P Hardy

Thanks Fuse.  That would be a perfect stop for lunch. The map makes it look quite hilly or mountainous down thru that area. Might be nice. The Packington loop is very high elevation in much of the area.
mike
 

Thanks for the info on Baker Lake. We were hoping we could slip down there sometime for lunch. Always looking to expand our horizons, both trail and cuisine.
mike
 

Ok you convinced me.  I like the itenary.  Thanks for the advice.  Hope to get this run in mid March.  Its 250 km for the last day which is manageable with the drive home still to do.  Thanks for the advice.
 

BSL is about as purple as it gets this morning. 🙂
Cant wait to get there today. 

Just before TQ35 we spot another groomer. We checkout the lakeside view. 

bonsoir !!!
 
storm started around 4 pm....about 5 '' now !!!
still rock'n roll !!!
 
jean-guy

Agree.   595 and 597 are favorites of ours.   

Day 4 Option: La cache 595 north to St Paulin Relais (TQ5 intersection) then backtrack the 595 South and end up in Carleton for the night. approx 320km but the 595 trail is quite brisk and the top part is very scenic, no hardship to backtrack on it. Hotel Baie Blue is popular https://baiebleue.com/en
Day 5 Option: Carleton to Matane - via 587S, Approx 310km. The 587S in my mind is one of the nicer ones in the Gaspe.

Decision is made. We are protesting.
we are going Clova to set up Barricade on train tracks. Gonna park 850 BCX on tracks. Who wants to join our blockade?

A Few more on the way to Mont-Saint-Pierre.
 

Here is the map of our yesterday ride February  22, 2020  Joliette/St-Donat


With the very mild temperature forecasted and the very cloudy weather we hesitated to go to the Black Mountain knowing that we would probably not see it at its best but we had still tried our luck. About -5C at start from home under a very cloudy sky. Here in the St-Ambroise de Kildare sector



The propane crisis in the fall left its mark here and I would like to take this opportunity to thank this farmer in St-Ambroise sector who still let us pass through his unharvested corn field



at the shack north of St-Ambroise we continued on #43 trail



The #43 is beautiful but it is definitely a slower/more winding trail. Here a bridge that will need repairs in the St-Alphonse de Rodiguez sector





Here, crossing the Ouareau river via the shared bridge for snowmobiles and ATVs



On the other side the trails are distinct although they cross and overlap few times and it is a bit confusing in some spots



We then took #310 to go through Notre-Dame de la Merci where we refueled at Pétro-T gaz station. Their large parking lot makes it an interesting place as a starting point for many snowmobilers.



We then continue along the #125 car road via a local trail for joining the #33 and then the # 317 trail



To finally head towards the Black Mountain



It's starting to rise...



It's starting to get snowier ...



And we arrive at the top just a little before noon. We were darn lucky: the sky has completely cleared and the sun was there! 



And gray jays are also!


With the mild weather, the decor was not frosty as sometimes but we were still very lucky to have had the sun with us. The temperature was mild and we ate a small snack right there to take advantage of all the beauties of the spot





We stayed there for a good hour and a half. In no hurry, we took advantage of the moment to admire the magnificent view ...





And we had fun with the gray jays who had fun with us too I think





On a clear day like that the view is simply spectacular ...



Sometimes there no need to being so equipped !!!



Kristine's technique with her old 2005 sony without zoom (which takes most of the photos from our reports) is just as effective!



The result...



We had a lot of fun with them and I almost drained my whole Go-pro battery just during the time we were there ... surely some nice videos to come when I have time for the editing...



We finally left a little past 1:30 p.m.



Here coming down from the mountain



I forgot to indicate it in our route map but we went to see the Mont des Cenelles a little further. Vegetation has grown and it is starting to be more difficult to see well



The best part of the view is directly from the trail going down, really beautiful...


We then continued on the #33 trail and completely went around Archambault Lake



And then headed  east towards Coin Lavigne





Here at the junction of the restricted acces trail of Parc du Mont-Tremblant



A little further on the #33 trail we encounter this: a loader bogged down on the trail



They had to use a bigger one to get it out of there ... They did pretty much damage to the trail



But 5 minutes later we crossed the dozer which was already on the way to repair the trail damage





So we continued with very good trail conditions



And stopped to fuel up at Coin Lavigne



We then continued on #33 trail, the section which had been announced closed earlier in the week but which was now re-opened and groomed



We took the #343 to join the #63 trail



that we took to go down south. Here passing at the Domaine Bazinet outfitter




We continued south and the trail conditions remained very nice for a mild Saturday. Here just north of Ste-Émilie de l'Énergie down the big hill.



And here passing at St-Jean de Matha ...


 
We stopped to eat in St-Félix de Valois around 6:15 pm to take a good break. this section was the only one of the ride really worn out at the end of the day. Then we came back through Joliette. We finally arrived home around 7:45 pm with 219 miles on the dreammeter for the day, very happy with our visit to the Black Mountain which was even better than expected with the sun that showed up, and our ride with really good trail conditions on most of the route despite the mild weather.
We must admit that time flies and we will be entering March next weekend, so now is really the time to ride before it is too late! For ourselvest, we are taking our snowmobile vacation from next Sunday for a week and at the same time a ride report break. Continue to post your own ride reports!
Otherwise,  Pays de la motoneige trail conditions web site is always a good place to have details of the conditions in Lanaudière / Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Think snow!

Alain

bonjour !!!
earleir this morning.....great day for riding !!!
 
jean-guy

Thanks for taking the time to post Alain, it is greatly appreciated by those of us who don't get out near enough!

bonsoir !!!
 
strong winds yesterday .....not as bad today !!!
-19c and blue sky right now !!!
 
jean-guy

Thanks for taking the time to post Alain, it is greatly appreciated by those of us who don't get out near enough!

This morning the forecast is for 3-5 cm of snow and 70 kmh winds this afternoon.  You could fool me.  It is a beautiful blue sky and no wind this morning.  We are going riding. 
Daniel, Collette, Bill, Joe Jak and myself head out.  We cross the river via the two bridges to the north side.  Not everything was groomed last night but the trails are fine.  367 to St Ambroise and left on 93.  Destination - the truck stop in Milot.  We take 554 up to Relais des Lacs.  No stopping here, Daniel is on a mission.  328 is fine and we turn right on local 553.  This is one of those fun trails that doesn't get a lot of traffic.  It is always a nice ride.  We get on 367 and up thru the blueberry fields and along the side of the river.  At the top of 367, we jump on the Peribonka River take 373.  This was groomed last night and only a few tracks ahead of us. 
About 10 miles in, the trail has been plowed for the logging operations.  A few sleds coming towards us and they stop and speak with Daniel.  A minute later we are going again but Daniel is going slow and stops at the top of a hill.  I'm towards the back of our group so I can't see what he's looking at.  A minute or two later, I see a big front end loader backing up towards us.  Ah ha.  He is pushing the banks back on the trail for the logging trucks.  We carefully go around him and we are back on good trail.  Heads up to other riders.  He didn't clean off all of the snow but it isn't the nice trail it was.
We pick up speed and run the last stretch into the truck stop.  So nice with the new gas pumps here.  Good lunch.  Menu du jour for $12.95.  You get soup, the meal which there are 6 or 7 choices, coffee and a dessert.  Yum, triple chocolate cake today.
After lunch with full tanks of gas, we continue on 373.  We break off onto trail 900 and run down thru St Augustin.  The long power line run into St Monique has a little chatter on it.  Thru the fields and we are in St Henri.  The short jump on the edge of the Lac and I think about the Frenchmen that went in the water a few weeks ago.  A sad feeling goes thru my body thinking that it could have been avoided.
On we go down 93 thru St Nazaire and St Ambroise.  So good.  The sky has gotten overcast and a few flurries in the air.  As we go thru the scrubby pines on 367, the wind picks up.  Not a whiteout but the weather is deteriorating.  We aren't far from the Delta and we push on.  A little more snow and more wind.  Across the two bridges and a few more miles and we are at the Delta.  It is getting nasty out but we are back.
Up in the hotel room, I'm on the eighth floor, and I can't see the highway behind the Delta.  Now it is getting to be a whiteout.  I'm glad we are back.
Jack & (Sandi is home not feeling good but getting better)

Jean-guy, Groomer operators are the unsung heroes of snowmobiling. I’ve always thought it can’t be a fun job, especially the all night grooming, cold, loneliness then equipment problems to deal with during difficult weather conditions. Ran equipment all my life and it is extremely frustrating dealing with tired machinery or trying to complete a job with equipment that is not up to the challenge.
Step back, take some time for yourself. There will be brighter sun rises and happier trails in your future.

Here is the 300 miles loop we did from home yesterday, Saturday February 15, 2020



It is one of our classics that we do every season, many miles but easy to do because there are many fast segments. Yesterday conditions were also ideal: cold to have beautiful solid trails that last all day (-22C at 8:15 when we started) and good visibility to be able to ride easily. In addition being able to do it directly from home: we are blessed!



We did it starting with the southside. As expected most of the trails were freshly groomed



Here in St-Barthelemy area, we even passed the dozer which was finishing his run





Its a good temperature indicator when you see the snow dust staying in the air like that...



When we make this ride, we always cut between  #3 and #63 near Louiseville on #350 trail , it's more direct.



As long as the little Rivière du Loup is good which was the case: solid and marked



The only problem at these temperatures is my gopro that I can't keep alive, it keep shutting off itself. I had to turn it back on maybe 12th time just to get there so I finally give up and left it off. Here St-Barnabé sector.





Here west of St-Etienne des Grès



after the stretch from the above pic, we had to turn left at the junction to follow #3 trail and  there is this clown face stuck to a tree ??? there are several of them in different places in this sector that have been there for years ... I had always wonder what was the meaning ???



After refueling, we cross the St-Maurice near the Gabelle dam. The last storm having left alot snow last week, the river is a bit bumpy but it's not bad



East of St-Maurice river, pleasant surprise: #3 trail was mint!





We got on the St-Maurice river in Grand-Mère (trail M19)



We then went straight at #23 trail junction to continue on the river



Be careful to follow the stake trail, it's a clear water spot on the left! The trail is well marked and it's impossible to miss it, just follow the safe route..



The river trail was a bit bumpy but is still rideable at a good pace. The scenery is as beautiful as ever





Here the little trail as we got out from the river and pass under the #155 car road bridge




Then back to perfects conditions







The conditions were so good that we arrived at Marineau at Rivière Mattawin for lunch at 12:10 with 130 miles on the dreammeter



We shared there a good lunch with Cobra from here on QR that was starting his vacation alone in the area. I was knowing him from the many messages we had exchange in the past about the conditions and more, and the timing was good so we hook up there for some riding together after our meal.


The #360 was nice and fast with his as always superb views.




Given the nice trail conditions, we chose to expand the ride a bit by looping on the M20 trail.



This trail had never deceived us and was even nicer this time. The picture do not do justice to how good it is to do this stretch



a beautiful large glacier on the mountainside, outstanding when the sun shine



Good luck for trying to respect this sign!!!





The last 20% of the length is a little slower but so beautiful



We took a break at the #345 junction and we then continued south





We took another break at the Taureau reservoir dam. It was just 3:45 pm and it was going so well that for a moment I had considered looping around the reservoir on the #360 and pass through St-Michel des Saints but by doing a quick calculation, we already had a 300 miles ride with the initial plan so I decided to be reasonable and keep it more relaxed. Big thank you to Cobra for one of the very few pic where we are both Kristine and me on it



And another one of Cobra and me



We then crossed the dam and continued south. This red renegade have a darn nice look!



We met a dozer who was starting his run very close to the Cabanon where I stopped to refuel.



We then continued on the #23 south of the Cabanon where we passed this other dozer which was doing his south loop



We arrived at Réal Massé around 5:15 pm to taste a good vegetable soup and have a last good chat with Cobra. With my bad frenglish and the limited Kristine's 4 english words vocabulary, he had a good challenge but when people sharing the same passion meet, it all go well and we had a very good time together (for us at least 😂). Beside being a gentleman, Cobra is a very good experimented rider and we consider ourself lucky to had the chance to share a ride with him.



We left around 6:15 pm in home direction. The trail conditions were still good even in the evening on this cold day and we've been home a little before 8:00 p.m. with  309 miles on the dreameter, the smile still from ear to ear from this very nice ride.
In summary, the conditions are at their top right now, can't ask for better. Hopefully mother nature cooperate and the winter conditions continue so that we can still enjoy it for a while!
For more details on the trails in the area and more: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/

Alain
 

New Oxygen helmet is working out great, loving it. No problems wearing glasses. Only brought thick baclavas on this trip, so have not been wearing any and still toasty warm. 
Below zero  and windy in most areas today. Disappointed to be chilled on high speed trails. Cold seeping thru the Choko jacket.  Stopped at a club house for coffee and ten minutes of sitting in front of the wood stove and the inside of the jacket was still very cold.
Found new scenic lookout today, club just starting to groom into it.  South on #35, suddenly Poogahmook Lake (sorry, still can't spell it right) comes into view. Trail is on right, and when you turn into trail there is a sign that says ;Belvedere'.  Half mile in is great view of lake and town.
mike
 

Great tip. Rest Bar’s suggestions are great. Thanks for that. Especially with this many clubs not open on certain days...and some closing.
Loooove riding but these stops are important ya know ! Haha
Joking aside it can make a great day of riding a really great day if you hit a great spot to stop for lunch. 

Day 2 Tuesday
  We awake in Dolbeau-Mistassini, no hurry today we will wait to hear whats up with the 850 Back Country. We go to breakfast and then as returning to room the call comes. Peter from service in Dolbeau-Mistassini has pronounced the patient D.O.A. Zero psi in one cylinder and 60 psi in the other. Verdict, it needs complete shortblock. Good and bad news. All parts on shelf including complete short block. Will be ready Wednesday after lunch. So, off we go myself by sled and Phil by Taxi to dealer. He will rent a sled for the meantime. The guys there set him up with an Expedition 900 Ace, (they got no Turbos in rental fleet) anything is better than sitting in hotel. They take off the two up seat and arrange all the linq setup for his bags. Awesome. Just before noon we hit the trail. Out of dealer and to 93 all is beautiful here. Up to Girardville we gas up just because and go to checkout the 6 room motel Jackstraw posted about. This will do nicely. We will be back there Friday night. From Girardville up to the 373 and it’s delicious. Our first time riding it this direction we have ran it three other times but always from the other side. Beautiful conditions great temperature and life is good. Over, through and down to 93 and direction Alma for the night. Great ride into Alma and we head to another secret spot, much easier than the Universel and sled right outside door, Restaurant right in front. Gotta love it.  We are back in business.   that 373 from Girardville is a real nice ride.            

I am three days behind on my posts, I apologize, trying to catch up. Here is the start more to follow...
Prequel 
Sunday 3pm   This trip was pushed back by one day due to the storm Friday. We called an audible and decided it would be best to wait until Monday morning to leave. Snohorse left his trailer here a few weeks ago. His 18’ BCX 850 got a full service at the BRP dealer and I put it back in his trailer. He texted me before he got to Trois Riveres and I met him at my shop as his trailer was secured there out of the weather. Met him there pinned his trailer and headed for Chez Ice. Did the usual prepping on both sleds and headed off to the ATM to get some cash. Came back and Mrs had arrived from shopping so we hung out a bit before going out for dinner. Back to the house and some more TV and talk then off to bed.    Day 1 Monday   Locked and loaded we head off at 8:15 am under grey skies and light snow. This trip we got a monkey on our back. Not just any monkey but the one and only Monkers. Playhard’s pink buddy. We kidnapped him to take him for a spin as he was looking down from lack of trail time. Now, unlike George, Mikerider’s primate, Monker has dual citizenship. He speaks fluent Québécois as well,(after enough Jack I have heard it). So Snohorse and I head out along with Monkers. Great trail up through Shawi Shawi and then 23 to 360 nice, not terrible, seen better, seen worse. At the end of the 355 section before Train Bridge was beat bad. Just took road right to bridge. From there all the way to Lac Edward really nice. Loving Monday and private trails. I knew I was pushing it trying to make Co-op gas from home with the loose snow on trail and sure enough about 10km short my sled starts to cough. Spilled in my gas and off to the Co-op. On a side note.... I think the trail to get on lake is up the section Marked cul de sac coming from Trappeur side. The 355 is on the quad trail here now. Anyway, uneventful so far great riding and into co-op at 12:24. Gas, candy bar and off we go. Past co-op and up the road to rejoin 355, nice shortcut when they are not logging here. 355 is in good shape we take full advantage. This trail is much better now with the new route compared to years back. Everything was peachy, happy campers and a grinning monkey. 27km from Lac Bouchette that all changed. Snowmobiling is like a box of Chocolates “you never know what you gonna get”  I get a call from Snowhorse on the radio, his pony is dead. I swing around and go back. The monkey is smiling. But he is the only one. No warning no nothing just went down, stopped running. Turns over but won’t run. I got one bar on cell phone I try to start getting things lined up but calls keep dropping. Oh well one way or another nothing we can do here, its out with the towing gear and I truck him to Lac Bouchette. Big beautiful new gas/depanneur here, nice to see that. I start making calls, Alma, no truck available to come, Dolbeau-Mistassini is our first choice as many good experiences with this dealer when we have been down before. No dice Dolbeau-Mistassini truck is out on another rescue not back till after closing time. Tick Tock cause its 1hr 20 minutes by road to Dolbeau-Mistassini. They are ready to examine it and do whatever it takes if I get it there. Two choices now. Call a Flatbed put both sleds on and go or find a pickup truck. Into the Depanneur I go and I ask the nice lady behind the counter if she knows anyone with a pickup who can take mon ami to Dolbeau-Mistassini? She says let me call my boyfriend. 5 minutes later he is there. I pull the BCX up a snowbank and he is in the truck and off like a prom dress for Dolbeau-Mistassini. Monkey still smiling. Its 3:15. I got a full tank of gas, plenty of smokes and a pink monkey on my back. I head off solo for Dolbeau-Mistassini.   Up to Roberval all very nice. From Chateau Roberval up on 373 is a minefield. Drifted 2-3 foot moguls. Damn monkey smiling still, I am not. No choice I moto cross it to local orange trail that goes through polaris dealer in St Prime. Things are better here much better.    I take the Local orange trail and cruise over to Join 93 in Dolbeau-Mistassini. I bypass Auberge Dilligence as we have a new spot to stay. It’s 30km on other side of town but worth it. Uneventful run over and into Hotel. Text from Snohorse he’s in 116. Into hotel at 6pm. Not bad considering.    They made it to Ski Doo just in time. Sled is on table will be examined in morning.   Lots of things can happen any time you slip on that helmet and ride. How you deal with what you are dealt is the key. We been there, done that and got the t-shirt, many times, it’s not our first rodeo, We take it in stride. What good would it do to flip out and get all upset, what would that change? Zero, nada.   to be continued......        

Kinda nailed my arse. 
But sounds kinda negative the way he says it. 

Sunshine and  favorable temps this morning. SkiDoo420 and I agreed;  another trip to Moose Valley for lunch and come up with a new game plan for the second half of the day.
Left at 8 am and arrived at the Moose 11:30,   125 miles, besting our last trip by 15 minutes. After lunch we decided swinging through New Brunswick and coming into Quebec below the Frontier club house was to much of a stretch. We decided to stay in the mountains and do a loop heading out northeast and circling around to come out near the Quebec border where we entered in the morning. On the way in to Moose Lodge, we chose the right hand trail this time. Almost as good as the left hand one, but not quite.
For those that have never ventured to Moose Lodge from the Quebec side, it is endless miles of riding in the mountains with big wide logging roads, constant changes in elevation,  fast sweeping corners, and a few 'gotcha corners'.
Moose Lodge  is nice inside. However, there is no lake by the cabins and I think a stay there overnight would be good but 'basic'.
Took the longer way back once in Quebec going over to Isle Verte club house with the idea of doing a sunset ride on the green trails down by the island. Just before reaching the club the winds became fierce. Blowing snow was wild. A tree came down across the trail hanging just above head level. I thought a coffee at the club was a good alternative. Surprise, club is closed and for sale. So sad, great food, even greater lady that ran it, and always a warm place to stop.
Back in to RDL at 285 miles for the day.
mike
 

good morning jackstraw !!!
 
lack of ponies for sure......don t know how you say that in english ...shifting ...losing 2 holes....normally on flat trails sections ....run 4 c ....now 4b and 4 a...
hills i used to climb in 4a....down to 3d and 3c even 3b
just back from grooming ...lac saumon...very long hill...3 b ...slow climbing ...normally 4 a..
heater was nt working ...saturday ...broke shifter....just  a little arm...about 4 '' long 
lost one position on the bull ...one i use often ...temperature gauge kaputt ...<
a  mechanic from the tractor dealer came to fix it this afternoon...i was nt there..
 
next weekend or so , 20 years of grooming ....and this season is my worse by very far ...not much encouraging !!!
only -6c tonight ....saw 4 sleds and 3 deer!!!
 
jean-guy