Just got back from 6 days on the Gaspe, best trip out ever and compared to last year when I said I would never do it again, WOW.

Monday left Beaceville, 55, 557, 35, 548, 85 to Cabano. All 10's.

Tuesday left Cabano (motel royal), 548, 5 to Matane. 10

Wed left Matane, 5, 595 to N Richmond, 55 to Carleton. 10

Thu left Carleton, 55 to Cross Point, across the bay to Campbellton, 17 to Moose Valley. 10

Fri left Moose Valley, no # to Biencourt, 548, 35, 55 to St Pamphile. 10

Sat St Pamphile to Beauceville 55 all the way.

Passed 5 sleds from Mon - Fri on the trail. Sat am of course was a different story, passed about 200 to 250 in 3 hours.

Wx was good or bad, depending how you look at it. Cold wx is usually perfect trails, warm wx, trails are not so good. Below 0 the entire trip, day and night, and that is Fahrenheit, not celsius. Most of the trails were groomed the night before or were being groomed. Sometimes I wondered why they were grooming because the trail wasn't much different after we passed the groomer. 1100+quality miles.

Jamie, something got lost in the translation, a few days before I left my PC locked up and I couldn't receive or send msg's or anything else. A friend of mine fixed part of it but I still don't have email. Did you end up going to Valin?
The Gaspe was awesome, never saw trails so consistently good, thinking about going around next week if I can find someone to go with. Got to get out there before President's week when the mob takes over. If you want to email me use my old email (dkarwh@aol.com). That one is still working. Karl

Great report. Where did you stay in ST. Pamphille???

Sudbury Sledder

Motel National. Just up the road from the gas station. Not a star on the place but clean with a shower and a good restaurant in front. Price is right also.

We essentialy did the same trip.

Saturday 1/19 in Therford Mines
SUnday 1/20 in St Pamphile
Monday 1/21 in Squatec (near Cabano)
Tuesday 1/22 in St Anne des Monts
Wednesday 1/23 in Matane
Thursday 1/24 in St Pamphile again

1300 + miles. Saw more groomers than sleds. Everywhere was dead. Hotels, club houses, & trails!!

Here are a couple pics of the riding.

Chris

Karl forgot to mention that the waitress we had was kinda cute too.

I am planning to go with some friends February 19, 20, 21 & 22. Would like to see as much as possible including the famous Chic Chuc (spelling?) mountains. Is this going to be a crowded mob scene? Any routes and miles recommended? 200 miles to 250 daily is good. Thanks!

I think you mean the Chic Chocs(sp??) (which are the beginning tip of the Appalachians I think).

Not sure where you plan to start from but 4 days is probably a bit tight for a roundtrip. It might even be tight to go as far as 595 and cut across - which is what I would suggest - unless you absolutely need to see the "Rock" at Perce which I see almost no way you can do in the time you give. Cutting across 595 gives great views of the Chic Chocs - and allot of other scenery. IMO it gives you some of the best scenery in Gaspe. The other problem may be getting room(s) that week as that is "high season" in Gaspe. You can do it pretty safely time wise if you leave from RDL and no one has problems. Definitely try to book a room from the trail the day before (at least) or you may have to scratch around for lodging. Some towns only have a couple of places to stay and that is why I caution you. That is usually a VERY busy week!

Like vt said, I don't know where you are starting from which affects the whole trip as far as where you go. Historically president's week is the busiest week in Quebec so I'm sure you will have company. The south side of the Gaspe (New Richmond, Carleton, Cross Point, Cambellton all have many motels and hotels. I doubt if it would be a problem for motels there. Sat night is usually the worst so make sure you know where you are staying. The 595 is the most scenic and also the least crowded and best trail. Let me know where you are leaving from and maybe I can help you more.