arubenstein Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Hello, Drove up for a quick three day trip. 12/27/13 - Drive from NJ to Escapade in Shawinigan was smooth, dry, and uneventful. First time at the Escapade, it is a great place. Nice rooms, very easy access (like 50 feet off the Autoroute), good parking, very good trail access. Got in a little late so we hunkered down and got some sleep. 12/28/13 - Shawinigan - La Tuque - Relay 22 - Roberval (Local - 23 - 360 - 355 - 73 - 83 - 373 - Local) - Overall a good day. Shawnigan area trails were great; 355/pipeline was ina really good shape foer this early (no washouts at all). La Tuque did not smell as bad as it normally does. The 'new' 73 is a good trail, except for all the twigs sticking out of the ground. Got to relay 22 around 7p and decided to press on to Roberval after some soup and a sandwich. 83 to Roberval is a great trail like usual, but the amount of twigs sticking out of the ground was ridiculous. They need to send a brush hog down there! 265 miles. 12/29/13 - Roberval - Dolbeau - Jonquiere (Local - 373 - 93 - 367 - 383) - Woke up to a snow storm. Snowed all day. Lots of fun. Trails were great. Decided on a short day to get to Delta and have a filet mignon and La Barillet. We encountered "frozen drizzle" 20 miles from Jonquiere which was the craziest thing. It was 0 degrees outside, and it felt like it was sleeting or icing, but whatever it was doing would stick to the helmet sheild and freeze. Had to scrape it off with the gas cap! 156 miles. 12/30/13 - Jonquiere - Etape - St Raymond - Shawinigan (383 - 369 - 23 - 73 - 353 -23 - Local) - Like usual, the Parc was awesome. l'etape was very busy however, had to wait on line for some chicken. But the trails everywere were great. It was cold enough we had to use the St. Raymond club warming hut to thaw out. It was -17F when we go to the truck around 8p. 270 miles. Overall, 734 miles over mostly good trais. They need to do some trail maintenance on 73 and 83 near Relay 22, but that might fix itself with traffic or more snow. But the twigs were horrendous. For this early in the season, the conditions were out of this world. They had more snow then I've seen in the last couple years. If you haven't been to Canada yet, this may be the year to go, Heading back up to possibly do the Gaspe or Chibougamou loop on 1/13. Will report back! Pictures with a map: https://picasaweb.google.com/112509202456692692708/20131227Snowmobiling?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWR1enTrpjpugE If anyone wants a KMZ file (it won't let me upload it for some crazy reason) let me know and I will send it to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Nice run, outstanding for December! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Nice run, outstanding for December! X2 !!! Love your report !!! Had a good laught at your: La Tuque did not smell as bad as it normally does..... you're right !!! thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scranton1 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Great report and pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Good report. I've been wondering how the new 73 is. Sounds like once the undergrowth is gone it will be an improvement over last year. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
im4snow Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hello, Drove up for a quick three day trip. 12/27/13 - Drive from NJ to Escapade in Shawinigan was smooth, dry, and uneventful. First time at the Escapade, it is a great place. Nice rooms, very easy access (like 50 feet off the Autoroute), good parking, very good trail access. Got in a little late so we hunkered down and got some sleep. 12/28/13 - Shawinigan - La Tuque - Relay 22 - Roberval (Local - 23 - 360 - 355 - 73 - 83 - 373 - Local) - Overall a good day. Shawnigan area trails were great; 355/pipeline was ina really good shape foer this early (no washouts at all). La Tuque did not smell as bad as it normally does. The 'new' 73 is a good trail, except for all the twigs sticking out of the ground. Got to relay 22 around 7p and decided to press on to Roberval after some soup and a sandwich. 83 to Roberval is a great trail like usual, but the amount of twigs sticking out of the ground was ridiculous. They need to send a brush hog down there! 265 miles. 12/29/13 - Roberval - Dolbeau - Jonquiere (Local - 373 - 93 - 367 - 383) - Woke up to a snow storm. Snowed all day. Lots of fun. Trails were great. Decided on a short day to get to Delta and have a filet mignon and La Barillet. We encountered "frozen drizzle" 20 miles from Jonquiere which was the craziest thing. It was 0 degrees outside, and it felt like it was sleeting or icing, but whatever it was doing would stick to the helmet sheild and freeze. Had to scrape it off with the gas cap! 156 miles. 12/30/13 - Jonquiere - Etape - St Raymond - Shawinigan (383 - 369 - 23 - 73 - 353 -23 - Local) - Like usual, the Parc was awesome. l'etape was very busy however, had to wait on line for some chicken. But the trails everywere were great. It was cold enough we had to use the St. Raymond club warming hut to thaw out. It was -17F when we go to the truck around 8p. 270 miles. Overall, 734 miles over mostly good trais. They need to do some trail maintenance on 73 and 83 near Relay 22, but that might fix itself with traffic or more snow. But the twigs were horrendous. For this early in the season, the conditions were out of this world. They had more snow then I've seen in the last couple years. If you haven't been to Canada yet, this may be the year to go, Heading back up to possibly do the Gaspe or Chibougamou loop on 1/13. Will report back! Pictures with a map: https://picasaweb.google.com/112509202456692692708/20131227Snowmobiling?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWR1enTrpjpugE If anyone wants a KMZ file (it won't let me upload it for some crazy reason) let me know and I will send it to you. Nice report and pics. I have essentially the same truck/trailer combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Great report Alex. Thanks. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arubenstein Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Good report. I've been wondering how the new 73 is. Sounds like once the undergrowth is gone it will be an improvement over last year. Jack Yeah, scorpionbowl said the same to me. I think the trail would be great, if either they would put a sickle bar on the front of the groomer drag, or send a brush hog down there in the spring. If someone has the hardware, I would absolutely donate the time and even the fuel to drive it to clean the trails. And I am serious. Something else I forgot is that when we crossed the river in Shawinigan Monday night, there was a drag frozen into the edge of the river. The owner at the Escapade who is apparently involved with the club told us that a groomer and drag fell through the ice and the groomer driver was in the hospital. Also, Is hould have mentioned we were going to take the river up to Mekinac, but went about a mile or so and decided against only because it was pretty rough and bumpy. It was staked, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclelan Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 A cold frosty night and the drag will cut a lot of those little bushes off. Another foot of snow will help too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Nice report,sounds like awesome early conditions can't wait to get there myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 12/28/13 - Shawinigan - La Tuque - Relay 22 - Roberval (Local - 23 - 360 - 355 - 73 - 83 - 373 - Local) - Overall a good day. Shawnigan area trails were great; 355/pipeline was ina really good shape foer this early (no washouts at all). La Tuque did not smell as bad as it normally does. The 'new' 73 is a good trail, except for all the twigs sticking out of the ground. Got to relay 22 around 7p and decided to press on to Roberval after some soup and a sandwich. 83 to Roberval is a great trail like usual, but the amount of twigs sticking out of the ground was ridiculous. They need to send a brush hog down there! 265 miles. Do you remember how many miles/Klms the new trail is form La Tuque to Relais 22 and how long it took you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arubenstein Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Do you remember how many miles/Klms the new trail is form La Tuque to Relais 22 and how long it took you? I created a "garmin adventure" - first time. here it is: http://adventures.garmin.com/en-US/by/arubenstein/la-tuque-to-relay-22/#.UsYLcbRVV_g It shows it to be 98.7 miles. This is from the restaurant in La Tuque to the gas pump at relay 22. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arubenstein Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 I created a "garmin adventure" - first time. here it is: http://adventures.garmin.com/en-US/by/arubenstein/la-tuque-to-relay-22/#.UsYLcbRVV_g It shows it to be 98.7 miles. This is from the restaurant in La Tuque to the gas pump at relay 22. Tell you what, this garmin adventure thing is nifty. Even tells elevation and shows a profile, and how long it took for us to do it. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Thanks for that Arubenstein really good info there. I am having a little trouble understanding why other sledders here are saying the new trail is shorter than the old, from my past experiences from La Tuque up to Relais 22 was 130klms about 80miles. Your time is about right Arubenstein it usually took us around 3 hours to get to Relais 22 back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actionjack Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Garmin Adventure very cool. Check out how accurate viaexplora is to Arubensteins actual track log http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=Essence&unit=mi&lat=47.754784&lng=-72.839716&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4739226,-7278749,63712,-36124&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=45000,40000,50000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 That's pretty accurate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyKanuc62 Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Garmin Adventure very cool. Check out how accurate viaexplora is to Arubensteins actual track log http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=Essence&unit=mi&lat=47.754784&lng=-72.839716&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4739226,-7278749,63712,-36124&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=45000,40000,50000 Explora is what I use as well and its great, Ive never seen a trail map break a trip down in so much detail. 2 thumbs up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSHM Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Nice report,but by looking at your pics it looks like all the twigs weren't actually on the trail. haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Thanks for the report! Great loop. I love my Garmin Montana & I love ViaExplora especially when I'm supposed to be doing work at the office: http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.211241&lng=-72.006489&zoom=7&force=1&ewaypoints=4657121,-7278236,21608,13647,124831,-50958,48943,91855,33848,-3939,-45178,106465,-84810,-1683,-67866,-59085,-31710,-95890&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000 I gotta check this out (I hope it's ADD-friendly)... http://adventures.garmin.com/en-US/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
im4snow Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Hello, Drove up for a quick three day trip. 12/27/13 - Drive from NJ to Escapade in Shawinigan was smooth, dry, and uneventful. First time at the Escapade, it is a great place. Nice rooms, very easy access (like 50 feet off the Autoroute), good parking, very good trail access. Got in a little late so we hunkered down and got some sleep. 12/28/13 - Shawinigan - La Tuque - Relay 22 - Roberval (Local - 23 - 360 - 355 - 73 - 83 - 373 - Local) - Overall a good day. Shawnigan area trails were great; 355/pipeline was ina really good shape foer this early (no washouts at all). La Tuque did not smell as bad as it normally does. The 'new' 73 is a good trail, except for all the twigs sticking out of the ground. Got to relay 22 around 7p and decided to press on to Roberval after some soup and a sandwich. 83 to Roberval is a great trail like usual, but the amount of twigs sticking out of the ground was ridiculous. They need to send a brush hog down there! 265 miles. 12/29/13 - Roberval - Dolbeau - Jonquiere (Local - 373 - 93 - 367 - 383) - Woke up to a snow storm. Snowed all day. Lots of fun. Trails were great. Decided on a short day to get to Delta and have a filet mignon and La Barillet. We encountered "frozen drizzle" 20 miles from Jonquiere which was the craziest thing. It was 0 degrees outside, and it felt like it was sleeting or icing, but whatever it was doing would stick to the helmet sheild and freeze. Had to scrape it off with the gas cap! 156 miles. 12/30/13 - Jonquiere - Etape - St Raymond - Shawinigan (383 - 369 - 23 - 73 - 353 -23 - Local) - Like usual, the Parc was awesome. l'etape was very busy however, had to wait on line for some chicken. But the trails everywere were great. It was cold enough we had to use the St. Raymond club warming hut to thaw out. It was -17F when we go to the truck around 8p. 270 miles. Overall, 734 miles over mostly good trais. They need to do some trail maintenance on 73 and 83 near Relay 22, but that might fix itself with traffic or more snow. But the twigs were horrendous. For this early in the season, the conditions were out of this world. They had more snow then I've seen in the last couple years. If you haven't been to Canada yet, this may be the year to go, Heading back up to possibly do the Gaspe or Chibougamou loop on 1/13. Will report back! Pictures with a map: https://picasaweb.google.com/112509202456692692708/20131227Snowmobiling?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWR1enTrpjpugE If anyone wants a KMZ file (it won't let me upload it for some crazy reason) let me know and I will send it to you. Thx for this report. I'd like to do the same loop later in Jan. I'm trying to cut back the mileage one day 1.....and put the mileage into day 2. Do you know the approx mileage saved if you stay at Relay 22, RATHER than going all the way to Roberval on day 1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid Range Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 im4snow.......Relais22-Roberval is 90 miles approx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
im4snow Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 im4snow.......Relais22-Roberval is 90 miles approx. Thank you Mid Range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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