Cochrane - the James Bay Frontier
March 19 - 22nd, 2007
SledHeads at Large:
Leanne & Paul
Jean & Greg
Monday, March 19, 2007
One last trip to end the season! Addictions are hard to beat - and we just HAD to get on the snow one more time before packing up the gear and hanging up the helmets for this year.
We had been watching The Weather Network intently over the last week as the temperatures had climbed to a balmy +14 and watched as our precious white gold was melting away into pools of tears. BUT - all was not lost! The trails were still listed as Open in the Cochrane area - AND - the temps had fallen drastically back into the -20 to -30's. Snow was predicted to fall on Monday and again Wednesday before temps climbed up again and rain was in the forecast.
Do we drive over 7 hours to find our fix? U BET as Greg would say - and Giddy UP said yours truly! We called Lillabelle Lodge in Cochrane for a “last minute” booking and throw our stuff in the bag, load the sleds and get up extra extra early on Monday morning to try to get ahead or at least a good start on the snowstorm predicted for Monday.
6:00 AM and we head off into the darkness - coffees in hand, and excitement in the air as we head for our last hurrah for 2007. Not long on the road - somewhere just north of Gravenhurst the sun starts to break into the sky and there it is - Red Sky in the Morning! A fireball is rising - and you know what that means - Sailors take warning - bad weather is on the rise. To us this means SNOW and we couldn't be happier.
We met the snow around Temagami and it didn't stop. We arrived in Cochrane around 1:30PM at Lillabelle Lodge to a wonderful welcome from Rod the owner.
The accommodations were comfortable, clean, warm and BIG. Great for families or large groups.
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Our room had a small mini fridge, two double beds, a futon that folds out to accommodate 2 more - plus - a roll away and there would have still been room for more! There are also kitchenettes available for those that are budget conscious and make their own meals.
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The hospitality and food were outstanding.
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The trail leaves right from the parking lot - much better than other places I've stayed in Cochrane where you have to ride the roads to get to the trails - road rash!
About a half hour after we arrived the blizzard really started! It snowed and blowed all night leaving about 15cms of fresh powder snow. OK - the snow Gods must have been listening after all! At dinner we met our lodge mates Jim, Frank and Pat who were from Aurora, Brampton and Hamilton respectively. They had arrived the night before and had been out sledding that day when the storm kicked up - they were lucky to have made it back through whiteout conditions! Dinner was great, ham, scalloped potatoes, corn and cheesecake for dessert. A few war stories told over dinner with our new friends and then off to bed for a good night's rest. We agreed that it's a trip up the Abitibi Canyon the next day.
We woke to -30 temps and bright sunshine on Tuesday. The kind of day when you step outside and your nose hairs immediately freeze and the snow squeaks when you walk on it! Breakfast was served in the main part of the lodge at 8:00. Bacon, Sausage, Eggs, home fries, toast and coffee. A good way to start the long trip up the canyon and keep us going until lunch.
Once on the trails we were not disappointed. Conditions just couldn't get any better! That fresh snow was just what the doctor had ordered. OUTSTANDING!!! The temperature was still very very cold and a quick stop for some to don extra clothing. Paul had already started to get some frost bite on his cheek and he was wearing a Modular Helmut with full coverage! Be careful when you sled in Cochrane folks - it's cold up there - biting cold! Make sure all skin is well covered and you certainly need to run with visors down or run the risk of frost bite. Always be sure to pack extra clothes, neck warmers and snacks like chocolate bars when travelling this country. You just never know what might happen on the trail and sled traffic is scarce.
Fantastic scenery on the way up the Canyon. Jean was on the constant lookout for the wildlife - especially the Great Canadian Moose.
The “Ice Bridge” over the Abitibi River was very interesting. They apparently “flood” this bridge everyday to keep the thickness for trucks to pass over it. The thickness is measured and posted daily. 100cms thick today - I guess it's safe to cross. This is where our lodge mates caught up to us on the trail.
We arrived at “base camp” for Extreme Tours in Fraserdale at 1:00pm for a well deserved warm-up and gas.
This is where OFSC trail A103 ends and there are no groomed trails from this point north. Approximately 100kms from James Bay itself. Bring the bank (cash) if you're planning a trip this way. Gas is pure gold up in the Canyon. $2.00 a litre and no ATM's, debit cards or Credit Cards are taken here. Dave the gas attendant/ welcoming committee and resident cook greeted us upon arrival. Base Camp consists of a utility trailer with tables, chairs and small kitchen and best and most important of all a wood stove to warm your digits and dry out and warm up your gear. A limited menu, but it's food and it's warm! But it's not all roughin' it for Dave here folks. Dave has a TV complete with satellite dish! Cozy.
Dave told us about 2 couples that had been in earlier in the day that had weathered the storm of the previous evening in the “warm up shack” that we had passed on the trail not far from base camp. Certainly not my first choice of accommodation - but at least it was shelter during the blizzard. Thank goodness for warm up shacks!
After some hot soup and gas it was decided to head over to the “canyon” to play a bit before heading back.
We crossed over the dam and where Hydro One has a large complex. The view from way up there is breathtaking and these pictures posted do it no justice.
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After playing up and down some fairly steep inclines it was decided to conserve what precious gas we had and head back.
(If you look closely you will see Jean on top of the far hill)
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Another quick stop at “base camp” for a warm up before heading back is where we met up with the 2 couples that we heard about earlier that were stranded at the warm-up shack for the night. They apparently didn't know how much further it was to base camp and the storm was bad and decided to take shelter there. We passed their “home away from home” for the night on the way back and decided to check out the accommodations. Still warm! WOW - there's beds in there to sleep on - a small woodstove and wood to keep you warm. A flashlight, candles, coffee pot, tea bags and even some bottled water. All the comforts of home and it was still warm at 2:30PM!! Look out Rod - competition!
A great day to the Canyon was had by all. A real easy ride of 320kms today! Dinner was served at 7:00PM - roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas, gravy and apple crisp a-la-mode - a hearty meal well deserved after an awesome day!
Wednesday we woke to balmy temps of -15 and overcast skies. According to The Weather Network it was going to snow, BUT, the temps were on the rise and would be raining by late in the afternoon. Giddy UP and get out before the rain comes!! Once again - trail conditions were incredible. Decided to take A trail towards Smooth Rock Falls and head up to the fire tower at Colquhoun Mountain on L105. As we started to head out the snow had already started. We love snow!
Along the trail almost at the junction of L105 I thought I might have been in Wonderland. There in the trail was a beautiful large white rabbit. I stopped to quickly grab my camera while Mr. Rabbit hopped into the bushes. After a minute of us looking for a nice picture of said bunny we decided he had eluded us and it was time to move on. Put the camera back in the bag - start my sled - head around the corner a few feet away - then there he was - not the rabbit, but the most beautiful Lynx standing on the trail! I quickly stop, grab for the camera, but those cats are fast and he leapt into the bush and away! I think I heard a tiny little voice say “thank you” as I started up my sled again. Mr. Rabbit was to be Mr. Lynx's lunch! You are welcome my white furry friend.
 At the top of Mt. Colguhoun you can see for miles. Our lodge mates, Jim, Frank and Pat had made it there before us and had the privilege of spying the Moose on the next hill that yard up there for the winter. They were hiding in the trees by the time we got to the top and once again Jeannie was straining her eyes to catch a glimpse of Bullwinkle.
I have to say that the Polar Bear Club of Cochrane have some of the nicest, cleanest outhouses in the middle of nowhere I have ever seen - His and Hers. They are small cabins in the woods! I think they were thinking of the ladies here!
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Signage is also abundant. You never have to guess what trail you are on or where you are or you're going. This area should win hands down for their great trail markers (and outhouses) - unlike other areas we have been!
A stop in Smooth Rock Falls for a top up on the gas and some lunch. This is where we met Video Mike Grant of Snowtrails TV. Mike is from Michigan, USA and produces a show seen on PBS. The SledHeads were interviewed by Mike and are now television stars! I hope we don't end up on the editing room floor!
On the way back to Cochrane we retrace our steps as we had heard that C Trail South to Timmins is now closed for the season and decide not to chance it. Conditions were good - but - it must be closed for a reason. If you don't know - don't go! Our return trip had us retrace our path along A Trail where we had seen the Lynx and hoped for another glimpse of the elusive kitty. Although the kitty was not seen - there was another.
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A beautiful red fox in the middle of the trail this time. Very busy digging for mice. He was so intent and focused on his task that Jean and I slowly crept our sleds to within 10 feet of him and was able to take a great picture as he lifted his head and finally noticed us. Wildlife is abundant in the North. Sometimes just driving slowly along the trails you can see some wonderful things that otherwise are missed or scared away as sleds go zooming along.
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Tip - look for tracks in the snow to the side of the trail. If you see some fresh ones, slow down and take in the scenery - you never know what is taking YOU in from the trees.
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A quick loop around L101 on the way back is where it started to rain. Freezing rain.
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Thank goodness our day was almost done and we weren't far from the lodge. We had planned it that way - just in case the rain came earlier. A relaxing 207kms today as we had slowed it down considerably from yesterday's tour looking for wildlife. We arrived back at Lillabelle around 4:00PM covered in ice. I think the season is done - temps are climbing and rain is forecast. The trails are melting and the grass is showing. Time to head home.
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A great farewell dinner hosted by Rod and Kim. T-Bone steaks, fried onions and mushrooms, baked potatoes, broccoli w cheese sauce. I can't remember a sledding trip with food so good!
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We are their last sledders for the season and the trails in Cochrane and area will be officially closed Thursday.
Thursday morning we are heading home and it's raining. Temps are +4 and it's one of those days when I'm glad to be going home. You never like to leave a place like this when the snow is on the ground and there are still trails calling you to be ridden! We bid farewell to our associate SledHeads Jim, Frank and Pat - we'll see you on the trails again I'm sure!
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We stopped at Y & S Graphics on the way through town. This is where you want to buy any souvenir apparel folks. If you want a hat, turtleneck, fleecy, etc. that say Cochrane or Polar Bear Riders on them - this is the place that MAKES them. They also do work for the OFSC and other clubs too. Prices are way better here than anywhere else. We had some stuff made for us while we waited - great people!
All of the OFSC
Volunteer Of The Year leather hats
come from this little store in
Cochrane.
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Cochrane is rich with long, wide, scenic trails - groomed to perfection. Compare it to riding a snow covered, flat, rolling 2-4 lane highways. Most of the trails are actual logging roads - either abandoned from years ago or ones that are closed in winter. Miles upon miles of them. When you stop for a rest - just listen- take off your helmut and listen - the quiet is deafening. The air is crisp and clean. You are on the James Bay Frontier. Cochrane - never disappointing!
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