 2 other miles. At the last year intersection on the #345 where we took it last year, there's no signs even there's a groomed track but I think it's the Dozer that started his run just a couple miles from there. A friend that I met at repos told me that he measured aroud 18" snow to the ground around Chateauvert area offtrail... north seems the way to go... been told no gaz at Chateauvert... Have a good trip and ride safe Alain

All the credit come to Dantheskidoo that made this very nice video. I would have been from this ride but was not... just sharing... From St-Donat, because the Archambeault lake is ready and marked it is the best way to get to the black mountain that is a west from the village. Here is a closeup of the St-Donat area and I pointed the mountain with a big yellow arrow. On the #33 trail it is well marked, you can't miss it. Alain

The quick strip in the tree planting was nice The last half was groomed more recently and was nicer even though the trail base was soft ... We finally arrived for dinner at pourvoirie du Lac Repos a little past 13:00. There were alot people there! With everyone that was there, it was long just to have a place and after dinner we had to made the line-up to the gas, so we left for the return in the opposite direction around 15:00. There was obviously quite more ripple, especially in the second half of trail before the intersection with the M20, fortunately it was very dusty and the bumps were not hard. To do a bit different on our way back, we took the Taureau dam trail instead of the new bridge. The # 360 had suffered from traffic but ride well, but the south side of the bridge had suffered most, snow had swept on the sides and it was more ruff for the runners with kling-klang very common. It returned to normal past the Cabanon where dozer had resurfaced the # 23 southbound. So went back to where we started a little past 7:00 p.m. with 207 miles on the dream meter . To conclude, the snow cover of 13 "to 15" at the moment gives us acceptable trail condition but still season’s beginning conditions even it is shaping up. As you see on my pics there’s a decent cover everywhere but it’s still hard on the runners as the trail get beated on some spots. Big traffic day with mild temp as yesterday hurt more but with the efficient grooming here the trails recover quickly, many trails are daily groomed. Those who have the chance to ride over the week days will have very much better conditions because there’s at least enough snow in most of the north trails to resurface properly. We now hope for cold and more snow to improve trails and expand our playground somemore ... Alain

the new bridge ... The river level is high and there is a trickle of water of few feet long to cross. It may look bad when we don’t know but it is solid rock below... here is what it looks like before snow ... So as long as you track in line with the bridge there’s no problem. Here’s me with the two feet in the water... There are just a few inches of water so it can be crossed well and will be bridged frozen with a bit more snow ... Next, the trail link of a couple of miles to reach the # 360 had not been groomed yet and is pretty bumpy. It then returns nice on the # 360, but even more on the # 345 to the Repos that was beautiful Past the intersection with the M20, the trail was still good. The temperature is mild and the base of the trail is not solid, more like after storm powder (even if it is not the case) Farther there was the wood cutting during the summer and we used their new road for the trail With a little more snow it will make a piece beautiful fast stretch. For now it is a bit thin but ok

Saturday morning very cloudy -5C, Krikri our friend Snowcruiser and I began our ride from St-Zenon at La Glaciere The aim of the day is to lunch at the pourvoirie du lac Repos north of the Taureau dam. Here’ s the track of the ride: So we start on the # 350 in front of La Glaciere. The trail passes the same place as other years but trail road is plowed on the first kms up to the campsite. The road is not sanded and have a lot of snow and it runs as well as the trail. Right across from the little house that we see on the pic above, they are currently building this building. I do not know if it will be an inn or something but it look really nice... It then falls on a freshly groomed trail and it's beautiful up around the Cabanon The new trail next to the road 2 miles before arriving at the Cabanon is less beautiful with some sand mixed with snow North of the Cabanon, the first miles are snowy but thin and then when back on the wildlife Mastigouche reserve road, it is in the process of renovating it with excavators. It ride ok but it's not very nice until shortly before wildlife reserve entrance gate (about 5 miles from the Cabanon) It comes back fine then ... Further, we keep the # 345 to try the new trail and the new Mattawin river Bridge. It runs well even if it is groomed somewhat narrow on some spots for now ... to be continued...

Hi guys I just saw this really nice video ride-report done by dantheskidoo from snowrider.ca. It report his ride from yesterday 7-1-2012 in St-Donat and the outstanding scenery of the black Mountain. Must be seen... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7b-WL1DdTM And the original post with few pics here(in french): http://www.snowrider.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7728 I will comeback with my yesteday ride report from St-Zenon to pourvoirie Repos very soon.. Alain

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NEW DEVELOPMENTS HAPPENED AND THIS TRAIL IS NOW RE-OPEN WITH A PARTIAL NEW ALTERNATE ROUTE FROM TODAY 28 JANUARY.... go to post #12 and after... 28/1/2012: The closed portion(loggins) of the #73 trail to relai #22 from Latuque that have been closed is now re-routed and officially open starting today 28 January 2012 Just to let you know that the latuque Club is forced to close a portion of the #73 trail to relai #22 because a section of 12 miles have been plowed and sanded for wood transports :( The wood workers were supposed to left a portion of the road with snow for the trail but the road have been completely plowed and sanded and heavy wood transport have begin today so the club have no other choice to close this section at the moment. This section is on the #73 trail between Pourvoirie Odanak and auberge Vermillon. The trail will still be groomed between relai 22 and auberge Vermillon and the Latuque Club is now working to find an alternate path to reconnect the #73 but it's not simple... Here is the link to the french post on CMIQ forum for those who read french http://www.motoneigeauquebec.com/forum/showthread.php?127825-Mauvaise-nouvelle-Club-Motoneige-La-tuque. Alain

I disagree... ....The Yammi sink deeper Alain ;)

Thank you gang The conditions are not perfect but it's a good start at least. Snow cover is 12" to 15". For you and toy4dan,I know from the french forums comments that trails toward Notre-dame de la Merci are thinner with more rocks, also for St-Côme stay north from Coin Lavigne. I don't know how St-Donat recover with the grooming but I would expect average conditions or better. The new #33 and the park have been reported good today. We have very cold temp yesterday and today (high minus 15C) but there is also pretty much traffic because the playground is small. I also seen reported rocky spots a couple miles around St-Michel. The #345 to Repos north from the dam have been reported good. I really hope for more snow to enlarge the playground and spreading the traffic a bit... Have a good trip and ride carefully guys!!! Thanks timbo. From the comments of "lougarou" which is a groomer operator from NDM on CMIQ forum, the new #33 from NDM to Coin Lavigne is groomed by them (NDM). Keep hoping !!! we are just the 4 january... Sometimes it changed fast (on either side) but keep positive Alain

Good conditions and very snowy Back at the trailer with 130 miles on the dream meter, not a big ride for us but a nice one. To conclude, it’s still a season beginning but I have been nicely surprised how good it was considering trails just opened and we got a couple warm day just before, in the holiday traffic. You may encounter some rocks or dirty spots but all in all it is good. Hoping the cold we have now keep on (high minus 15C today), the groomers will have the conditions to shape good trails and finished the trails opening that was not completed yet. They begin to open trails a bit souther like St-Gabriel de Brandon/ St-Jean de Matha but there’s not enough snow yet to give good conditions there. On the other side, north from Taureau Reservoir like Repos trail have been reported good conditions. Can’t wait to the next week end… Bye Alain

The trail path is interesting, mainly mountain trail with curves but widely groomed with good visibility… And we finally got just behind Coin Lavigne... We decided to continu on the new #33 trail. We rode a bit of the morning trail but kept the #33 north at the next junction. The new #33 trail take there an old local trail from few years. Maybe some of you will recognize this first part where the trail follow a little river, very nice Even good trail there At the next junction, we quit the new #33 to take the #343 to St-Zenon (in fact we continued on the old trail path) there was around 3 miles of ungroomed trail (bumpy but short) and got on groomed nice trail after on the path of the old #63 trail We then switched in Glaciere direction… And continued after la Glaciere on the #63 south to reach our starting point

The new trail path is very interesting but the traffic had beat up the trail, very ruff. There was enought snow to have decent trail, it was simply not groomed in the last days. We figure that we have to be understanding… we are on the 2 january, it was holiday yesterday and the season just started… So we managed to reach St-Donat Village. We had tried to go to Cuillere a Pot for the lunch but the regular trail was blocked and we did not found the trail detour that was not marked yet. We finally took our lunch at Mr Pizza just near the Ultramar gaz station. I think they just need a couple more day here to complete the trail opening and grooming, hoping the Archambeault lake will be safe soon. After a good meal and fuel up, we step back in reverse direction… We then went at the last intersection and took the new #33 trail in St-Côme direction Excellent choice, back on nice trail conditions During the day, I stopped few times to remove some potatoes rocks from the trail like I do each years but considering that the trail just opened few days ago it’s pretty good for our area We switched here in St-Côme direction. This big sign mention to be careful because there are no signs yet on the next 15 miles of new trail. Be careful, it’s true…

We switched to the right in the Mont-Tremblant Park Again, nice conditions. Snow tend to blow out a bit on some curves as usual in the park but other than that, nice! Good trail and snowy scenery... We then switched in St-Donat direction. There was some sand that tend to mix with snow in some spot. Here the Cyprès relay We ride to the Caribou park gate. The snow is a bit dirty in some curves and bumpy but ok Not perfect but so beautiful We then crossed the junction with the new #33 trail. We decided to go to St-Donat for the lunch..

Yesterday monday 2/1/2012, Krikri and I started our ride from the Domaine Bazinet, north from Ste-Émilie de l'Énergie near St-Zenon NOTE: sorry, I realize some of my pics are dated 2011 because I have one of my camera with a wrong date... my fault but those are all yesterday pics We got a mix of cloud, snow and sun… sometimes all at the same times!!! Here our path… Trail condition was amazing at start on the #63 north... We then switched in Coin Lavigne direction to reach the park. Even good on this side… the 2 -3 inches of new snow is like the ice on the cake… Even the big hills were nice... the Coin Lavigne... to be continued...