Has anyone thru or section hiked the IAT in Quebec? Anyone interested?

[funkyfreddy]

I've only gone to a handful of mountains on the International Appalachian Trail and love the parts of it I've seen in the Gaspe. One of my hiking goals/dreams is to thru hike the IAT through Quebec to Parc Forillion, maybe start at Mt. Carleton Provincial Park, which is also very nice.

Has anyone done this section in Quebec? Anyone interested?

 

[una_dogger]

Hey FredMeister. I am really interested in getting up there for some backpacking on the Gaspe Peninsula. Keep me in the loop! You'll need me, anyhow, since Vermont is halfway there from NY!!!

 

[Nadine]

I've done the Gaspe' and Mont Carleton sections the first year the IAT opened. I considered hiking the whole IAT, but then found out that most of the miles are on paved roads. I'm more of a woods hiker than a paved road hiker, so I opted not to complete the journey. The other big disappointment came at the top of Mont Carleton. When I arrived, the ground was littered with cigarette butts and empty cigarette packs, and inside the building had a pile of trash that reached from the floor to the top of the ceiling I could not believe my eyes!! Otherwise the tower is in fine shape and affords very nice VFTT.

 

[prino]

Hey Freddy! I feel I should know a little more than I do about this corner of the world. I wasn't even aware that the AT continued all the way to Forrillon Park. I was up in the Chic-Chocs skiing last Febuary but that's as close as I've been.

One thing I have found in Quebec is that the trails tend to be very rugged and and not as well maintained as in the states.... nevertheless the Gaspe is a very beautiful place. I may end up taking the family down for a few days next summer. We could perhaps join you for the last few miles in Forillon?

 

[funkyfreddy]

Hi Phil, Parc Forillion is beautiful! I've been there twice and would go back again in a heartbeat. I would also love to kayak there by those awesome cliffs below the light house at the (former) end of the IAT.

Nadine, I think most of the trail is off the road in Quebec now. I went to Mt. Carleton years ago, luckily my experience was different. The summit house wasn't filled with trash and I had a great hike, also did some kayaking.

Sabrina, I'll definitely keep you in the loop. Do you speak french? I don't but it would probably be helpful in some of the more remote sections of Quebec. I'll have to get out my notes from years ago but the mountains I climbed were really nice, one treat was seeing some caribou up close.

Here' are some links in case anyone else is interested.

http://www.internationalat.org/Pages/index

http://www.cgmatane.qc.ca/siaiat/

http://www.cgmatane.qc.ca/siaiat/browser/cartes/gaspesie/gasp4x.htm

At the top right hand of the home page is a photo of the cliffs at Parc Forillion.... take a look, it would be a great place to hike or kayak.

 

[alpinista]

Freddy:

How long would it take? Now that I'll no longer be in a job where I'm on call 24/7, I'd be interested in tagging along for a week or so at least. Et aussi, je parle francais!

 

[Stan]

I've never done it but I've seen some good slide presentations. It seems like a beautiful trip and sections of the IAT interest me, especially the Chic Chocs, Gros Morne and why not a dash to Belle Isle. Other areas strike me as similar to the Boreal Forest we're so accustomed to that I'd pass up unless there were some extraordinary attractions ... hmmm, I guess funky freddy, una_dogger, alpinista ... that qualifies.

 

[onestep]

Several years ago I had the hots to hike the IAT in Quebec. Nimblewill Nomad & JohnO where the inspiration. I lost enthusiasm when I found out that you need a permit and they charge $$ for each night your out. Not sure if it's the same now or not. It reminded me of the AT through the Whites with the AMC fee sites. Only difference was in Quebec one could not legally stealth camp away from the established sites.

Maybe things have changed.

Onestep

 

[spider solo]

I've hiked portions of the Quebec IAT over the years..they have done a great job and have put huge amounts of effort into it.
There are still long sections that I haven't been on as yet.
On the other hand it is always fun to have snowshoed on some small sections of it.
The IAT/SIA also traverses Parc de la Gaspiese which is a nice high point to the trail and excellent wildlife as well.