Mid Range

FYI doo4adoo......opening January 13th

...and dont forget to take your boots off!!.....I got yelled at !!  LOL.

FYI doo4adoo......opening January 13th

FYI doo4adoo......opening January 13th

Day 4 
Woke to pretty good snow coming down at Le Cabanon. Sat Down to breakfast. Lights flicker 3 times and boom blackout. Took a few minutes for them to get the generator up but all good after that. 
Was more snow outside then we thought. A solid 6-7" of wet heavy stuff. As others were talking of waiting the day out for the groomers to go out. We are not used to hearing talk like that. So off we go. There was another group that got out before us. They were going 345 north as well. We catch them maybe 30k from Cabanon. They are stopped and wave us by. Yeah thanks. C-ya. What a damn mess this wet snow. Trees down and let me tell you it was like riding through paste or mashed potatoes. Wettest deepest snow I've been on in a long time. After we pass the group I was thinking that was it. But still seing a pair of tracks. Well much better than 8 pairs making things messy. We catch the other 2 at bridge over river. And get by. At first I was so happy to be finally breaking trail that was short lived, as the further on we went up 345 the snow got deeper, wetter and heavier. Not to mention the trees bent or down. This was pretty sucky. One of those test your skills day. As where there was a big drift it would almost stop me in my tracks. Crazy wet heavy snow did i mention now it was easily 12" new wet. It was still snowing at this point and blowing. My sled was drinking the fuel bad. I knew I was using my spare gas before Repo's. 
 
Sun popped out soon after

 
 
oh yes the joy. We press on and 35km from Repo's ahhh. The groomer has come out from the turn off just after the Dam there. Looking like maybe I will make it to The Pump. 

well no dice I'm out 5km short. Oh well dump the gas in. On to Repos. Only like 80 miles to Repo's and I was way short. 
Thinking I was kidding about deep wet snow? Think again. It was work. 
 
Arrive at Repo's to this scene.  30 Minute delay. 

For you Groomer

 
 
 
A few off trail sleds at Repo's but no one else. We head off toward Kanawata. Gromer is just going up trail so we take road out of Repo's (not plowed) with a few sled tracks. Arrive at Kanawata Express and also unplowed with some tracks to ride in, Thank You little baby jesus.
40 miles to Kanawata, made great time considering and driveway to Kanawata plowed. We go in to top off. Mario says trail from Repo's is the road for now too many trees down they have not cleared. A couple local guys from their chalet having lunch. 
Leave and off for Casey. Lucky again trail is broken for us. Snow still deep and wet here. Nice Run to Casey. Once in Casey it's like a switch has been flipped. Less snow here and its Fluffy. We burn on up and join the 83. It has tracks both directions. Less snow makes for easy going now. Like butter. This is fun again. Less like work. 83 is nice some brush here and there. We roll up to Trail for Gouin Eastern spur. Nice Run on up and settled in the lodge at 5pm. Left Cabanon 9:30. We are the only 2 here and don't mind a bit. Private Lodge. Nice. 209 miles. 
 
 
 

first ride on xmas eve.....turn back after 20 kms.....railroad bed was brownish/greyish in many places.Things were much better on new year's eve. Last week we got hammered with 40 45 cms of snow. NOW........we are in business. 2 1/2 to 3 feet of snow in the area. Lakes are not safe yet. Saw the trail warden from the FCMQ. They are sporting yellow jackets and it's zero tolerance with them. Alright the season has started.

first ride on xmas eve.....turn back after 20 kms.....railroad bed was brownish/greyish in many places.Things were much better on new year's eve. Last week we got hammered with 40 45 cms of snow. NOW........we are in business. 2 1/2 to 3 feet of snow in the area. Lakes are not safe yet. Saw the trail warden from the FCMQ. They are sporting yellow jackets and it's zero tolerance with them. Alright the season has started.

St Raymond to Alma!
Ecstasy......

Finally done, our first ride this season along with here our first ride report! We surely crossed Hden that posted earlier with pretty much the same path but in reverse: we did Cabanon/ Mattawin round trip


Saturday morning, around -18C very gray sky and snow. Starting from the Auberge Le Cabanon parking lot in St-Zénon


Dooright had trace the route for us earlier this last week and it was an easy one to pick this path knowing that the vast majority of the trail is on forest road base so it is easy to get beautiful trails condition even with a limited snow cover




There are a few miles from the start of the auberge out of these forest roads which still lack some snow but on this Saturday morning, freshly groomed with cold temperature it seemed almost perfect. Once back on the main road, it feels like in the middle of the season, almost no rocks and very beautiful


Here at the entrance of the Mastigouche wildlife reserve




What helps a lot is that the firsts snowfalls threy got were very wet, which once frozen left a dense and compact material on the ground rather than fluffy snow this is what explains the good trail condition the snow cover still thin at about a foot before the precipitation of the weekend.



In many spots this snow had stay in the trees creating magnificent scenery




Here the Mattawin River Bridge





There are a couple miles more rough after the bridge



Until we get on the #360 in Zec Chapeau de paille territory.

Very nice trail


The trail is groomed up to the junction with #345 north to Lake Repos outfitter. Then there are a 10 miles that were not groomed yet before joining the section maintained by Mattawin. Honestly, apart from a few trees that have fallen in the road and it did not really made a big difference and it is still a pretty fast section while staying alert.



Here on the section maintained by Matawin with the glaciers that begin to form


Very nice and fast


This section along the river is always very nice to ride.





The beauties of winter




It looks like this on many miles !!




The #360 at its best



All this on a beautiful and fast trail




The last miles to join the Marineau auberge once out of the Zec are obviously less beautiful because the base is more rough and there are still some holes not completely clogged but it ride well even two-up. Here the classic view of the Mattawin River


We arrived at noon at the auberge Marineau with a little less than 80 miles on the dreammeter. We had a good lunch break and were nicely received as always.



The sun tend to point a bit after the lunch. Here a snowy section just after the bridge leaving from the Auberge



The view over the river with a little more light



We took the reverse path on the #360 to return


It looks like mid January in this area



We must pay attention to the branches that can hit our helmet. I got screwed and almost lost my Gopro when it got hit by one that I had missed and got ejected in the side trail snow.





It was snowing a little less in the afternoon




glaciers section seen the other way





Here in the ungroomed section, the worst pass with a lying tree in the trail that you must care of. There are a couple others that just partially obstruct the trail (I don’t even let the throttle) and all them can be seen very well in advance no problem




And although it was not yet groomed, we pushed some good speed spikes without problem


Since the #360 was riding so well, we decided to push up to the Taureau Dam before returning to the Cabanon. Minimum as beautiful if not better on this side



Dam crossing is no longer possible but it is still a nice place to take a break



On the return on the #345 not far after the Mattawin bridge we crossed the dozer


And we continued at a good pace towards the south. We took a small break at the entrance of the  Mastigouche reserve


We finally got back at the trailer a little before 4:30 pm with 178miles on the dreameter, not bad for a first ride.


In summary already very good for a season start, very few rocks and the snow that is actually falling in quantity will help to improve the conditions and widen the trail network. Temperatures are winter one and the lakes and rivers are actually at freezing, we can safely say that the snowmobile season is already begin and we will be able to enjoy it for the Christmas holidays!

You may want to take a look here to follow how the trails opening will go on, many details here:

http://snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions


Alain



 



 
 

Warnings
4:28 AM EST Saturday 17 December 2016
Snowfall warning in effect for:
Lièvre River area Low - Wakefield area Maniwaki - Gracefield area Papineau-Labelle Reserve area Papineauville - Chénéville area A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected.

5 to 10 centimetres of snow is expected today over these regions. However, accumulations will be higher tonight as an additional 10 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected.
Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.
 
my backyard here in Cantley
 

soon I guess.......if old man winter stick around and cold prevail over warmth. We need cold temps, nothing frozen under this big dump of snow.

Warnings
4:28 AM EST Saturday 17 December 2016
Snowfall warning in effect for:
Lièvre River area Low - Wakefield area Maniwaki - Gracefield area Papineau-Labelle Reserve area Papineauville - Chénéville area A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected.

5 to 10 centimetres of snow is expected today over these regions. However, accumulations will be higher tonight as an additional 10 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected.
Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.
 
my backyard here in Cantley
 

President spoke on the radio yesterday.......railroad bed is groomed (Low-Maniwaki).......groomers at work in the coming days to open more trails . New Holland is missing on that pic

Warnings
4:28 AM EST Saturday 17 December 2016
Snowfall warning in effect for:
Lièvre River area Low - Wakefield area Maniwaki - Gracefield area Papineau-Labelle Reserve area Papineauville - Chénéville area A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected.

5 to 10 centimetres of snow is expected today over these regions. However, accumulations will be higher tonight as an additional 10 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected.
Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.
 
my backyard here in Cantley
 

Warnings
4:28 AM EST Saturday 17 December 2016
Snowfall warning in effect for:
Lièvre River area Low - Wakefield area Maniwaki - Gracefield area Papineau-Labelle Reserve area Papineauville - Chénéville area A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected.

5 to 10 centimetres of snow is expected today over these regions. However, accumulations will be higher tonight as an additional 10 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected.
Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.
 
my backyard here in Cantley
 

President spoke on the radio yesterday.......railroad bed is groomed (Low-Maniwaki).......groomers at work in the coming days to open more trails . New Holland is missing on that pic

Did a quick 2 night trip to northern NB and we found some snow!
 
Andy
ps: The guy on the Enduro is Dave that got caught in the blizzard with me in 2006! Some people never learn! LOL

I have crossed the bridge dozens of times not an issue, as my carbides were fine. There is usually lots of snow along the side of the road so its not a big deal. We ride out of Stonecliffe and do this ride a few times a year.

I would not recommend going to the Ontario side. The bridge you have to cross is a steel grate. Carbides might not like it much. Even with wheels on the skies it would be tough. I don't think you will be disapointed with DumoinValley.

I've stayed there . Great home cooked meal and real nice people! I parked my truck and trailer there and left from there too.

They are off to a good start in northern Québec. Pic from fb in Chapais area december 3rd 2016.......where the snow is whiter than white.

They are off to a good start in northern Québec. Pic from fb in Chapais area december 3rd 2016.......where the snow is whiter than white.

congrats.....probably my next sled. Looking to hear about this new engine, a 2 stroke with durability of a 4 stroke(they say) no maintenance for the clutch.

final tally.........Maniwaki 12 inches minimum, Réservoir Baskatong samething.
 

Hopefully you will enjoy your stay in my neck of the woods. You can get your trail pass directly from the motel. If you have any question, just ask.
http://www.oursblancs.com/home.html