Northbound

We got to the Delta this year, mid January. We day rode for 4 or 5 days to remember which button did what. Plus I was sporting a 3 month old knee, and I was testing the water. It was fine. 
   We left on a northern loop on the 23rd. We were joined by Joel and Linda sledgirl,and Dawn and Keith. We had a great time with great people. They'd never yet made it to chibougmau. We slept in st. Felicien, chibougmau, Level, then we looped up to Matagami, (no one had been there) and slept in Amos. Slomo trail, thanks for the rodeway inn recommendation. The next day they headed south back towards the Delta, we headed west. They had other plans. We continued and stayed in Rouyn, then Temiscaming, then Pembroke. We usually cross at new lisk, but trails were not yet good in that area. We crossed at Rapids des Joachim's. After Pembroke we overnighted in Maniwaki, lac Taureau, then Latuque, where we had the pleasure of visiting with Andyman. Trails were mostly all good with exception of Ontario leg. In their defense it was a bumpy Sunday, and Ontario had limited riding areas open at that time. The other area that is often problematic is the area after crossing the border in the Ladysmith-danford lake area. Not knocking their area at all, but GPS is handy. There's a lot of cottage roads mixed in the trail mix, and not everything is signed perfectly. And in their defense, I don't think they get alot of tourists through there, and the locals, who have been very helpful to us in the past, know their way through
  

We got back to the Delta on 2-2 just hours ahead of that extreme cold and wind. Soon our friends from across the pond arrived and we visited and day rode with many friends for almost 2 weeks. Our group represented Ohio, Michigan, Ottawa, the UK ( where they speak proper English😄) and Massachusetts We had a great time.

On 2-15 our saddlebags were looking sad sitting in the corner so we reluctantly had to leave the party😞. We rode to the doubletree Quebec city, used to be the 4 pts. Early lunch at Mt Apica, great trails all day. They used to have a free shuttle into Quebec city, that we really enjoyed. Last year it wasn't operating, but I assumed it would be back up this year, but was not. Another casualty.

Next day we headed to the colibri for the shuttle. We had gotten a little  🌧️ last evening so we had scratchers down. At a RR crossing, one of my scratchers caught the rail a just about tore off. I was able to bend it around so it would somewhat work. Our scratchers are the spring loaded skidoo scratchers that we've had on many sleds through the years with no problems. I guess bad luck and a snow free crossing was bad combination. Now if the rails aren't snow packed, I clip them up. 
   The colibri transport vehicle was better than in past years, but the trailer this yr is a drive on- back off. Still $40 a sled.
  We had planned 2 days at the Normandin (the old Bernieres) to taxi into the city, plus there are 2 good dinner options across the Rd. The Normandin restaurant and a st Hubert. A storm happened the next day with some snow and a lot of snow. We stayed in as the highway from Q city to RDL was closed part of the day and the taxis were suspended. So we took a cab into the city the next day, and stayed a 3rd night.
 

Day 5 to RDL. Not a pretty day, but trails were perfect. Good choice to wait a day for the groomers to fix the wind damage. We stay at the Levesque, no offense to you, Mike at all. We've staged from the universal with the truck which works great, but if we're just passing through we like the view from the Levesque and they do have a good restaurant. They are not although, as snowmobile oriented as the Universal. The Levesque used to be a little more of a challenge to get to, but now the trail ends right in front.
 
 
 
 
  
 

Day 6 to New Brunswick. I know this is a Quebec forum, so if this offends you skip ahead 5 or 6 days, but I know some Quebec Riders that do venture south, so this is for you.
This was only our 3rd trip into NB, so I'm no expert at all. We rode from RDL to Grand falls about 220 easy kms. We stopped for a lobster roll, passing by the casino in Edmonton (thanks slomo trail). We stayed at a Best Western, dinner at Tim's across the road, good free breakfast in the am.

Day 7 to Bathurst. 280k Rode through the Christmas mountains, very pretty scenery, nice lunch at Mont Carlton lodge. Most of the trails were good but inside the park they needed groomed. We later heard that inside the park the grooming is performed by park staff, 8 hrs a day M-F. Not nearly  the same attention most clubs give. Once again this is what "we were told" not substantiated fact. I know others have had different experiences, just reporting what we saw. One day may have made all the difference. I have the NB app on my phone but the grooming info is not nearly as good as PQ. They show trails in 4 colors groomed 1-2 days ago, 3-4 days ago, then I think 5-7 days then over 7. I know green is usually good, yellow is sometimes ok either of the browns are usually bad. At least in our experience. In Bathurst we stayed at Atlantic Host. The good, right on the trail, decent restaurant, good fish dinner. The bad, the room smelled like wet carpet. Next time I'd try Danny's to compare.

Day 8, to McNamee 236k a short day because we had planned a longer route through the park, but after yesterday took a direct route. Lunch at Tim's in Doaktown. Got some M&M meals in the gas station and a salad at the grocery for supper. We stayed at Wilson's Lodge, ate in our cabin which was very nice. We got there early afternoon and really enjoyed our stay.

Day 9 to Bristol 160k another short day. We had planned to go to plaster Rock then Fredericton, miramichi then Campbellton. But snow was thin and getting icier south so we headed north. My crippled scratcher broke off yesterday. We had heard about a cool rail car room in Bristol (again thanks slomo trail) It was called Shamrock suites, very nice, but no food nearby. We again stopped at a grocery enroute and picked up frozen dinners and salads. On the way,  to avoid going any further south than required we took the 405 trail approx 60 km long, showed green on map.😳 About half way in we came to a completely open river, I mean no ice. No signs, no detours. We knew the groomer had stopped at last road crossing. Usually you can see scratches on the road, marks along side and find your way. Nothing here. Checked phone found bridge in town not too far, flipped down the wheels and headed that way. After one cool down stop got to Stanley and a bridge. Went into a little store and a nice, we'll intentioned guy gave me directions. It went something like this....go down this road until you come to a barn with a red roof, go behind it and you'll find a trail, follow it until you come to a steep uphill on your left, go up it........anyway, we made it back. Many of the trails we were on were rail trails, but they were not boring or monotonous. Many followed pretty rivers and went through interesting towns. The rest of the day was great. When we got to the rail car early, I called the doo dealer in Grand falls to see if they had my scratchers in stock and could swap it for me tomorrow when we pass through, they said sure
 

Day 10 short day to Edmundston. 148k Woke up to fresh snow for a nice change. Short hop to Grand Falls. Dealer put on my scratchers and I talked then into servicing our clutches. Very good dealer! When we were waiting we saw that they had the new improved skidoo muffs. (Thanks Linda) We carry old Katahdin muffs that look like elephant ears for cold days. Not real good to get your hands into but they fold nicely in the saddlebags. I really like wearing muffs with real light gloves, so tried the old style skidoo muffs last year but felt too restrictive. Sandy didn't like them either for the same reason. The new ones are much better so guess who got them. Now I need a pair. The dealer we were at had only one pair. Every dealer we've been to since don't even know about the new style. The old style is #860201144 The new ones are #860202207. The new ones are yellow on the inside. We stayed at the Quality suites next to the casino in Edmundston. Nice hotel. No sled parking in front. dammit!

Day 11 to Campbellton 248k Very nice ride today, trails all smooth, mostly railbed, last section following very pretty river. Tim's for lunch, Quality inn for the night. Heard sobering story the next morning. The day before we passed on the same trail a man was killed hitting a tree. It was a group within 15 minutes of finishing their 5 day loop. RIP
 
 

Day 13 to Matane. Rode to the mummy trees, then mont joli for lunch. Stayed at Quality inn. Nice restaurant, good free breakfast, laundry and close to ferry.

Day 14 to mont Louis.  Lunch in st- Anne- des- monts. Stayed at Auberge L Amarre. They bought the house next door to the west. So this year and last we got a room over there. The room we now get is bigger than on the original side. The place is very simple, but spotless, and good food. Trails were good today

Next day we headed to the colibri for the shuttle. We had gotten a little  🌧️ last evening so we had scratchers down. At a RR crossing, one of my scratchers caught the rail a just about tore off. I was able to bend it around so it would somewhat work. Our scratchers are the spring loaded skidoo scratchers that we've had on many sleds through the years with no problems. I guess bad luck and a snow free crossing was bad combination. Now if the rails aren't snow packed, I clip them up. 
   The colibri transport vehicle was better than in past years, but the trailer this yr is a drive on- back off. Still $40 a sled.
  We had planned 2 days at the Normandin (the old Bernieres) to taxi into the city, plus there are 2 good dinner options across the Rd. The Normandin restaurant and a st Hubert. A storm happened the next day with some snow and a lot of snow. We stayed in as the highway from Q city to RDL was closed part of the day and the taxis were suspended. So we took a cab into the city the next day, and stayed a 3rd night.
 

Next day we headed to the colibri for the shuttle. We had gotten a little  🌧️ last evening so we had scratchers down. At a RR crossing, one of my scratchers caught the rail a just about tore off. I was able to bend it around so it would somewhat work. Our scratchers are the spring loaded skidoo scratchers that we've had on many sleds through the years with no problems. I guess bad luck and a snow free crossing was bad combination. Now if the rails aren't snow packed, I clip them up. 
   The colibri transport vehicle was better than in past years, but the trailer this yr is a drive on- back off. Still $40 a sled.
  We had planned 2 days at the Normandin (the old Bernieres) to taxi into the city, plus there are 2 good dinner options across the Rd. The Normandin restaurant and a st Hubert. A storm happened the next day with some snow and a lot of snow. We stayed in as the highway from Q city to RDL was closed part of the day and the taxis were suspended. So we took a cab into the city the next day, and stayed a 3rd night.
 

We got to the Delta this year, mid January. We day rode for 4 or 5 days to remember which button did what. Plus I was sporting a 3 month old knee, and I was testing the water. It was fine. 
   We left on a northern loop on the 23rd. We were joined by Joel and Linda sledgirl,and Dawn and Keith. We had a great time with great people. They'd never yet made it to chibougmau. We slept in st. Felicien, chibougmau, Level, then we looped up to Matagami, (no one had been there) and slept in Amos. Slomo trail, thanks for the rodeway inn recommendation. The next day they headed south back towards the Delta, we headed west. They had other plans. We continued and stayed in Rouyn, then Temiscaming, then Pembroke. We usually cross at new lisk, but trails were not yet good in that area. We crossed at Rapids des Joachim's. After Pembroke we overnighted in Maniwaki, lac Taureau, then Latuque, where we had the pleasure of visiting with Andyman. Trails were mostly all good with exception of Ontario leg. In their defense it was a bumpy Sunday, and Ontario had limited riding areas open at that time. The other area that is often problematic is the area after crossing the border in the Ladysmith-danford lake area. Not knocking their area at all, but GPS is handy. There's a lot of cottage roads mixed in the trail mix, and not everything is signed perfectly. And in their defense, I don't think they get alot of tourists through there, and the locals, who have been very helpful to us in the past, know their way through
  

We got to the Delta this year, mid January. We day rode for 4 or 5 days to remember which button did what. Plus I was sporting a 3 month old knee, and I was testing the water. It was fine. 
   We left on a northern loop on the 23rd. We were joined by Joel and Linda sledgirl,and Dawn and Keith. We had a great time with great people. They'd never yet made it to chibougmau. We slept in st. Felicien, chibougmau, Level, then we looped up to Matagami, (no one had been there) and slept in Amos. Slomo trail, thanks for the rodeway inn recommendation. The next day they headed south back towards the Delta, we headed west. They had other plans. We continued and stayed in Rouyn, then Temiscaming, then Pembroke. We usually cross at new lisk, but trails were not yet good in that area. We crossed at Rapids des Joachim's. After Pembroke we overnighted in Maniwaki, lac Taureau, then Latuque, where we had the pleasure of visiting with Andyman. Trails were mostly all good with exception of Ontario leg. In their defense it was a bumpy Sunday, and Ontario had limited riding areas open at that time. The other area that is often problematic is the area after crossing the border in the Ladysmith-danford lake area. Not knocking their area at all, but GPS is handy. There's a lot of cottage roads mixed in the trail mix, and not everything is signed perfectly. And in their defense, I don't think they get alot of tourists through there, and the locals, who have been very helpful to us in the past, know their way through
  

We were going to run up to Saint Bruno tomorrow. If I see anything dramatic, I'll post

We just rode from la tuque back to the Delta today. The 355 was great except for the few km that was plowed..very bad. Once we got to the lake, the 83 was bad, especially around Chambord. Towards Jonquiere snow picked up, nice in the bush. Around town, not nice. My guess is that Alma will be thin. Good luck...Jeff and Sandy

We just rode from la tuque back to the Delta today. The 355 was great except for the few km that was plowed..very bad. Once we got to the lake, the 83 was bad, especially around Chambord. Towards Jonquiere snow picked up, nice in the bush. Around town, not nice. My guess is that Alma will be thin. Good luck...Jeff and Sandy

We just rode from la tuque back to the Delta today. The 355 was great except for the few km that was plowed..very bad. Once we got to the lake, the 83 was bad, especially around Chambord. Towards Jonquiere snow picked up, nice in the bush. Around town, not nice. My guess is that Alma will be thin. Good luck...Jeff and Sandy

Kelly and I made a second trip to the Gaspe after getting frozen out a couple weeks back.  We clicked off 690 miles around the Gaspesie on fresh groomed trail for all but about 25 miles.  It is like catching the Holy Grail if you can make to loop all the way on freshly groomed trails. 
Started from Pointe a la Croix as usually, fresh groomed right out the door to past the cable bridge where Snowmaster 2112 caught up to us with his group. We chatted on the side of the trail then continued to the Albertville gas for breakfast. Met Snowmaster and his crew there again, but there were heading out to beat a storm on there way home.....we all know how that ended.  Thankfully no serious injuries. Kelly and I pulled out and took the local trail right before Lac Matepedia to St Adeleme for a break, lots of people there.  We then headed to Grande Nature, perfect trails till we got about 15mi before the turnoff above Cap Chat.  Good into Grande Nature. We had called about a week before and all that was left was a Scandinavian cabin. Have never stayed in one of those before, always up in the main building the cabins are awesome. The food there was incredible and the atmosphere is great. Left the next morning and had about another five or eight miles of rough stuff until we got to the Saint anne Des Monts turn off from there freshly groomed again right across the whole North Shore. Road through to the town of Gaspe and stayed the night at the Hotel Plante.  We went to supper with Northbound and Sandra it was a great evening. The next day we headed out again on freshly groomed trails all the way into Perce where Kelly wanted to get the iconic picture in front of the Rock, every snowmobiler has to do this at least once. In and out of there still on fresh groom trails we went through Chandler and got gas and stopped for lunch at the Chandler clubhouse, very busy there they were having drag races. Pulled out after lunch and sailed into New Richmond that evening, stayed at the Fin Gourmet. Next morning again out on freshly groomed trails and road back to the truck in Pointe-à-la-Croix.
Been riding in Quebec for 22 years and have never run so much freshly groomed trail before, the gods of grooming were smiling at us. Here is a few pics from our excellent adventure.
 

We were going to run up to Saint Bruno tomorrow. If I see anything dramatic, I'll post

We just rode from la tuque back to the Delta today. The 355 was great except for the few km that was plowed..very bad. Once we got to the lake, the 83 was bad, especially around Chambord. Towards Jonquiere snow picked up, nice in the bush. Around town, not nice. My guess is that Alma will be thin. Good luck...Jeff and Sandy

We just rode from la tuque back to the Delta today. The 355 was great except for the few km that was plowed..very bad. Once we got to the lake, the 83 was bad, especially around Chambord. Towards Jonquiere snow picked up, nice in the bush. Around town, not nice. My guess is that Alma will be thin. Good luck...Jeff and Sandy