Trail Conditions 2010

[Mid Range]

Arrived 3:30 in Mattagami, conditions were perfect ten from Chibougamou across. When we left trail 93 and got on 396 to go north to Matagami, about 35 miles just so so, ruts mostly, and other 60 miles very nice. After arrival we explored around for awile, trails going out of town headed west look awesome.

270 miles today.

Hi Jak, miss seeing you on the trail,. Haven;t seen Rob this year, not much last year. Don t know what he s up to,

Time for you to get another sled and go riding!

Mike

cool stuff....I'd like to know if Matagami-Villebois stretch is open coz according to FCMQ website,it's says Joutel-Villebois "closed".Keep us informed.Unless you cut across via local trail down to ste-dominique

tanx

Edited February 5, 2010 by Mid Range

[coldsmoke1]

I feel bad hijacking the thread...

We are waiting for my brothers Canadian paperwork to come back from the consulate. They keep requesting more forms.

What day are you going up and where in Mil. are you staying?

GutZ

im leaving sat night get there early sun

i havent road out of mil yet so not shour where im leaving the truck

you have any input on where i could leave it for a week

[jak]

Hi Jak, miss seeing you on the trail,. Haven;t seen Rob this year, not much last year. Don t know what he s up to,

Time for you to get another sled and go riding!

Mike

I miss riding Mike but circumstances prevent it. I will be back at some point. Brings back fond memories when reading these posts. You have a safe trip.

[Saguenay Bill]

racersinc and I rode 215 miles today. Had lunch at the "Truck Stop". Best lunch in town for $10.11, 5 course meal, all homemade, can't beat it. Temp was 0F when we left and +7F when we got back at 4:30. Trails were great.

[MrGutz]

im leaving sat night get there early sun

i havent road out of mil yet so not shour where im leaving the truck

you have any input on where i could leave it for a week

NEOC at the Twin Pines area has a good lot and it's way out of the way, but right at the Twin Pines Offices. They may let you. We are going to be at the Baxter Inn. Let me know what you are leaving and i'll try to watch it while we are there. Give both a call.

GutZ

[NCsledder]

Hey Bill and y'all up in Saguenay.

First post for me to QuebecRider although I have been a lurker for a couple of years now. We're the Southern US QuebecRider contingent - a North Carolina/South Carolina/Maryland trio who fly up each winter and do sled rentals. Past years we've focused around Quebec City but thanks to finding QuebecRider and reading Bill's and everyone's reports we based out of the HI for a week last February. Had a great time exploring around Valin. We're headed up to the HI 2/18/10 and looking forward to exploring around the Lake, La Baie and the new summits routes.

Keep up the great reports!

NCsledder

[Saguenay Bill]

Hey Bill and y'all up in Saguenay.

First post for me to QuebecRider although I have been a lurker for a couple of years now. We're the Southern US QuebecRider contingent - a North Carolina/South Carolina/Maryland trio who fly up each winter and do sled rentals. Past years we've focused around Quebec City but thanks to finding QuebecRider and reading Bill's and everyone's reports we based out of the HI for a week last February. Had a great time exploring around Valin. We're headed up to the HI 2/18/10 and looking forward to exploring around the Lake, La Baie and the new summits routes.

Keep up the great reports!

NCsledder

Some of the Team Butt Paste guys are from GA and NC. You guys ought to get together.

[Saguenay Bill]

racersinc and I rode 230 miles today. Went down to the lookout in L Anse St Jean, lunch at Frangale. Weather was +5F when we left, +7F when we got back in at 4:30. Trails were real good but beginning to show signs of a busy Sat. Suppose to get snow and 20-30 KM winds tomorrow. Might be a wild wooly day here in PARADISE tomorrow.

[182ray]

Today we rode from Cochrane to Abiti canyon to smooth rock falls then to timmins at a nice place had bison for dinner being a PEta member sure is delicious headed back to Quebec tomorrow

[NCsledder]

Some of the Team Butt Paste guys are from GA and NC. You guys ought to get together.

Cool! Now that's a drive!

[Saguenay Bill]

Cool! Now that's a drive!

They fly to CT, meet up with buddies and then drive up.

[Flyin Brian]

Hey Bill and y'all up in Saguenay.

First post for me to QuebecRider although I have been a lurker for a couple of years now. We're the Southern US QuebecRider contingent - a North Carolina/South Carolina/Maryland trio who fly up each winter and do sled rentals. Past years we've focused around Quebec City but thanks to finding QuebecRider and reading Bill's and everyone's reports we based out of the HI for a week last February. Had a great time exploring around Valin. We're headed up to the HI 2/18/10 and looking forward to exploring around the Lake, La Baie and the new summits routes.

Keep up the great reports!

NCsledder

I'm the one from Georgia Bill is referring to. Originally from Connecticut. Not sure where you'd fly into but I fly into CT and we drive up to St. Foy which is about 20 or so miles to the west of Quebec City and about 10 miles or so from the Quebec Airport. We all have our own sleds and usually leave from the hotel we stay at but when people go with us and need to rent, we've rented from SM Sport in Loretteville. They rent Yamaha's and have direct access to trail #3. They also have saddle bags if you need them. From there we head to the Holiday Inn, either through E'tape to the HI (about 200 miles) or the longer way on 3 to 83 to HI (about 250 miles). Once at the HI we stay there for a few nights and explore Mont Valin and surrounding areas. The last night we usually head down to the Casino in Clermont. That then leaves us about 130 miles the last day and we hit the truck between 1 and 2. We then have about a 7 1/2 hour drive back and my and the guy from NC fly back the following morning. We will actually be sledding up to the HI on Feb 13 and will be there on the 14-16 so it looks like we'll miss you. Good luck.

Brian

[Saguenay Bill]

racersinc, kmkm, Michigan Rev, Al, Larry, Mark and I rode 200 miles today. We went to Scooby Raid for coffee, lunch at Onatchiway, coffee at Lac Joli campground. Trials were great. Just another day in PARADISE.

[Snowbound]

Today we rode from Cochrane to Abiti canyon to smooth rock falls then to timmins at a nice place had bison for dinner being a PEta member sure is delicious headed back to Quebec tomorrow

So there is enough snow in that area? Snow report looks like it would be very limited. Was it good the entire way on the 93 until you crossed into Ontario? Thanks for the info. We are considering leaving from St. Raymond this Friday and heading across the 93 from La Dore over to Val Dor and then back the 83 but may dip into Ontario as well if that is good.

Thanks Again!

Edited February 8, 2010 by Snowbound

[182ray]

Snowbound,

Not a lot of snow but enough. Some areas very good snow, really up and down as we traveled. Another rain or warm spell would ba a disaster. But 95% of our trip has been awesome trails. Trails were excellent except a few spots arouind Mattagami. Once out fo the Mattagami region. Trails were excellent all the way across to Cochrane, Alibiti Canyon and Timmins. Trails were smooth in Royan Normanda area but we were hitting rocks under the snow in this area. Tomorrow we go thru Val Dor and heading east. We have heard Val Dor is good. May not have a computer to use tomorrow.

Mike

[NCsledder]

I'm the one from Georgia Bill is referring to. Originally from Connecticut. Not sure where you'd fly into but I fly into CT and we drive up to St. Foy which is about 20 or so miles to the west of Quebec City and about 10 miles or so from the Quebec Airport. We all have our own sleds and usually leave from the hotel we stay at but when people go with us and need to rent, we've rented from SM Sport in Loretteville. They rent Yamaha's and have direct access to trail #3. They also have saddle bags if you need them. From there we head to the Holiday Inn, either through E'tape to the HI (about 200 miles) or the longer way on 3 to 83 to HI (about 250 miles). Once at the HI we stay there for a few nights and explore Mont Valin and surrounding areas. The last night we usually head down to the Casino in Clermont. That then leaves us about 130 miles the last day and we hit the truck between 1 and 2. We then have about a 7 1/2 hour drive back and my and the guy from NC fly back the following morning. We will actually be sledding up to the HI on Feb 13 and will be there on the 14-16 so it looks like we'll miss you. Good luck.

Brian

Brian,

I live in NC, my brother in SC. We used to live in North Bay, ON and picked up the bug there. We've flown either into Quebec City or into Burlington, VT. Last 2 years have been VT (much cheaper), but the 7 hour drive smokes a sled day so it's Quebec City this year. Last year we stayed at the HI and rented Yamis from BDL Sports Loisirs in Chicoutimi Nord. You all cover a lot more ground than we do and sounds like you've got it nailed. With what you've described we might in the future look at renting out of Quebec and saddlebag north and back - sounds like that would be a great run.

Thanks for the info!

Richard

[JToys]

Brian,

I live in NC, my brother in SC. We used to live in North Bay, ON and picked up the bug there. We've flown either into Quebec City or into Burlington, VT. Last 2 years have been VT (much cheaper), but the 7 hour drive smokes a sled day so it's Quebec City this year. Last year we stayed at the HI and rented Yamis from BDL Sports Loisirs in Chicoutimi Nord. You all cover a lot more ground than we do and sounds like you've got it nailed. With what you've described we might in the future look at renting out of Quebec and saddlebag north and back - sounds like that would be a great run.

Thanks for the info!

Richard

NC Sledder, what Brian failed to mention is that he has a full time mechanic and driver on staff, which makes it easy for him and his NC parnter to fly into Hartford. When they get there the truck is warm and waiting when they get off the plane, sleds are trail ready and clean, and a cooler of beer for them in the backseat with dvd's and xbox for entertainment on the ride up. But the pay sucks! LOL!

[Snowbound]

Snowbound,

Not a lot of snow but enough. Some areas very good snow, really up and down as we traveled. Another rain or warm spell would ba a disaster. But 95% of our trip has been awesome trails. Trails were excellent except a few spots arouind Mattagami. Once out fo the Mattagami region. Trails were excellent all the way across to Cochrane, Alibiti Canyon and Timmins. Trails were smooth in Royan Normanda area but we were hitting rocks under the snow in this area. Tomorrow we go thru Val Dor and heading east. We have heard Val Dor is good. May not have a computer to use tomorrow.

Mike

Thanks very much! If you are able to post I would really like to hear how Val Dor is. Are you then taking the 83 all the way across?

Wes

[doo4adoo]

Thanks very much! If you are able to post I would really like to hear how Val Dor is. Are you then taking the 83 all the way across?

Wes

Was in Val D'or this weekend, rode up from the south but trails to Val D'or were great. I assume if they were great below and getting there that they would be as good above.

Mike

[S pump]

Hey there S pump

John tolde me tonight that when I heard from you say hello.

FL, ain`t that the wrong way to be going?

Bill

Yah, wrong way for sure....sometimes you have to sacrifice for the love of a woman...... John left me a note....I've known him for years, great guy, we used to work together and race dirtbikes back a ways...hope to see you soon.

[Flyin Brian]

NC Sledder, what Brian failed to mention is that he has a full time mechanic and driver on staff, which makes it easy for him and his NC parnter to fly into Hartford. When they get there the truck is warm and waiting when they get off the plane, sleds are trail ready and clean, and a cooler of beer for them in the backseat with dvd's and xbox for entertainment on the ride up. But the pay sucks! LOL!

Welcome to the board J Toys, Now get back to work on my Sled and grab some ice for the beer. I'm tired of telling you what to do. As you know the last time, my suspension was soft, my slides were worn, I'm missing a stud, my heated shield outlet doesn't work and my left hand gets cold. WTF

[NCsledder]

NC Sledder, what Brian failed to mention is that he has a full time mechanic and driver on staff, which makes it easy for him and his NC parnter to fly into Hartford. When they get there the truck is warm and waiting when they get off the plane, sleds are trail ready and clean, and a cooler of beer for them in the backseat with dvd's and xbox for entertainment on the ride up. But the pay sucks! LOL!

Yea, I can see where that has it's advantages...

[Saguenay Bill]

kmkm, Al, Larry, Mich Rev, Mark, racersinc and I started out for the the Casino at 7.30. Got to Ferland and our shields were icing up. It was 19F and freezing mist. Got to junction of 393 and 83, after stopping 4 times and decided to bag it. Got back at 3PM, total of 140 miles. Mist stopped about 20 miles from the HI.

[Saguenay Bill]

Today was a I B day here in Paradise. racersinc, Mich Rev, Mark and I did the Tour du Lac-St-Jean. 245 miles, left at 8AM back at 4:30, gased and oiled up. Trails were very good. Started out 22F, got up to 29F back in at 26F. Great, great day.

Yesterday I forgot to mention that there were 2 snowmobile related deaths here this weekend. One was a 31 year old, alcohol and speed related, the other was a 56 year old woman, don't know details. Boys and Girls for God sake don't drink and ride and please slow down. I almost got hit head on today. I'm taking a corner with my right ski in the bushes and I meet a sled on my side in the curve. RIDE RIGHT and slow down, please.

Bill

[jtktm]

Today was a I B day here in Paradise. racersinc, Mich Rev, Mark and I did the Tour du Lac-St-Jean. 245 miles, left at 8AM back at 4:30, gased and oiled up. Trails were very good. Started out 22F, got up to 29F back in at 26F. Great, great day.

Yesterday I forgot to mention that there were 2 snowmobile related deaths here this weekend. One was a 31 year old, alcohol and speed related, the other was a 56 year old woman, don't know details. Boys and Girls for God sake don't drink and ride and please slow down. I almost got hit head on today. I'm taking a corner with my right ski in the bushes and I meet a sled on my side in the curve. RIDE RIGHT and slow down, please.

Bill

We hear you Bill. Two deaths down here in NH last week also. Any reports on Trail 73 to 355 up to 83 to the lake from St Raymond? Coming back soon and want to take the longer route up to the HI. Thanks Jim