A trip to: Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix

Winter cold, ice, slush, rain, ice pellets, wind chill, etc., keep us off the bike outside in the winter time. But we still need our dose of excitement, and preferably excitement mixed with intense physical effort and resulting fatigue (satisfaction surely?).

So where are we going to go? To St-Tite-des-Caps and the hiking and snowshoe trail Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix, that's where. We would hike to the Refuge Cap Gribane, spend the night indoors, and then hike out the next day.

Why here?

• Abundance of natural snow
• Away from roads and other signs of civilization
• excellent local geography
• the trail follows the top of the high hills bordering the St-Laurence river
  

This was our first visit here, and we arrived the day after a big storm, a big BIG storm. Luckily the group that struggled through yesterday's storm to the Refuge Cap Gribane had created an smooth and easy-to-follow trail. This was good news, because some of the other suggested trails were buried under 2-3 feet of very soft snow.

Our night in the refuge was comfortable and warm. In the middle of the winter, in the middle of the woods, and without electricity, this is all that you want out of life.

Our hike in to the Refuge was in overcast and low cloud conditions, but the next day the sun was shining and the walk out was spectacular in every way.


50th b-day backpack enjoying the view of the river on its first adventure.


Best supporting cast member: msr lightning snowshoes


Turn the corner, enjoy the view, repeat.


Charlevoix mountains, to the north of the Rt 138


Up-river view of one of the many caps (Capes) on the river


Inside the refuge Cap Gribane


The Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix is a modern and well-marked trail


Approaching the start of the Caps trail


Winter means no bugs... or does it?

This is likely a stonefly, of the family Perlidae. We didn't know this, so we asked the AEAQ, and they kindly responded with:

Il s'agit d'un Plécoptère (Plecoptera), probablement de la famille des Perlidae.
Ces insectes sont reconnus pour être actifs à des températures froides. On les observe surtout au printemps, à la fonte des neiges.

Association des entomologistes amateurs du Quebec Inc (A.E.A.Q. inc.).
http://aeaq.ca/

Arriving at the Refuge Cap Gribane


Yesterday's big storm left snow, freezing rain, and these amazing crystals


Conclusion: This is an excellent snowshoe destination.

We hope this region gains a mountain bike trail along the same general route. Because that would also be amazing.