Quebec Trail report-Lac Edouard, Mt Valin, Todoussac

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From: Bill and Kelly Stickney
To: Zenwaiter
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 7:27 PM
Subject: Quebec 2/23 --> 3/1


Zen,

Wanted to drop you a line and give you a little report.

You may not remember me but I talked with from Richard’s a top Mt Valin last season; I am the one who totaled his snowmobile and broke his elbow. 

Anyways, a group of 5 of us started from Real Masse to begin an 1150 mile loop, I am happy to say that everyone made the loop without incident.
 

Day 1 – we started from Real Masse to Lac Edouard, the plan was to ride 318 east to 353 to 73 and up to 355, but we ended up short cutting this loop by traveling 318 to M7 to 360 to 73 to 355.  We got a late start and could not seem to get things rolling all day.  We still ended up with close to 200 miles; the pipeline (360) was a little icy.  About 30 miles south of Lac Edouard we encountered a wolf on the trail, I must say this was quite a surprise, that I have never encountered in my 15+ years of riding in Canada.  We stayed at Le Gite d’Edouard.  Nicole was our hostess and has a very nice little bed and breakfast; she also offers dinner at an additional cost.
 

Day 2 – We left Lac Edouard and went up 355 to 83 to 383 to 23 to 93 and up to Auberge 31 on Mt Valin.  Last year I stayed at Richard’s, but he has sold his chalet and did not have any rooms to rent this year.  Again our ride was close to 200 miles and the trails were generally good.  I must point out that the trails to the south east of Lac St Jean are in desperate need of snow, especially 83, 383 and 23.

Day 3 – The group decided it would be nice to circle the Saguenay, so we set out for Todoussac on 93, this trail was fantastic.  We crossed the Saguenay on the ferry and after some backtracking we discovered that rail 383 in this region was not open from Baie-Sainte-Catherine to Petit Saguenay.  At this point the group made a decision to backtrack over Mt Valin and onto our next destination at the Holiday Inn in Jonquiere.  299.5 miles later we pulled in; I met “Saguenay Bill” from Quebecrider.com, only wish I had talked to him before this long day.

Day 4 – We made this an easy day by riding 80 miles over to Jack’s Outback via the club trails through St Andre.  The snow is MUCH better this way than just a few miles north.  Jack’s is a lot of fun and he said for me to say hello and hoped that you are doing well after your unfortunate accident earlier this year. 


Day 5 – 200 miles, we started by using Jack’s “private” trail, this was in great shape, if not better than many of the others, we the turned west on 83 and on to Relais 22.  About 65km from Relais 22 we came upon the pieces of an accident.  Upon on our arrival at Relais 22 we found that a gentleman had struck a tree and twisted his sled up along with him.  He was walking, but they summoned an ambulance for him, as he was complaining of shoulder pain.  We then went south on 73 to La Tuque and stayed at Motel 9.  During this ride the only other sleds we encountered all day were at the Relais, or in La Tuque.
 
Day 6 – Approximately 180 miles we rode from La Tuque to Matawin on 360, we stayed on 360 through the park, which by the way was absolutely perfect.  We then took 345 back to Real Masse.

In all we had a fantastic trip, met some great people, and hope to do another one similar to this next year.  I hope you are doing better, and will be back east next season.

Bill Stickney