benz500 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Trip Report - 2/21- 2/24 Just wanted to share our latest ride report. We have been riding in Quebec for 10 years, approx 3 trips per season. We have always ridden in the Chaudiere-Appalaches, Charlevoix, Lac-st Jean, Mt. Valin regions/areas. Due to lower than average snow amounts and trail conditions in this area,(according to the reports) we decided to take a trip to Western side of quebec in the Lanaudiere/Laurentians area. All the reports and trail conditions showed excellent/good, so we decided to go for it. Day 1 2/21/2013 Started from Lac Carling Resort in Grenville la Rouge(Pine Hill) area. The resort was very nice. Arrived Wed afternoon to approx 10-12" of fluffy snow from Tues evening into Wed. Left on sleds at 8am from hotel, we had to break trail in 1-2 feet of snow to local trail #317-pretty fun stuff. By the way there is 3-4 feet of snow in this area easily. Took 317 to 43 toward Mt. Laurier. Trails were ok 7/10, we then hit a section of railroad tracks for about 15-20 km that were 9/10 and fast. At this point I'm realizing trail markings are not real great with trail number that your on and distances did not seem accurate. Alot of signs give destinations with arrows but no distances. Arrived in Mt. Laurier with about 200 miles on sleds for the day so decided to go check out Devils Mtn, sign said 43 km. Trail to Devils Mtn was horrible, bumpy and moisture in air froze on shield even with a heated shield. Took different trail down towards Comfort inn and it was alot more than 43 km, again no distances on signs. Comfort Inn was busy, provided locks for sleds and security camera on tv in room to see your sleds. Day 2 2/22/2013 Left Comfort Inn at about 7:30 am wanting to get on fresh groomed trails before the crowd, heading on trail 13 north to 33 east to 345 to St Michel des Saints. To our suprise these major Quebec trails were not groomed in days. Made it to Meekos lodge at 11am, not open for lunch until noon, guy said there was a club house 30km, so we headed on. Trails from Meekos were really nice for 15-20 miles, never saw club house. Neede fuel, so we decided to get fuel in MANAWAN- rode down side of road into a small small village to a gas station/store- we saw 6 sleds there in front of pumps with riders standing around. Was informed no gas, truck coming in 1/2 hour. ok no problem. Realized the village was all native indian, just like an episode of Alaska state troopers- omg never seen anything like it. 1 hour later was informed gas truck was stuck in Saint Michel des Saints. At this point i knew things were gonna get interesting. Closest gas was Repos approx 30 km away but wer arrived on low fuel light blinking on sled. Gas attendent called repos and said they wouldnt let a truck come fill up gas and bring it back??? Long story short another gas truck arrived 5 hours later, yes we sat on our sleds outside for 5 long hours. Then another hour for gas truck to finally get situated and pump gas into tanks- NIGHTMARE!!!!!! Arrived at 1pm left Manawan about 7pm. Well we had plenty of time to figure out that St Michel des Saints was 80 km from Manawan according to the map. Trail from Manawan was the absolute worst trail we have ever rode, whoopdie doo bumps like a motorcross track for a good 40-50 miles- no lie. Well, again trails not groomed for seemed like weeks, poor ass trail markings and 80 km to Saint Michel was like 100 miles....WTF !!!! Arrived at Hotel Cental at 9:45pm ate dinner because we found out our hotel Auberge Villegiature Matawinie was over the mountain about 20 - 25 km, the nightmare on the trail continued after dinner, poorly marked signs, then an arrow pointing to hotel was a trail opening with a foot of fresh snow, had to break trail, what a way to end the day. Worst day of snowmobiling we have ever experienced. Gas problem you cant control, trail conditions should be excellent/good with amount of snow there. All trail reports indicated excellent- 4-5 stars and green. POOR POOR POOR. Really thought about flat bedding our sleds back to original hotel. Body at this point is in bad shape due to the AWFUL BUMPY TRAILS. Day 3 2/23/2013 Left hotel at 7:45am headed for Lac Carling- original starting point- THANK GOD, so we figure well they had to groom Friday night. Got on main trail heading south arrived at La Cabbannon?? for fuel, trail was groomed, but because they let trails get so bad a freshly groomed trail was at best a 7/10 at 8:00 am. Took 33 south, I think, who knows, rode 20 miles and only saw 1 trail marker that said 33, warmer temps, wet falling snow, high traffic area, poor trail conditions to start with led to pretty sloppy trails once again. After lunch, continued on lousy marked trails and poor trail conditions, finally made it to trail #3, but there was 3 directions of trails, none of them clearly marked number 3, had to ask some locals that knew what direction to go---thank god Had to ride to the end of trail #3 then to 317 local back to the hotel. Saw a sign for Lac Carling said 31 km, rode 25 km, then saw sign for Lac Carling that said 25km, you do the math, does not calculate properly, leading to fuel issues once again. Anyway finally made it back, lat 10 miles to hotel were the best trails that we rode. Trip toal miles: 746 Groomed Trails: maybe 100 miles Snowmobiling is always an adventure, never any guarantees. We will never ever ride this area of Quebec again. Its a shame because the snow amount in this area is easily 3-4 feet. What a shame the grooming and trail map distances and trail markings are so poor. I would really like the directors of all areas in this region resposible for updating trail conditions to go ride them and really see what they are like before listing trails as excellent/good when they are barely acceptable. Sorry for the venting, I just want to give an honest accurate ride/trail report so another group does not experience what we did. I understand the Chaudierre Apalaches, Charlevoix, Lac St Jean, Mt Valin got good snow. If you are undecided, trust me go there, I know they do a much better job with a 1/4 of the snow. You will have accurate trail distances and great trail markings, and with any snow at all the trails will certainly be groomed. Good luck wherever you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT Rider Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Wow it looks like you got handed a bag of lemons this trip. I find that conditions can sometimes change drastically day to day. Some days you just got to roll with the punches. That was a heck of a wait for gas and Manawan to boot. Did you take 33 south from Manawan? It was closed for logging. Thanks for the report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi Benz, We have all had those bad days or in your case a bad trip. I think we get accustomed to the trails that we normally ride and don't need signs or distances posted. We know that it is so many miles or klicks to the next gas stop and don't rely on the signs like someone new to the area would. I've noticed mileage markers being off but then I think and remember that the trail was re-routed and the signs weren't updated. I'm not making up excuses but things like that do happen. Good luck on future trips and this bad one will become a distant memory. Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benz500 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 I cant remember exactly from Manawan, 3 of the other guys waiting for fuel with us, 1 of the guys worked for the FCMQ, even was wearing the jacket, he was pretty upset with the trail conditions, once we left Manawan we followed him because his group was heading to Saint Michel des Saints as well. He was on a newer Apex, other 2 guys on older sleds, so we took the lead because our sleds were better equipped suspension wise to endure the brutal bumps. So Im not sure the trail # we took to SMDS, and i would have noticed a trail marker because believe me I was looking for them, might of missed the trail marker with my head bouncing like a bobble head from the bumps. I do not remember seeing a trail marked closed?? the locals in Manawan were very impressed with the LED lights on our sled, in fact I think the entire village came to see the LED's throughout the 6 hour wait for gas. What a experience. The owner of the gas station/local grocery store did everything she could and made sure the snowmobiles got gas first before any of the local vehicles, which were mostly 4 wheelers. Again, we love riding in Canada, because of the superior trails, just wasn't the right timing of our trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Sorry for your trip problems benz500. I avoid Manawan & Wemontaci like the plague. Last resort only. Like Alain (towing) said elsewhere: new snow + warm temps + heavy weekend traffic = BUMPS! How right that equation proves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
600IQHO Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 I think you took 33 south from Manawan to SMDS, as GT Rider stated this trail has been ungroomed and closed most of the season. I believe it had also been marked closed unless someone removed the signs. Sorry to hear about all the bad luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stupe Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Benz500 - We just did a spur of the moment weekend trip around the same loop you just did, except we were at Manawan on Saturday (thank goodness they had gas). Trails around Meekos were great. Everything from Manawan toward St. Zenon area and South was total crap. We had the same signage issues you did (worst I've ever seen). Our day was 368 miles and 50% of it was whooped up. I normally never go to this region for a reason and I just reminded myself why... Oh well, still had fun. Got a great workout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actionjack Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 At least your truck and personal stuff was where you left it when you got back. I've had bad luck the last 2 years in terms of grooming timing myself. I have always noticed the distance inconsistencies on my trips. Obviously there are numerous signs that are put out and at times I'll bet they don't wind up in the same location as when there were first given the distance. I have never been to QC without a GPS and this year I added a data package to my phone and used iMotoneige when in doubt and that worked very well to see the updated trails to know which direction and have an idea of distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi Jack, How are you making out with all the insurance companies with the comprehensive losses? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNH Hockey Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 when you ride The northern trails you absolutely need to carry extra fuel. I ride a Vector and carry 3 extra gallons of fuel. If you get to Clova on fumes and the tank is empty you are screwed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benz500 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Stupe, Well Im glad someone else can validate my venting, not that I'm glad you endured the horrific trails we did, but at least I know I'm not alone on this one. Like I mentioned, even the groomed trails were a 7/10 at best, because there is no way those trails can recover with their current grooming schedule. Maybe a foot of snow and grooming immediately after, then another 6-10" of snow and another immediate groom might get those trails to a 9/10. I hope thats the case for future riders. UNH Hockey: Carrying 3 gallons of fuel would not have gotten me to the next closest gas station Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actionjack Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi Jack, How are you making out with all the insurance companies with the comprehensive losses? Tom Can't be made whole even financially but everyone will be OK. 1 ordered new truck already - its a real beater by the way. The other driver was getting grief but he won't be denied. Due to deductibles personal effects are a total loss for some. I expect be reimbursed for personal effects minus my deductible. Expensive lessons learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNH Hockey Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hey Benz I am not busting your balls. The point I am trying to make is at least it gives you options. I figure 3 gallons will get me 50 miles. That is enough to get to Repos or down the plowed dirt road to SMDS. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Benz! Get a lottery ticket! Your luck is BOUND to change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpysanta Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 THE RIDE FROM HELL somtimes there is just no choice .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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