Goose713 4 Report post Posted January 8, 2019 Hi All! I have been working on planning a trip fro my group and would love any input that your willing to give. The trip is coming up toward the end of January. We are doing a backpack trip and there will be 7 guys. We are planning to leave from Quebec city and head to LSJ. Then proceed through the mountains to Tadousac and down through the casino. From what I gather this should be a great loop, but any input would be great. Our first day should be the longest and doable from what I gather. How early should we leave on day one? There is gas and food in L'Etape? I don't see it on the map anymore. I don't think there are any long legs on the rest of our trip that don't have anything marked on the maps, but we are open to suggetions. I saw another post about an issue on the trial near Tadousac. Does anyone know the current status? We were hoping to get to do the ferry crossing. If anyone can point out some great scenic spots to check out near our route, that would be appreciated too. I have heard to check out the orange dead end trails in the Valin area....any particular good ones? This is our first time to this part of Quebec. Most of us have been to the St Zenon area. Thanks!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JBlavl 53 Report post Posted January 8, 2019 Very dooable loop. I did something similar last year in reverse order and started from Shawinigan. On way to Lac St Jean I would go to Mont Apica for gas vs. L'Etape. Easier in and out. There is also a neat overlook at Mont Apica (dead end orange trail opposite side of road from outpost). Your day 2 through Mont Valin is a great ride and fast from there down to Sacre Coure. From the Ferry into the casino it's pretty twisty and slower but nice scenery. Casino is best place I've stayed in Quebec. Bring your swim gear for the the outdoor pool. From there back to casino the first and middle part of the leg is nice in the mountains. I find the power lines the last stretch of the way in the city a little boring but that's just my preference. Still a great ride. 1 MrGutz reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrGutz 939 Report post Posted January 8, 2019 2 hours ago, JBlavl said: Very dooable loop. I did something similar last year in reverse order and started from Shawinigan. On way to Lac St Jean I would go to Mont Apica for gas vs. L'Etape. Easier in and out. There is also a neat overlook at Mont Apica (dead end orange trail opposite side of road from outpost). Your day 2 through Mont Valin is a great ride and fast from there down to Sacre Coure. From the Ferry into the casino it's pretty twisty and slower but nice scenery. Casino is best place I've stayed in Quebec. Bring your swim gear for the the outdoor pool. From there back to casino the first and middle part of the leg is nice in the mountains. I find the power lines the last stretch of the way in the city a little boring but that's just my preference. Still a great ride. X2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredsleds 38 Report post Posted January 8, 2019 Does anyone know for sure if Mt Apica has gas? I was there last year and do not remember any gas at the relais, but, I could be mistaken... L'Etape has a gigantic gas station, 20+, pumps, but the inside is very generic, like a stop on any major highway. I'd rather stop for food at Mt Apica, but, I wasn't sure they had gas.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benz500 7 Report post Posted January 8, 2019 Have not been this year but in all years past, they have 1 pump. Newer clubhouse (2-3 years).We always try to support the local clubhouses, so its really a matter of timing in most cases. L'Etape has multiple pumps and a very good restaurant attached- mostly chicken dishes, but great experiences every time we have stopped for gas/lunch 1 PLAYHARD reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iceman 2,168 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Definately gas at mont Apica 1 PLAYHARD reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stupe 45 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 $1.66 per liter at Mont Apica last weekend. 1 PLAYHARD reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpionbowl 204 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 8 minutes ago, stupe said: $1.66 per liter at Mont Apica last weekend. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it that cheap, maybe they raised the prices on the burgers, lol. 1 1 1 PLAYHARD, MrGutz and dooright reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SnomoGary 179 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Am I right in saying cash only as well ? something in back of my head says it is.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fozzy 123 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 It's not cheap at Mont Apica that's for sure. Gas + burger (no fries) + beer = $60.00 min. Lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trailblazer 837 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Done this loop several times in 2 1/2 days, some sleds can make the distance to Apica and some can’t, spare gas will take care of the balance. Very busy place on the week end for the restaurant and service is nothing like L’Etape so I would recommend a trail side snack gas’n go. You’ll want to ride as much as you can on the first day to bring you into the Valins, next day pretty easy to get to the casino and lots of time for site seeing, last day is a 1/2 day back to truck. 1 actionjack reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rev39 9 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 I've been watching this thread closely, as I planned to cross on the ferry at Tadousac in 10 days. Can anyone confirm if trail 3 is indeed closed near the ferry? If it is I will reroute up 83. Anyone know the name of the club in that area? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
actionjack 138 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Click on trail and name of the club is displayed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skidooccio 11 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 1 hour ago, rev39 said: I've been watching this thread closely, as I planned to cross on the ferry at Tadousac in 10 days. Can anyone confirm if trail 3 is indeed closed near the ferry? If it is I will reroute up 83. Anyone know the name of the club in that area? As of last Wednesday, it was closed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredsleds 38 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Does anyone know why it's closed? Lack of snow? Land owner issues? This make Cote Nord really hard to get to. If this is a trail closure that's going to put a major hurt on business in Tadousac and northward. I'm planning on using this in early February. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skidooccio 11 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Just now, fredsleds said: Does anyone know why it's closed? Lack of snow? Land owner issues? This make Cote Nord really hard to get to. If this is a trail closure that's going to put a major hurt on business in Tadousac and northward. I'm planning on using this in early February. I was told it is a land owner issue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredsleds 38 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 I hope they are working on a fix...my original trip was to take the Matane ferry to Baie Comeau but that's apparently out of commission for now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rev39 9 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 31 minutes ago, actionjack said: Click on trail and name of the club is displayed. Ah, never thought to click on the trail. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goose713 4 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 Thanks for all the great input so far. I am concerned as well about the trail closure. I just checked out the clubs website and as of friday everything was updated and declared open. Has anyone gone through? I think I will try to contact the club directly. Any other scenic spots close to my route that are recommended? Any nightlife in any of these areas? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iceman 2,168 Report post Posted January 9, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, fredsleds said: I hope they are working on a fix...my original trip was to take the Matane ferry to Baie Comeau but that's apparently out of commission for now. Its running again they found a replacement ferry see last post here... Edited January 9, 2019 by iceman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mid Range 154 Report post Posted January 10, 2019 (edited) 14 hours ago, rev39 said: I've been watching this thread closely, as I planned to cross on the ferry at Tadousac in 10 days. Can anyone confirm if trail 3 is indeed closed near the ferry? If it is I will reroute up 83. Anyone know the name of the club in that area? Apparently the problem has been settled in St-Simeon according to this article and there is a topic on the French forum. Drop this into your translate app. https://www.lecharlevoisien.com/2019/01/07/les-motoneigistes-pourront-faire-la-boucle-mais-sans-passer-par-saint-simeon/ in the meantime you can keep an eye on this http://www.motoneigefjordetcharlevoix.com/condition-des-pistes who said life is easy for snowmobile clubs in Québec. Edited January 10, 2019 by Mid Range 1 PLAYHARD reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JTD0314 1 Report post Posted January 10, 2019 3 is closed as of yesterday. However, you can go up 83 and take the local trail to the ferry. We did it yesterday. 1 PLAYHARD reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goose713 4 Report post Posted January 10, 2019 Awesome picture.... looks cold haha is this the route you took on the map below? Does anyone know where the actual closure is? Our trip is pretty close and I want to make sure we don’t need to re plan. 1 PLAYHARD reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrGutz 939 Report post Posted January 10, 2019 On 1/9/2019 at 6:00 AM, Fozzy said: It's not cheap at Mont Apica that's for sure. Gas + burger (no fries) + beer = $60.00 min. Lol But Letape is always a zoo!!!! Mid week at Mont Apica much better. GutZ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredsleds 38 Report post Posted January 10, 2019 I'm coming from Tadousac towards Charlevoix., then heading up 383, so at least for me it should be fine. Thanks for the map info Goose713! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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