Hi Guys,

I own a camp in quebec up past fort coulonge, I can either go in through fort coulonge up the jims lake road or in through deswisha at rolphton. They are saying that they won't be plowing the road this winter so we will have ttake the sleds all the way in - about 100kms on road and possibly trails if the clubs just go on the roads.

So my question is that if I want to go into my camp to go ice fishing do I have to buy a trail permit?

Thanks

Louis

You need a trail permit only if you use trails. However, you need a current registration plate wherever you go, even if you ride only off trails.

So I would need a permit even if the club made their trail on the road? You see what I mean - why would I have to pay for a trail permit if I am using a public road to go to my camp? Especially if I only had a couple of kms to go on the road that was used as a winter trail.

Or, I guess the question is - if the trail is made on part of a public road is it a trail or a road?

Thanks for your response.

Louis

In Québec, snowmobiles are considered off road vehicles. It is forbidden for an off road vehicle (that category also includes ATV's) to cross a public road or to ride on a public road unless a road sign permits it (maximum 1 km - 0.6 mile when allowed on a public road). I know I'm not answering your question and that I'm just getting things more complicated for you. But you can't use the road (legally... ) and you don't want to pay for the trail permit...

Sorry about the answer.

go to www.fcmq.com or .ca not sure but that is the web site for all the trails if you dont see the road to your camp on it you'll be fine .

threr's a couple of things you can doo:

trail pass is 250$ and if you get caught with out it its 300$ on the spot (but they give you the pass)
so you might not get cought and save the $

weekend pass depends on how much you go up there??

or drive it like you stole it and don't get caught

hope this helps a bit

Thanks for the suggestions. I have sent the FCMQ an email asking them their opinion, lets see what they say:)

I find that during the week there is no traffic up there at all - that trail to jonka is pretty remote. As far as driving really fast through it - I have 4 elans, a 1987 tundra, and a 2006 tundra - so we will be easy to catch:) I'm just hoping that they are logging this winter so they keep the roads open, that way we only have to snowmobile about 40K as opposed to about 140 - not fun on elans.

Thanks

Louis

Louis,

Are you talking about a public road OR a logging road? Logging roads are generally private roads and off road vehicles (including sleds) are permitted on private roads unless you see road signs indicating otherwise. However, BEWARE of the logging trucks. Their drivers are maniacs. They even have a radio system to warn each other before entering a curve. This alone tells a lot. A sled is no match to them.

Michel

Actually I am not sure, part is public and part is logging road, and part is ZEC, so a real mishmash.

Sometimes you can work with the local snow clubs and they will work with you for camp access. This way the clubs and the local Federation trail security will be aware who you are and what your doing.

X2 hey Louis i Live in Shawville. why don't you ask the Penguin Club. They groom your area.

Here is a link.

http://www.clubpingouin.ca/index_a.htm



(819) 683 2056 for the Pingouins Club trails.

Ok thanks very much, have to wait till the snow flies to figure out what is happening up there.

Louis

Hi Louis,

I also have a camp in that part of the country- Lac bransat. My son and I both enjoy our weekend trips to the Joncas via the Jim lake road via the Grand Manitou road (all logging roads). We probably met you allready at the Joncas hanging around that nice bar maid.

You do not need a federation pass to snowmobile on logging roads which are not maintained by the FMCQ. The Jim lake and Manitou logging roads are not maintained by the FMCQ except for one small section leading to l'Auberge Joncas (.5 km). I recommend that you do pay the yearly fees - it is our sport and we must fund it accordingly. If we don't help out, I have a sixth sense that places like the Joncas will just not be in existance in the future.

We are planning a trip to the Joncas on january 24. We will see you there.

for sure, buy the pass... once you get a taste of those incredible (or incroyable) trails and the hospitality, you'll want to run all the trails....they are awesome!

Thanks for the info guys, we were up to my camp on saturday, we weren't sure which way we could go because of the snow, there was about 2 feet of fluff and made for tough going. There was one spot where we hit groomed trail for about 5K and then turned off to our camp. I'll see if there is an alternate route that doesnt hit the trail. I only access my camp 1 or 2 times a year and I lend my buddies my 4-5 other sleds (elans and old tundras) for 1 trip we take every year to my camp. So as you can see I don't mind supporting a club but to buy 6 passes for 1 trip would be costly.

We went in through DeSwisha this time, we only drove the trucks to about km 10 or something then had to sled from there, has anyone been up the Jims Lake rd yet?

The guys in my camp groom our trails every year as they are in there every weekend, they will also be buying passes as Joncas is only about 90K from our camp.

Regards,
Louis

A friend of mine left yesterday, dec 19, for Bransat Lake (mileage 72 on the jim lake road). He's back on Monday. I'll tell you all about it when he gets back.

Awesome thanks!

Lshobie,
My friend never made it in. He was called in at work. I am trying to get up to the camp tomorrow.
Sorry for the late response.

No problem at all, my friends ended up going in last weekend by the jims lake rd, they parked at km 34 or 36 and went all the way up. Was easy going to around forant and then they broke trail to my camp. You will probably notice a nice smooth trail if you head in - my friend groomed all the way back out over 100kms to the trucks at km 34:) He'll most likely groom it all winter long - he likes a nice smooth trail.

Have fun!