towing Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Saturday morning, November 30 2013 , partially cloudy , -25C at start !!! Here is our 2013-14 season opener ride starting from La Glacière in St- Zenon ! Stef took the opportunity to break-in his new cat with Krikri and I We had begin our sled seasons there for years and are very familiar with the area. I even ride the majority of these trails by motorcycle in summer so I know exactly what the base looks like and what to expect with around 30cm to the ground after the first dozer pass. I took care to install an old set of carbides under my skis knowing well that we would grind some rocks.Our choice of trail was also inspired by our knowledge of the area to avoid the most rocky places. Here is the trail path we did on Saturday : So we start on the trail # 350 in front of La Glacière . The trail was pretty bumpy in the first miles because of the ruff base ground, almost no sand despite the lack of snow. This is season beginning , the trail is not wide and it is normal to have branches in some spots that will disappear after a few dozer passes Here the trail #23 intersection . We went straight and continued on #350 towards Koubec For those who had doubted that this section of trail would be open this year, it is now confirmed: it is open for the season ! Here on a section with a forest road base, riding great! The cold was really biting for a first ride in November. It gives very nice scenery ... Still on forest road base, riding great with little rocks .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted December 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 The trail was very hardened by the night cold, enough that I had to lower my scratchers to get some lube to prevent my new slides from sticking The second half of the trail to Koubec have a more rough base that give a more rugged trail conditions. We did it more slowly ... Here a small swamp that have freeze back overnight ... I remember this same place had forced the dozer to double back at season’s beginning later in december 2 years ago. Slowly, it's the beginning of the season ... But the scenery is beautiful Yep, the Koubec is still there and they are already open! We then went on the # 345 trail towards the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve . The trails are on flat sumer roads so it came back beautiful There will be some wood cut in the reserve this winter that will change the usual paths of trails. There was therefore for the moment a 5 miles to do on a rougher trail base... has to ride slowly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted December 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 It then got back on a wide trail There was only there a 200' where the snow had been swept out on a mountain top For the rest, very good on a forest road base up to Cabanon It's pretty even, around a foot of snow they have throughout the area ... Me doing a good action in removing a large dangerous stone. Don’t be surprised if you go , I have not removed all them!!! Snow is not all on the ground ... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted December 1, 2013 Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 Thanks towing for the great report. I ALWAYS enjoy your reports. Let's hope this is the beginning of a very long and good season. Safe trails my friend. Shane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted December 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2013 The last miles before reconnecting #23trail were pretty fast even the if the snow cover was still thin And we arrive at the Cabanon in St- Zenon around 11:15 . We decided to eat there early and refuel before getting back on trail #23 towards the bridge over the Mattawin river The first miles into the wood were ruff because of trail base But once you're back on the reserve forest road it get back beautiful Here is the “Bouteille” entrance of the Mastigouche reserve There was a little traffic here but the sand tend to mix on some spots The trail to the dam was not groomed yet when we got there but anyway, knowing that it is a more rocky section especially at the approach of the dam, is a much wiser choice to head to the bridge of the Matawin river. The trees were snow loaded in an incredible way ... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana11 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Very nice report ...love the pic's looks like a good start.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted December 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 In this magical winter scenery, our enthusiasm easily takes over ... but the thin snow cover quickly brings us back to reality : BRRRRAAAAAP BRRRRAAAAAP BRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP..BANG!!! with the skip loop jumping in the air... ok,ok ! ! Brap .. brap .... And we arrived to the bridge We continued ... The #360 trail to the dam was the best section of the day, very very nice and we were able to open the throttle a bit ... We then turned west on around lake path ( still trail # 360) I knew it was a little rocky a couple miles from start but then very nice and fast up to #33 junction . From there , we knew that the conditions would have been much worse if we had continued ... So we stayed in the most beautiful section retracing our steps back to Cabanon. We just did a small hook at the dam the time of a picture … Despite the limited circulation (we did not crossed many snowmobile in the day) it was already a bit less good on our return. We did a last fuel up at Cabanon before getting back by #23 trail to our starting point at 4:45 p.m. with a total of 195miles on the dreammeter. In summary, this is a very nice early start to the season. Being able to open trails in November is exceptional!! Of course, the very cold temperature, little traffic and our path choice helped giving us these good conditions Saturday. Clubs are working to enlarge the playground for the next days and to complete the preparation of the trails. More details available here: http://snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions but we have to be realistic that these are still early season’s conditions for the moment. The base is thin and not very strong and the rocks are near . It’s not necessarily conditions for everybody, perfect for some peoples and not ready yet for others ... in any case it‘s not a good idea to try brand new ski runners there at this time. Temperature and precipitation coming in the next days/weeks will be decisive for the progression of the trail conditions… it was anyway amazing to get those conditions on a November 30 this year!!!promising for the next… Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted December 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Thanks towing for the great report. I ALWAYS enjoy your reports. Let's hope this is the beginning of a very long and good season. Safe trails my friend. Shane My pleasure Shane, i'm happy to share a bit of the fun we had there!!! Very nice report ...love the pic's looks like a good start.... Very nice start for this time of the year. It break even with my precedent record for my first ride on groomed trails on a 30 november in 2008... hoping the best for the rest of the season Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Nice first run, looks like a good time for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Great Report as always Alain, looking pretty good so far. Like you say the weeks upcoming will be interesting to see. This week shows 2 days with Rain or Snow. Let's hope its snow. Brown snow is normal near Le Cabanon. No doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
im4snow Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Thx for sharing....great pics and report. Now my appetite is definitely wet!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha Jim Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Excellent report with terrific pictures. Thank you very much. Reports like this provide a terrific incentive to be POSITIVE about the possibility of a wonderful season. I am praying for a wonderful season across the entire region! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brdgbldr85 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Great report Towing, Can,t wait for the White Gold all over Quebec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazysnow Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Towing Great as always …. Heading to the Valin next week …I will try and post as much as possible … Thanks for sharing .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scranton1 Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Towing Great report What is the orange thing mounted to ur handlebars? GPS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooright Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Nice first trail report , Great photos I've been looking forward to all summer ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasledgirl Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Scranton, the orange thing is a Spot connect. Alain and Kriki! Great pictures and wonderful report!! And November for a ride!! Like the old days! See you later! Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooright Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Scranton, the orange thing is a Spot connect. Alain and Kriki! Great pictures and wonderful report!! And November for a ride!! Like the old days! See you later! Linda http://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doo4adoo Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Thanks for this report as well as all the others I have read and likely will read over the season. I know its time consuming and you continue to do so with lengthy reports that benefit us all and it is appreciated more than often is said. With luck I will be out in the next 2 weeks as well. Ride safe. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Thanks for posting the pictures, description and excitement of the new season. Look forward to all your reports this winter. mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizz Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Been waiting to read your first report since you mentioned the trails were opened a couple days ago. Well Done! Great start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
600IQHO Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Nice! I was really looking forward to this report. Thank you for all the time you spend to give us these great reports & pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpysanta Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 yes great job ,,like usual .lots of time spent with taking pics. and setup after.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Alain Another in a long list of great reports for conditions and your experiences in Lenaudiere. Your reports are always factual and well illustrated by your many photos. Very much appreciated. Have you seen the new SPOT device that let's you do short emails from the trail??? Kinda neat device that permits you to stay in touch any time you are out of cell tower range. I just replaced my "old" SPOT with one and am looking forward to testing it out this winter. A Bientot, Timbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 Great reporting thank you for sharing Rr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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