Lebel-sur-Quévillon, trail TQ 93
Small town of about 2 000 residents founded in 1965, Lebel-sur-Quévillon is located around a pulp and paper company, centre of forestry resource. At the time where wood floating on rivers became more and more an issue and where wood transportation by road became more and more expensive, Lebel-sur-Quévillon located right in boreal forest, allowed the resource to be processed on the site and then, the transportation of the finished product at lower cost. Today, the pulp and paper industry is closed due to worldwide paper crisis.
Some investors are looking for a way to restart this industry that must be oriented towards new products related to the use of wood fiber. Also, the production of electricity and construction of a greenhouse are some projects to revitalize the forestry economy. The Langlois mine produces zinc and is still today part of the regional economy. However, the worldwide decrease of metal prices presently affect the future of the mining industry.
Snowmobilers have the choice between 2 motels and one gite for lodging. We appreciated the welcome and comfort of the 3-star Motel du Lac, 43 rooms, 819-755-4333. A package including breakfast is offered. The Motel du Lac is modern and comfortable. It is always wise to book prior arrival.
Quévillon Pizzeria is very popular and offers diversified home-cooked meals that we also liked.
A Petro-Canada gas station and a depanneur are located at the entrance of trail TQ 93.
The snowmobile club also offers small relays that are very appreciated by travelers.
A small relay, clean and heated, is always welcomed in extreme cold weather..
On our way, we met Mr Normand Labrie. Since 20 years, he takes care of the maintenance of relays and trails of the Club de motoneige de Lebel-sur-Quévillon. He saw quite a lot of machines, storms and breakages! Mr Labrie is very proud to see the evolution of grooming machines; today, they are reliable and comfortable. He gives lot of effort to maintain a trail circuit of top quality.
Mr Normand Labrie and the grooming machine of Lebel-sur-Quévillon on trail TQ 93
Lebel-sur-Quévillon – Matagami
From Lebel-sur-Quévillon, a northern loop by trail #396 can take us to Magatami (entrance of Baie-James region) to come back via Amos and Senneterre.
The trail goes north and is parallel to the Bell River, which discharges in the Nottaway River of the catchment basin of Baie-James. This river takes its name from the geologist Robert Bell (1841-1917) who was the first scientist to explore these northern territories looking for mines and diamonds.
A few times, trail #396 runs across logging road R 1005 where grooming machine operators take their shift. Here, the trail is more sinuous and the route of 132 km, totally in forest, is made of many curves, unlike TQ 93. It is pleasant and snowmobile clubs of Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Matagami keep it perfectly well groomed.
Matagami means “ confluence of waters ” and is issued from mining operations in the 1950’s and from the introduction of wood products industries in the 1960’s. The best economy years of Matagami were in the 1970’s with the construction of the road to Radisson, which allowed the construction of Baie-James reservoirs and power plants. Today, the economy of Matagami still relies on mining and forestry, but prosperous years of Baie-James development are over.
Tourism is another economic activity that seems to be in development. Infrastructures and developments are mostly for summer tourism. Winter activities are very local ones and beside trail #396, there is nothing that would make us extend our stay.
The main lodging establishment is the 3-star Hotel Matagami, 877-739-2501, with 58 rooms in a 1970’s decor. Winter visitors are mainly workers and meals are offered in a multifunctional room. Truckers leave and ride very early in the morning, since it is also a truck stop.
The Gite de la Belle Rivière, 819-739-2822, offers the quality and customized service seeked by snowmobilers who want close contact with people and more comfort.
In Matagami, gas stations and convenience stores are easy to find and to reach at the exit of trail.
Heading for Amos
Going back on trail #396 south, the next supply station is in Saint-Dominique-du-Rosaire, at 165 km from Matagami. We find there a restaurant where truckers stop and a gas station. The Resto-Bar Chez Hélène et Denis, 161 road 109, is well indicated from the trail as we ride through the village.
On this segment from Matagami, there is no specific attraction as the trail runs along road 109 and under power lines. In brief, it is a wide, safe and well-groomed trail to ride on, but rather dull and few scenery worthy of a photo.
Amos is the main town of the region with 12 700 residents. It is crossed by Harricana River, renowned among Europeans for its famous snowmobile endurance race. Amos means “ main way ”, as the river flows over 553 km from Val d’Or to Baie-James. Fur traders knew this river, then drivers transported logs on it, putting their lives in danger. The lumber industry has been important for the economy of this town. Today, recreational use of the Harricana River attracts many tourists all year long. We can ride on it with our snowmobile, but we must follow carefully the marks that bring us to the town facilities.
All kinds of lodging are available in Amos, along with many restaurants, snowmobile dealers, everything. It is here that we finally get to trail TQ 93 that will bring us back to our point of departure in the Jamésie through Senneterre (94 km), then Lebel-sur-Quévillon (102 km) and Chibougamau.
From Senneterre, you can also choose :
- To come back by Haute-Mauricie on trail TQ 83, Clova (274 km), Parent (108 km), Relais 22, Roberval (367 km);
- To come back in Outaouais or in Hautes-Laurentides by Réserve faunique La Vérendrye.
One of SledMagazine.com’s collaborator is presently planning a tour of Abitibi-Témiscamingue in 2017 and some articles to be published will give precise itineraries, attractions and services in the regions of Val d’Or, Senneterre, Amos, Rouyn-Noranda and Ville-Marie. To be followed on www.sledmagazine.com , under Tourist destinations.
Special thanks to
Association touristique régionale de la Baie-James for the organization of this tour to make us discover the region located on the limit of 50th parallel. Mr Steven Pomerleau, from this ATR, guided us during all our stay. We hope these articles and photos will persuade you to discover this northern way of life so easily reachable by snowmobile. For more details, please visit www.escapelikeneverbefore.com .
Arctic Cat for the 2016 Pantera 7000 Limited we tested. It is a top quality machine perfectly adapted for long trips. We specially liked the 60 l of fuel contained in 2 connected reservoirs; it allowes a very large fuel mileage in northern region. This snowmobile offers many standard equipments for our comfort and safety and to always be aware of the conditions. The very pleasant suspension, the heated seat and other features, easily adjustable to our needs, make the Arctic Cat Pantera Limited a machine we recommend to all those who wish to discover comfortably the large trail circuit of the Province of Québec.
Since many years, members of Team SledMagazine.com uses Kimpex CKX products. They are very comfortable and we had the opportunity to test them and check their comfort and resistance to our harsh winter.
Also, we have tested the new CKX Tranz 1.5 helmet. Thanks to Kimpex who always listen to our commentaries and suggestions to design quality products adapted to snowmobilers’ needs.
We wish you all a wonderful trip to the 50th parallel.
