towing Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Because it became hard for us to do more milage in a single day, we decided to add a day to our ride! Target: to sleep at Lake Edouard in Mauricie from home near Joliette. Here’s the ride path : Saturday morning , sunny -19C . Our friend Steph joined us on the trail near home The trail was beautiful recently groomed and with the night cold, very very hard. I lowered the scratchers to get some lube and cooling powder for my Venture It gave very fast trails. Here Krikri trying to block the cold air vents ... The # 3 was just perfect , a true highway We followed #3 trail except in Louiseville area where we cut through the trail #63 + #350 + #A3 trails allowing us to remain at about the same distance from St-Laurence river while taking the most direct route to go east Here crossing the St-Maurice river at la Gabelle dam And we arrived at our meeting point on #3trail near Grand-Mère at 10:40. Our buddy Snowcruiser joined us there to share this ride with us We took #351 trail up to St -Tite and head towards St-Joseph de Mekinak. Here the famous river where the trail is slightly diverted after a Dozer took a bath there, end of December ... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 We took a short break at this viewpoint not very far on #360 trail. When we pass there, there were few icy curves and we had to go carefully. We arrived a little past 12:15 for dinner at St-Joseph de Mékinak There were much people at the restaurant and it was a little long . We were not in a hurry and left after having fuel up a bit past 2:00 p.m. Gazoduc direction The clouds were there but the trail was excellent and fast There was only on the new trail section just before the railway bridge where snow was a little brownish . Big HI to BlackjackRX1 and his group that we meet at this place . They made essentially the same ride as us but from Trois-Rivieres .... we have crossed our path several times during these two days Farther on #355 We joined #73 trail that we took to the east. Here close to the junction. Apart from a couple snow drifts along the lake , the trail was also perfect. It was getting too dark for pics ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 We arrived at Lake Edouard around 17:00 . We refueled at the new gas station in the village Then we joined our nest for the night, Le Gite d' Édouard Krikri without his snow suit in our little room The friendly owner Nicole received us very well. Big Hi! to Paulo, another sledder who spent the night there with whom we had a good talk and we ate the delicious roast beef that Nicole had prepared for us! We continued to socialize all evening while a light snow was falling outside, before enjoying a good night 's sleep in this quiet place. Sunday morning , after eating the good big breakfast Nicole made for us, we were setting up to start… We had got a 4-5 inches of new snow overnight so we had a little dusting to do before leaving You can’t go to Lac Édouard without trying the Lake ! So we cut through it and took back the trail after Steph and his cat in action We took back the trail south The decor was extremely snowy Gorgeous! ... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 To change from saturday, instead of keeping on the #355 up to the #73, we took the local trail LT2(orange on the map) which leads directly to the Zec Jeannotte entrance. We had the chance to be the first to hit the new snow ... This trail is on zec road therefore quite fast. Snowcruiser took the lead to enjoy the new snow a bit Then it was our turn to had the pleasure of opening the trail ... And we then left Steph spoil his cat ahead us and we took the end of convoy Too bad the sun was so shy for the there This is an interesting trail, a little twisty in the last miles before the ZEC entrance, otherwise it’s beautiful And we then returned on the #73 The scenery was just beautiful . Temperature was warmer and with new snow it gave pretty slippery trail conditions ... we stirred a lot of snow Sunday ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 There was plenty of snow to the ground in this area The sun came out a bit allowing us to even more appreciate the scenery I put a few more pics of this section, it was really beautiful ... We passed La Marmitte and continued toward Rivière à Pierre Where we stopped to refuel We took a last stretch on the #73 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 and then switched on #353 west . There was a long section where the trail had been plowed before the previous thaw and the trail base was very icy We stopped at the viewpoint a little further , the hill was particularly tough to do two-up in the big bumps but the view was worth it I cooled down Krikri in the snowbank Here on the #23 the icy cliffs really worth the look… The view on the river too Here at the #3/#23 junction it riding well in the fields but the snow was very soft Here on the old railway track in St –Prosper area View of the St-Stanislas village ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Where we stopped for dinner... After lunch, we did a few miles all together but then Snowcruiser left us to return home, we continued with Steph. The trail was very soft and beated, it was with great pleasure that we met ... We had good stretch ... Until we passed this one ... from there to St-Maurice river was particularly tough But the west side of St-Maurice was fortunately still in good condition and we had very acceptable conditions up from there, even freshly groomed section in Maskinongé area We finally got home a little before 6:00 pm with 440 miles on the dreammeter for the 2 days. A big thank you to our 2 friends Steph and Snowcruiser that went with us again, your good humor brightened our weekend and made this ride even greater for us. It is in the most beautiful time of the season, everything you would expect is there…enjoy ! Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 1 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Nice Alain... I love Nicole in Lac Edouard have stayed with her a few times. Trails look great. Thanks for another great report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Outstanding Alain, just absolutely outstanding reporting, you should consider sending your reports to "Motoneige en Quebec" magazine. Thanks for your up to date report of that area, I was just through there last week. At the 73 and LT 1 junction at the Relais I was not sure to take that trail(nice short cut)the paper map showed a solid orange line leading to a dotted orange line so we continued on the 73 to the 355, funny thing is, when we were riding up the 355 to Relais du Trappeur I saw on the gps where the orange trail connected to the 355 there was no signs of grooming but plenty of sled tracks, we did not stop at Trappeur and learned later that LT trail was coming out at the Trappeur. Keep up the good work JG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Nice report Alain,I remember years ago leaving Lac Edouard and heading into the Zec pushing about a foot of snow there was 8 of us and only me and 1 other guy made it to the gas we had to shuttle gas back to all the others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 Nice Alain... I love Nicole in Lac Edouard have stayed with her a few times. Trails look great. Thanks for another great report. Thank you Phil! It was the second time we had been there and we had loved our stay as much as the first time. It's a very different experience from others, very nice warmhearted place and Nicole in addition to be a very nice person she's a very very good cook!!! Outstanding Alain, just absolutely outstanding reporting, you should consider sending your reports to "Motoneige en Quebec" magazine. Thanks for your up to date report of that area, I was just through there last week. At the 73 and LT 1 junction at the Relais I was not sure to take that trail(nice short cut)the paper map showed a solid orange line leading to a dotted orange line so we continued on the 73 to the 355, funny thing is, when we were riding up the 355 to Relais du Trappeur I saw on the gps where the orange trail connected to the 355 there was no signs of grooming but plenty of sled tracks, we did not stop at Trappeur and learned later that LT trail was coming out at the Trappeur. Keep up the good work JG Not sure it looks like professional stuff but as amateur we are very proud of many pics on this last one... Thank you JG The only regret from taking the LT2 is that you miss a long section of the #73 Jeanotte trail which is one very nice and fast section... a classic there. I will have to stop at the trappeur next time... never tried... Nice report Alain,I remember years ago leaving Lac Edouard and heading into the Zec pushing about a foot of snow there was 8 of us and only me and 1 other guy made it to the gas we had to shuttle gas back to all the others The high and low from after storm rides! Even with the troubles it always give good memories... Thanks again guys !!! Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 We’ve stayed at Goeland many times over the years, but not since Re’jean and the Mrs. closed the kitchen. And we’ve done convenient lunch & gas at Domaine a bunch of times, but never stayed there overnight. I guess we need to check out Gite, but I don’t remember seeing any signage for it on the trail or the lake? Great call on staying longer, that #355 up Eduard and #73 down to Riviere a Pierre are AWESOME! Like you say "classic". We love that orange that cuts the corner if you don’t need gas in LaTuque, and that LT2 looks like a nice diversion too. And speaking of classic, that “bike-path” section of #353 connecting #73 and #23 is a favorite too. but Towing... How can you pass Marmite?!? We dream about Clem’s meat-pie all summer!! Maybe it wasn't time for lunch. But the Yammi trunk keeps things warm no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 it's not a big place and Nicole is alone to receive their guest so she told me she's tried to limit at 6 people(max 8)/night. I don't remember neither of signs for her gite on the trail but it is very easy to find: from le Domaine, it's an half mile on the same main road toward the village(north) on the left. Krikri love those classics stretches where she can take it easy on the back, I like too sometimes but not too much straight... need more action, in vertical direction if possible! Yes, the marmite...you are absolutely right, but it's Nicole's fault! with her big breakfast we were just barely a bit hungry at 1 pm when we stopped for diner so when we crossed the marmite a 10:30 the meat pie was suddenly seems less attractive... The yammi trunk was already full!! we will have to go back!! Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooright Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Pic of sign post from earlier this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 OH dooright,!! a pic worth a thousand word! Your nick can't be better! Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 1 Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Pic of sign post from earlier this year. We ran into Nicole by accident, stopped for directions and ended up staying the night. She has a great setup, you go into basement hang your stuff to dry by a gas stove and go up into her house. Nicole is a GREAT cook... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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