Gaspe Trip 🏔️ 

Departure 

Ok well behind the times on this, so I do beg your pardon. We are back out on trail.  Shout out to JD (lurking) in Mass. know that you are always welcome to come along.  Hope you are well brother. 

Rewind to last Friday Feb 27.  Finished up a short week and was home Friday around 1pm. Snohorse rolling in this afternoon to hangout for the afternoon and night nice to hangout at home beforehand and finalize all details. 

This will be Mrs Ice’s spring break trip. She has chosen a return through La Cache to Murdochville as her must do. It’s her week she got to pick. 

Along with us on this adventure will be Snohorse (duh) and NHmoose.

Playhard declined due to other adventures coexisting. However he plays (no pun intended) a vital part in this taking place. 

Nice chillaxing night at Chez Ice. 

Our flow chart has us using all of Saturday and it’s inclement morning weather to finish our preparations for a Sunday drive to Matane. 

Spent a lazy Saturday morning watching it snow then light drizzle but not long. Then by afternoon was clearing and colder with wind. 

Mrs got home later last night as she was off at a Ski Camp with her outdoor studies group. Just returning Friday evening after 2 days away. She is finishing her laundry and packing her stuff. We head to Cap de Madeleine to play trailer swap and switch. 

Snohorse and I both have 2 place trailers. But need three sleds would rather trailer together so…… enter Playhard, he has offered up his toybox.

So earlier in the week on Monday afternoon after I got back from the last trip I emptied out his toys at Moto Thibault and took his trailer to defrost and melt off in the shop. After a day or so it was melted and dry. Roof clear of Ice. Tires great✅ Good new Spare tire✅Lights✅ it passes the visual underneath inspection.✅Jacked up check wheel bearings all seem awesome.✅Give them some grease for good measure ✅and Bob’s your uncle. 

Will tow it with Snohorse truck. 

To the shop with Snohorse truck and his trailer. We drop his sled on ground, his trailer will stay here in the compound until we come back for it. We Hook up to Playhard’s trailer. Roll out and load the XRS. Has had a Fresh oil change and chain case oil. She has had a full look over and is ready says the Snohorse. Not a doubt in my mind. 

Back to Chez Ice we load 2 more sleds now we are just needing our gear in trailer in the morning tomorrow and we go. 

Sunday morning 8:33 we leave home. Quick 3 stops at 

1 grocery store (happy hour supplies)

2 pharmacy (contact solution for my bride) 

3 Tim’s (coffee and other necessities)

9:20 we are eastbound on the highway 40 direction Quebec City. 

Truck pulls trailer fine, its windy however and she takes some finesse. Road dry and traffic not bad at all tons of trailers going west on 40 and we cross over and take 20 east now.  Lots more trailers going west. Nice ride with gas and quick break in RDL. Looking boney by gas station very icy there. Need snow near town. 

East through Rimouski then to Mont Joli and on into Matane rolled in at 3:10, Made great time. We get unloaded get sleds parked and put away the truck and trailer. Mrs Ice unpacked the gear and has everything organized in room. Got lots of time now for (Netflix for Mrs) and Happy Hour and Nascar for me and Snohorse.  Waiting on NHmoose he has 6:40 eta. 

NH Moose rolled in and we didn’t wait long we went to dinner. Much smaller menu here at Quality Inn since my last time here. Was all good. 

Everyone here now all pieced together, tomorrow we start our little Gaspe abbreviated tour. 

Not many sleds or too many trucks and trailers when we got here but now wow parking full. 

Cold here tonight (Sunday) outside with no gloves? Not for long. Wind is biting cold. 

Going to be cold tomorrow. 

I gotta get caught up. It’s Tuesday night now 11:11pm 

Still two days behind on this report. 

Soon to be three. 

Edited March 28Mar 28 by iceman

Gaspe Trip 🏔️

Day 1

Matane to Carleton-sur-mer (mummies detour) 

6-7-8 today. 

Want to get rolling 

….none of these days will be record breaking but very cold today and want to get moving. 

Breakfast here is great. Fast and efficient. Just what is needed they have  something for everyone. Get Outside and loaded up, cold with big wind. Just after 8 we roll out. 

I go with the mrs to top off our gas. We arrive there and Mrs needs to deploy wheels for gas. So she waits patiently for her automatic wheel person(give you all one guess who that is) yes (sorry to say my dear) she is going to have to eventually do this herself. She can do it. But someone I know, spoiled her. Now, it is as so. 

Gas and go. Back to hotel spur and Snohorse and NHmoose are waiting to go. We join up and leave the town behind as we climb the hill. At the junction TQ5. Mrs Ice takes point and we head west on TQ5. Near town its thin for early March. Yes. it’s still ok just you can tell it has been quite a while since any real snow.  Trail is great, they are frozen and hard. In great shape. 

TQ5 west to 591 some serious wind gusts through the fields here a very good experience for my Mrs.  I Love it when she encounters and experiences new things and we can talk about them so she understands and knows what to do when. One ride at a time. 

Nice scenery despite the cold and wind. Been 2 years since our last ride in the Gaspe. Down to TQ5 we run on it for short distance to the 587, right turn. here we run out and it’s a right turn up Montagne St Pierre to visit with the mummies. Not the day to linger around up here but we get the pictures and we backtrack to 591/587 junction now its a right here. To Saint Irene and we top off the gas. Seen some traffic but all going the opposite direction. Just how we like it. 

Mrs is doing great. Despite the cold weather. Its 587 to TQ5 all trails have been awesome some ice here and there. Through Albertville and Caupscal.

This trail has changed a good bit since my last ride here. We are running this route to stitch together this section of the Gaspe that Caro has never seen. 

Stopped at warming hut between Caupscal and L’alverne just after river crossing. Just what the doctor ordered today. Nice time out with warm stove going. Great break. 

We push on to gas in Nouvelle 190km on both Apex’s, I took 32.4 litres. 

Here we get some supplies for happy hour. We pull out and Mrs Ice leads us down and to Carleton-sur-mer and the Riotel. (Baie Blue). Settled in after a great first day. Great trail in great company.  Dinner at Pub St Joseph. 

Good times.

Tomorrow all day to go to New Richmond.

Stay tuned.

Excellent reporting as usual. I was in all those places recently. The 591 is a great trail! It's a fairly short ride to New Richmond. I hope you have time to take in some Orange. Nice running trails with a little elevation and more snow. Looks like the new Roller Ski is going to have a foot pedal. That would probably be helpful for Madam Glace. Have a great day! I look forward to some more coffee time reading Demain.

Roller Ski X

Its a beautiful area for sure!

Gaspe Trip🏔️

Day 2

Had breakfast here at Pub St Joseph. Was admiring a group of sleds with NY and some NH registrations parked in a group, and what struck my eye was that they had 3 or 4 i think that had covers on their sleds. Anyway we are usually the minority big time with covers on and sleds chained up, wherever we rest. Did not cross paths at dinner. 

Before breakfast I took off both covers. Sitting in breakfast we see the big group getting ready and outside. Then Phil says hey that one guy is taking pictures of your sleds and there are a few of them around your sleds looking at them. Not uncommon as you don’t see lots of Apex’s do you? 

Long story short as we leave breakfast, come to find out its FCL…Fred and the boys from the Adirondacks. We meet again, last time was Gaspe Ride 2024. 

Awesome to see him and with his Grandson Hunter, sorry didn’t remember all the guys names. 

Hope they’re having a super time. They were off to Riviere Renard. 

We pack on and head out. Today we have all day to go to New Richmond. Plan match is Orange trails above Carelton and sightseeing. 

Out on TQ5 we backtrack west past Nouvelle then right turn up on Orange Top, as it’s known to us. 

We run up and it’s delicious and keeps getting better. Seen no traffic all morning since hotel. Beautiful weather. We run up to the warming hut. Much better temperature today outside. After its off to the dragstrip where the real debacle would begin. Ran a few passes 4 wide up and back, then decided wind was favorable for drone use, so take out drone. Set it up looks great on screen we run up and back, move drone. Do another run. Awesome. Now we leave there head down and set up more action shots. Film another battery of shots. Great. Yeah no. Never checked footage. Completely my user error. I own this and am not pleased. But as NHmoose our (thank god) (voice of reason amongst 36 other titles he holds) all positive things. Has so clearly pointed out “we had fun doing it” that’s it. Period. 

Learn and move on.

Being as no video evidence exists of these heads up runs. Mrs Ice is claiming all out victory. Complete domination. 

We let her win. 

These orange trails are treasure up here. Love it. Taking the Road less traveled. Every time for me. 

Next mission is to Mont St Joseph to take in the view. Windy but a great day up there came with a surprise as trail was groomed all the way up. My last time here it was a bunny trail all the way to the summit. 

Sweet run up, with great views today. We finish up our Orange Trail tour and hit gas in Carleton.

Now it’s TQ5 east and it’s still nice but getting icy. Nice ride into New Richmond and we head into relais for a late lunch. 

Nice little break, back on sleds so then we head down a cul de sac trail across from Relais just because and to see what was down there. 2 trails over there both dump into two neighborhoods. Never know. Back up and across the 132 then through parking lot of Relais. East TQ5 its still early been easy fun day so we go down to suspension bridge and here is a bunch of deer. Well my dear i tell you was having a fun time photographing them. Fixed some stickers on bridge then as deer had moved on we continued east but not far. Good enough for our play day today. Back to town in New Richmond.

Gas and supplies then across street to Au Fin Gourmet our rooms are here tonight. Great little place all we need. 

Nice and easy with a restaurant right there, Tims is right up street and a Subway next to the gas/depaneur as well. 

Nice meal at the Au Fin Gourmet. Us four and 9 others one big group here. 

They are from Thetford Mines area. 

Observations for today. 

Had fun

No stress

Wife can ride and does it well. 

Mrs Ice had the point again all day. Trail Boss.

Snohorse and NHmoose are top shelf. Great influences on her as well. Encouraging her and joking on radio. 

Great chemistry. Simple as that. 

Speaking radios wow,seems to be the thing the open mesh but can be overwhelming when other groups don’t understand why they hear other voices. Especially the Quebec folks when we hear them. We play a little game, All of us Talking and we got Mrs, she is just waiting to give the French back to them, with a bonjour salut tout le monde, just after they are confused as to why they hear English voices. Usually leads to some very friendly back and forth as we pass. 

Great day. 

Tomorrow to Mont St Pierre 

Stay tuned

Edited March 5Mar 5 by iceman

Gaspe Trip 🏔️

Day 3

Nice restful sleep at Au Fin Gourmet motel. We have decided a quick run by sled to Tim’s willbe the small breakfast stop. Had some caffeinated nectar of the gods with a classic Glazed donut, good to go. 

The Mrs back out front. The gang of 9 left just before we went to Tims they had said they wereonly going to Murdochville today. So surely they are up here somewhere. Roll out on TQ5 in decent shape still. As with most of the Gaspe elevation is your friend. The higher we climb away from the coast better snow gets. To the 595 its a left. Off we go this trail good here too sweet ride up and onto the 595/local orange 150 as trail no longer passes ski Pin Rouge. 

Nice conditions but starting to see very bumpy corners. First time seeing this since up on 373. Sign of too much traffic not enough grooming. We push on to end of Orange 150 Local left turn to rejoin 595. Northbound. Stop at shelter for a break.  Nice pace the Mrs sets. We are consistent and move well. We ride off. Here the bumps are much more noticeable. It is leaving me my far right on the edge but not much.thus trail used up. Shows groomed two days ago. Wow seriously junk. Goes down as one of worst trails this year. We hammer it out as usual anyway yes it’s all riding. Sorry but I have standards and this aint it. But it’s all part of the game. Some logging up here but looking finished now. But there is a big section all along the main road with small one groomer wide trail. Not the 595 of years past but it changes year to year. 

Up to where new chic choc trail joins 595. Not one person here gave the info on this intersection moving 5 more kilometers from La Cache. More on this after. Here we approach junction and start to hear shouting in french a conversation about no La Cache is the other way. We know its our group of nine. They have half of them taken the right turn headed for Murdochville. 2 are backing out. They hear us and see us and we are able to scoop past. Awesome. 9 less at gas pump before us.

This trail here from junction to La Cache I am almost certain there are better bombed out roads in Tehran today than this garbage. Wow guess we got no choice to deal with it up and back to go to Murdochville. Passing it twice. Roll into La Cache and the marketing has worked well between the big hype over reopening trail to Murdochville and the renovation of La Cache its a hot spot so much more than ever. I wonder if the north end of 595 gets looking like this south side? Not gonna find out this ride,

Gas at la Cache its 10:30.

2 hours from New Richmond to here despite so so trail for a good bit. 

Go to order food.

Nice girl explains we can order but they open kitchen at 11am so they might not cook anything before 11. No problem. We order and actually was only like 20 minutes and food started coming out. 

I do think they are missing out on not opening kitchen early but they are the boss.

Getting a decent crowd for 11am. 

Grey day all day so far. Now starting to snow flurry more. 

Finish up and hit the trail again out ahead of our group of nine. Back down 595 now to sentier Chic Chocs. Left turn. 

Now I know this next part will be as popular as a Fart in Church but I am not sorry for having an opinion and it’s my story. 

The magic is gone on this Trail.

Gone the big views.

Gone the big wide open section with views forever. 

I understand its easier for the club. Those open areas where it had the big views got drifted all the time. Very sketchy at times on a windy day. 

Great and fantastic, that they got the trail open again. Hate when any trail is closed. It’s just not what it was. The majority is the same yes, but for me they took the wow away. 

All traffic again today is on coming. Have only caught guys backing up there that one time. Very lucky. Lots of sleds headed toward La Cache all well behaved. Trail conditions much better here as I was dreading this run across based on what it’s like near La Cache. 

Great ride into Murdochville. Gas here and short break, bathroom break. Off we go back to 597 north. Sweet conditions here lot’s of sleds heading up to Murdochville we see probably 15 or so. Once we join TQ5 now heading west. Weather wind and snow kick in. The Mrs hanging in there guiding us in some tough to see spots. We make it all the way to Mont Louis and decide to take gas here. Back and up mountain towards Mont St Pierre. We get just a bit further and its all white. Mrs has had enough she almost made it but it was the smart call. We don’t want no issues. Windy is an understatement. White out at times. You know Gaspe weather. She had a great taste without it being too much. Tame really by storm standards here, but still extreme. I take the point and we wind down and into Mont St Pierre the last 4 km not easy to see much. 

Roll into town its 3:15. Hit grocery store for necessities. Then thus trip its back to Motel Mont St Pierre. Arrived to find list of names on reception door giving room numbers. Doors open keys inside. 

Wind howling like a banshee. gusting off water right at motel 50mph easy. 

Still howling now out there. 

Shaking the windows. 

Great meal at restaurant here. Some very happy customers. Delicious.

 

Creamy potato soup with corn and bacon, ah yes

I want that. 

Another great day. 

Team strong. 

Back to Matane Tomorrow 

Been told trail is closed here now due to high winds and drifting so we will see what tomorrow has in store. 

Stay Tuned.

Orange rules....You mentioned at the top you were behind in Reporting. The wind and drifting sounded nasty the other day. I look forward to the rest of the report.

Great reports and pics.So are you saying the trail from La Cache to Murdocville doesn’t go through My Lyall anymore?

Don, we came down the 595 from the North Monday. The groomer came in while we were at La Cache. We went from there to Murdochville and back, then south on the 595. Even after a pass from the groomer you could tell it had been brutal rough. They really needed to do two passes to fix it.

great reporting...very nice moving speed with wife...you still keeping up with her ?? Have a great ...safe ride !!

7 hours ago, PMAC said:

Great reports and pics.So are you saying the trail from La Cache to Murdocville doesn’t go through My Lyall anymore?

Exactly

28 minutes ago, quebec bob said:

great reporting...very nice moving speed with wife...you still keeping up with her ?? Have a great ...safe ride !!

Man hard to keep up with her for sure. She is good, and stuck on the right. Using the private trail.

Back in Matane. Stellar blue sky day to ride west on the north shore. Chic Chocs in full glory.

Excellent.

1 hour ago, iceman said:

Back in Matane. Stellar blue sky day to ride west on the north shore. Chic Chocs in full glory.

Don I took that same picture on March 5 the 2023!!

Mrs Ice pulled this from her Relive

2023 Chic Choc trail

2026 Trail

Gaspe Trip🏔️

Day 4

Need to go back and give extra credit for best meal on this trip to restaurant next to Motel Mont St Pierre,

Motel owner and restaurant owner are cousins.

Food was excellent and service outstanding. Restaurant au Grain Blanc. Honestly had tried to book Motel Delice but was not meant to be, things happen for a reason.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming……

Awoke to wind still howling but a little less. The other sledders were leaving as we went to breakfast. Mrs Ice had  a conversation with one woman waiting on her sled for the others. Confirmed they are heading west. The gang of nine there will break any drifted parts before we arrive if needed. 

Had the breakfast and mmm coffee. 

Back to dress and load sleds pull out 9:20. 

Fresh groom out the back first tracks? Hmmm 

Out we ride join at TQ5 and groomer has come from Mont Louis and returned. Not groomed west but its lovely. Just as we wind up and out of MSP the sun ☀️ breaks through. The wind is still strong very cold for sure. We stop to take advantage of the conditions for some pictures. We check out all the spots. Time to moto west. 

Mrs Ice is out there pacing the field. Trail boss is calling out traffic and obstacles on point. Drifts not an issue, have seen much much much much worse. Only a few drifts of real size. She getting some good experience today. Surely not a true Gaspe storm baptism, but we don’t want that. Just a taste is perfect. 

Sweet conditions. Sky is getting bluer. We skip the gas in La Marte. Decided that it will be Cap Chat the fuel stop. We run. Moving along at a constant rate. Few sleds headed east. Traffic all week has been minimal. We catch no one, trail is super all the way to Relais Vieux Moulin Club Mont Logan. Right at noon. We decided its time to warmup. Soup is Tomato Barley and it’s grilled cheese and some hotdogs here and there. Get here just in time as one group arrives from the east and another from the west. We are eating as they order. We finished up and got on the trail west.

Mrs is setting a great pace. We are about 5km from Cap Chat gas trail and I see ahead of our trail boss some snow dust hanging in the distance. Sure enough two corners later we got the tail of a group of 5. She wants by badly, (don’t know where she gets it from) they are much slower then us. We are just consistent and our speed doesn’t vary a whole lot. We would easily leave them behind without trying. She wants to be turned loose to pass. But as we discuss on radio our gas turn is coming up, and if they turn to gas Cap Chat, we burn them down there. not necessary as they continue west, and we turn right for gas. Gas and go.

From this point on after Cap Chat there has been big changes on TQ5 route. To St Adelme. Some much more direct running and several new views the trail has been meticulously laid out to get the views of the Chic Chocs here. I know trails change every year sometimes a bit. But it’s been 2 years since I’ve been here and it’s a very different route. One point you turn left and the mountains ⛰️ are framed up right straight ahead big as life. Never did see that before. New route. Several new places to take photos. And to top it off a lookout 👀 3 km up off TQ5 groomed up and back with unbelievable views. Never been here never seen it. Not one mention of it I’ve seen anywhere. Probably just going too fast to see the sign at each end. Well worth 6km (up and back)

All right enough with the sights, lets bring it home. More trail changes big time from Relais St Paulin to St Adelme major reroute since I seen it in 23’. Love it seemed faster. Could have been our leader.

Arrived St Adelme. Mrs says it is bathroom time here. 

Cest bon ca. We wait patiently outside. Very good crowd with guys getting ready to leave. One group of 5 leaves westbound and I just knew we would see them soon. 

Trail has been 9/10 all day after drifted small sections after leaving MSP. 

No exceptions here trail awesome. Mrs exits and rejoins the team. Off we go. Its not far we got the last two of the group of 5. The three others are faster but we see them. There’s just no safe places here to get it done and lots of snow dust. Lets settle in here and ride it in. Not how we like it being held back, finally reach intersection for Riotel, and it’s what they want. We are by. At least the last few KM its just us again. We turn left and leave TQ5 behind until another year. 

Into Quality Inn. Super run with spectacular trail mates and friends. The mrs has improved so much and it’s been impressive to see. Great experience is just continuing to accumulate. 

Thats a wrap for the mrs this season. Time to start thinking SUP (paddle board) season for her. 

For the rest of Team Ice currently active. Its a repositioning 2 days to come. Back to Trois Rivieres to change trailers and switch out my Apex. NHMoose will be convoying with us. Tomorrow night at Chez Ice then Saturday drive to Cote Nord. 

3 strong back northbound. 

Stay Tuned

Cap Chat gas station

Excellent @iceman and crew. I am glad it went well. I look forward to following along on the next one.

Thank you for letting us ride along.

Such great pics!

5 hours ago, PMAC said:

Great reports and pics.So are you saying the trail from La Cache to Murdocville doesn’t go through My Lyall anymore?

Thank you so much for the reports and especially for the pictures Team Ice! Our group of 4 had the privilage of 6 times around Gaspe over the years. Sadly, age and the lose of one of our group has ended our yearly saddlebag trips after more than 30 years. Your detailed reports and the wonderful pictures have brought back a lot of wonderful memories of Gaspe for me. Thanks again and please keep up the great reporting!

Brian