N.ontariosaddlebagger

03/05/2022

Day 8 - Earlton to Corbeil 255km
Today was much warmer and the sun was out. By the time we got close to North Bay we were looking for places to put excess cloths in our saddle bags.
Leaving Earlton the trails are mostly in farmers fields. Then you drop down into the frozen Wabi River that runs into Lake Temiskaming. Just before the end we headed up Radley's Hill out of the valley and back into Canadian Shield country. Staying on the A trail we continue past Haileybury and Cobalt and end up in Latchford where we saw the world's shortest covered bridge and the Latchford Bridge (from the Latchford Dam - Montreal River).
From Latchford you leave highways and houses and along the Ottawa-Temiskaming Highland Trail and Rosevelt Road towards Temagami. To get to the town of Temagami you follow the low waters of Snake Lake and by views of the fire tower.
After Temagami the A-Trail follows the natural gas pipeline to North Bay. It was great to be back in the North Bay Snowmobile Club and Bonfield Snowmobile Club area. Great to be home!!!
I will follow up soon with a trip summary post. If you have any questions please let me know.

Timiskaming Abitibi Trail Association Paul Wilcox 705Sledders Near North Trail Association - District 11

03/04/2022

Day 7 - Cochrane to Earlton 298km
After a great night sleep at the Westway Motel we got moving around 830am to -31C... not fun... keep moving folks! We stayed on the A trail but detoured onto the D112C and L62 around Iroquois Falls through Porquis Junction. The trails in this are on hydro corridor, pipeline and forestry roads. Heading to Earlton to visit with family tonight we took trails through Kirkland Lake (A108 and L161) rather than the longer route by Matatchawan and Elk Lake. We stopped at the Boston Creek 'T'... I wondered how close this intersection is to the actual community of Boston Creek. Years ago i visited an old mining/ghost town there. That would be a great place to get back to after all these years. Trails were superb today! So glad it warmed up throughout the day as well.

Westway Motel, Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club Jackpine Snowmobile Club (Iroquois Falls Ontario) Golden Corridor Snowdrifters Kirkland Lake & Area Tri Town Snow Riders 705Sledders Paul Wilcox

03/04/2022

Day 6 - Hearst to Cochrane 291km
Woke up to very cold temperatures with additional wind chill. So today there was not a lot of stopping and seeing the sights. The trails were great and we made good time. We hoped to stop at the Moonbeam Club House for a warm up and lunch but it was closed. I assume Covid has closed it for the season but I am not sure. The area we travelled today is part of the Northern Corridor du Nord Snowmobile Association and there are many loops and trails off the main A Trail. This will be an adventure for another time for us. There are great towns like Cochrane, Kapuskasing and Hearst to base out of for this Corridor of snow. Their season is long and continues long past ours in North Bay area.

Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club Arctic Riders Snowmobile Club, Smooth Rock Falls- Fauquier. Moonbeam Snowmobile Clubhouse Club Voyageur De Hearst 705Sledders Paul Wilcox

03/03/2022

Day 5 - Dubreuilville to Hearst 316km
We left Dubreuilville after a great breakfast at LOL Bistro. The trails were perfectly groomed on wide open forestry roads. Kudos to The Groomer Guy and his partner groomer that keep these trails so well groomed and signed. Great how they do everything they can to keep you off the roads, even if it means grooming the plow windrow.
After crossing the Kabinakagami River we enter the Hornepayne Snowmobile Club on the D108A trail. The trails continue to please.
A quick lunch stop at Moma B's Bear Den at the Hornepayne Arena and a look at the 3 bears and the Geographic Centre of Ontario Sign (who knew?) and a gas fill up we were on toward the A Trail and Hwy 11.
By the time we got to the A Trail it was snowing and visibility was becoming an issue. Thanks to Club Voyageur De Hearst for having so many guide posts to help us see our way.
Today was a great day with great trails all the way. We settled for the night at the Companion Hotel Motel in Hearst and stored our sleds in their garage for the night.

705Sledders Paul Wilcox Companion Hotel Motel Club Voyageur De Hearst Hornepayne, Ontario Hornepayne Snowmobile Club Inc

03/02/2022

DAY 4 - Halfway Haven to Dubreuilville 193kms Feb 25
We left Halfway Haven this morning in the bright sun and cool after a huge breakfast and plenty of great coffee. It warmed up quickly and the scenery continues to give. The trail north from Halfway Haven is a mix of hydro corridor and forestry roads. This is very remote, so getting into the Wawa/Hawk Junction area is a relief. We took the D trail then WAWA5 and back onto D to Dubreuilville. We had a nice lunch at The Big Bear in Hawk Junction. Then on to Dubreuilville for the night at The Magpie Relay Motel. This motel is a great stop. Gas is nearby, shuttle to the LOL Bistro, indoor sled storage is available. Before Covid shut it down there was available hot tub, sawna and man cave (pool tables, shuffleboard air hockey, etc...). Thank you The Groomer Guy and his partner groomer guy for the great trails in

Trails: We took the D trail then WAWA5 and back onto D to Dubreuilville

Paul Wilcox 705Sledders Thebigbear

02/26/2022

Day 3 (Feb 24) - Sault Ste Marie to Halfway Haven - 201km
Today we headed north to reconnect with the D trail north of SSM and head toward Goulais River and Searchmont. Some spectacular Algoma scenery for sure. Heading up to the 1st warming shelter (jct D/D201F) and we could see the groomer didn’t go any further. We stopped at the 2nd warming shelter and met two sledders heading south (this is about 40km from halfway). This is the first time we heard the news that halfway was closing and that we would be among the last guests of the season. The trails kept getting worse but we were releaved to get there and get fuelled up.
I’m sure everyone has read the stories so I won’t get into it except to say that it’s sad to see this vital link to this areas sledding season close early.
We were fed well, slept well and enjoyed meeting some fellow sledders. Thanks so much Darrell!

Sault Trailblazers Halfway Haven Searchmont Resort Paul Wilcox

02/26/2022

Day 2 pictures

02/26/2022

Day 2 - Espanola to Sault Ste Marie - 362km
Woke up to a few inches of fresh snow and groomed trails out of Espanola. Sun was beautiful heading across Apsey Lake (very smooth and we were first tracks). Great fun to Massey. Shortly after Masey we crossed what looks like a large water pipeline. It must be leaking because of all the ice covering it. Let me know if you know anything about it.
On toward Blind River taking BR4 instead of D to save some kms and also gas and lunch in Blind River.
We got back on the D to Ironbridge where we topped up on gas to get through the rest of the day. Trails kept improving as we went as clubs got out and cleaned up yesterdays storm.
After Ironbridge we saw rolling snowballs in the fields pretty cool (see pics). Taking the D106 and D100 through Echo Bay saves about 20kms.
A very long day but amazing scenery and a mostly good ride. Saw a coyote, turkey and bald eagles. Algoma is definitely worth a visit.
We stayed at the Marriott and had a great dinner at Chucks Roadhouse next door (great service and food). Chuck's Roadhouse
Day 3 we are heading to Halfway Haven

Sudbury Trail Plan &districtsnowmobileclub Sault Trailblazers

Paul Wilcox

02/24/2022

02/24/2022

DAY 1 - Corbeil to Espanola 328kms
Started out on our first day with ice pellets, sleet, snow and freezing rain. Sad to say I’m not happy with my new BRP Oxygen Helmet in the freezing rain… had to use my credit card to scrap it off several times.
So we left Corbeil/Bonfield with just enough snow on the local roads to get us to the A trail smoothly. Then on towards North Bay and north on the A/D to Tomiko. We then said goodbye to the A and hello to the D for the next few days. Stopped in River Valley for gas at Magasin Dupras (regular only). Entering the Sudbury area we mostly stayed on the D but had to go onto 83/C105 to get around the Wanapitei River. Trails were in great shape with about 10cm of fresh snow over a good base. Trails were well marked. Lunch in Chelmsford and we made it to The Pinewood Inn (Espanola) with the snow picking up again. A note about the D trail south of Nairn Centre… what a trail some real trills in this trail with views of Vermillian Lake and and finishes off at Vermillion River Bridge. A long day with at times tough weather conditions but it was good to get the trip started.
Follow me to make sure you get the whole trip. I’ll try my best to post daily.
Off to Sault Ste Marie tomorrow.

Bonfield Snowmobile Club Near North Trail Association - District 11 North Bay Snowmobile Club West Nipissing Snowmobilers Sudbury Trail Plan &districtsnowmobileclub
Sault Trailblazers Paul Wilcox

02/15/2022

705Sledders

02/15/2022

Just 1 week to go! Next Tuesday heading out on a really big 8 day saddle bagging trip! Leaving North Bay Area heading to Espanola, Sault Ste. Marie, Halfway Haven, Dubreuilville, Heast, Cochrane, Earlton and Home. Lets hope the trails hold up with the warm weather this week!
Sudbury Trail Plan Association New Espanola & District Snowmobile Club West Nipissing Snowmobilers Sault Trailblazers Halfway Haven Hornepayne Snowmobile Club Inc The Groomer Guy Northern Corridor du Nord Snowmobile Association Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club North Bay Snowmobile Club Bonfield Snowmobile Club

02/07/2022

Saddle Bagger Trip - North Bay to Petawawa
On a crisp -23C Friday morning 2 of us sped off down Lake Nosbosing to our saddle bagging venture into the Ottawa Valley.
• A102D (Bonfield Snowmobile Club) across the lake and onto A2 and A. A quick shortcut onto BF203 and back onto A towards Mattawa Snowmobile Club Trails.
The trails were “mint” having been groomed the night before and with the cold weather held up really well throughout the day. For the first hour we were first tracks, that’s always a great feeling… like it was groomed just for you.

Quick (and cold) stop at the Amable du Fond river and then off towards Mattawa. We took the time to go into Mattawa (about 16km each way off the trail) to get a coffee warm up. Unfortunately the Mattawa Golf and Ski Resort, which is only 2km off the A Trail, is not open to meals this year. They tell me they hope to offer meals next year.
• The rest of the day we continued on the main TOP A trail through Missing Link Snowmobile Club and North Renfrew Snowmobile Association and finally into Keetna Snowmobile and Recreation Club into Petawawa
• Stop for gas and lunch at Rolphton which is just a short hop on the A101Q. We returned to the A via the 138 club trail. The 138 was a more winding then the A so it was a fun "body warmup" after being off the sled getting gas.
This is a remote section of the province sandwiched between Algonquin Park to the South and the Ottawa River in the North. Much of the trail follows the gas pipeline and forestry roads with some sections along the hydro line. There was 1 section of road running about 5km long east of Mattawa and west of Mattawa there was a section of 4km and then another very short section just before Stonecliff. We didn’t go into Stonecliff on Friday because Yates gas bar wasn’t open until Saturday. According to a post on facebook they are now open for the season.

Now, this was not a typical saddle bagging trip that I am used to doing. We cheated a bit and had our wives meet us at the hotel for the weekend. But with 2 years of Covid and restrictions relaxing a bit, they needed a weekend away just as much as us… lucky that they chose to spend it with us haha.

We stayed at the Quality Inn and Suites in Petawawa. The rooms are nice, we chose King Rooms. They had fridges and microwaves. We enjoyed the pool and hot club. Because of Covid we had to book the pool ahead which is inconvenient but you have the pool to yourselves for an hour so that is wonderful.

Kelsey’s is right beside the hotel, so very convenient. We also enjoyed a visit to Dog House Brewing Company for some local suds.

We left early Sunday morning for a trip home. Luckily Yates (Stonecliff) was open for gas because the Esso in Rolphton was not open until 11am on Sundays.
We once again went into Mattawa on the A112A for lunch at Valois’ and stopped to see Mr. Joe Mufferaw at Explorers Point. We then continued on A112A to NB302 (North Bay Snowmobile Club) and back on A to home.

Through Bonfield, Mattawa and back to North Bay we are on the Explorers Snow Tour. Being from the area we have seen all the sights but if you have the chance this is a gem of a snow tour and should be on anyone’s bucket list. There are 10 points of interest on this loop. The highlights for me are the Mica Mine, Birds Eye View and Boulter View but they are all worth checking out.
Also the trip we took follows the northern portion of the RAP Tour.

Pros/Cons and Suggestions
• Remote trails so be prepared. Gas stations and restaurants may or may not be open or could modify hours or run out of fuel.
• Most clubs seem to keep the trails perfect in preparation for the weekend but the return on Sunday was hit and miss. Prepare for a slower trip on certain days of the week.
• The scenery is amazing. The best winter has to offer.
• Petawawa is a bustling town and there is lots to offer snowmobilers. Hotels, restaurants, gas all along the main street which is paralleled by the A-trail. I love how the town welcomes and builds infrastructure for our sport.

Day 1 – 285km
Day 2 – 279km

Special thanks to Bonfield Snowmobile Club, Mattawa & Area Snowmobile Club, Missing Link Snowmobile Club, North Renfrew Snowmobile Association (NRSA), Snow Country Snowmobile Region - OFSC District 6, North Bay Snowmobile Club, Near North Trail Association - District 11

02/01/2022

02/01/2022