Great Escapes Fall 2023 | Page 21

41 FALL 2023 VOL . 05 / ISSUE 01 SNOWGOER . COM
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Martime Quebec

Some of the most unique snowmobiling
in all of North America is found in
historic , scenic and diverse Maritime
Québec . These four eastern regions
border the Atlantic Ocean and are
split into two parts by the mighty
St . Lawrence River as it drains the
Great Lakes .
provide expansive views of the river and the Gulf of St . Lawrence , creating an unusual backdrop for excellent trails in both regions .
The Bas St . Laurent region is wellsuited to easy day touring with selfguided loops ranging from 150 to 250 miles . If conditions are right , visitors can even ride across an ice bridge to an island in the St . Lawrence River . Trails are well
In Gaspé , Percé Rock is one of the best known scenic attractions in all of eastern Canada . Here at the end of the North American land mass below the St . Lawrence , you can ride your sled literally at sea level , then climb into 4,000-foot high mountains in about an hour .
Described as a religious
by some riders , Trail 595 through the interior of Gaspé traverses a remote Arctic micro-clime that holds the only caribou herd south of the 53 rd parallel .
Every rider should tour this awesome area at least once . Weather in Gaspé can be quite windy and unpredictable , so go prepared . Complete snowmobile packages are available and services are excellent . To learn more , contact

Bas St . -Laurent and Gaspésie Regions

Located on the south shore ,
and to the east of Chaudière-
Appalaches , Bas St . Laurent
( below the St . Lawrence )
marked and maintained , and services are excellent . Packages are available here , too . Consider starting your exploration of Gaspé from Bas St . Laurent to enjoy a longer tour . For more information , contact bassaintlaurent . ca .
experience
tourisme-gaspesie . com .
and Gaspésie ( Gaspé )
Québec has some of the most dramatic and longest snowmobile bridges in the world . Atbove is the 700-foot long , 90-foot tall crossing of the Manicouagan River .
FEDERATION OF SNOWMOBILE CLUBS OF QUEBEC .
One Lasting Memory ...
As a history buff , the ride around Gaspé blew me away . We passed Forillon National Park where Jacques Cartier strode ashore in 1534 and claimed the land for France before sailing up the St . Lawrence River . A day later we passed a point near Rimouski that saw a nearly forgotten maritime disaster . On May 29 , 1914 , the steamship Empress of Ireland was rammed and sunk by a freighter , resulting in more loss of life than the Titanic disaster . One of the women in our ride group purchased a print of the ill-fated ship , undoubtedly the most unusual snowmobile trip souvenir I ’ ve ever encountered .