Carman80 Posted January 22, 2017 Report Share Posted January 22, 2017 Looking for advice for best places to stay, best places for to gas up and eat luch, best places for dinner and any must see look outs and picturesque scenery. Than plan is to leave Toronto around 3, make it to Le Forestel for 10:30pm. Day 1 is VAL D'OR to MATAGAMI for lunch then to LEBEL-SUR-QUÉVILLON for the night. ***ANY RECOMENDATIONS ON HOTEL AND BEST PLACE FOR DINNER*** Day 2 LEBEL-SUR-QUÉVILLON to CHIBOUGAMAU for the night ***WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR LUNCH AND FUEL? AND ANY RECOMENDATIONS ON HOTEL AND BEST PLACE FOR DINNER*** Day 3 CHIBOUGAMAU to MISTISSINI ***WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR LUNCH AND FUEL?*** and then to LAC-SAINT-JEAN for the night. ***ANY RECOMENDATIONS ON HOTEL AND BEST PLACE FOR DINNER*** Day 4,5,6 LAC-SAINT-JEAN to ***THIS IS WHERE THINGS GET INTERESTING AND INPUT FROM PEOPLE THAT KNOW THE REGION WOULD BE A BIG HELP. WE ARE GOING TO HEAD SOUTH TO SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINT TO MONT-LAURIER AND THEN BACK TO VAL-D'OR. THE LARGE SECTION OF QUEBEC BETWEEN LAC-SAINT-JEAN AND VAL-D'OR AND NORTH OF SAIN-ZENON MOUNT-LAURIER REGIONS IS ALL NEW TO ME AND I AM NOT SURE ON WHERE TO STAY OR GET FUEL.*** Here is the planned route: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted January 22, 2017 Report Share Posted January 22, 2017 The rest depends on how long you want your days to be. Day 1 looks like a good ride. But days 2 & 3 are both pretty short, so maybe run up to Mistissini & back and stay @ Hotel Nordic Chibougamau day 2?... Day 2 LEBEL-SUR-QUÉVILLON to CHIBOUGAMAU for the night ***WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR LUNCH AND FUEL? AND ANY RECOMENDATIONS ON HOTEL AND BEST PLACE FOR DINNER*** Day 3 CHIBOUGAMAU to MISTISSINI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted January 22, 2017 Report Share Posted January 22, 2017 Mistissini is an elusive run. Depends on when you go. Often times that trail is on the map but non-existent until late in season. Could be different this year. But many years we have tried and it was just not open. I have been there once however and unless they changed the trail the last run up and onto the lake there is very fast on a summer road. For your other Questions 1. i have never stayed in Lebel (gas and go for us) there is a Motel this one http://www.moteldulac.ca/. Dinner not sure. Probably a pizze place or something there. 2. Playhard is spot on. Your day 2 is short. Depending on what you are wanting to ride, trail from Lebel to Chapais is on an abandoned railbed and lets just say 100 miles goes by fast. But not so fast when it's-30c. There's gas in Demarisville I believe at a store there. Lunch would be Chapais i guess but then you are in Chiboug early afternoon. Me i would get to Chiboug then check to find out if Mistassini trail is really there. If so depending on time run it up, get gas then back to chiboug. Or there is a small local loop around chiboug to kill 45 minutes or 1 hr maybe. 3. Day 3 run from Chiboug to say Hotel Roberval. That positions you for a run down 83 to 73 to La tuque for the night. Again i do not know what kind of KM you are wanting per day. http://chateau-roberval.qc.ca/ 4. Day 4 83 to 73 is a long day to La Tuqe compared to the railbed trail from lebel to chapais. Gas lunch at Relais 22 can't miss it 83 brings you right to gas pumps. Then 73 La Tuque and stay at https://www.hotelsmarineau.com/establishments/hotel-marineau-at-la-tuque/introduction or for a lodge experience with lodge prices http://www.clubodanak.com/ next day you are gonna need to go to St Michel de saints i guess. I will let the others give some of their ideas as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 22, 2017 Report Share Posted January 22, 2017 (edited) 9 hours ago, PLAYHARD said: The rest depends on how long you want your days to be. Day 1 looks like a good ride. But days 2 & 3 are both pretty short, so maybe run up to Mistissini & back and stay @ Hotel Nordic Chibougamau day 2?... Day 2 LEBEL-SUR-QUÉVILLON to CHIBOUGAMAU for the night ***WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR LUNCH AND FUEL? AND ANY RECOMENDATIONS ON HOTEL AND BEST PLACE FOR DINNER*** Day 3 CHIBOUGAMAU to MISTISSINI Day 2 we are going to go to chabougamou for lunch then up to mistissini and back to chabougamou for the night. We are trying to do 350-450km/ day over 6 days of riding for a total of 2,500km Edited January 22, 2017 by Carman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman80 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2017 8 hours ago, iceman said: Mistissini is an elusive run. Depends on when you go. Often times that trail is on the map but non-existent until late in season. Could be different this year. But many years we have tried and it was just not open. I have been there once however and unless they changed the trail the last run up and onto the lake there is very fast on a summer road. For your other Questions 1. i have never stayed in Lebel (gas and go for us) there is a Motel this one http://www.moteldulac.ca/. Dinner not sure. Probably a pizze place or something there. 2. Playhard is spot on. Your day 2 is short. Depending on what you are wanting to ride, trail from Lebel to Chapais is on an abandoned railbed and lets just say 100 miles goes by fast. But not so fast when it's-30c. There's gas in Demarisville I believe at a store there. Lunch would be Chapais i guess but then you are in Chiboug early afternoon. Me i would get to Chiboug then check to find out if Mistassini trail is really there. If so depending on time run it up, get gas then back to chiboug. Or there is a small local loop around chiboug to kill 45 minutes or 1 hr maybe. 3. Day 3 run from Chiboug to say Hotel Roberval. That positions you for a run down 83 to 73 to La tuque for the night. Again i do not know what kind of KM you are wanting per day. http://chateau-roberval.qc.ca/ 4. Day 4 83 to 73 is a long day to La Tuqe compared to the railbed trail from lebel to chapais. Gas lunch at Relais 22 can't miss it 83 brings you right to gas pumps. Then 73 La Tuque and stay at https://www.hotelsmarineau.com/establishments/hotel-marineau-at-la-tuque/introduction or for a lodge experience with lodge prices http://www.clubodanak.com/ next day you are gonna need to go to St Michel de saints i guess. I will let the others give some of their ideas as well. We have decided to do CHABOUGAMOU to RELAIS 22 MILLES day 3 staying to the West side of Lac-Saint-Jean and going through ROBERVAL. Day 4 going to SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINT via 73 S to 355 S to 360 W looping up local m20 trail(which is suppose to be AMAZING) and then staying at Auberge Lac Taureau. Day 5 to Mont-Laurier via 33 N to local trail 233 S to 13 S and staying at Rabaska Lodge. Day 6 check out Devils Mountain Local Trails and Lookouts then to VAL-D'OR via 322 W to 63 N to 386 N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubler Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 Good choice staying at Rabaska, food is good and owners are very nice and accommodating. It's more rustic than Auberge Lac Taureau, but still a good place to stay. When are you leaving? As of today the trail across the Baskatong Reservoir is not open. You can still do what you planned you just need to take local trails down to 13. Rabaska to Val d'Or will be a long day. It's been years since I did it but I only recall one gas stop through the park so do some research on this before you leave. I ride out of Mont Laurier a lot, so I know that area, let me know if you any specific questions about that area. Carman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hparaptor Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 On 1/22/2017 at 10:26 AM, iceman said: Mistissini is an elusive run. Depends on when you go. Often times that trail is on the map but non-existent until late in season. Could be different this year. But many years we have tried and it was just not open. I have been there once however and unless they changed the trail the last run up and onto the lake there is very fast on a summer road. For your other Questions 1. i have never stayed in Lebel (gas and go for us) there is a Motel this one http://www.moteldulac.ca/. Dinner not sure. Probably a pizze place or There is a diner 'down the hill' from that hotel. Can either access by road or the back way by trail to a side street. Don't recall the name, but their food was good and are open for breakfast at something like 6:30. Carman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlavl Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 There is gas on 386 a few miles south of 63 and there is also gas in an Indian reservation up 386 before you get to 83. Be careful on 386 between the Indian Res and 83 as there are some bonefide sno cross jumps in the trail. They go for miles. They were not very well marked when we came through last year and figured they were tabletops so hit the first one at a decent speed. They have a sharp drop off on the other side. It was an O SH*T moment to say the least. It's like a trail I've never rode before. A trail like that down here in NY and they might as well just have the Helo parked off to the side waiting to transport. Go slow over them to get the feel for the first few and you'll be good. doubler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 51 minutes ago, JBlavl said: There is gas on 386 a few miles south of 63 and there is also gas in an Indian reservation up 386 before you get to 83. Be careful on 386 between the Indian Res and 83 as there are some bonefide sno cross jumps in the trail. They go for miles. They were not very well marked when we came through last year and figured they were tabletops so hit the first one at a decent speed. They have a sharp drop off on the other side. It was an O SH*T moment to say the least. It's like a trail I've never rode before. A trail like that down here in NY and they might as well just have the Helo parked off to the side waiting to transport. Go slow over them to get the feel for the first few and you'll be good. Thanks for the advice, 386 sounds like my kind of trail! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doonali Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 54 minutes ago, JBlavl said: There is gas on 386 a few miles south of 63 and there is also gas in an Indian reservation up 386 before you get to 83. Be careful on 386 between the Indian Res and 83 as there are some bonefide sno cross jumps in the trail. They go for miles. They were not very well marked when we came through last year and figured they were tabletops so hit the first one at a decent speed. They have a sharp drop off on the other side. It was an O SH*T moment to say the least. It's like a trail I've never rode before. A trail like that down here in NY and they might as well just have the Helo parked off to the side waiting to transport. Go slow over them to get the feel for the first few and you'll be good. Ain't that the truth!! Carman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, doubler said: Good choice staying at Rabaska, food is good and owners are very nice and accommodating. It's more rustic than Auberge Lac Taureau, but still a good place to stay. When are you leaving? As of today the trail across the Baskatong Reservoir is not open. You can still do what you planned you just need to take local trails down to 13. Rabaska to Val d'Or will be a long day. It's been years since I did it but I only recall one gas stop through the park so do some research on this before you leave. I ride out of Mont Laurier a lot, so I know that area, let me know if you any specific questions about that area. We leave Val-d'or Sunday feb 19th, if all goes to plan we should be in mont-Laurier region Thursday 23rd night and heading back to Val-d'or Friday the 24th. We were going to ride south to devils mountain in the morning then south to 13. Any lookouts you would recommend for that morning in around devils mountain area? Edited January 23, 2017 by Carman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuse6 Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 Here's a map showing the two spots you will want to see after you leave the Rabaska Lodge in the Devils Mountain area Waypoint #1. Chutes Du Windigo which is the water falls Waypoint #2 Top of Devils Mountain with the lookout. There is a Resturaunt at the top. It's not always open, depends on the weather. Both spots are close together, good signage once you turn off 322 Carman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 23, 2017 Report Share Posted January 23, 2017 29 minutes ago, Fuse6 said: Here's a map showing the two spots you will want to see after you leave the Rabaska Lodge in the Devils Mountain area Waypoint #1. Chutes Du Windigo which is the water falls Waypoint #2 Top of Devils Mountain with the lookout. There is a Resturaunt at the top. It's not always open, depends on the weather. Both spots are close together, good signage once you turn off 322 Thanks! Restaurant at the top? I will definitely check it out if open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubler Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 (edited) 16 hours ago, Carman said: We leave Val-d'or Sunday feb 19th, if all goes to plan we should be in mont-Laurier region Thursday 23rd night and heading back to Val-d'or Friday the 24th. We were going to ride south to devils mountain in the morning then south to 13. Any lookouts you would recommend for that morning in around devils mountain area? Fuse6 gave you two good points of interest. The only other one I can think of is Chutes Ceasar, but it's about 5-10 miles out of your way (north of Rabaska). Found this video but it's summer time. There is always way more water flowing in the winter than what you see in this video. Very powerful and noisy. Lastly, the trail will cross an automobile bridge in Grand-Remous and there are nice falls/rapids below to look at. Edited January 24, 2017 by doubler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 2 hours ago, doubler said: Fuse6 gave you two good points of interest. The only other one I can think of is Chutes Ceasar, but it's about 5-10 miles out of your way (north of Rabaska). Found this video but it's summer time. There is always way more water flowing in the winter than what you see in this video. Very powerful and noisy. Lastly, the trail will cross an automobile bridge in Grand-Remous and there are nice falls/rapids below to look at. Thanks for the info doubler. What trail is it on? We may go see it on our way into Rabaska. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubler Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 2 hours ago, Carman said: Thanks for the info doubler. What trail is it on? We may go see it on our way into Rabaska. Somewhere in the red circle. I think you are better off going on your way to Rabaska because that day won't be as long as your next day to Val d'Or. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlavl Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 22 hours ago, JBlavl said: There is gas on 386 a few miles south of 63 and there is also gas in an Indian reservation up 386 before you get to 83. Be careful on 386 between the Indian Res and 83 as there are some bonefide sno cross jumps in the trail. They go for miles. They were not very well marked when we came through last year and figured they were tabletops so hit the first one at a decent speed. They have a sharp drop off on the other side. It was an O SH*T moment to say the least. It's like a trail I've never rode before. A trail like that down here in NY and they might as well just have the Helo parked off to the side waiting to transport. Go slow over them to get the feel for the first few and you'll be good. Funny this topic came up because in this months edition of SnowTraxx magazine they talk about this trail and how you better pay close attention to the signage on 386 or you are going to have a hefty repair bill! Carman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlavl Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 18 hours ago, Carman said: Thanks! Restaurant at the top? I will definitely check it out if open. This is the restaurant on top of Devil's mountain. Carman and Roger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 20 minutes ago, doubler said: Somewhere in the red circle. I think you are better off going on your way to Rabaska because that day won't be as long as your next day to Val d'Or. It is just north of Rabasak, we will definitely check it out on our way in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 3 minutes ago, JBlavl said: Funny this topic came up because in this months edition of SnowTraxx magazine they talk about this trail and how you better pay close attention to the signage on 386 or you are going to have a hefty repair bill! Do you have a link for the article, I can't find it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBlavl Posted January 24, 2017 Report Share Posted January 24, 2017 2 minutes ago, Carman said: Do you have a link for the article, I can't find it? I don't have the magazine in front of me. I'll try and snap a picture of it when I see it again. It was not a long article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Gaf Gaffney Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 (edited) Rode from Forestel to Matagamie Saturday signage coming into Saint Dominique for Matagamie was wrong ended up meeting up w/ a couple at the local diner that were heading back up to Matagamie so waited for them to finish there lunch and followed them.28k of snirt on power line trail where they are replacing poles.Thats snowmobiling.I would reccomend staying in Matagamie for the night.You are really pushing it to go further. Edited January 25, 2017 by William Gaf Gaffney add comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 28 minutes ago, William Gaf Gaffney said: Rode from Forestel to Matagamie Saturday signage coming into Saint Dominique for Matagamie was wrong ended up meeting up w/ a couple at the local diner that were heading back up to Matagamie so waited for them to finish there lunch and followed them.28k of snirt on power line trail where they are replacing poles.Thats snowmobiling.I would reccomend staying in Matagamie for the night.You are really pushing it to go further. Did you ride the west and east sides of 396? Hopefully they will have more snow by the time we ride it to help with the snirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Gaf Gaffney Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 (edited) The snirt is where the highliners are changing poles.They will keep it plowed till they are done.It was passable.East side was pretty sweet.Signage wasnt the best.also stayed at Club Gatnaue or however it is spelled.Mark and Natalie are the best hosts. Edited January 25, 2017 by William Gaf Gaffney add lodging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpromod Posted January 25, 2017 Report Share Posted January 25, 2017 (edited) I like Relais 22 for gas/lunch, not my favorite place to stay tho...maybe try Windigo Edited January 25, 2017 by snowpromod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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