Northbound

We're in Gaspe tonight. Came from the south up the 597 and took the local you're talking about. It seems I remember people referring to it years ago as the "bailey bridge cutoff"? Maybe from an old map? Everything was sweet today
 

We were due for a crazy day ride...



It's a 300+miles loop ride running on both side of the St-Laurence river via a ferry and bridge that get around the large Montreal city, this doable from the porch of my home. Having done it before we already knew it was an ambitious day ride, way more than doing a 300 miles in norther area. There are many roads and highways and rail road crossings+ the ferry and "the unexpected" that insure a very full day ride.

So we started from home at 8:00 am to catch the 9:00 ferry in St-Ignace de Loyola. Freshly groomed trail to warm up...



Arriving at the first river trail path, it was a bit scary



The St-Laurence river level got a bit higher in the night and cause water to rise on the ice on the sides. It is more scary than dangerous because the trail snow bank already cover the immediate side of the river where it can be dangerous and the small water pool we got is over the full river ice cover. It's been so cold since the beginning of the season that this ice is for sure thick enough to support the weight of a Yamaha so no worries we are on a BRP! 



We got at the ferry at 8:45



This ferry is one of the cheap option to cross the St-Laurence river: $7,60 for a sled and his driver and $11,35 in our case for an old married couple +sled



There is actually 2 ferries that offer crossings every 30 minutes on each sides during most of the day(see the web site for full schedule)



Our ferry had an hard time to accost because of the ice. It had to move back and forth many times to clear/crush all the ice along the dock and the 10 minutes crossing turn to over an half an hour one. We got back on the south shore trail at 9:45.
The first stretch along the river to get out of Sorel city was rough but we cross the groomer that was about to solve that



We quickly got on the #5 trail that we follow most of the path up the west of Montreal city. Not a lot snow but good conditions. We could feel few earth bumps in the skis on some very windy pass but the trails were overall very good  





You need to not be allergic to road crossing, especially highway crossings. I quickly counted and we cross the #30 highway 5 times, the #20 and #10 then the #15 2 times also the #640 and #25 and this on or under viaduct and even with a tunnel for the #640
We stopped there for a small break around 11:30



Here a first video(of three) that summarize this first part. you can always push the reader 4 arrows icon to pass in full screen
Continuing on the #5 trail we could saw St-Hilaire mountain that we usually view riding by car



Here after #20 highway crossing, good conditions



It began to get worse after the #15 highway crossing. Last Friday fluffy snow had been more generous there and with the very strong winds we had there was a lot snow blades/drifts in the trail. The visibility stayed good but the bumpy drifts slowed down us to keep in the safe and comfortable zone.



We even crossed a groomer that flatten our route for a few miles but the drifts were forming again quickly behind





We also had something I don't encounter often, a long train that gave us a 12 minutes break before clearing the way



We left the #5 trail in St-Michel area (west of Montreal) to cut toward St-Louis de Gonzague(bridge). We had few trail changes to make so I pointed my destination on the Gps to make it easy but a change between my map version and the real world trail glitched my gps that route us on the wrong side. I figured something was wrong by seeing directions for villages that we had already pass before. I got my cell phone out and made a check with Imotoneige that locate us and confirmed we were out of our route. We stepped back but it add some miles over an already busy ride.  


Here the 2nd video that summarize that part of the ride
 
We finally reached our ticket to the north shore at St-Louis de Gonzague around 4:00pm. It's a 3/4 miles long car bridge over Beauharnois canal were snowmobiles are allowed to cross for free. The bridge is also almost snow free so I did as usual and throw some dish wash soap on my track slides before starting the crossing to help our mule to move our 2 ass on the other side of the bridge without overheating too much. It went very well.



After crossing the Beauharnois canal we were needing next to cross the other half of the St-Laurence river that is done directly on ice. Even not groomed it ride nicely



We then continued to catch the #33 trail, The day was already well advanced



We got on the long Deux-Montages lake a bit past 5:30pm. A bit bumpy but it was ok and was riding good. We missed our target to cross it at daylight... here brief turn to admire the sky behind us 



We stopped for a real supper break at Île Bizard snowmobile relay around 6:00pm. We were near alone there but the people who operate the place told us they were crazy busy from the morning up to the end of afternoon and had depleted most of their food stocks. I took a good club sandwich with a cheese slice in place of the tomatoes and it was delicious! Nice authentic people there, I recommend it! 
We got back in saddle a bit before 7:00pm to do the remaining 90miles to get home
The sony flash was in strike



The trails in this area were pretty worn out and I adjusted the beat to go forward but safe given our day fatigue and the conditions. Our way home went well and we also got the chance to hit some freshly groomed trails on some sectors
Here the 3rd and last video that summarize this last stretch 
 
We finally got home at 10:15PM with 340miles in our butts for the day. The small 900 ace did it flawlessly even if my old venture/expert-x miss missed us in the rough sections. We didn't needed to get rocked to sleep that night!
Another nice good big ride for us !
Alain

 

bonjour !!!
a bit of action this morning ....i was on my way to sit at the computer and saw those 2 deer climbing for main street ...
they went across the main street ,but on the other side , its a wall ....first one was almost on top of the wall ,waited for his friend ...but no luck for the second one...he started to slide down for the sidewalk.
about 1 inch of snow last night ....started snowing a few mins ago ....mollo to medium 
-8c 
 
jean-guy
 
 

Jack, thanks for taking the time to share real time info. Safe trip home for you and Sandy. Hope you get good news from your shoulder doc. We are hoping to see you in feb.   Jeff and Sandy

Jack, thanks for taking the time to share real time info. Safe trip home for you and Sandy. Hope you get good news from your shoulder doc. We are hoping to see you in feb.   Jeff and Sandy

Go ride this
 

Jack, thanks for taking the time to share real time info. Safe trip home for you and Sandy. Hope you get good news from your shoulder doc. We are hoping to see you in feb.   Jeff and Sandy

bonsoir zrtkat !!!
 
merci ...
 
jean-guy

bonne année !!!
 
pics from this morning , i was supposed to around at the bridge next to falls....but landed in some clear cuts west side of casault !!!
-1c in town and -4c up the hills....even light drizzle...
 
jean-guy

bonsoir !!!
little drive toward windmills next to tq 5 and down to the mill by logging rd 
-15c
 
jean-guy
 

thank you smclelan !!!
joyeux noel to you too !!!
just back from a quick drive toward farm and golf course...some fields have been washed out....luckily not related to the trails
 
jean-guy

good morning playhard !!!
it was for diner ,pizza  in front of motel ....your sled was parked in front of the office ...
and mini monkey was freezing on the front bumper !!!
while shoveling yesterday ....look what landed on my porch !!!....hahaha
 
joyeux noel to you !!!
 
jean-guy

bonsoir preston !!!
merry christmas to you !!!
i take so many , must share a few ....my pleasure !!!
-14c and still  strong winds time to time 
 
jean-guy

bonsoir bob !!!
 
merci ....merry christmas and a prosperous new year to you too ...
went for a few pics late afternoon....very windy on albertville side 
-12c 
 
jean-guy

bonjour zrtkat !!!
 
thank you ....and merry christmas to you ....
went for a drive earlier...still very windy ....at least sunshine is back  since  1 hr...-14 c 
 
jean-guy

thats an old back road school....we were nt born yet ....ahhaha
just on the right....not much in the field....strong winds there....
just back from a tour de ville...
still very windy ....-14c
 
jean-guy

What should we do this morning?  The restaurant is take out only.  Lets have some of the instant oatmeal in a pouch.  A little hot water and some of that 35% heavy cream Sandi found.  None of that light duty 10% stuff.  If the snowmobiles command 91 octane, I can certainly command 35% fat in my heavy cream.  Yum yum! ☺️
Not much was groomed last night but that was expected for the holiday.  We can't expect the groomers to work 24 / 7.
On the sleds and out of the hotel.  At 83 we turn right. Lets go north of the river Sandi.
We cross the two bridges and turn right onto 134.  About half way to the junction with 93, Hydro Quebec is installing another set of power line towers.  These things are massive when they are lying on the ground.  They are big standing up but lying on the ground you see how huge they actually are.
We get to 93 and turn left.  This has been closed for a few years.  Lets see where it goes.  It follows the same route it did many years ago.  A few miles in and the trail crosses a river with a lot of fast running water and water falls.  You would recognize it.  The trail conditions are good.  Before it gets to the potato field in St Ambroise, the trail turns right.  We follow this along and at the next junction is where we were yesterday coming back from Relais des Lacs / Begin.  It runs along with the VTT trail.  Don't stay on 93 Sandi.  We will end up in that bad stuff at St Charles.  Sandi turns right towards the north end of the potato field.  All nice riding.
Oh, did I mention it is mild today with light snow.  It looks so pretty.  The snow is sticking to the helmet shield.  I have to wipe the snow off with my glove every mile or so.  Keep going Sandi we are doing good.
We turn left onto 328 heading towards Begin.  328 is fine up to Begin.  The trail that goes north from Begin to Lamarche and ScoobyRaid is closed.  There are tracks on the old trail but two big stakes in the shape of an "X".
We carry on and 328 gets pretty rough.  We were on it yesterday and it is only worse today.  Slow down and tough it up for the next 7 or 8 miles.  Finally we are at the junction with 554 just a stones throw from Relais des Lacs.  Time to take a break.  We look at each other.  That wasn't much fun.
We turn right staying on 328.  A little improvement now.  We get around the lac and the trail gets better.  We are approaching the blueberry fields and they are almost always good.  Today is no exception.  This is more like Quebec.  Too bad we had 10 miles of bumps to get here.
Just cruising along.  The snow is still falling.  It has covered up some of the ugly stuff that has been on the trails.  Looking and feeling more like winter.
We make our way over to L'Ascension.  The Sonerco gas station is open.  I figured it would be.  It is on a main road.
Choices.  Continue on towards Alma and pick up 93.  That means going thru that horrible section at St Charles. I wonder how the ice crossing would be.  It has been cold but why bother chancing it and then have to put up with St Charles' bumps.
We turn around and head back the way we came in.  No surprises this way.  It is still snowing.  A few centimeters have accumulated.  Not a lot but every little bit helps.  Thru the blueberry fields with smiles on our faces.  We get to Relais des Lacs and stop.  OK Sandi.  Time to beat ourselves up for a few miles.  Bump after bump.  We go by the farm that is about half way to Begin.  Not too much further.  Keep going.
At Begin we stop and agree, that is behind us now.  It may not be pristine ahead of us but it certainly won't be any worse.  The trail continues to get better as we approach the big fields before St Ambroise.  Instead of going back the way we came in this morning, we stay on 93 to St Ambroise, Le Geant Trailer.  Distance wise there isn't much difference whether we go thru St Ambroise or head towards St Honore and take 134 thru Pickle Park.
At the end of the scrubby pines, the trail turns right and runs the edge of the road for a 1/4 mile or so.  As we approach where the trail goes to the left back into the woods, a sled is stopped on the side of the road.  We slow down and take a look.  Oh oh.  There is a big two up sled in the ditch.  He was heading north towards St Ambroise and slid into the drainage ditch along the edge of the road.  I get off my sled and myself and the two French men are tugging and pulling trying to get this beast to move.  We hook up two tow straps to my snowmobile and the other snowmobile and try to pull the one out of the ditch together.  No luck.  The two upper is half on its side.
One guy takes a shovel and starts digging out around the sled.  He gets enough snow removed for us to muscle the sled back on its track.  We point it parallel with the road and one of the guys gets on the sled and manages to get it moving.  He runs along the ditch for 100' and then pops back up on the road.  Yea!  Success!
I don't know why Sandi decided to go that way but we did our good dead for the day.  A couple of high fives and all of us are on our way.
A few more miles and we are back home at the Sag.  Its still snowing and the wind is picking up.  The temp is forecast to drop tonight.  That is fine.  We will be tucked into our nice warm bed.
One more day of riding and then back in the truck.
Jack & Sandi

I'm not sure how the other States post appointments for the Covid testing.  CT does it one week in advance.  Since we are heading back to Quebec Jan 11th, I wanted to make sure we got appointments in time.  I went on Walgreen's website yesterday and Jan 9th appointments weren't open yet.  4 AM today, viola, there they are.  Sandi and I have two appointments for Jan 9th in Enfield!  Yea.  We don't have to drive an hour to North Haven this time.
Plan ahead for all the prep work, the Covid testing and the ArrivCan site or app.  As far as I know, the Covid testing is free.  Make an appointment and get tested before you have to.  Sandi's first test failed because the test tube leaked.  Go thru the ArrivCan site and then you can delete it or cancel it at the end.
Sandi didn't make the first trip because her test failed.  I was turned away on my first attempt because I didn't have all my ducks in line.  I didn't finish ArrivCan.  It didn't ruin a snowmobile trip because I was just making a day trip to bring the sleds up.  If it was a snowmobile trip, we would have had to cancel everything.
The season is too short to chance missing a trip to snow country.
Be safe.
Jack & Sandi

We are having breakfast in our room again.  I guess we have to get used to the new norm.  Bring your Danish and donuts.
A little chilly today, -18̊ C.  Dress warm Sandi.  Our last day.  We won't make it too long.  We have to pack up tonight.  Lets stay on the south side of the Saguenay River.
Out to 83 and turn right.  We are heading to the Delta.  The few centimeters of snow covered up some of the snirt but not all.  83 was groomed last night.  We stop at the Delta and we make reservations for the week of Feb 6th and the week of Feb 20th.  I know February will be busy so I want to get our room now.
That is done and we continue on 83 west.  Some good some bad.  Some clean white snow and some snirt.  All in all the trail isn't too bad for early in the season.  It will only get better as more snow falls.
We get to Relais Grenouille at the top of Kenogami and the groomer has just made a pass.  There aren't any tracks on the trail yet.  Go Sandi.  Follow the groomer towards St Bruno.  At first the trail is fine but as we get into the fields, we realize how thin the snow is here.  Well smooth snirt is better that rough snirt I suppose.  Lets keep going.  10 miles and we are at the south end of St Bruno.
The groomer kept on going but we have to decide.  If we continue up thru Alma and get on 93, we will have to take that bad section thru St Charles or we can turn around.  Lets turn around.  We know what it is and its OK.
A u-turn and back to the Relais Grenouille where we pick up 83.  Across the top of Lac Kenogami.  A few sleds here and there.  Not a lot of traffic.  Still on the cool side but a nice day for riding.  We pass the Delta and head back to the Sag.
We turn left onto the spur and as we cross the railroad tracks and round that first turn looking at the back of the Ultramar, we see a lot of emergency vehicles at the intersection of 175.  Slow down Sandi.  What is that?  A vehicle on it's side, in the parking lot to the right of the Ultramar.  The color of the vehicle is safety green.  That's an ambulance Sandi!  Wow!
The ambulance appears to have been heading into Chicuotimi with the Ultramar to its right.  There must have been a vehicle or two in the intersection or pulling into the intersection and with nowhere for the ambulance to go.  Avoiding the intersection, the ambulance went to the right and then rolled over on its side into the parking lot.  Hopefully there isn't a fatality.
Traffic is backed up and the power is out to the businesses.  Wow!
Back at the Sag, we park the sleds for the night.  It was good to be riding again since covid closed everything down last season.  We hit some good trails and some not so good trails.  Changes have been made to the trails but that happens every year.  I hope the restaurant take out only mandate is lifted before the end of the season.  Like MikeRider said, the social life is a big part of snowmobiling.  Until then, we will have to bring our food and drink and have small gatherings in our rooms.
Maybe we will see you in RDL Jan 11th.  Take care of each other.
Jack & Sandi

I don't like being the weak link in the chain, but I am this trip.  My right shoulder has been bothering me for a while now.  Doc says its arthritis.  Probably.  It does run in the family.  I had my left shoulder replaced about 2 years ago and that one is fine.  The right one doc said isn't bad enough yet.  That was a year ago.
We drove up Tuesday and the shoulder kept me awake most of Tuesday night.  I took an ibuprofen but that didn't do anything.  It may have been a little past the expiration date! 🙄 
Yesterday we made a short day.  Again I didn't sleep much.  Today I'm tired.
So this morning, breakfast in the restaurant.  I look at the grooming map and 83 and 368 were groomed.  Good.  Lets head towards Mt Apica.  On the sleds and as we leave the parking lot, the groomer was here.  He made a pass in from 83.  The spur is now officially open.  Yea!  This brings a smile to my face.
We get to 83 and turn left.  Sandi can go first.  A few sleds have been out before us but the trail is nice.  A few thin spots in the corners but most of the trail is in good shape.  We get to the junction with 368 and turn right.  Same thing here.  A few thin spots in the turns but very smooth.  Not as many tracks on 368.  I don't where the sleds went because 83 is still closed at La Baie.  All of the traffic would have to come this way.  Oh well.  Nice ride.
My shoulder is letting me know it doesn't like the sled tugging on it.  Keep pushing on Jack.  You can ignore it.  Down 368 and we cross route 175.  A really nice ride for December.  I remember other years that there was no snow in December and it was trailer to Mt Valin every day.  The front desk at the Sag said last year the snow was poor.  I'm glad we can ride this year.  I hope the border stays open.
We continue on 368 but the shoulder is hurting.  Before we get to the junction with 23, Sandi pulls over for a break.  We chat a little.  I tell her I'm just not up to it today.  Between the shoulder and lack of sleep, I don't think I want to go to Mt Apica.  So we decide to u-turn.
A few sleds passed us while we were stopped.  On the way back towards route 175, two more sleds hammer down, coming towards us.  We continue along.  We get back to Chicoutimi and tank up the sleds at the Ultramar.  Not many miles today.
We stop at the Metro grocery store to get a bottle of Tylenol or Advil.  Nothing.  The shelf is empty.  Only a couple of bottles of aspirin.  That isn't going do it. 
We get back to the Sag.  Sandi asks at the front desk and is told they can't hand out any medications.  There is a Walmart down the street.  Instead I decide to walk across the street to the Super C grocery store.  The place is packed.  After a little searching, I find the Tylenol.  Not much of a selection but Tylenol is worth a try.  Back in the hotel I take one Tylenol and lay down for an hour.  It seems to have helped.
I call my shoulder doctor back in Connecticut and I've got an appointment for  Monday Jan 10th.  We were going to go to RDL for that week.  Maybe we will drive up on the 11th or wait until the following week.  Choices but we have to plan ahead for the covid test and ArrivCan.  Its not as easy as pre-pandemic.
Sandi and I were talking about when we first came to Quebec, you only needed your driver's license.  Boy things have changed.  Sleds didn't have hot grips back then either.  That was a few years ago. ☺️
If I get a good nights sleep, I would like to head across the river and maybe go up to the old Scoobyraid.  See what that is like.  I think it was Iceman that posted the newspaper write up about the change of ownership.  Thanks Iceman.
Jack & Sandi

bonsoir !!!
 
frosty ste marguerite !!!
-6c
 
jean-guy
 
 

bonsoir !!!
wanted to go to la cache ( 75 miles ) or close.....very sunny in town , but once at the  17 miles....thick fog
kept going til mile 30 just in case i could see mt logan ...no luck ....turned around at mile 33 ...
 
jean-guy

-17c and still windy !!!
 
jean-guy

went to take a few pics...
rock' roll up the hills....strong winds !!!
 
jean-guy

bonsoir !!!
 
different post today !!!
 
yesterday , got info to go to the dealership today ....so , i went ...
just want to say  MERCI to those who participated or involved into this....
very nice gift .....more than happy ...even blushing ...
the girl at the dealership seemed nervous to see me....but nice person ...
 
then ,went to see one my sister for  45 mins....on my way back  i thought...maybe i should stop again at the dealership and ask the girl for a pic outside together....but sadly , she was gone for diner ....
 
so , many thank you again ....very kind of you !!!
they say ....a pic worth a thousand words....im posting only one !!!....
 
merci 
 
jean-guy