P Hardy

I am. Since Tuesday. Been a blast.  It is flat and fast. Thin but very rideable. A little snirt in spots. Can’t take much warmup.
Went up to the windmills in Redemption. Lookout is very cool. Great weather but creeping up in temp each day. Got a bit mushy this afternoon. Early morning is your friend right now.

Rode out of Jackman again
 
75 to 25 then local trail up to 535 to 55.  55 into Notre Dame des Pins and on of my fav pic spots at the covered bridge.  Then 75 to 535 again to 545 back to 75.
 
Trail were great again this day, avoided the high traffic areas.  
2 flocks of turkeys in that field had to be over 40 birds.
175 mile day

Rode out of Jackman.  75 to 580 local trail by lac drolet up to 55, to 535 to local trail to 541 north then local trail back to 75,   Stopped at the club house in Beauceville, place was busy lots of people out riding.   
 
Trails were mostly very good, a few thin spots here and there.  75 by the highway was thin and lots of brown snow.   
 
Clubs are doing a great job.
 
240 mile trip.
 
 

We are back from today's ride. We went out 383 to St Bruno and then the local trails to the bridge in Alma.  From there to Relais du Lac and back to the Delta via 93.
Most of the riding was still OK but it was warm.  In the woods, it is still good but the road crossings, the fields and the south facing hills are turning from snirt to dirt.  Any road running is pretty bare.  It is forecast to stay above freezing overnight and thru tomorrow.  Then the temps are suppose to drop but still no snow or only a centimeter or two.  A storm is what is needed after this warm up.
There are still areas that have decent snow and very rideable but you may have to go thru some bad stuff to get there.
The groomers are still out and managing to do the amazing with what little snow they have to work with.  I don't think they will be out tonight since it is going to be warm but they may prove me wrong.
We are loading up and heading home tomorrow.  We were going to head home Sunday but decided not to ride tomorrow and take the black trail instead.
If we don't come back up again, we wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe year.
Jack & Sandi

Yesterday we did a ride to Mt Apica.  We rode 83 east to 368.  Both of these trails were fine.  23 to Apica was getting beat up.  A lot of sleds run 23.  After lunch we ran back up 23 to Hebertville for gas.  With the sun out and the temps getting warmer, the south facing hills are showing some dirt now.  In the woods the trails are still good.  We then took 383 all the way back to the Delta.  This was fine since most of 383 is in the woods.
We are going to ride today but it is forecast to be above freezing today, tonight and tomorrow.  Tomorrow a little rain.  We are thinking of heading home Saturday instead of Sunday.
Next week the temps are back to a more normal range but still not much snow in the forecast.  A few centimeters but no big storm.  A very dry winter.
Jack & Sandi

Fantastic pictures and report, thanks Alain!

Here's the ride we did on Sunday February 4, 2023

Here in the fields near my home

We tried the brand new #345 trail path to St-Félix de Valois which had been closed for several years due to a loss of right of way in Notre Dame de Lourdes sector and also in the village of St-Félix de Valois the urbanization had taken over the old route which was no longer possible to use. The new trail connects St-Thomas/Ste-Élisabeth via the east side of #131road to St-Félix.  Here next to Benny in the fork south of St-Félix.

The trail goes around the village of St-Félix on the east side to connect with the old trail north of St-Félix near the small narrow bridge which connects the Guillaume Tell snowmobile club in St-Félix and the St-Gabriel de Brandon Snowmobile club

There is a bit of roadside and shared trail but it is still a great realization for the St-Félix snowmobile club to have succeeded in making this new acces of 15kms to connect south/north... personally I was no longer believed it! I take my hat off to them!
Here on the Black River in St-Jean de Matha near Gero Brp dealer

We went up the #63 trail, passed through Coin Lavigne in St-Côme and went up the #33 trail towards St-Donat. The mountain just before arriving was frosty like I had never seen it


There is a new meal option in St-Donat, a St-Hubert! we had our lunch there, it's just a counter with a small dining room but it was full and we had good, fast service and there's a gaz station just in front to feed the BRPs!

We then took Lake Archambault to go towards the Montagne Noire

In the middle of the lake there was a big puddle of slush with a snowmobile deeply stuck in it... When in doubt, throttle out!

Unfortunately the Black Mountain area was under clouds when we arrived there. The rising trail scenery was heavily painted with snow


Once on the top was just as beautiful, too bad we didn't have the sun

But the gray jays were there as usual


Having still a good run to do to return home we continued towards #33 south

And here on Lake Esterelle

I didn't remember how winding and mountainous the #33 section south of Estérel was, a real roller coaster with a zipper! We felt the snow cover a little thinner when we reached St-Calixte. We took a break in St-Lin to then have our dessert at the driving level with beautiful long fast fields towards the south.
As weird luck would have it, we crossed #125 road just few minutes before a fatal accident occurred there, a snowmobile with 2 people have been hit by a car at the road crossing giving no chance to the 2 sledders, we found this out the next morning in the news. On the ride we just seen the police cars on flashes going up towards St-Esprit on #158 while we were just a few kms away near St-Alexis(next village). From what we read, it was the 3rd sled of a group of 4 and some people told the icy trail approach to the road may had contribute to the accident. The 2 peoples were a couple that now leave a 9 years old child orphaned. Road crossing are no joke guys, be double careful when you cross them... this kind of impact rarely forgive.... Sympathies to the affected families and friends
We were finally back home at 7:30 p.m. with 359km on the dreameter. It's ultimately a pretty big ride, not just in terms of mileage but also several winding, less rolling trail sections. We left at 8:30 in the morning and did a good ride. Good conditions overall with the cold we had during the night before and the majority of trails which were freshly groomed.
We closely watch the forecast for the next weekend, hoping for the best!
Alain
 
 

Well, 6 of us reluctantly headed up on Saturday, the 3rd.  Being that is was free weekend, we wanted to try and avoid heaving traffic areas, so we parked off 322 between Mount Laurier and Maniwaki and headed North on the local trail towards Le Pensive.  We continued on for a stop at Club Gatineau.  Trails to this point were 9/10 with good snow and little traffic.  Went on to Club Notawissi and then down the cutoff to Club Fontbune for the night.  This was my first time staying there and let me tell you, awesome little place.  The team there works their butts off to make sure you have an excellent experience.  Fun staff, nice cabins, awesome food.
The next day we headed back the way we came and up to Le Pensive and Lepine road to Clova.  Very little traffic and even though Lepine wasn't groomed, it was a real nice ride.  The logging at the end wasn't even very problematic, sort of looks like they are done there and other than the last mile or so, there was plenty of snow on the road for lubrication.  Clova was exactly what you would expect, although I did overhear it being said Dominique may be considering hitting Lepine with the groomer. 
The next day we headed towards parent.  Clova to Parent was pretty tuned in.  They are now working you around the logging there, so other than some stretches to cross water run offs and some crossings, you weren't running the bare road.  I give it a more than acceptable work around.  Parent to 345 intersection was total dog shit.  I think they may have groomed one time, but I needs hit 2 or 3 times before it comes into shape.  There seems to be enough snow on the trail for grooming.  I was thankful the new bridge was in.  We were prepared to cross, but after seeing with my own eyes, I understand why those who have crossed said it was an adventure.
345 down to Kanawata and then down to Repos was freaking awesome.  11/10 for sure.  Fast and Fun.   We continued on down 33 to Auberge Taureau for the night.  Snow is definitely thin as you get down that direction, but groomers are doing a great job keeping the trails in as good of shape as possible.
Next morning we head out 360 to 345 and head back north.  This section of 345 was almost as good as the northern section.  They had it tuned up real nice and it was quite enjoyable.  From Repos, we head west over to 53 and down to Meekos.  I give this whole stretch 8.5/10.  A few obstacles to be mindful of hear and there, mainly water wash outs, but all and all, pretty nice ride.
Half the group jumps in the lake at Meekos, we have a good meal and wait for the next day wondering how it might be getting back to the truck as we decided to man up and try going down the St. Anne Du Lac, Devils Mountain, etc. picking our way back to the truck.
Well, this ride had lots of ups and downs.  There were sections that you would have felt like full on winter conditions and sections that would feel like the end of March with lots of rocks, gravel, etc.  That being said, sleds never overheated and we made back to the truck at 11:30.
We were all super happy we came up and it ended up being a great trip.  I would say 900 total miles, 50 or so utter dogshit, 200 ish 8/10 and the rest were classic Quebec.
 
Now for the real question..........What's it gonna be like in say a week or two 

Yesterday Sandi took a day off.  Dave and I went out for a little toot.
Once again the groomer map showed most trails done overnight.  We took 83 west to St Bruno and then 23 north.  83 was fine.  23 is showing the lack of snow thru Alma.  A lot of snirt where the trail runs in town and across the bridge to 93.
When we were at the bridge, I recalled the first time Sandi and I were there many years ago.  The trail stopped in a small park just before the south side of the bridge.  This was way before many of the businesses were there.  There was a pay phone in the park.  Remember pay phones?  The trail map had a phone number printed on it to call for the transport.  A dime went in the pay phone and I called the number.  I don't know where the phone rang but it was answered and I was told the transport would be there in a few minutes.  If I remember correctly, a van with a trailer came over the bridge to transport us and the two sleds.  It wasn't much money.  A couple of dollars per sled.  He brought us across the bridge and dropped us off at the Tourist Center's parking lot.  Off we rode.  Boy things have changed but that shows you how into snowmobiling the Quebec people were and still are.
Back to our ride.  There was a club member checking trail passes at the intersection of 23 and 93.  A quick look and he waved us thru.  I like the little re-route around Alma that was done a few years ago.  It gets the trail out of the yukky stuff in town.  As we approach the intersection of 93 and 367, I see a dozen sleds parked.  Must be a group of newbies reading the trail sign.  Nope, I see two Police officers checking sleds.  Odd to be out on a Wednesday.  Usually weekends are better since there is more traffic.  The officer asks for the paperwork for the trail pass.  He checks the pass number on the paperwork to the number on the sticker on the sled and waives us on.  Its good to see them out checking.  Of course we weren't going over the speed limit as we approached them.
The 8 mile stretch of 93 along the power line is fun and we turn left onto 367.  It is starting to snow a little.  What a pleasant sight.  Not hard but a nice light snow.  Just enough to kick up some snow dust into the air.  We pull into Vauvert just to see that it is closed on Wednesdays.  Off we go on the local trail to St Jeanne d'Arc.  There is a bar on the local trail just before St Jeanne.  We stop to see if they have food.  Just beer.  I wasn't sure of the French but he may have said food on weekends.
Off to St Jeanne and we tank up the sleds.  Back on 93 towards St Augustine.  Relais Érablière is open.  I haven't stopped here in a long time.  It has been closed whenever I've rode by.  Good stop for lunch.  Not many choices but soup and an all dressed hamburger with fries of course is fine.
Back down 93 to the 367 intersection.  The Police have left their post.  We turn left on 367 and run along to Evaion Peribonka.  Right on the local trail and then 328 thru Begin.  All nicely groomed.  At 93 we turn right and work our way back to the two bridges and back to the Delta.
Another lovely ride.  Around Alma and back in Jonquiere the trails are showing some snirt.  No snow in the forecast and worse that that, it is warming up for the weekend.  I think north of the river and down thru the park should be fine.  In town, the road crossings and parking lots I imagine will be showing more pavement.  The big fields are thin on the hills and corners.  Quebec desperately needs some snow.
Jack & Sandi

Ya it’s to bad the snow we received here in Nova Scotia didn’t fall in Quebec.

Here are some pics from last weekend. Another 600 miles of smiles.  The most snow I have seen so far this season, but still not quite enough in spots.  TQ83 is really having a rough season.

We are at the Delta but we booked it a month ago.  Last year we couldn't get a Wednesday night too.
Try La Sagueneenne in Chicoutimi 800-461-8390.  Bar, restaurant and pool.  It changed ownership a few years ago so I can't say good or bad.  It is on a spur off of 83 about 1 mile in.  The spur ends at the backside of the Hotel.
There is an Ultramar on the spur.  Turn right just before the back of the Ultramar.  Follow the trail behind the businesses then it crosses route 175 under the power line.  La Cage and Comfort Inn is to you right.
Continue on the sidewalk and follow the tracks.  You are almost there.
La Montagnais is also over there but not quite accessible by sled.
Jack & Sandi

Today we had a very nice ride.  A little short so we could get back to the Delta to visit with the new arrivals from across the pond and Michigan.
The grooming map looked excellent this morning.  We took 83 east then 368 all the way to 23.  83 was very good and 368 we haven't been on for awhile.  It has been rerouted from where it crosses autoroute 175 to 23.  It is wider and more open now.  Such a great improvement.
23 was groomed to perfection also.  We then took 83 back to the Delta.  Not much traffic on the trails today.  Probably being a Monday.
Many more trailers at the Delta now and saddle baggers coming in each night.  Starting to feel like winter.  Finally!
Jack & Sandi

It's after breakfast and the decision was to make a small loop and come back up thru La Baie and see the fishing village.
83 south it is.  A few miles out and 83 crosses autoroute 175.  Straight thru the intersection and the trail goes into the field.  A change here.  The trail keeps going straight instead of left into the woods.  It runs a good mile and then goes thru a couple more fields.  Nice and open.  We come to a stop sign and this is where the cul-de-sac for Chicoutimi joins.  A little easier running.  You don't go behind the houses any more.  That is part of the  cul-de-sac now.  Then we are back on the old 83.
Good running along and we turn right onto 368.  The trail has been a little bumpy but enough snow.  No trouble with dirt.  A few miles in and the groomer for Laterriere made a pass from here last night.  We turn left on 383 still following the groomer's path.  We are first tracks now.  What a nice ride this is.  Crossing back and forth over the quad trail.  The quad trail is on the old road that went to the old Relais Boullanaise.  I know I must have missplet that.  The trail gets cranky after the old Relais.  Still groomed but tugging back and forth on the handlebars.
We pull into Ferland for coffee break.  A few sleds and quads outside.  Sunny day and mild temps.  What a great day for riding.
We continue south on 383.  Just after Ferland, wow has this area been logged.  Much of it has been clear cut.  A lot of nice scenic views.  The trail has been changed around here too.  It's following the access roads for the logging operation.  Nice gentle sweeping turns.  The up and downs are too big for big trucks.  Maybe its access for the smaller equipment.
383 now cuts back up to 83 on what was the old local 22 trail.  It joins 83 near the spur to St Felix.  383 no longer goes straight south to 83 where there was a warming hut.
83 is used but in decent shape.  We haven't seen too many sleds today.  I would have thought there would have been more traffic for such a nice Sunday.  At the little bridge for the cutoff to La Baie, Trail Security is checking sleds.  They have 3 sleds stopped and the younger riders are pulling out paperwork.  Oh oh for them but good for us.  One of the Security workers motions for us to continue on.
Into La Baie and gas up the sleds.  We cross the road and get on the local trail that runs on the walking path.  Slow going here of course.  In town and it is narrow and bumpy.  We jump down onto the bay and see the fishing house scattered all around.  A lot of activity but as we approach the north side, we notice no fishing village!  The signs are up and the lot markers are here but no fishing huts.  The only thing I can think of is the bay was so late in freezing thick enough, the trucks and tractors used to pull the houses onto the ice weren't allowed on the ice.  I don't know.  A disappointment because it is really cool to see the village.
We get off the ice and back on the trail.  Oh my is this bumpy.  I don't think this has been groomed this year.  The red stakes are in the ground and the stop signs are in but no grooming.  Rough is being polite.  About 8 miles of torture and we finally join back onto 83.  The rest of the ride back to the Delta is nice once again.
We get back early enough to trailer Jason's rental back to Evasion.  Overall it was a nice weekend for them.  Tomorrow they drive back to Connecticut.  Sandi and I are here for the week.  Can't wait to see Pat and Gary.  They should be on a plane right now coming across the pond.  See you tomorrow.
Jack & Sandi

They are getting more time on the trails than I am this year... 

Encore
trail 345
 

I got you beat on the Relais 22 cheeseburger pic Wes 
and I even had them add bacon to mine
bwahhhhhhhhn……
so glad you guys had a great trip as well. Back home safe and recuperating 

The grooming map looks good.  They were out in force last night.
We head back up 373 the way we had come in.  We wanted to go to the zoo but couldn't find the trail for it yesterday afternoon.  Today as we head north on 373, we see the auto road for the zoo but no signs or snowmobile trail leading to it.  One would have to run the side of the auto road to get to the zoo.  Carry on.
We go by Relais des Buttes and turn right to cross the river.  Instead of the local trail to Dolbeau like we came in on, we turn left and head towards Normandin.  The trails are fine this morning other than a little thin in a few corners.  Nothing to get concerned about.  Turn right and go thru Albanel and then head south towards Dolbeau.  Just before Dolbeau at the intersection of 93 and 901, there must be 20 - 25 sleds here parked all over the trail.  The maps are out and they are looking at the signs.  Come on guys, at least pull over to the side of the trail so others can get thru.  We get past that mess and continue on.  Nice riding to Relais Vauvert.  Good spot for a coffee and bathroom break.  Quite a few sleds here.  Most of the riders are almost as old as me.  They must out taking the wife for a ride.  Great day to do it.
After Vauvert, we take the local trail to St Jeanne d'Arc.  This trail is always nice.  Not much traffic and it is well groomed.  After Relais Erabliere the trail is getting rough.  Still enough snow but just a lot more traffic.  Its getting pretty bumpy into the truck stop.  This place is full.  There has to be 50 sleds here.  No wonder the trail is beat up.  A good lunch as always and off towards the big bridge on 373.  This is a very scenic trail but everyone must be heading to the bridge.  The trail is showing a lot of wear.
First time we are at the bridge and it must be Happy Hour here.  Got to be 25 sleds before the bridge and another 35 sleds up on top of the hill overlooking the bridge from the east side.  Everyone is stopped, taking pictures and having beverages.  I'm sure they aren't consuming alcohol.  We stop and no beverages for us but I have to take a few pictures.  I'll try loading a couple.  I usually don't have very good luck doing it though.  Quite an impressive bridge.
Back on the trail.  Very rough going down 482.  As we get further away from the bridge, it smooths out a little.  I decide to take 328 to the east and then 134 south to the two bridges.  134 is perfect most of the way.  The last 10 miles or so get rough again and the snow is thin on the hills and corners.  Not as much snow the closer we get to Jonquiere.  We cross the bridges and get back to the Delta.
The best riding was from Alma to St Felicien yesterday and then today from St Felicien to St Jeanne d'Arc.  A lot of traffic the closer we got to the east side of Lac St Jean.  It is the weekend and many people were out.  Lets see what tomorrow brings.
 

Sorry to hear about your friend's diagnosis, I hope he has many winters of riding left.

If you are sitting home wondering about the trails get off the couch load up and go. We just ran 1098km and with the exception of low snow around Amqui all good to go especially with this new snow. There is a big reroute on the 595 south of La Cache. It takes you east and intercepts the trail to Murdochville for a short distance. I kept looking at my GPS thinking where the Hell are we going but it actually only adds 12km to the trip to New Richmond.

Today 2/3 final day. We left Relais 22 this morning and arrived back in Shawinigan safe and sound after 8 days and zero issues thankfully. 73 south was good , 355 sucked ,351 so so and a police check with radar near Shawinigan. Overall some great trails some not so much but still a great time with a great riding partner! Hopefully more snow and cold in the forecast. 

Having coffee at the camp and waiting for the boys to wake up. We finish our trip today with a quick 80 mile run back to the truck in Mattawin. Just shy of 1400 mi. For the week. All in all it was a great run albeit some challenging sections here and there. No breakdowns, no mishaps and we all stayed on our seats and out of the ding weeds.
So good to ne back in the land of the snowmobile. Now the load up and long journey back home……ughhhh
i leave you with some pictures yesterday of the little church 200 ft north of the Manoune “B” (I think) dam on the 345 trail heading to Kanawata.
they have been constructing this little church for the last couple years and it now looks 99% finished. It truly is beautiful and someone put a lot of time and money into it. A MUST see whether you’re a religious person or not. 
The chapel is named after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha who was the first female Native American ordained as a saint in Canada back in the late 1600”s and the chapel is dedicated to “ Benny Petiquay” which one would assume was a local native from the area. I hope to hear his life story someday but it’s kinda hard to find a local around to ask. Every time I come through no one is there but surely someone looks after the place.

And the video of the ride. As usual crink up the sound and the resolution if needed 🍿🍿🍿