willb

I do not know the details of the new ownership or the transfer. Just was told new owners last year and now see the new website. Only can go up though!

New owners fully now (a positive in my eyes) and they have a new website. https://www.sledabitibi.com/?fbclid=IwAR1YU8FDuOVCqhWCbsIT4LiKIqOojLseDMH9MY8zWsF_AbTaibBDSmQFHaE I can only assume that they will have fuel like previous years but can’t personally confirm. Send Steve a message on Facebook or email or call (info on the website).

Like mentioned above it would be ideal that the OFSC presents the data they have that stopping usage of track maps is going to lower trespassing. No other places (states, provinces, etc) to my knowledge are doing this? It just seems the OFSC continues to take these stances that blindside members and offer less services for them. For anyone involved in the OFSC was this discussed at district meetings or the AGM? Or with landowners? I have the file now so should be good for a little bit…

The big reason I want a smaller stackable caddy (don’t care if it’s oil or gas) is to save weight and bulk. 16l can be fit into the stackable fuel caddy plus the 4l of oil stacked on it in the small caddy and that adds up to about 45 lbs of extra weight at the rear (including the caddy weights) plus your gear. Not to mention the extra size of the stacked cans which is applicable if you are riding off trial. if they made the small caddy stackable that would be enough gas and oil but only half the weight and 2/3 of the height/size. hope they are working on it!

The road to the base camp is “hwy” 634 running from smooth rock. It only crosses the river at the top via the actual dam. “hwy” 579 is the one that crosses the via the gardiner ferry from Cochrane. Not sure where it goes, looks like to some camps and lakes. But maybe some development was back there at one time?

Ha! But it is only regular. Either way there are no roads to town besides the ice road. I was told that gas travels by the train up to Moosonee when we were there. So way better deal for fuel in Moosonee!

Great thank you for the information. We have backcountry’s so sounds perfect!

Are there elevation changes and lots of backcountry riding options out of there? Would love to hear more!

Agreed! I am sure the ofsc is doing some good work on this front, but some transparency from the ofsc on what solutions are being looked at and some details rather than we just closed trails would be welcomed!

I agree with the comments above around a better plan for clearing the road and a long term plan for the place being needed. I have been to halfway and it is an interesting spot and am thankful of the people who worked hard to keep it open in the past. But without that ‘one’ family or group of people to operate it, it is a tough proposition. Ultimately I hope the trails can stay open without halfway. As a rider with a fuel caddy I can make it 200 kms pushing snow so a second caddy would make the trip doable (maybe not for everyone but still possible). In either case I wish the rider could make the call to go or not rather than the ofsc just closing the trails fully. There are trails in QC that have no fuel for ~230 kms and still open (La dore to Chib. as one example). so I wonder what it would take to groom those trails with out halfway? Quebec seems to groom trails that are this remote without gas so why can’t ON? Wonder what solutions we can come up with without halfway? Maybe the club can find an alternate fuel solution and operator support plan? Can we not put a larger fuel tank on the groomer? Etc. Anyway enough armchair quarterbacking from me…

Worth phoning some local dealerships to see if they would trailer you around for a fee or even the club or some local towing companies. Might not want to do it as a business but you could find someone willing to do a one off for a few bucks. Good luck!

FYI. https://abitibicanyon.com/extreme-tours-moosonee

I would like to see the cost of fuel they pay. I suspect it could be lower than what we all think. I think they would be shut down if they were not making money. In fact they keep growing and investing in the place (new tank, tours, renos, places to stay, etc.). I don’t complain about the cost; it is what it is and I am happy to support them when I do. Anyway, I am thankful the guys are there and open and part of keeping this trail what it is. With that said this post on FB right here basically sums the operation up.

Congratulations on the new sled! Tell me more about this Ontario riders forum? Is it new?

I spoke to the gentleman doing the Hearst tours and his name is Dany G. Seemed like a top notch guy based on the call. The route is Hearst to Tozers camp (Onakawana) or right to Moosonee via the rivers (too long of names to spell out). But to be clear this is river running so limited playing around in the powder from what I understand. The trips can be customized some too I guess. Anyway, that is the route up, the route back is via the Moose and Abitibi rivers and the Abitbi power line down through Fraserdale and to Smooth Rock Falls (then you can proceed wherever you’d like from there via the trail system). This route back would be basically the same as the Moosonee trip from Cochrane. Some river running, some trails from Cochrane to base camp at the Abitibi dam, and some hydro lines which seem to allow for some more playing around in the powder. anyway, that’s my take, hope it helps some decide on the trip.

You know anyone who has done the trip?

Good to see other options. The prices for the tour from cochrane with extreme tours (abitibi base camp) keeps going up.

Does it have a steel frame or aluminum? For reference I just sold a 2015 14’ all aluminum trailer made by legend (top of the line DVN model including 6’6” height) for $8200.

Even better I find than fixed mirrors is the hand/glove mirror. Offers better field of view, and is much cheaper, but requires you to take your hand off the bars. Just wanted to note it as an option but am sure you guys are familiar with it.

What happened to go performance? They closed down per above. I bought a used sled there a while back and he seemed like a decent guy.

Bluewater is great to deal with as I posted in another thread. Also I would go with the legend cargo style trailer better quality but it is more money. Cargo trailers are easier to load and more flexibility. I have a 7 by 17 legend DVN tandem and works great. I would go two feet longer to not have to back in the second sled if I was ordering again. Everyone that I know with a front door says they never use it and would likely not get it again. tandem axel also tows wayyyyy better not only for the reassurance as mentioned above. Less bounce and sway and tongue weight depending on your set up. Just a better balanced trailer. Not to mention the better weight capacity of the tandem. Assuming you have a 3500 lb single axel you only have 2250 lb towing capacity per the specs posted. So two sleds full with oil, fuel etc. Then add your gear and jerry cans and what not and you can be getting close to capacity. my thoughts anyway.

Yeah just booked rooms on way up 2 hrs ago as we changed plans last minute. If I spoke French maybe we could have figure out how the trails were in QC but couldn’t figure it out. Next time. So we booked cochrane westward today. Back to the rooms; we got in tonight at the westway (was fully booked yesterday when I checked so someone must have cancelled). Then got in Hearst Super 8 and kap Super 8 other nights no problem. if you can’t get in cochrane try the moose in smooth rock. Or even the train station hotel in cochrane usually has stuff. Or floods landing just outside of cochrane. good luck!

Heading to cochrane now instead of QC. Nice to see the snow reports. Thanks and keep them coming. Hope to see some of you on the trail.

Bluewater is hands down 100 times better than action. Heck I usually drive 100 kms each way to Bluewater before buying from the local legend dealer. hear of numerous action trailer issues - going to pick up a trailer that you wait 6 weeks for and it not being ready (pdi). bluewater after sales support is top notch - ordered many parts that they mail out and have always had great service. haven’t yet been to the huge new bluewater yard though.

Yeah I suspected there was some kind of province wide change on the grooming being not updated. It seems the clubs are still updating grooming online though: https://m.facebook.com/adminclubMalartic/ but need to read and understand French...