Questions about new A103 loop -Smooth Rock to Abitibi Canyon

[Mick60]

Can anyone tell me about the new A103 loop? Is the trail as straight as the maps are showing?

Is there any chance for off-trail riding?

What about current snow conditions? I hear the rains didn't get this far north?

Will be riding this trail and up into the Canyon during the week of February 3rd.

[ontflatlander]

Yes , the A103 from Smoothrock is a very straight, flat, wide powerline corrridor. Lotsa room to play .

Cannot tell you what conditions will be in two weeks but there's lotsa snow right now.

2 to 3 ft of powder snow on the flatlands and 3 to5 ft in the canyons.

Trail is not groomed as of last weekend . They started grooming from Cochrane but the groomer blew an engine .

ontflatlander

[revrnd]

Terry, I checked the Mapsource Topo software & it's fairly flat. Not like up past the dam. Just tell the boys to watch out for the stumps

I saw a rock on TOP A west of Kirkland Lake that someone pancaked on a power line.

[700renegade]

Anyone have the mileages from Cochrane to the canyon on the east side and back on the west? Where does the west side connect back into the Top A - how far from Cochrane or SRF?

Done this a couple times up and back - will be a nice change to have an alternate route that is an official trail ( I know the locals used to run the west side in prior years but I never tried it ).

Thanks!

[ontflatlander]

Anyone have the mileages from Cochrane to the canyon on the east side and back on the west? Where does the west side connect back into the Top A - how far from Cochrane or SRF?

Done this a couple times up and back - will be a nice change to have an alternate route that is an official trail ( I know the locals used to run the west side in prior years but I never tried it ).

Thanks!

Hey 700 Ren.

I was up there last weekrnd -40 !!! This is apprx. what I figured,

From Cochrane to Canyon 150 Km.

From SRF to Canyon 90 Km { then apprx 80 km from SRF back to Cochrane }

A103 West side is power line south for 70 Km then turns west off power line for 20 Km into SRF and A trail. {and gas }

Trailer is open at Canyon for snacks and gas. A103 Trail is NOT groomed at this time .

Have a good one,

ontflatlander

[700renegade]

Ok, so if I understand this right the loop starting at Cochrane and ending right in Smooth Rock is a total of 240 km or so, gas pump to gas pump?

I know they have fuel at the trailer at the canyon, but I don't like planning a loop like that which depends on the presence of a guy who just might have decided to go AWOL that day. 240 km ( 150 miles ) is pretty bulletproof w/ an SDI and jerry can.

Rule #1 in northern Ontario and Quebec is making sure you have ample fuel.

[ontflatlander]

Ok, so if I understand this right the loop starting at Cochrane and ending right in Smooth Rock is a total of 240 km or so, gas pump to gas pump?

I know they have fuel at the trailer at the canyon, but I don't like planning a loop like that which depends on the presence of a guy who just might have decided to go AWOL that day. 240 km ( 150 miles ) is pretty bulletproof w/ an SDI and jerry can.

Rule #1 in northern Ontario and Quebec is making sure you have ample fuel.

Yes , 240 km. cochrane > canyon > SRF . I was told that someone would be at trailer 24/7 for season , but I know what you mean about fuel .

Have a good one ,

ontflatlander