monster performance Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 I guess I can be labeled a die hard, ride whats available to the end! I tend to skip on most day trips locally and bunch those into trips to Quebec, Ontario, and other places. I have been to Monts Valin twice this year and 4 times last year. it's a great place to do prime season big day loops and mix in off trail adventures too. 2 of my 4 trips last year here were late march-early april so I figured that now would be a good time as this year there is more snow in the Monts versus last year at same time. 8 hrs of driving and we are a few miles from Valinouet. Snow is scarce and my nerves are heightened. I had good intel from greg-du-vermont and another fella that in elevation it's GOOD, so I relaxed a bit! QUICKLY unloaded the food and gear and told my wife I had to go scout the trails so i could sleep OK, it was 430pm. same cabin as last time with alot less snown in the dooryard, mostly gravel and light rain. scratched out of the lot, up 93 in the rain and 3 miles or so up the trail the rain slowly turns to wet snow and by the time i was 5 miles out, at most, mid winter c'est bon conditions! ripped up to 264 junction, groomed flat, soft, heavy wet snow, no one out. back down to a small lake near powerlines, took a familiar side trail to familiar play areas, PLENTY of snow on powerlines, time to head back. Got back to valinouet, last 5 mins into the cabin is boney.......light rain changing to snow here and at 10pm last night 6+ inches and falling hard, at 9am now on tuesday its windy, light snow. Place is a ghost town and expectations for todays ride (tuesday) to be very good! My wife and I tend to do small loops and she lets me play in areas while she waits for the "oops" to happen.....it's always fun, less stressfull than guys riding sometimes.i have my 146 XP and her 120 and my 120 here too. will report back tonight or tommorrow, staying for 4or 5 days Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazysnow Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Thanks Ian .... Have Fun and be Safe .... looking forward to your reports . Where are you staying ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGutz Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Post some pics! Just to make us all feel bad. GutZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
800steve Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Wait til you get up higher on 93. GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monster performance Posted April 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 APRIL 2ND, REALLY? still snowing decent up here, all day long. 93 out of valinouet to auberge 31, 25 miles, mint condition. tons of powder, pics prove it! off trail is excellent. We broke trail on 262 and 264 looping back to 93 to head to p-lines near the hotel. absolutely amazing, feels like mid winter up here, no complaints! found some several foot deep drifts in spots to launch off, feeder trails to p-lines and small lakes unbroke, i think my 146 was the sled to have today. my 2012 xrs800 wont make it out of the hotel for this trip, too much fun on the summit! 1st pic 93 halfway between valinouet and auberge 2nd pic 262 orange trail, my wife 3rd pic 262 in front of me, then my freeride too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
182ray Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Please don't post any more pics or my wife will have to hind sharp objects from me lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted April 2, 2013 Report Share Posted April 2, 2013 Too much snirt for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Good one Mark. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Dam that looks good, I'm jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazysnow Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 WOW !! Nice. It always amazes me how we second-guess Ourselves sometimes ... Is it that good not sure if I should go. .. Ha Ha. Looks like you really lucked out. Looks awesome. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Crazy sweet Ian! Enjoy for all us depressed folks in the long off-season. Hey Gary...........time to up your meds! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganRev Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 It looks like there is more snow there now than there was when I was there in February. Thanks for taking the time to post for all of us "april internet riders." I think I can speak for most and say, "wish we were there! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzy Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Sweet!!! I hope it holds for the week of 15th for when I will be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasledgirl Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Great pictures and ride report! I am heading out on Friday morning...time to do an April ride for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monster performance Posted April 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 still snowing at 9am wednesday, thats 36+ hrs of snowsqualls here!!! i wouldnt push the 15th to ride here, looks to be a warmup all around the area. i trust the following link pretty well, hasnt let me down in any QC trip, just take it with a grain of salt. mized precip 15 miles down hill in Falardeau sometimes means wet snow here, temp can be 3 to 5 cooler (f) too http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fourteenday/caqc1198/table?ref=tabs_14day_table we would love some sun here but we will take the snow for sure. may stay an extra day, go home saturday and race a local XC race sunday at a ski mountian......my sno-x FINALLY finished this year.....all done! money better spent on trips vs snocross, only too several years to figure that one out! I agree with the guy above, its as good if not better in the mountains than the end of FEB when i was here last. cant ride to saguenay now though or even too far south of valinouet, 93 heading that way was all dirt just a few milesfrom the ski mountain where we are. we have received a foot of blown snow, no way 93 west will be good from here heading towards onatchiway and surrounding side trails, lake trails, camp traisl, p-lines, etc.will report back tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momojohnny Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Looks like Winter is playing an Encore . Anybody want to Go ? I was going to start building boats in my canoe shop this week. But Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasledgirl Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 I am leaving Friday...for somewhere! Not sure yet which way I am going...decide tomorrow (thursday) I am packed, just need to pick a direction. Ian...where do you recommend to stay right now? I would rather drive to the snow than ride my sled through the dirt. Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 (edited) This one is a tad closer to you: http://www.theweathe...abs_14day_table Our latest trip ever was a ride up there April 22, 2001, it was my best year at 6500 miles. The locals rode into May! Looking at the snow and the forecast, mid April to late should all be fine. Mark. Edited April 3, 2013 by markusvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monster performance Posted April 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 PINCH ME! still snowing here, light to moderate. went down to falardeau in the afternoon for more supplies, not much new snow there. once you get 3 to 4 miles before valinouet its back to winter. windy, lots of blowing snow on trails, off trail, simply awesome! we broke trail in 2ft powder on any sde trail we took. main trails,93, tons of powder, BIG drifts in many areas, near whiteout conditions on 267 past bras louis, onatchiway turn off. climbed some big p-lines off 267, next to trail. buried the summit in a 10 ft drift, was insane, rolled it over a couple times to get it out. all trails will need to be groomed by the weekend or any sort of traffic will turn the ripple pillow soft drifts on trails to big moguls in a hurry. jen was having alot of fun today playing near the trail but when i decided to climb a hill, highmark or hit the p-lines for a few minuites she would sit there in the wind blowing snow on a feeder to a play spot. her 120 wont get too far off trail. man am i lucky to have a wife that likes to ride! linda, stay here at valinouet in the little cabins next to gas station, worka deal, its a ghost town here. no dirt here, SO MUCH different than monday afternoon here which was.......dirt for first few miles up the hill, 93 east short video on 267 close to 93 this afternoon http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xj664Bc54A8 and pics of single track we broke today, other trailpics, NOT side trail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hparaptor Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 Nice shots. Thanks, Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzy Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 OMG!! I cannot wait! We would be heading up next week but I need to get the Ottawa Cottage show out of the way and Bucky needs to get the Golf Shop ready. We are a bit nervous having to wait for the week of the 15th but looks like we will be fine. There is a guy from Arnprior, Ont which only rides in that area, he always tells us to come up in May. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monster performance Posted April 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) This one is a tad closer to you: http://www.theweathe...abs_14day_table Our latest trip ever was a ride up there April 22, 2001, it was my best year at 6500 miles. The locals rode into May! Looking at the snow and the forecast, mid April to late should all be fine. Mark. yup, i use that too mark, split the differance between both sites seems to be fair? 730 am thursday-------bluebird day thus far! snow has ended, sun is bright. I was teasing a riding frind of mine from my area with pics and texts, he left at 5am this am, will be here noontime or so! Edited April 4, 2013 by monster performance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monster performance Posted April 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 great day of off trail, side trail and breaking trail to local lookouts! no pics, too busy digging out of drifts that will swallow a VW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazysnow Posted April 5, 2013 Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 Lucky ! Enjoy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted April 5, 2013 Report Share Posted April 5, 2013 Soooo jealous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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