P Hardy

Yeah, I've got TONS of respect for the hors piste action! 
But I've got TONS  of respect for my personal TONS and TONS of Yammi!
Groomed trails SVP!

Great trails to Amqui. Went up thru the windmills. Impressive. 
Late start...long story...but made great time on stellar trails 544 etc. over to 35 were incredible. Super fun. At Selectotel in Amqui. Great spot. Back towards RDL to morrow !
 

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

hi all !!!
 
yaaa...for sure ..b / w pics fit very well with the sno !!!
guy bought it 2 weeks ago ...he works on the north shore....somewhere around fermont !!!
he come back every 2 weeks in town...sure , i can ask him for a ride !!!
production sheets are dark a bit !!!
 
jean-guy
 

The black and white pictures sure suit the old Bombi!
 

bonjour !!!
friend of mine brought me for a tour de ville ...about a 4 miles ride !!!
old days style !!!
 
jean-guy

*********** video added on the post #8**********************
Here is the trail path of our last Saturday ride 25 January 2020, before the last snowfall



We took advantage of the chance we have to be able to start our ride by sled directly from home and took #43 trail south from St-Thomas de Joliette in order to explore the south my area. Very mild temperature around -2C. Here along a windbreaker tree line near home



We then took the #3 east. Beautiful and fast trail with correct snowcover



The Chaloupe river in Berthierville is good and staked



We then continue on trail #3, here in the St-Barthélemy sector. There were some spots with  brownish snow but it was before the 6-8 inches of new snow we received in Saturday to Sunday night



I usually take the loop on the #63 east of St-Barthélemy which takes us a little further north, away from St-Laurence river(ie more snow) but this time I kept the #3 which was correct



Just before St-Ursule I wanted to take the 2nd loop of #63 but it has changed places (the interactive map is up to date) and it is only a dead end which leads to the Cascades pizzeria at the old location of the intersection.



We must continue a bit less than 1 mile further to get to the new junction of the #63 trail



This new trail path connect on the #350 trail path of past years in the power lines



We continued straight to keep #63 to see the Magnan falls in Charette




A little further, a big wild turkey crossed the trail in front of us



When you see one, there are more... the rest of the herd was right next to the trail, not shy at all



We then arrive on the site of the Magnan falls in Charette



The falls themselves are frozen hard



but this place is always nice , a good spot for taking a break.



Just downstream from the footbridge, the river forms a sort of large pot. One day I should walk to see the fall on the other side ...



And the view upstream from the bridge



We then continued towards Ste-Etienne. It was very mild and the trails were starting to get soft. Here in an atv shared section a side by side had swung in the ditch. They were already well installed with 2 other vehicles which were  pulling with winches to bring it back into the trail. Good for him because is a lot harder to unstuck than a snowmobile!



The trail being soft it was already starting to get bumpy



We refueled just before crossing the St-Maurice river near the Gabelle dam



On the other side, trail #3 was particularly worn. We got shaken  up to the junction for Lac à la Tortue that we took. We then took a dead end  before the St-Maurice river to go to the Pizzeria du Lac where we ate very well as usual



After lunch we continued and got on the St-Maurice river. The sky was geting more cloudy



We went up to the intersection with #23 trail and saw that the M19 trail (the one that ride on the river toward Marineau) was closed. The club closed it on Friday because of water accumulation. We for our part turned on #23 west



A few bumps but good condition. We feeling of passing through a tunnel here!



The snowcover is good and it was riding well.



We passed near the Vallée du Parc ski resort in Shawinigan



And then continued west


 
Here passing near the l'auberge du Trappeur



Here a small bridge with a beautiful view, we always stop when we pass there



We found ourselves in front of that at the #349 junction for St-Alexis des Monts



It bothered us a lot. I did not know if the detour was to go through the Koubec (#350 trail farther) which would have push me tight for the gaz, so we took a break there hoping that someone who would pass could inform us and that's what happened. About 10 minutes later, a group of 3 sledderss stopped and they were coming from St-Alexis and had just made the detour, so they explained to us what we needed to know. The reason for the detour is the repair of a bridge. The interactive map is up to date but not my GPS map ... I really need to install Imotoneige on my phone ... Here is a screenshot of the interactive map concerning this detour where I surrounded in yellow the closed intersection and green the new.



Just be careful because the signage coming in the direction like we did is not the best and you have to look backward to see the detour sign. This is before the Pin Rouge entrance of the Mastigouche reserve, so if you got up to the Pin Rouge entrance and didn't seen the junction, turn back. You can't miss it coming from the other side



So we easily reached St-Alexis des Monts village where I refueled full but it was already 5:00 pm and we were still far from home! It was late enough for the dozers to had start their runs so we rode on a freshly groomed trail up to the Pouvoirie du Lac Blanc. We did a short very rought segment, then got quite decent conditions in the Mandeville club where we crossed the dozer midway



We cut on Lac Maskinongé staked trail to reach St-Gabriel de Brandon where it started to snow hard very suddenly. It was not too windy so visibility remained acceptable on the low beams. So we came back under the snow and arrived home around 7:45 pm with 215 miles on the dreammeter



A other great ride for us but the mild weather did not help the trail condition and with the chosen path which was slower in the afternoon it gave us a big day. We discovered ourself new muscles sunday morning which we didn't know existed!!!

In summary, the snow cover is good everywhere and will be even better with the snow that we have just received. The snowmobile season is at his best and now is the time to enjoy it.

For details on the trail conditions here is the place to look: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/

Alain

Speaking from experience  when we 1st  came to Quebec 16 years  ago  I think we were very lucky our  guide who became a personal friend gave us a 30 odd page photo copy of do's n don'ts the night before we went on a 3 night tour de lac and then  we had a day riding around st felicien after induction on the sleds n doing loops around the car park of the hotel du jardin we still had a lot to learn n did things I now know are a no no on the trails. ( which I now apologise for on a frequent basis  lol ) i feel as a tour group of 16 we were very  very  lucky.  We loved it so much  we came back on the tour the following year  with  a girl  I met who is now  my wife...   I shall be for  every great full  to Jean-claude  leduc who has sadly passed away several years ago. 

I guess if I was a business owner in the area that depended on snowmobiles I would become more involved with the clubs?

Four of us drove up from Vermont to Levi yesterday morning for a short 3 day run. Parked trucks at the Normandin and on the sleds around 10:30am. As Jack mentioned, trail has been rerouted leaving the parking lot, but all was good. Took the 75 to the 35 and headed east on the rocket trail, everything groomed recently and in great shape. We are three cats and a Doo, and one of the kitties didn't care for the high MPH pace of the 35 railbed and coughed up a belt just short of the Tourville relais. Spare was installed and away we went, trails as smooth as they come. Took the 557 crossover trail to 5 and continued on all the way to the Universal in RDL where we are roomed next door to none other than Mayor Mikerider himself. Great to see Mike again, and a big shout out to him for offering up his truck in the morning for us to locate a belt for the ailing kitty. Mike is a class act and a great asset to the sport, thank you again! Ended up with 230 miles for the day. This morning, after breakfast and the belt locating mission, we loaded up at a very late 9:30 starting time and headed for Moose Valley. We took 85 to the 44 short cut (Mike's advice) and onto the 544. Every time on this trail is nothing short of amazing! All groomed perfectly with hardly a scratch all the way to 571, then jump on the 35 to Biencourt to top off the fuel before entering New Brunswick. The 135 all the way to Moose Valley had been groomed last night and we were first tracking on most of it, just an incredible run. Lots of fresh moose activity, so beware. Lunch at Moose and then retrace our way back to Quebec. Pulled back into RDL with 245 perfect miles for the day. Will head back to the trucks tomorrow morning and then on the black trail home. Low light last 2 days, so only a few pics. As others have reported, very low traffic, we're not complaining a bit about that.

Here is the map of our first 2-day ride from Champlain to Lac-Édouard and then St-Raymond



Saturday morning we left Champlain (east of Trois-Rivières) accompanied by our partner Snowcruiser under a cloudy sky and a temperature of -21C . Just decent snow along the St-Laurence river but it quickly improved as we ride toward north and the trail base was hard and well groomed. We went up to Grand-Mère where we took the trail on the St-Maurice river


We rode  few miles on the river up to the #23 trail junction which we took north. The long trail that continue up on the St-Maurice river is also already open and marked. Under good conditions we passed St-Tite village



Just before crossing the Des Envies river, we stopped to give some help to bring back on the track a snowmobile that had gone straight into a curve. Fortunately no injuries but plastics are not tought at -20C when it stops on a tree ...



We then continued on the #23 whose path is improved this year to make less roadside



We stopped at Ste-Thècle to refuel and continued via trail #351 to go to dinner at the Tawachiche relay just at the entrance of the Zec



After a good warm up and meal we continued north



It was riding well even in this part where the trail base is really uneven,  just barely a few bumps still present. I do not know the reason but the trail is actually diverted in the wood on the part just before connecting with the #355 instead of staying under the power lines like by the past years



Here a rear view at the  #355 junction, looking towards the Pipeline section further south. There was a lot of wood cut on the right!



We then continued north. Here near the big railway bridge over the rivière du Milieu



The conditions were very good on #355 and we see more snow to the ground as we go up. Before Lake Wayagamac, we forked on the local trail Lt1 on the right



We then took the #73 east



and finally the #355 for the last stretch towards Lac Édouard.



The trail was a bit bumpy but the snow cover is impressive



We missed the junction for the lake trail and finally ride the whole path on the land trail



And we arrived at our destination at Gite d'Edouard just before dark with 150miles on the dreammeter. It is a place that we have visited few times in the past years and the owner Nicole has again received us as well with great hospitality and generous/delicious meals. We had a real good time there after our day ride and we had relax and chat alot before a good night at warm



On the next morning, a little layer of fresh cream was on our sleds



We had retraced our steps on the #355 trail. The groomer was passed overnight leaving us a perfect trail to start our day





We then switched east on the local Lt2 trail. There was only one sled track in the 3-4 "of new snow at this place and we had great fun to play in this nice powder





We took a short break near the relay at the entrance of the Zec Jeannotte



And then continued on #73 trail east





We took another short break near the "Marmitte"





We passed Rivière à Pierre and continued on the #73 towards St-Raymond and my Kristine managed to catch this beautiful action shot at trail speed. We then stopped for lunch at St-Raymond and ate well at the Paquette pizzeria.


We then continued south, our goal being to loop back in west direction to Champlain. We had a little overestimated the progress of the trails opening in the south in this sector and our first try proved being unsuccessful: we tried to take the trail to Ste-Christine just south from St-Raymond but after a couple miles in an AtV shared trail under the power line, the ATV trail turns left and the snowmobile trail.... well it was just not done yet. Here right after we turned back.



So we took the #23 trail east to loop a little farther south east. They had made a first groomer pass but the trail was not so good. Near St-Basile the #3 trail was even worse and we really think to turn back but after talking with a guy coming from the opposite direction we were knowing that is was better a bit farther and it was not a dead end so we kept going forward at very low speed. We cross some people that were at installing stakes and signs


When we were near Portneuf Station, to get better conditions, instead of keeping on the #3 we went up on #23 to make a loop a little further north. The trail base was good and although a little bumpy it was perfect after what we had rode just before! We took back  the #3 trail just a little before St-Marc des Carrières




The rest of the trails further west toward Mauricie were all good and the 5 to 6 inches of new snow allowed us to ride at a very good pace


 
We got back at our starting point in Champlain around 5 pm with 165 miles for the day and 315 miles for the 2 days. An other great ride for us!!!
The snowmobile season is finally off to a good start and with the snow fallen in the weekend it is only a matter of a few days to have all the south trails completed and the trail network fully connected. It's now finally the time to enjoy it and hit the trails for saddlebagging trips. The best of the season is just ahead us!
To see the state of the trails in Lanaudière and Mauricie, here the trail conditions site: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/

Alain

Ride 1
Gotta Love snowmobiling, year after year the off season seems oh so long. Yet I remount my trusted machine and seems like just yesterday I patked her for the off season. So nice to be back on the trail seems like I just left it. Like riding a bike they say and oh so true, you never forget how it’s done. 
 
This trip came together as most, kind of a last minute deal. But as I have said in the past when the boss (not the wife) asks if you want to go to Matane for a ride or stay and work? Hmmm let me think? Not a very tough decision. The boys will have to manage things without me until Friday and do without my big truck as they are not authorized to touch it. They have their own trucks they can work with those. 
 
Boss Man mon ami Alain arrived at 1pm Sunday at chez Ice. My sled already in his trailer as he had picked it up fro Moto Thibault Friday afternoon.(more on that after)
 
Snow had stopped in Shawinigan area by now and we hit the road enroute for Matane. Nice ride all the way to just near Montmagny here we hit more snow and wind still I have seen much worse but this will surely affect our travel time. Further east we go the more snow and wind. After Rimouski is onto the single lane stuff and a bit more white nuckle. We finally arrive at Matane 7pm not bad only one hour longer than a day with zero weather issues. Our issue was the other people scared to death driving like they never saw snow. For us not an issue. 
 
Into Hotel and only six other sleds here. I am very surprised. Now the fun begins. Unload gear into room and time to drop sleds. I open trailer go to start my sled and realize straight away, Houston we got a problem. Mon ami left my key on when he loaded my sled. She is dead. Like that Iranian general, seriously dead. Well not to mention the wind is howling and still snowing albeit not alot. Oh joy. We drop it on the ground. With the With the battery not very accessible on the grand touring of Alain We decide to use the truck the F250 will do just fine. We put the mini booster cables on it and let the truck charge it up a bit. She fires up and we park it for the night knowing fair well we are to repeat this process again in the morning. The real question is will it be ok after I ride it to La Cache and shut if off there? We shall see.
 
Had a nice dinner and chatted it up with the other gang of riders from Nova Scotia on their way back to the trucks in Point a la Croix. They came up the 595 yesterday and were going back through Amqui today. 
 
Day 1 Monday 
Matane to New Richmond 
TQ5 to 595 to TQ5
 
Up early at breakfast at 6:30 dressed and out at 7:15. Yup gonna need to jump it again. We get my ride breathing and hit the trail. 7:30am. Beautiful conditions and just after the bridge here in Matane fresh groom on TQ5 it’s delicious. Great run all the way to St Paulin and onto the 595. Super conditions. Crossed the River Cap Chat on the new ice crossing made by club to bypass a bridge that is gone. Surely 595 will be cut off on that end sooner than usual when Spring has sprung. Saw one moose and one nice sized coyote. Arrive at La Cache it’s 10:30am. Took the gas and since the Relais is officially open as of this past weekend we go inside. Lots of time on our hands. So far we have seen zero other sleds since hotel parking in Matane. ZERO. 
 
Gas super is $1.69.9 litre.  Pay up. 
 
We chat it up well mostly me as the Relais is owned by First Natiions people and they speak perfect English. They have owned it since 2017. We start talking and the manager pulls up with a truckload of groceries as they just opened and had nothing. I help them bring in the stuff as I was doing nothing else anyway.
We met Josh the manager, Justin is the chef, Dennis pumps the gas and helps with everything else. 
 
I start to explain Quebecrider to Josh the manager and he looks at me in wonder. He says we have been hearing stories from other communities about a guy named Chris Snowmaster2112. You are not him are you? Now I had two options here. My mind is racing do I say yes? Hmmm? Maybe he has beaver and a 60 pack of Bud and a hidden chalet. Well, honesty got the best of me, plus knowing Alain is not gonna be venturing off on any adventures to a chalet with these guys beaver or no beaver, I would but surely not Alain. I said no I am not. He said thank god we have been told he eats all the beaver and most of the beer. But they love him in the north and kids are writing songs about him and I think they will name the new school in Miquelon after him. Damn word travels fast. 
 
Anyway I think I convinced them to come onboard as an advertiser we will see if I get a call from the owner next week. 
 
Just as we are getting ready to leave 2 sleds arrive from the south. We chat with a couple. Guy with his girlfriend from near montreal. He first day in her life on motoneige first trails ever. She is loving it. I told the guy she won’t want ride anywhere else after this. He said I chose here for her first ride so she is guaranteed to Like snowmobiling. Smart man. 
 
Uneventful run down and into Hotel Francis. Just 2 deer near Pin Rouge Trails beautiful no other sleds none. One groomer headed up 595 close to New Richmond. No other sleds at hotel. Lots of Jack Daniels in my bag. Well there was alot. Not as much tonight,  that’s why no report yesterday. Sorry.
 
Day 2
New Richmond to Chandler
TQ5 
 
No hurry today was planned this way to relax today with all day to go a half day’s ride. Just what Alain wanted and fine with me and Jack. 
Went to breakfast at 8:30 thats like noon time on a regular day for Alain. But we are making exceptions this run. 
 
TQ5 flat frozen and fast. Beautiful. Not far along we see the first sleds coming at us since leaving Matane one group of three. Maybe 10 minutes later two more coming. That was it no others all the way to Chandler. Trail was so frozen in one spot I had to deploy my scratchers as my temp light came on. Not for long maybe 5-6km. Then put them back up. Came across a gang of club volunteers cutting branches back just before Port Daniel. Then we cruised on into the Relais at Chandler. 1pm. Day all but finished. Here we are the only ones they have seen all day the bartender was happy to have someone to talk with besides the chef. We eat and the operator of the surfacer arrives to prepare the machine for his run tonight. His name is Marc. He says for sure alot less snow right now then this time last year but the snow is frozen nicely and makes his job easier. Left relais at 2:30. Petro Canada for fuel then backtrack to Motel Fraser. Done. Alain needed his easy day because tomorrow is a big day for him. 320km from here to St Anne des Monts thru Murdochville and Mont St Pierre.

I thought about bringing George on this trip, but was worried about smuggling him across the border and the problems that could bring. Plus my wife gave me that 'look' that comes with having a monkey traveling friend.  But I think maybe George needs to come next trip, no matter what it does to my reputation on QR.

Another season starts and hopefully anyone in the Bas St. Laurent area can help others be up to date on the conditions of the trails. This is especially important after an impact weather event for those deciding whether to still make their trip to the area. 
All of us are always happy to see your pictures, read about your rides, hear about great dining, and most importantly meet new snowmobile friends.
Let the season begin.
mike
 
 

Wishing you many KM of happy trails.
 

 

yaaaa...thats a very long run .....back then ...the operator from matane was spending the night at the faribault and vroom the next morning to go back to matane...
24 hrs is too much ...at my age now....after 12 hrs...thats enough ....depending of the mood...ahahah
not sure if i understood well ,there s plenty of roads to connect with the trail for carleton or la cache.......but you must ride a bit on the duniere reserve...no riding there...too many moose !!!
at those prices...i ll have to start grooming again to make the trail nice ...ahaha
 
jean-guy

When I started sledding the Gaspesie I had Gaspesie trail maps that showed the snowmobile trail Jean Guy is talking about to Faribault. There is a logging road that goes from La Cache straight to Groomers town, however it is partially or completely plowed most winters. That would make an trail!!!

Club Passe-partout Roberval reports... Ice bridge complete on 83 between Roberval and Relais 22.  Still looking kinda thin on snow. Patience, soon come. 

Twas the night before Christmas.....still can’t ride from the house.
Not a groomer out working down here in the south.  The helmets are hung by the chimney with care. In the hope that the groomer soon may pass here.    The sleds all nestled snug in the shed. While vision of more snow and groomed trails danced in their heads. Mrs. Iceman in her kerchief and I in my cap. Had just settled in to take a little nap.   When out in the driveway there arose such a clatter. I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash. Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.   The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear.   It’s the men of Team Iceman  I’ve been waiting all year. First out the trailer who could it be? On the 154” was easy to see.  It surely is Quick Nick none faster than he.   He turned and called to the rest of the Team. He whistled and shouted and called them by name. Now Snohorse! now PLAYHARD! now NHmoose! and Scorpionbowl!  On Iceman!    To the trail, to the trail. Now Ride.      But not yet.    Merry Christmas  Stay Naughty.

With the new snow fallen during this last week, we went for another last ride with our friend Luc yesterday, April 13, 2019 in Lanaudière



On this exceptionally snowy season the trails of northern Lanaudière were still surprisingly good,  here on #23 trail south of Cabanon




The temperature was very mild since a few days, no freezing during the night so we got very soft trail. Here passing at Cabanon in the morning



We left in dam direction. The whole reservoir loop had been groomed during the week!





The conditions were nice for an April 13th but very good from the dam trail junction(on the # 345) and for all the reservoir loop up to St-Michel des Saints





It's not visible on the pictures but it was so windy there that I had hard time to stay still the time of the pic, I almost went with the wind!



The #360 around the reservoir  was candy to ride, just superb. We did very good tempo on this stretch...






The reservoir is always impressive to see once emptied ...



I read from a buddy that the emptied reservoir shortcut was still ok on Friday, so with the good visibility we had, we tested our luck despite the wet conditions



It was not for the fearful ones,  alot of surface water on the ice. It looks worse than it realy was because even if there was water, we ride on ice already leaning on the bottom of the reservoir on more than 90% of the way but the rivers(yes there are rivers in there) where worrisome. I would suggest every body to go around by the trail, I personally would not do it again this season!



Luc learned the risks associated by following us too closely ... he arrived on the shore a little wet!



We arrived for lunch at the Central in St-Michel around 12:15



After a good lunch and a great talk with Luc we headed south on #63. The strong sunshine combined with good winds at 10C made the trails tender and juicy !



Without surprises, we found some dirt spots near St-Michel village on the larges south-facing hills



But a little further it was still very snowy





Back in the Cabanon courtyard, we could see how much it had melted compared to the morning pic



We  switched into the Mastigouche Reserve on trail #345 to loop back. As I expected beautiful conditions, very snowy ,almost no traffic and not a single bump





Among the best conditions of the day. We also saw some fresh moose tracks on the trail. A nice spring ride for us at its best!





We stopped a few minutes at Koubec (which was closed)



And we came back on #350 trail which was also in very good condition


 
In sum a beautiful spring ride of 170miles for the three of us. With the reservoir loop groomed during the week, it was definitely a record in the area to ride recently groomed trails on a April 13th. A big thank you to the clubs involved!
It could close our season with 4830 miles on the venture dreameter...unless Kristine twist my arm for another last one somewhere !!!

 

Alain

hi preston !!!
 
great conditions and inviting for sure !!!
reminds me back in the 90's....mid april ...we were going offthe trail up to the faribault camp on trail 595 ....and spending the night in les mechins or cap caht and coming back the next day !!!
 
jean-guy

Sorry if this is boring anyone! 
 

Cool Pictures! We were running short on time too, or we would have liked to try to find our way up. Likely be next year now. I think I have a bit of an idea of where that trail is, thanks for the map!