Joliette/Rivière Mattawin/Mastigouche reserve photo ride-report 12 march 2016

[towing]

Knowing the season is well advanced and having the taste to do a good one, we started directly from home (probably the last time this season) to go up north. Planned to avoid rivers, here is the final path of 352 miles we did yesterday:



Saturday morning, -1C under a variable sky. Here starting the ride in the fields near home. Trail surface was rather crusty/frozen and I lowered scratchers, otherwise pretty nice.



St-Felix club had groomed and it was beautiful



Here south of St-Gabriel de Brandon



hard and fast trail



We took advantage that it was sunny to take a picture from the new belvedere now completed near the new trail section just north of the village



Here in St-Damien direction



At the #23/#63 junction, there was a patrol team that made us a check-up (our first time this year) we talked a bit with them ...



And we continued on the #23 north. Few bumps but fine overall



Here further north still beautiful. Just a place farther there was a water hole. Krikri has not had time to take pictures because I just slowed before and squeeze the throttle to cross it in the middle but feeling how down the back went, it was pretty deep. It was possible to pass it on the side

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Edited March 14, 2016 by towing

[towing]

We pass the Cabanon and continued toward #345 north.



Few miles away, a small group of sledders were working at getting out a sled from the bush, I stopped to help. It was a group of snowmobilers from Vermont on a trip here who were recovering the sled of their friend that was at hospital after being seriously injured at the end of Friday when he miss the curve and hit trees. A foggy helmet visor would be the cause of the accident. A hard warning of the need to be always careful and attentive, just a moment of distraction or a bad decision and it can be done. Broken vertebrea doesn’t ruin only the trip, and we all know that it could have been a lot much worse ... Whishing speedy recovery to the injured.



We then went and had to follow a little bit behind a large group but they did had a good pace



They let us pass a little further, the conditions were good but the trail was starting to soften





We crossed the Mattawin river



On the other side there are a couple spots where the dozer has break through the trail surface because water accumulation but it pass next to each



The #360 was riding very well, even more beautiful as we went. It's always nice to ride this section that follows the river shore





Between mountains and rivers that trail is my prefered one.

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[towing]

I could not resist and turned at 4-40 halt but nobody had been there since the last storms ... What a great idea to go there two-up on my anvil ...



For comparison, 5 weeks apart 2 pics of the Pic-nic table ...



Same table early February:



About 18-20 inches above the pack trail. Let's say we finally did well. The snow wasn’t soft and the sun had getting a 2" wet on top. As long as I was not breaking this layer it not sink deep, thank you to my mountain skis! Impossible to backup, so we slowly pack by feet the path around the Pic-nic table which turns more tight than my touring can but by sliding the back a couple of times and pulling the ski loops to start we managed to turn back without getting really stuck.

I had show it to you 100 times but I’m not tired of this view there ...





Back on the trail



The river still have a strong flow



In the woods close to Marineau down the hill, 2 deer where in the trails ... here we see one



And 2 there a little fuzzy because I have not completely stopped for the pic.

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[towing]

We finally arrived for lunch at Marineau a little late at 1:30 pm.



You know you are on a big ride when you have made over 150 miles before lunch!




Also we talked a bit with BlueApexer on hcs that was also there with a couple friends and came at me after having recognize my sled.



We took back the trail at 14:40. We retraced our steps to come back





The trail had softened but it rides very well and at a good pace






I do not know how hot it went but it was really warm. I rode a couple hour bare hands with the jacket partially unzipped and the modular helmet opened. Here a few pictures along the river

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[towing]

There were a few more bumps past the #345 junction, normal because the trail takes the traffic from 2 destinations. Here crossing back the Mattawin river.





We stopped to fuelup at Cabanon around 5:00 pm. To switch away from the usual main trail, we took the #23 into the Mastigouche reserve, which was still in good condition and very nice.



The sun was already setting giving a rosy tint to the snow not in the shade.





A snowmobile was stopped on the side of the trail so we stopped to ensure everything was ok. She told us that she and her boyfriend had just seen a lynx crossing the trail in front of them! I admit I was a bit jealous that we had miss it ...but it was close!



We continued and then took the # 350 to join the # 23 south. We stopped at Réal Massé at 6:45.PM. We were a little puzzled infront the auberge ... we saw that there were people in the chalets but no snowmobile infront of the auberge and dining room completely deserted.



We walked in and the waitress confirmed that they were opened but no one had stopped since 4:00 p.m.! We stayed for our supper break. It was weird to be in that place completely empty but eventually a few people in accommodation arrived later. It was their last operation weekend and they will be closed for the rest of the season. They always close after the 2nd of March year on year, no matter to the conditions.

We then got back for the last stretch, beginning down the #23 which was beated but not too bad and the conditions improved significantly after passing the junction in St-Damien. It is because that #63 trail is blocked south of Ste-Émilie and all traffic is diverted up north on #23 which obviously wear it faster. We then took the #63, pass St-Gabriel and catch the #3 to return by Berthierville. The #3 which is souther had melted too much and there was plenty of water. If I put end to end all the water holes I've been through I must have done an half mile of water skipping! Towards the end of the route near home Berthierville the club had already removed the signs, so it is completely finished at home. We arrived at 22:00 with 352miles on the dreammeter.



A beautiful big ride for us but we realize that the season is already well advanced. This was definitely our last one leaving from home because of Joliette and Berthierville clubs are closing down. There’s still a lot snow and the melt is really less on the north side but temperatures announced for the next days are still mild with some precipitation are on the forecast . Hoping that precipitation in the north will be in snow and with some freezing at night the clubs would be able to continue grooming.

here the condition web site lonk for more info on the trails: http://snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions

Alain

[iceman]

Nice run you two. Excellent report as always. I did a ride from my home saturday too and sadly think it will be the last from here as well.

[mikerider]

Beautiful pictures and what a big mile day on a two up sled.

The rivers look like they are capturing the melting snow.

Thank you for posting your trip.

mike

[Florida Snowman]

What a big beautiful ride Alain & KriKri! And a beautiful day to do it as well. Take advantage while good conditions exist in certain areas. Enjoy your off season!

Tom

[MXZ700RIDER]

Fantastic pictoral reporting on your rides. I love Real Masse restaurant food and it is a true sign season is almost over with this popular stop off point closing for the season. Thanks again for all the great pictures and reporting!

Edited March 14, 2016 by MXZ700RIDER

[mccaffrey]

Thanks Alain for the report, rode 4 days west last week, March is the best month to ride!

[timbo]

Super reporting, as always, Alain. Will look forward to you posts, again, in December..

[neksledr]

Another great report Alain & Krikri! We took pics from many of the same spots this past week. Thanks again!

[towing]

Nice run you two. Excellent report as always. I did a ride from my home saturday too and sadly think it will be the last from here as well.

Thanks Iceman! hoping the forecast is right for temps, the next 14 days forecast looks good, just tomorrow way too warm.

Beautiful pictures and what a big mile day on a two up sled.

The rivers look like they are capturing the melting snow.

Thank you for posting your trip.

mike

In fact, it's the Mattawin river and most of the water is from the reservoir taureau. They are late this year to empty it, usually it is already empty at this time and now it have still a 10-15' to drop down, alot of water all thrown in the mattawin river and with the late February snowfall there, it must be really empty because when the real melting begin they will fill it quickly.

What a big beautiful ride Alain & KriKri! And a beautiful day to do it as well. Take advantage while good conditions exist in certain areas. Enjoy your off season!

Tom

Thanks Florida Snowman! you inspire us with those big miles day you did on your last run. We had not get as much but if i cheat and add Krikri's mileage and mine it begin to be competitive!

Fantastic pictoral reporting on your rides. I love Real Masse restaurant food and it is a true sign season is almost over with this popular stop off point closing for the season. Thanks again for all the great pictures and reporting!

thanks MXZ700RIDER! Not really for Real Massé because they always close at the same date, no matter the conditions. I remember in 2008 i did my last one the 19 april in this area and they were closed since 5 weeks!!! It is the way they do for years and it is why it was desert because alot people were thinking they were already closed. It's a good thing that few places close like that, it have less business to do and left it to those that keep going longer.

Thanks Alain for the report, rode 4 days west last week, March is the best month to ride!

Yes it is, always the best one at the end of the season

Super reporting, as always, Alain. Will look forward to you posts, again, in December..

Thanks timbo, but the trailer is ready and i really hope to have some more miles ahead before hanging up

Another great report Alain & Krikri! We took pics from many of the same spots this past week. Thanks again!

Thanks neksledr! hoping you had enjoyed your ride there as much as us!

Edited March 16, 2016 by towing