A few years ago, if some one mentioned Quebec, a large part of the paddling community had no idea what or where you were talking about. But in resent years Quebec has been making a name as an amazing whitewater destination. And its about time, this place has everything; steep creeks, large drops, gigantic volume, some of the biggest waves in the world, right down to beautiful scenic cl 2-3. This spring we managed to get on some classic Quebec rivers. Leaving from Montreal, we really didn’t have a plan, we had a map with a bunch of waterfalls marked on it and a couple days till we were to meet up with our local paddling hero. Luckily, Quebecers love there scenic waterfalls so a large number of drops are marked on road maps, most of which are found in small parks. The majority of these parks don’t open till June which means you will have the run of the place in April - May when most of these drops are running best. Are first stop was the Chutes Monte-a-Peine and at first glance seemed to be way too manky. However a better looked proved to find a sweet drop down the river left side. Walking trails made scouting, safety and video very easy. Leaving here quite happy with our luck we made the short drive to the very impressive Chutes de Sainte Ursule. Not willing to push our luck, we had a very long scout then set up camp, saving this one for some other time ... it definitely goes. Our next stop was the Riviere Mastigouche, unable to set shuttle we drove up river right parked at the last slide and hiked the short trail to the top. This seemed to be way easier then setting shuttle and paddling across the lake. This river is “All Time ... Greatness”, right from the start it is one great rapid after another building towards the long anticipated climax, the last big slide. We ran this drop as much as we could till me ran out of energy / light. We were there on the “top end” (4.2 on the gauge) of what is stated as the level, but feel that you could run this river with as much water as you feel you could buck up to. There is a very old guide book for Quebec rivers, however it is rare and also in French, therefore nothing is more useful then local knowledge. We were luck to be able to hook up with Quebec City legend David LaRoche and his buddy John. Heading towards the Charlevoix area the boys lead us to a beautiful “Truck and Huck” on the Riviere Gouffre. Having are fill of this drop for breakfast we spent the remainder of the day looking at numerous drops on our way to Chicutimi. Once there we met up with Local area legend Pat Levesque, who immediately took us to one of his local classics, the Bras Louis. Getting over the bitter cold of this spring high river, we had a great time bombing down the A section. Unable to join us our guides took out and sent us into a high water B section run. The final drop(s) on the section are amazing. A giant vertical ski ramp which sends you speeding into a very technical bottom drop ... a true highlight. Looking for a shorter day, we returned to the park n’ huck Chutes Ha Ha, which we had scouted earlier. The 2nd drop of the chute has a tricky flume of water which barrels to the left. After a sweet wall ride on Lu’s first go she went back up to try and clean it. Second time round she got barreled to the left and rode the drop on her shoulder ending in a swim at the bottom. With safety set it wasn’t an issue and both Josh and myself were stoked to see Lu stepping up and pushing it. We ended our Quebec Classics with a rip down the ultra fun Riviere Cache and the Riviere Sautauriski. Enjoy some images from our trip. Tyler Fox Photos; Tyler Fox, Louise Urwin, Josh Neilson
 
Tyler off the lip of the bottom drop at Monte-a-Peine
Scouting Chute Monte-a-Peine
Josh boofing into the Mist
Having a good look Chutes Saint Ursule
Lu finding the way on top drop of the Mastigouche
Josh Finishing off the top drop
Lu charging
Tyler enjoying a sweet double drop on Mastigouche
Hitting the pillow at the bottom
Josh nailing a Tight one Masti
Yes Yes Yall, Tyler Claiming this amazing slide
Ohh so good
The Final Slide on the Mastigiouche
Follow the leader
Once is never enough, Tyler on his 10th lap
Video Set
Lu modeling a perfect drop on the Riviere Gouffre
Tucking
Josh off the Lip
Plugging it
Breakfast Special
Dropping into the ski jump last double on Bras Louis
Entering into the Maw of the last rapid Bras Louis
Tyler lining up the top drop on Chutes Ha Ha
Scouting the Bottom Drop Chutes Ha Ha
Stomping it
Lu about to drop in
Sweet wall ride
Not so Sweet Wall Ride on 2nd attemp
Sore shoulder resulting in a swim
Below is some very basic info on the above mentioned rivers. If you get lost on the way to the river .... it’s not our fault. Chutes Monte-a-Peine Directions: From hwy40 head NW on 131. follow to town of Saint Jean-de-Matha. From here follow signs to Falls. Levels: Go in the spring. Riviere Mastigouche Directions: From town of Mandeville (just off hwy 348) turn onto ch. Mastigouche. Follow N as it criss crosses over river. Just before last cross turn left on ch. Cascade. Follow this up riv right till you see last mega slide. Park and follow trail up to lake / put-in. Levels: Most locals say between 2.4 - 4 on the gauge but, this would be way better with lots more water. Riviere Gouffre (sweeet 25’ drop - good section above & below) Directions: Turn off hwy 138 towards Sainte Aime-de-Lacs.. Turn left on ch. Pieds-des-Monts. Follow dirt rd (stay right) into ZEC des Morte. Once you cross over river onto riv right drive about 1km to top of hill. Walk into the river from here for the drop. Riviere Saint Louis (Bras Louis) Directions: From Chicoutimi-nord follow rd north towards Saint David-de-Flaardeau. Turn right onto Rte du Valinouet. Turn left just before you cross river, Put-in on small side rd about a km up. To get to take out back track down the Rte Valinouet till you turn left on Rte Panoramique. Levels: +2 - +3 on gauge is prime. The A section would be fine with more, the B section gets big but still manageable / walkable. Chutes des Ha Ha Directions: From the town of Grande-Baie (Just east of Chicoutimi) head south on Ch. de la Riviere. After about 3 km turn down a small side rd / trail on the right. Park and walk to drop. Riviere Cachee Directions: Follow hwy 73/175 north of Quebec City. You turn left into a the Gate for the Jacques Cartier Park. You will have to pay to enter and also sign a waiver to kayak. You can park in the large parking lot just past gate enterance, put in there. follow road into park until you get to first bridge, this is the take out. Riviere Sautauriski Level: 40 seems to be a great flow, it could go higher or lower aswell.