Making a trip up to Quebec from Caribou and planning on heading through Estcourt. Heard the trail to Estcourt was pretty nice this past season. Anyone know for sure if it will be open and groomed again this season. If so, what is the mileage from Caribou? Heard there was gas there - possibly just over border - but not sure. Don't see any gas shown on Quebec maps for Estcourt. Would be good to know if there was.

Thanks.

No one knows?

I have never riden it.

However I have been on the other side of it, gets you into a great area of Quebec to ride in.

My understanding is fuel is available (cash only) at Escourt. You could also fill at Dickey, 40 miles to Escourt from Dickey I'm told. After you get into Canada if that's your plan Cabano would be on the way East and Relais 540 on the way west as a spot to top off. I don't have my Bas-St-Laurent map here but it can't be more than 25 miles to either one of them once you cross the border.

There is also gas available on the west side of the lake about half way up at a convenience store that does accept Credit Cards.

Relias 540 is about 35 miles from Escourt on 85, Cabano is about the same cutting up 54?(not sure what that number is of the green trail off the top of my head) to 85

How about from Millinocket to Escourt?? We are planning the same route but from a furthur south. I would rather ride the sled than drive the truck....

I've heard the same about Estcourt, cash only.

Heading from Caribou through say Portage to Dickey looks to be about 80-90 miles, so another 40 to Estcourt puts us at 120-130 then another 50 miles to Riviere Du Loup for the night. 180 miles or so sounds good for the first day if we get a late start like I think we will.

Any advice once we get into the BSL area? Avoid RDL and head up towards Riv. Trois Pist. for the 1st stop? Our goal is to make a week long loop up through the Gaspe and back to Caribou. Start on Sat., be back in Caribou the following Sat. We like long Mileage days and could do it in less time I'm sure but I don't want to miss out on the scenery and would rather have a more relaxed trip.

548 I believe is the crossover from 35 to 85. The other side of 548 heading West from Cabano was one of my favorite rides last winter towards Rimouski.

RDL is a good place to stay. It sets you up for a nice run to Matane the next day.
You could push on to Rimouski. It's about 120 miles from RDL. Hotel Rimouski has a nice indoor pool and spa. From ther go to Mt St. Pierre about 230 miles from Rimouski.

Just took a quick look at my Maine 05-06 map and did some math. Came up with about 225 miles from Millinocket to Estcourt. This is heading up through Shin Pond, Oxbow, Portage then over to Allegash/Dickey. if there's enough snow, should be easy enough to do.




That was/is the plan. RDL to Matane on the second day. Don't think we can make Rimouski.

You've got me thinkin' about starting from just south of Millinocket instead of Caribou. I have a free place to stay there and nice, safe parking for the trucks and trailers. That would be a haul - Millinocket to RDL in same day. Only maps out as about 275 miles but I bet it turns out to be more like 300+. Better be good conditions! Should be able to find alternate accomodations if just over the border if something goes wrong.

conditions are key, I made my 59 year old dad do 265 miles our last day in Quebec last year from RDL to St Georges with some side trips along the way. He must have liked it he tells me he's coming back for more punishment this year.

I was thinking you could push Rimouski if you wanted to really push day 1 from Carribou, taking 548/546 you cut off some of the distance heading up to RDL and then over would cause and 548 is a pretty wide and fast trail at least once you go past Cabano. The mileage my trail map comes up with is 106 from Escourt to Rimouski.

Have you considered starting from Jackman? The riding in the BSL area is real good 90% of the time. If you have the time don't skip it. Jackman to RDL is an easy 260-280 miles.

I don't know if I want to "push" too hard on the 1st day. This will be my first 3+ day trip and I know how I felt the second day on other overnight trips. On one hand, I know me and my buddies are mileage hounds. On the other, I know I need to be a little conservative with the planning to deal with unknowns like the weather, mechanical issues, missed turns, etc.




Jackman is an option but we have a place to stay just south of Millinocket. Was planning on driving up from CT on Friday afternoon, staying overnight in Millinocket then trailer up to Caribou and hit trails by 9am. Now I'm thinking if we leave Millinocket by 6am Sat. instead of going to Caribou, we can save some $$ and put on a few more miles. I've never headed North from Millinocket so that will be nice to see too.

Its Escourt right not Estcourt?? Like someone said before me 40 miles from Dickey to Escourt Station, great ride its worth it. Dickey to Caribou is a great trail as well. have fun

It's actually spelled "Estcourt" but whatever. Doesn't matter.

We ALMOST made the trip from Caribou to Estcourt last season but ran out of time because I can't go to Caribou without making the "border run". It's my favorite trail with all the hills and scenery.

djs are you gonna run the gasp'e or just up and back?

the northern part of the penisula is unreal! tons of snow

let me in on some of that "tons of snow"

The plan right now is to run the entire Gaspe loop including the North/South trails. Going to try to make a full week out of it. We have a route mapped out but realize that we need to stay flexible due to the weather up there. Thinking we'll put on close to 1800 miles for the week. That will be a first for me but I've done several 300 mile days.

Nothing against Maine but wait until you see the scenery on the North side of the Gaspe.

2 years ago went from the Crown Park Inn in Caribou to St. Pamfile and it was 300 miles round trip. I think it was 48 miles from Dickey to St. Pamfile. Last year went from Dickey to Estcourt twice, 40 miles one way. Sooooo it is about 150 sled miles to Estcourt from Caribou. You can save some miles by going on the St. John River from St. Francis up to Dickey, and those miles can be used to go up the Alagash River to Alagash falls. Nice side trip. Just follow the sled tracks.

I'd be careful on that river. I rode the that stretch last year from Dickey to John's store saves about 30 miles but it's not always safe as conditions can change quickley,make sure you go with someone who knows that part of the river!

There is a Gulf Station right at the Border in Estcourt. As others have said I believe it is cash only. Don't forget you will need a passport to get back into the U.S. after January 7th.

I thought that only applied to air travel? Heard not 'till 2008 for border crossings?

EDIT - Here's info:

New Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and Canada: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

Effective January 8, 2007, all U.S. citizens traveling by air to and from Canada are required to have a valid passport to enter the United States. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

passport is required in 2008 not 2007 as many have misunderstood

Thanks for correcting me!! This will save a couple of our guys for laying out the $$ for passports this year :banana: