AC+YA
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Posts posted by AC+YA
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1 hour ago, skidooboy said:
Make sure you are watching the weather, calling for 18" in 36 hours, starting tomorrow. I would bet, if you aren't in wawa by midnight Thursday, you aren't getting there until late Saturday or Sunday. Understand that storm is going to make fuel mileage on sleds suffer. Not to mention poor or no visibility of the established trails... Be smart, be safe. On our way up now, to beat the mess. Ski
Glad you’re feeling better. You guys have a nice trip. I will be back through Dub Sunday.
The weather looks to be putting some snow all the way around the northern loop for us which should help out those dry spots in towns.
Heading up early tomorrow and grabbing the sleds we left in Searchmont. With shortcuts it’s about 120 miles to the Edson in Chapleau plus a couple more to Valentines. Indoor parking there so no mess to clean off in the morning.-
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23 hours ago, Ox said:
Well, that's an option as well.
Just wouldn't want to come back and run a klick of pavement...
I have heard of some trouble there over the years as well, but then you see 30 rigs parked there when you drop there, so, it must not be quite as bad as all that. But I understand safe/sorry...
They cut the banks so we could ride on the tops when I was up a couple weeks back. They did it last year also which really helps. I don’t care about a bit of dry road when spring riding as it happens in every town. If you’re not good with it, touring is not possible. I don’t like it, but very little consequence to the machines.
Like you said Ox, lots were parking at the bus turnaround.-
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On 3/12/2023 at 10:05 PM, Hoosier said:
Thanks so much for the details. Did you run the 180 miles from Searchmont to Dub on the cat 800 with only the 3 extra gallons?
Did not have the Cat with that trip, but I’m sure it would go farther than the Doo’s because it has a much bigger tank to start with.
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On 3/11/2023 at 3:08 PM, skidooboy said:
And I was told the loggers are chewing up mile road out side of Dubreuilville, heading to the West, toward White River. you would have to run approx 4-5 miles of plowed, sanded, dirt road, that the log haulers do not want us on now. this all took place, YESTERDAY. only way to make it to white river, Manitouwadge, or Marathon would be to start at Hammer lake, (fishing moose lodge), or drive and start to white river. no bypass to road 12. just a heads up. Ski
There are 4 wet spots past Hammer Lake going towards White River. Only some good cold temps will fix them. One was a pretty big one. The guys I talked with last Monday had gone to White River last Sunday. I always research the water issues on that part of the trail before heading west since the last time I went to Marathon. The water issues need to be fixed in a way to hold the trail all season or the trail will continue to be hit or miss. Too bad because Marathon guys work hard to connect it every season. It was groomed back in January and it looked good from the road as I trailered to Hearst, but the water issue kept it from opening. That was before Hornepayne opened trails. -
On 3/11/2023 at 1:02 PM, Ox said:
Is there someone living at Halfway for the winter?
I see two vehickles that I'm purty sure weren't there in October.
???
I don’t think so, but saw many tracks into a cottage closest to the generator garage. The vehicles have been there for a long time. Saw another pickup stranded next to the trail/road heading up the power lines north of Halfway.
Only the sled trail leads to and from Halfway. The road leading to Hwy101 was pure and not touched. -
To better clear up the distance between points along a ride from Searchmont up to Dubreuilville I am going to post some more distances. If you open the ITG Map posted by the OFSC you can touch all segments of the official trails and add them together to get very accurate distances.
I used the free Polaris app on my phone to monitor distances which proved to me that the ITG is good to use.My start from Searchmont was at the Driftwood Valley Lodge.
D Trail north to split at the D201F Trail to Black creek 30 milesD Trail to split @ C101D to Chapleau 31 miles
D Trail to Halfway 21 miles
D Trail to split @ Wawa5 Trail 56 miles
Wawa5 Trail to split @ D Trail 9 miles
D Trail back towards Wawa to split @ Wawa7 Trail 2 miles
Wawa7 Trail (continue past split @ Wawa6 Trail) to Dub5 Trail at Magpie River 6 miles
Dub5 Trail on Magpie River to D Trail 19 miles
D Trail to Dubreuilville via Green Lake 8 miles
Just over 180 miles from Searchmont to Dub using OFSC Trails.
Using the same route to Wawa Motor Inn or gas without scraping all around the city trails just stay on Wawa7 towards Wawa Lake and then across the lake to Wawa. This minimizes the street running. Just turn into the trail past the school and then turn right. It dumps you out at the Motor Inn. Part way through cut out at Wawa Retal and circle through to the Petrocan station for fuel.
The total distance to Wawa gas is about 140 miles from Searchmont by these trails using Wawa Lake.
We carry the LINQ 4 gallon extra can on our Doo’s which are 4-stroke Turbo Sleds plus we have and additional 2 gallons in our saddle bags for safety. Our 800 Cat only carries 3 gallons extra because the tank is much bigger.
You need to know your sled and carry what gives you a safety margin. Do not plan on this if a blizzard is forecast. Watch the ITG for conditions of the trail. Spring time conditions are coming into play around towns, but that is just part of riding in warmer conditions.
We plan to ride out of the Driftwood in Searchmont this coming Thursday March 16 mid-afternoon. Running up to Chapleau to start a loop around the top.
Searchmont to Chapleau ThursdayChapleau to Cochrane Friday
Cochrane to Hearst. Saturday
Hearst to Dubreuilville Sunday
Dubreuilville to Chapleau Monday
Chapleau to Searchmont Tuesday
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13 minutes ago, AC+YA said:
Last week Friday we drove up to Searchmont and parked at Driftwood Valley which was a first this season. We rode out at 1:00pm sharp and arrived at the gas pumps in Dubreuilville at 6:05pm with the GPS saying we had gone 180.3 miles. We stopped at the warming shack where all 3 groomers come together from different directions and a few more times for breaks and once to dump our 4 gallon cans of fuel. We did not go into Wawa and saved miles and time. We took the Magpie which was perfect. After a night in Hearst we were back for a 2nd night in Dub. Then we had breakfast in Wawa the following morning and gassed up for the trip to Chapleau. We stopped at Halfway just to look around and then continued towards the Chapleau turnoff which is no longer 8.6 miles south of Halfway but rather 21 miles south at the warming shack. This is where all three groomers drive to. When Halfway suddenly left hundreds of sledders hanging last season, the Chapleau and Soo clubs changed the Chapleau run to hookup with the Soo so at least some could sled through Chapleau from points south.
from this point 21 miles south of Halfway the Chapleau trail distance is 71 miles into the gas station. Moose horn Lodge is quite a bit less. I am guessing maybe 20 miles?
spent the night at Valentines and shot down to Searchmont to head home Tuesday morning. The run from the gas station to the Driftwood left the gas gauge reading over a quarter tank so no extra gas needed that day with beautiful trails. We did put 1 gallon of extra fuel in to go from Wawa to Chapleau although it might not have been needed.
We were on Doo 900 Turbo R Renegades which can get 15 mpg when not hammering the throttle. All those trails were fantastic and in better shape than I can ever remember.
We both carried the LINQ 4 gallon extra gas tank and 2 one gallon cans in our saddle bags so we each had 6 gallons of extra gas.
Depending on conditions you may need the extra, but perfect trails meant that if you stop at Wawa only the 4 gallon would ever be needed.
900 plus miles of the BEST TRAILS ever.
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Last week Friday we drove up to Searchmont and parked at Driftwood Valley which was a first this season. We rode out at 1:00pm sharp and arrived at the gas pumps in Dubreuilville at 6:05pm with the GPS saying we had gone 180.3 miles. We stopped at the warming shack where all 3 groomers come together from different directions and a few more times for breaks and once to dump our 4 gallon cans of fuel. We did not go into Wawa and saved miles and time. We took the Magpie which was perfect. After a night in Hearst we were back for a 2nd night in Dub. Then we had breakfast in Wawa the following morning and gassed up for the trip to Chapleau. We stopped at Halfway just to look around and then continued towards the Chapleau turnoff which is no longer 8.6 miles south of Halfway but rather 21 miles south at the warming shack. This is where all three groomers drive to. When Halfway suddenly left hundreds of sledders hanging last season, the Chapleau and Soo clubs changed the Chapleau run to hookup with the Soo so at least some could sled through Chapleau from points south.
from this point 21 miles south of Halfway the Chapleau trail distance is 71 miles into the gas station. Moose horn Lodge is quite a bit less. I am guessing maybe 20 miles?
spent the night at Valentines and shot down to Searchmont to head home Tuesday morning. The run from the gas station to the Driftwood left the gas gauge reading over a quarter tank so no extra gas needed that day with beautiful trails. We did put 1 gallon of extra fuel in to go from Wawa to Chapleau although it might not have been needed.
We were on Doo 900 Turbo R Renegades which can get 15 mpg when not hammering the throttle. All those trails were fantastic and in better shape than I can ever remember.
We both carried the LINQ 4 gallon extra gas tank and 2 one gallon cans in our saddle bags so we each had 6 gallons of extra gas.
Depending on conditions you may need the extra, but perfect trails meant that if you stop at Wawa only the 4 gallon would ever be needed.
900 plus miles of the BEST TRAILS ever.-
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On 3/8/2023 at 10:38 PM, zrtkat said:
They are starving their dealers that's why there has been a lot of dealers in my area are no longer with Arctic cat.closest dealer to me is over a hour away.
My dealer was a big Cat dealer years ago and now has no Cats on the floor and only sold 2 sleds this season. They told me that Cat shut down all sled dealers in the state of Indiana and some wanted to continue.
it seems like Cats are very high priced and I have a hard time ordering what I have only read about and can’t sit on.
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Rode out of Hearst last Friday through Monday.
Great trails almost everywhere up there.
The yellow section from the end of the Hearst/Hornepayne at Mooseland over to the west is the only issue. The snow is fine, but this section has not been given enough grooming over the last few seasons to successfully break the saplings off. When it is cold and the drag cuts into the trail a bit, they are broken/cut off.
The current state is to the point of causing many to turn back to Hearst. My group continued and found the best trail conditions I’ve seen since its reopening in I think 2018-2019 season. We’ve ridden it every season except the 2020-2021.
We met a guy trying to cut some of the growth with a homemade sled-knife he was dragging, but it really wasn’t working.
Other than a few low areas (bottom of the hills) where water cut through during warm temps, the trail is real good once past the long bridge on Hwy11. The trail is green at that point.
Really liked staying at the “Between the Bridges Inn” on Hwy11 in Geraldton. Park in front of your room.
Moonbeam Clubhouse was cranking on Saturday afternoon and ran into Dennis and his group from Hearst.
Too bad it’s such a long drive.
Great 750 miles.
Scott-
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Any information on the duration of this closure yet?
I was planning my trip next week (leaving tomorrow) and this will force a change.
My buddy no longer accepts more than 200 miles per day and this will put us over…..Thanks for any updates.
Scott
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10 hours ago, Steve F6 said:
For the rubber seals on the ramp door we use a spray wax.
I use furniture polish like Pledge or a store brand.
Seems to help on all the rubber seals.
If already frozen, a waist basket of hot water and repeat.
leave open until re-frozen or dried.-
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On 2/11/2022 at 7:16 PM, skidooboy said:
When Are you guys coming this way? we will be up Feb 17-21, then march 13-18, and the 1st two weeks of April. Ski
We were planning the 17th - 27th, but my buddy lost his sister over the weekend and due to elevated deaths (Covid) the funeral home, and cemetery are backed up so the service will be delayed until the week of the 21st sometime.
Now we may come on the 25th or March 3rd?-
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2 minutes ago, AC+YA said:
The lookout is at the black arrow, but as you go under the lines on the trail, you have to turn and go up the hill to the top. When groomed it is easy to ride up.
only about 7 minutes past the Mystic Isle Motel running south on the D trail. About another 7 minutes to the split at Wawa 5. Then about 15 minutes to the Dam.
BTW there is still Hydro Line work close to the substation/rail tracks so it gets plowed sometimes and trucks are moving around so go slow after the little dam.
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17 hours ago, skidooboy said:
Not Far at all, @AC+YA can give an exact mileage. if I remember correctly it is before Mcphail dam, which is just south of town. Ski
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1 hour ago, Turbo Doo said:
I knew about the trailer service, I was just interested as to what you guys did. I'm glad your enjoying the 900 Turbo R. Awesome stuff...
We went from Searchmont to Dubreuilville first day. Spent 3 nights in Dub. Did some back trails and the Magpie a few times. Had lunch on the sleds at Tim Horton’s after going through the drive through. That was prior to opening back up. Then Monday had lunch in Hornepayne and continued up to Hearst.
Then To Cochrane with some excitement in Smoothrock where the gas station was closed. Of course we never got gas since leaving Hearst and came in with the low fuel light on.After learning not to trust anymore we were able to pay extra and buy gas to get us to Cochrane. Then Iroquois Falls and Timmins and back to Kapuskasing. Then loops and again back in Hearst. Back to Dub the next day. Then ran down to Halfway for Lunch Saturday. Took about 2hr. 45min. From Dubreuilville. The Chili was great. We then ran over to Chapleau and stayed at Valentine’s. 62 miles and very fast perfect run. Sunday ran straight to Searchmont in new snow and drove home.
Great trip. Best trails in the last 23 years. Everywhere.
Halfway grader…..
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22 hours ago, Turbo Doo said:
What did you do for the section of C101D that's closed? , or did you ride that far ?
We stopped in Chapleau on the way back to Searchmont at the end of a 10 day trip.
There is now a service to trailer your group around the closed section which I will try to post.
Also, some are cutting through to Harwood Lake Lodge from or to the C Trail and then just hooking up to the C101D. I have done it years ago. If you call Harwood L L them may be able to help you out?
BTW - Loving the Renegade 900 T.
1,700 miles now and it is quiet, smooth, and sweet to ride. Eco mode is good for 76mph and I normally trail ride in standard mode. It does over 100mph in standard mode. I use sport at times, but I have never gone over 111mph. This is the best touring sled because it goes at a good pace with no effort. We went from Timmins to Smoothrock and with all the stops still averaged 57mph. All trails were perfect. Never have I seen them like this and almost nobody around. It was pretty cold also.
We went directly from Chapleau to Searchmont using groomed trails only last Sunday. Never saw anyone and pushed 4-8” of new snow. We took it easy to conserve gas so 45 - 60mph. About 125 miles on the BRP odometer and 130 miles on the Arctic Cat odometer. Had just dropped down to 2 bars on the BRP fuel gage as we turned into the Driftwood. Gets good mileage if you take it easy.
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On 2/8/2022 at 9:41 AM, Gadgetman said:
Guess: Lack of staff or not financially viable to open if capacity is 50%, for some places which likely have high costs due to location. I cancelled our Moose Horn Lodge booking, she mentioned that others have also cancelled and that for only a few bookings that there is no point in opening.
I went past the Moose Horn Lodge (Chapleau) a few days back.
The trail re-route and work to power lines has caused the road linking the Lodge with the trail to be cut to dirt, but I just went the other direction and all is good.
I can see issues if there is a melt, but for now the re-route is fantastic and uses the other road most of the way.
Chapleau area is all great riding.
The trail to Halfway.
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26 minutes ago, Turbo Doo said:
@AC+YA,Is that the high windshield or the ultra high windshield?. We have a high windshield on our 2021 Renny X, and the handguards are fine to keep on, and you can also use the Doo muffs with the handguards as well..Here's a pic of our 2021 Renny X with the high windshield and handguards and muffs..
I think that depending on the setting of the handle bars, there may be some interference when keeping the guards although turning the bars that much may only happen in a parking lot. While riding trails I agree that there would not normally be any issues.
Today I plan to add the mirrors.
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18 minutes ago, Steve F6 said:
I just picked up a high windy for my 600R yesterday at Stonge. Probably not keeping the medium if someone needs it. Also have the stock one. Ac+ya that looks like the ultra high?
It is listed as “high” windshield.
The glove box extension actually sticks up pretty high on its own, but I like wind protection so all good for me.-
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6 minutes ago, Turbo Doo said:
@oldslowsledder, YES, you can mount the Doo tunnel mount scratchers to a Mach Z...Watch Video please...
SATCH
Even if you mount just one side, it will probably take care of issues.
I often just drop one side and it does a great job!Looks fine to me!
I had bought an adjustable windshield and the deflectors for my X-RS and after receiving my new sled found they do not work together. All the medium windshield kits with deflectors are sold out and on back order until end of February.
Finally found a dealer in Wisconsin that told me they are putting high windshields on these sleds even though BRP says they will NOT work. There is a combo of windshield, support, and deflectors that is now on my sled and I like it better than a medium for protection.
You cannot run the hand guards which come on the machine and is why BRP says it won’t work.
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10 minutes ago, oldslowsledder said:
Will pick new sled up on Friday morning, great news. Interestingly found out you can't put Doo ice scratchers on a Mach
because of Smart Shock sensor placement I am told. We ride from house and have a kilometer or so of ice to cross before hooking up with trails so will have to see how this plays out. With the prevailing winds off the bay there is usually not a lot of snow cover.
I always stud and install any accessories myself, find it's a good way to become familiar with a new sled. Asked for tunnel protectors but apparently they come standard, one less thing to doo!
I ran BRP tunnel mounts on my Cats. Just had to make a mounting system on a plate and bolt it to the foot rests. Can mount a little bit more forward and get better results. Still use the hooks to hang them for storage.
Buy ski hardware from Simmons Flexi Skis to make it easy.
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9 minutes ago, Ox said:
I bet it's all of 100 smiles from Black Crick to Halfway.
Actually - I bet it's better'n that.
Maybe 115.
Not saving anything gas wise even if Flame Lake's not there.
It's about 115 from Goulias River to Black Creek and about 105 from Halfway to Black Creek if you do the trail all the way. We usually short cut it down Domitar to Ranger Lake and over to the bridge just before Hwy 129 and then follow the old trail all the way to Aubrey Falls Trading Post and jump out of the trail just before the parking lot and then follow the Hwy down to the F Trail / Black Creek. If conditions are good we run straight to Chapleau from Black Creek by jumping off the trail and running the logging roads. They were keeping them plowed a couple seasons back, so we took the trail all the way and had to hit Halfway for fuel and backtrack to go to Chapleau. Wondering if they are still using that area as much?
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3 hours ago, Dan-Senior said:
Chad and I were at Aubrey Falls Trading Post. Unfortunately, another lodge closed up. The gas pumps are gone and the place is locked up. We had some amazing memories of this place over the decades. I first starting visiting here in 1970, when the restaurant was on the main ground level and the Aubrey Falls dam was being finished.
The owners would not allow the trail to go through their property for maybe 3 seasons now and there was a chain up on the driveways so not open. The bridge near the D106 needed work for the groomer to use it. The trail has been run next to the road now for a few seasons instead but gets bad sometimes. You now just turn North up Hwy 129 coming out of the trail at BlackCreek and ride the shoulder up to Ranger Lake Road if you don't know the old trail, but I have had to cut trees in there 2 seasons back to get through.
BlackCreek has to stay open or the trails will be done just the same as Halfway is needed to keep the F trail alive.
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Riding North out of Searchmont without Halfway
in Main Clubhouse
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I usually take the lake this time of year. Also, the lake was pretty smooth and fast a couple weeks back.