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Official Opening of the International Appalachian Trail - IAT-Qc
The International Appalachian Trail - IAT-Qc would like to inform you of the official opening of the trails for the 2009 season and give you some fresh information about the state of the trail.
We are now able to declare that the International Appalachian Trail, in spite of the winter and the wind, is now accessible. At the moment, some trees are still in the way but the branches were taken off. At some places vegetation is starting to grow over in some parts of the trail. Our volunteer team will be working hard in the first weeks of the season to reduce these hindrances and improve the marking of the trail. The bottom line is that the trail is now practicable. Some parts might be trickier than usual, but nothing major if the hiker is careful. We invite you to consult our online Maintenance Journal, which will soon be launched on our brand new web site (www.sia-iat.com). New updates will regularly be posted in the State of the Trail section as well as in other sections of the site.
It is also now possible for you to reserve the camping platforms and the many IAT-Qc camping platforms and cabins with the Sépaq at 1-800-665-6527 (option 3). Our Welcome Center, located at the old lighthouse in Matane, QC, is also open from 9am to 4pm, from Monday to Friday, for any other inquiry. We will gladly help you plan a great hiking journey on the International Appalachian Trail. Feel free to contact us at (418) 562-7885 or by email at info@sia-iat.com.
Trail Maintenance Bulletin
First Edition June 22, 2009
Hello hikers
In order to keep you up to date on the latest work done on the trail and the state of the trail, we are sending you this new information bulletin destined for hikers and members. It will give you a detailed update on trail conditions for the whole trail and within the different sections. We will be trying to make all the sections accessible as early as possible in the season and keep you up-to-date on the developments. A version of this bulletin will soon be available on our website and updates will be made all through the season.
Overall
We're already able to tell you that the whole trail is practicable, with prudence. Our harsh winters and the wind contribute to making it a challenge to keep the trail up to standard. Many trees fall across the trail each year and our installations such as swinging bridges, stairs, signs and trail indicators lean, break or are lost. The vegetation, with the arrival of summer, grows back vigorously and if we don't intervene our trail risks disappearing under a layer of green. At this stage, the situation is not critical and there has already been much improvement. A few trees are still a problem, but they have at least had their branches removed. Also, even if the signs aren't always evident, it will be difficult to get lost. It is possible to undertake the trail without problems, but it may require a
little extra effort and patience.
Avignon
We have received a complete report concerning the state of this section. Between Matapédia and Saint André, about 20 trees have fallen and around trail marker 634, a stream that has invaded the trail. We will build a bridge as soon as possible and trees will be removed. For the Corbeau section, there are a few trees across the trail, but it remains accessible. In the Clark Canyon section, signage will soon be more developed. The trail running from kilometre 609 to km 620 in. partly cleared and will be completely cleared soon. Finally, the Quartz cabin section is dangerous for the moment . Uprooted, but still upright trees may fall. The section requires extra prudence and vigilance at all times. We hope that all remaining problems will be corrected shortly.
Matapedia Valley
The trail is accessible through the whole of the Matapedia Valley section. However, the hiker must be more attentive early in the season because some of the fallen trees may not yet have been removed. At kilometre 594, just before arriving at the cabin at ruisseau Creux, the bridge over a small stream has been broken by the weight of the snow. It is however and easy stream to ford. There is a new campground the edge of Sainte-Marguerite village. Along the Causapscal River, most of fallen trees have had their branches removed. Watch out for signs in the town of Amqui. Leaving the small park on rue des Pompes, follow along Highway 132 all the way to the train station, and then go towards the Beauséjour covered bridge. Temporary signs have been put up because the municipality is doing roadwork at the
intersection.
The campground at Amqui opens its doors at the end of June. However, a long-distance hiker may tent there out of season. At kilometre 481, before the village of Saint-Vianney, a beaver dam on the small stream has raised the water level. It is possible to ford the stream or cross the dam with great care. We expect to build a small bridge across the stream during the season. Leaving this stream, the hiker comes into a clear-cut where the signs are more difficult to see. It is preferable to walk on the left side of the clear-cut. The trail continues at the other end of the cut. At Saint-Vianney, there is a new campground. It is located in a wooded area in the future municipal park. From there the hiker may attain the Matane River; the only obstacle being the fording of
Tamagodi stream.
Réserve de Matane
Several sections have been worked on and more will be done very soon. In that Pines section, from kilometre 448 to km 453, several trees have fallen on the trail; the branches have been removed and trees will disappear soon. The les Pitounes tent platform and Cabin 2 are nonetheless accessible. The Vivier river section is in good shape, the trees have had their branches removed and even though a few remain on the trail, they are easily crossed. On mont des Clercs the vegetation is thick; care must be taken to keep the trail in sight and more work will be required. Otherwise the Nicol Albert trail is now practicable. The remaining trees across the trail are not a problem. The bridges are also usable, but will require some soldification. The hiker must remain prudent and alert. Please
note that at kilometre 399, snow makes the access to mont Blanc more difficult. It should disappear before the trail opening on the 24th of June. Finally, the section between the Chutes Hélène has been restored and all the fallen trees removed. During the next few weeks we will keep you informed and the whole Matane reserve trail section should be practicable soon.
Haute-Gaspésie
At this time, about 30% of the trail in the region has been worked over. For the moment, we have information concerning the Anse Pleureuse section. Fallen trees have had their branches removed and the trunks will soon be removed as well. An information panel with a map of the trail has fallen and will be reinstalled. A more detailed report will follow soon.
Cöte-de-Gaspé
The section is now open. There are still some trees across the trail but they're not a problem and will soon disappear. However, to avoid confusion, hikers must not take the ATV trails, which may lead you away from the International Appalachian Trail. Be alert. From the Pourvoirie Beauséjour to the Terrasses campground, near that Rambo Hill, the trail is almost impracticable. Using the existing cable adds difficulty because of the presence of fallen trees. This situation will be corrected soon. At several places in the Cöte-de-Gaspé section, staircases need repair or replacement and the signs, though already good, will be improved. We will keep you informed of new developments.
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