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2023 Jack & Sandi's Trips

revct1

By revct1,
in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean

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revct1 Proficient

revct1

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Hello all snowmobilers and arm chair riders!  Another snowmobile season is here.  I thought it would never come.  It was a busy year at work for Sandi and I but now it is time to enjoy the Quebec winter.

We drove up yesterday, Tuesday the 27th, as we normally do.  A little snow on the ground in St Johnsbury and the further north we went the coverage got better.  A good drive except for 20 miles before Quebec City.  The traffic was very heavy there.  It took an hour to get from St Apollinaire thru Quebec City which would normally be 20 minutes.  After that, the drive thru the Park was nice.  We are at Hotel Sagueneenne for the week.  A few trailers here and a foot ± of snow on the ground.  Maybe I should say less snow than more.

So it is Wednesday morning and a couple that we spoke with rode Mount Valin yesterday and said the mountain was good.  The parking lot at Valinuet is not plowed but you can park there.  They are heading there today.  Sandi and I are going to try riding out of the hotel.  Nothing big today.  Lets go out and stretch our legs a little and get back into the feel of things.

We are on the sleds and out the back of the hotel.  The trail hasn't  been broke but that is typical right after Christmas.  We are expecting 83 to be OK.  On the spur going to 83 by La Cage and behind the businesses, doesn't even have a sled track on it.  We poke thru the parking lots and the sidewalk by Route 175 working our way to the Ultramar station.  We tank up with some fresh fuel and follow the sidewalk behind the tire shop.  A big pine tree fell across the trail.  Turn around and go thru the parking lot behind the tire shop and by pass the tree.  Now we should be all set.  Cross the railroad tracks and we get to 83.  Yuk!  One sled track and nothing else.  Sticks and hay growing up thru the little bit of snow that is here.  This isn't looking good Sandi.  Lets turn around and take the truck and trailer somewhere.

So we are back at the Sagueneenne and loaded up.  In the truck we head to the Delta.  Yes the groomer that lives just down the street from the Delta has been out.  Lets unload here and give it a try.  The Delta is the same as last year with truck parking in the big lot and the fenced in area between the buildings for the sleds.

On the sleds and off we go on 83 west.  The trail has been broke.  Sled tracks on it and the groomer may have made a pass but probably without the drag.  I'll say it is rideable but not good.  No dirt areas but the snow is thin and there is snirt and sticks in the trail.  We turn right on the first local trail that heads up towards Spence SkiDoo.  Some parts are OK but most of it is marginal.  There are other sleds out taking a shot at the early riding.  We loop back to the Delta on 383.

Not our kind of riding.  No sense in beating ourselves up when there maybe better trails across the river on Mount Valin.

Short day today.  Tomorrow we will drive to Valinuet and ride from there.  As much as I would prefer riding out of the hotel, a short trip in the truck to what should be better riding is worth it.

Be safe and ride safe.

Jack & Sandi

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iceman Grand Master

iceman

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Hi Jack and Sandi

everyone i have spoke with riding Mont Valin are either staying on the mountain or trailering up from where you sre. Nothing practical from hotels in town. Not happening yet there. 

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revct1 Proficient

revct1

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Hi Iceman.  Some years are good right from the hotel and other years it is get in the truck and drive over to Valinuet.  This year is an in the truck year.

Hi Gary.  The Delta is looking good.  I've got to make our reservation for February.  You can fill us in on the matters from Great Britain.  See you there.

Hi Steven.  It is good to be here.  We will get some rest and relaxation while away from the hub bub back in the States.

Jack & Sandi

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revct1 Proficient

revct1

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So here it is Thursday morning.  A little snow last night and the forecast is for light snow for most of the day.

Lets not try riding around town again.  That wasn't fun yesterday.  The sleds are in the trailer and ready to go.  Sandi and I jump in the truck and head across the river to the north shore.  What do you think Sandi, should we truck to Valinouet or unload in St Honore?  The snow is a little deeper s we approach St Honore.  Not as much grass sticking up thru.  I pull into the Nutrinor gas station.  The old Sconic that the trail goes thru.

A few trucks already here.  Lets give this a try.  Unload the sleds and top them off with fuel.  A better price here than on the mountain.  More trucks pulling in as we head out on the trail.  The snow cover is better here but still there are bumps in the trail.  It sure feels good to be back on the sleds.  Some good trail some bad trail.  The woods are pretty bumpy but the more open areas that are probably on summer roads are better.

We get to the big junction of 93 and 328.  More snow here but the trail still has some bumps.  Keep heading up 93 Sandi.  When we get to the groomers garage a little ways before Valinouet, the groomer was out last night.  It is better.  Pick up speed and on we go.  A few miles before Vilanouet where the detour around the broken bridge has been, the trail branches to the left and crosses the road.  It picks up the power lines and bypasses Valinouet.  Where the trail comes out on the old 93, Valinouet is 0.5 km to the right.

Keep going Sandi.  Muscle out the bumps.  As we get further away from Valinouet, the trail improves a lot.  This is more like Quebec.  Good trail all the way to the La Chapelle.  Boy is this place packed.  Every mountain sled and trail sled must be here.

We order and the food comes out pretty quick.  Our go to lunch, we split a club sandwich.  Of course there are fries.  The food was good but trying to pay was slow.  The waitress took our order from the table but now everyone is standing in line placing orders and the customers that are finished like me, are trying to pay.  Suggestion:  Ask the waitress if you can pay when you place your order.

Back on the trail and we head down 93 the same way we came up.  Typical trail 93, it is always worse in the afternoon.  Today is no exception.  What was good on the way up is now bumpy heading  back.  There were a lot of sleds at lunch but not much traffic on the trail.

It snowed lightly all day.  A few more inches.  The rough sections are going to need a good dump to fill in all the holes.

The forecast is for above freezing Friday and Saturday here in town with some rain on Friday, tomorrow.  Not sure what we are going to do.  Here it is 5:30 pm and only one other trailer in the lot.  Is it too early or did everyone else head home?

We will talk tomorrow.

Jack & Sandi

http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_12/IMG_0560.thumb.JPG.b4b733b83ed1f7f2d43bf14d9fd253d3.JPG

http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_12/IMG_0561.thumb.JPG.990d634aa11385fbdb3fa53fcbc1ed32.JPG

Edited by revct1
Learning how to insert pics
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groomer Experienced

groomer

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17 minutes ago, revct1 said:

Help.  How do I insert the picture and not just the link?  When I'm editing, I see the picture with the text but when I submit the post, it turns the pic into a link.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

Jack

bonsoir jack and sandi !!!

make sure not to edit your post ...happened to me a few times....if you change something in your post and pics already on your post ....good chances to end up with a link

looks like when editing ....kaputt everything ....

i always post my pics last 

 

jean-guy

DSC_1901.JPG

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jak Proficient

jak

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2 hours ago, revct1 said:

Help.  How do I insert the picture and not just the link?  When I'm editing, I see the picture with the text but when I submit the post, it turns the pic into a link.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

Jack

I suggest laying off the wine! 😁 How's the new sled?

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revct1 Proficient

revct1

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Looking out at the trucks with a glaze of freezing rain on the windshields, I think we are going to take a day off.  I remember to many rides trying to scratch the ice off the shields.

On a good note, the trail map is showing a fair amount of grooming.  The clubs are probably trying to get one drag in before it warms up and freezes.

The bucket is here cleaning up the parking lot.  These operators know how to back drag to move snow.

http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_12/599908847_Sagueneenneparkinglot.thumb.JPG.f61a1c9abd4a47cb0bd7c36b12d33e97.JPG

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800steve Community Regular

800steve

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  Hi Jack and Sandi, we were up in Mt Valin a few weeks ago and the area is way below what we have seen in the past. Dont know if you have ever driven up to Km 31, but its worth the drive early season. The 93 and the Escomin/ Pelchat trail are the best this early. When you go over the big bridge go east on 172 about 15 miles and you will see a big sign and left turn. A little longer drive than the ski area, but takes alot of the traffic and junk trails out.   Good luck and have a great season. Steve

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