towing Posted March 27, 2017 Report Share Posted March 27, 2017 With the colder than average week we had the trail conditions kept up fairly well so we could still leave from home in St-Thomas. Kristine being in shape, we decided to go with a good big classic for us: the big south/north loop Lanaudière / Mauricie Saturday morning, -7C under a clearing sky, we begin our ride near my home in St Thomas de Joliette accompanied by our usual partners Steph and Snowcruiser. Here at planing our day before getting on saddle at 8:45Here near my home on trail # 43a couple inches of new snow had fallen overnight, like ice on the cake just perfect It makes up all the decor in white, including also the small wear out spots and the roadsides making it all beautifulWe begin with the same basic route as our last ride by joining the # 3 trail eastbound. Here in the Maskinongé sectorA chance that we have this bridge because this river there thaw quickly, already at clear water while most of the others are still solidWe took our shortcuts like last week via trails #63/350 and local trail and took back here #63 near St-Barnabé. The trails are beautiful and very fastgoing forward on #3 trail towards St-Étienne des GrèsWe crossed the St-Maurice river here at the Gabelle dam height which is seen in the backgroundWe were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the trails to the east of St-Maurice going up towards Grand-Mère, everything was freshly groomedGetting here on the St-Maurice riverVery nice no bumpsNice pic of Steph at trail speedSnowcruiser and the beautiful scenery of the St-Maurice riverWas wondering if it would lacked snow but even at a very good pace the lubrication was very goodHere near the end of the 20 miles segment on the riverAfter getting back on the shore there were a few hundred meters uncovered along the #155 road, then very beautifulUp to our dinner destination at l'auberge Marineau at Mattawin River. We arrived a bit past 12:15 with a little more than 125 miles done since the morning, we had kept a good pace!!! We met Dreamcat and Frencher from CMIQ french forum with whom we talk a bit and had a great meal as usual there. back on saddle after the meal, we cross the St-Maurice river by the car's bridgeIt come with the spring rides, a few meters of poop and then hundreds miles of perfect trailsThe flow of the river is still high for an end of March The # 360 is simply perfect and it is at a very good pace that we rode along the Mattawin RiverIt was the kind of perfect conditions that we dream of during summer ... We stopped for a small break at the 4-40 rest area. The pile of snow in the center is a picnic table! You can also see a charcoal lid in front of the trees at left, the charcoal is under! There is snow there for a whilePoint of view of the rapids on the Mattawin River, a very nice spot.We then continued For this picture my Kristine has sent her arm back and blindly clicked, I straightened the picture a little but not bad for a pic back without seeing anything at trail speed!Here arriving at the bridge of the Mattawin River on the # 345Always a nice place to take a break, the view is beautifulWe rode the #345 towards St-ZénonTrail was still in very good conditionWe stopped to make a last fuel up at l'Auberge le CabanonThe #23 south had suffered a bit, but I know the dozers were in action in this areaFurther on, the #23 to Réal Massé was closed (auberge closed) and the trail is diverted a little further east on the #350 via a shortcut (orange trail on the map). This link was less goodWhen we got back on the section groomed by St-Gabriel on the #23, it came back perfect 10/10 We took a short break at the small hut on the top of the hill in St-Damien Then continued to St-GabrielWe began to see some lean spots to the south of St-Gabriel but still well overallWe then split at that junction, Steph who wanted to directly get back home went straight to pick up the morning path in St-Norbert, while Snowcruiser and us who wanted to take a light supper break passed by St-Felix de Valois to make a pit stop at Tim Hortons.All the fields were perfects We finally been back home at 7:20 pm with 273 miles on the deammeter. This ride was among our best of this winter: beautiful trails, perfect temperature and well accompanied as always. On the other hand I'm forced to admit that with the temperature forecasted for the next week and the date we are at, it was the last call for the trails of the south. For the north they have enough snow to continue to maintained that area provided that the temperatures allow grooming still. For the rest I would advise you to take a look here to know more about the maintenance and the opening of the clubs: Snowmobile trails conditions Lanaudière Mauricie - Snowmobile Country in Quebec (Maps, Trails and Snow conditions) - Tourisme LanaudièreWe certainly have some more rides ahead but we will surely need the trailer for the next ... Alain Phil 1, Northbound, dooright and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclelan Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Great ride report Alain. Your pictures and descriptions are always good. GT Rider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooright Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Nice ride ! As you said , near perfect weather this past weekend . towing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vt_bluyamaha54 Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 First class report and pics as always Alain! towing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Gaf Gaffney Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Thanx for the tease.Super report towing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MXZ700RIDER Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Awesome photo reporting..thanks for doing it. towing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted March 28, 2017 Report Share Posted March 28, 2017 Beautiful photos of your area. Thanks. mike towing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teet F8SP Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 Good times!! Thanks for sharing! towing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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