All posts by Jay Richards

Trail Report

Happy May! Beautiful weekend with great weather for being in the woods. Nice to see the riders and hikers out on the trails this past weekend. The forest floor exploding with Hepatica flowers over the weekend with the warmer weather and a few bloodroot flowers as well. The ponds and sloughs active with waterfowl and loons have been numerous on Little Sugarbush. Ice went off on April 19th. Cooler weather to start the week with a breeze from the northwest.

Relatively dry conditions after the most recent moisture of 1″ last week. There is good moisture deep in the soil and the water tables are at normal levels. Maplelag moss coming to life from the recent rain.

 The mountain bike trails are open for riding.

Thank you to everyone that comes to Maplelag and supports the trails with season pass purchasesA MN State trail pass is NOT required to ski at Maplelag. The Maplelag trails are self funded by operations with no grants or state funding. 

Loons on Little Sugarbush, May 3rd, 2026. One of the best times of the year for loon activity.
Skaters Waltz ski trail, April 28th, 2026.
Load of ash blocks to be split for firewood, April 28th, 2026. We continue to clean up deadfall from last summers Solstice storm. 
Ice free Little Sugarbush lake, April 21st. Ice went off on April 19th.
Thousands of early wildflowers popping up along the trail, April 21st, 2026, in particular hepatica flowers. 
Trail side scene, April 21st, 2026.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

All 25 miles of mountain bike trails are open. Tacky/dry riding surface. Nice early season riding. Good seeing all the riders out this weekend which helps ride in the trail. Nice job to riders completing the LagChilada challenge this past weekend!

The new wood fired sauna will be going in the afternoons for season pass holders Saturday and Sunday through the month of May for post ride recovery. If you aren’t able to ride on the weekend and wish to use the sauna, please contact Jay at 218-849-7669.

Recommended trails are all the inner trails and the Twin Lakes race loop to the west. Sukkerwest and Bullhead Bootleg rolling good as well. For first time riders to Maplelag, a good beginner loop is the Citizen loop and Sukkerwest at the end of the driveway. A intermediate to advance loop is the Sport Comp Expert loop. The entire 25 LagChilada loop is open. Reference or download course from Strava for reference until all the LagChilada signs are out. 

Day trail passes can be purchased here. and Season passes now available. Thanks for the support of the Maplelag trails and maintenance. Riders 18 and under no charge. (Maplelag is privately family owned and operated resort with no outside funding. We are happy share the dirt and appreciate the support!)

 Click here for Maplelag trail map. Also reference Strava or Trailforks.

We have blown out select segments on the inner trails, and will blow out more trail once underbrush comes up. Not having underbrush, the windy days blow leaves back on the trail. Overall the trails are relatively clear thanks to late season clearing last Fall. All major trees have been cleared from the entire 25 mile LagChilada loop but be aware trees can fall at any time and assume full responsibility!!

Singletrack and sauna! Sauna will be available in the afternoons Saturday and Sunday through the month of May.
Sunday singletrack, May 3rd, 2026.
Twin Lakeside singletrack, May 3rd, 2026. First half of Twin lakes trail is a bit leafier. We will blow out hopefully this week.
May 1st riding, 2026.
Start of the LagChilada and Feeling Lucky loop, May 1st, 2026.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, April 29th, 2026. A good starter loop at Maplelag. Starts at the “LagChilada” sign.
Maplelag singletrack, April 19th, 2026.
Rock garden on “Moorhead” singletrack, April 29th, 2026.
Original lakeside singletrack, April 28th, 2026.
Tacky and damp riding, April 27th, 2026.
Rolling through Bulhead Bootleg loop, April 26th, 2026.

Maplelag Lodging and Sauna

MapleHus lodging at Maplelag

Maplelag offers year round lodging with full kitchens in the Candy Store, Six Swedes lodge, Big Dipper (formally the Lapland cabin) and Norwegian Log cabin and now the original main house “MapleHus”. The Switchyard features the Orange and Red Caboose have kitchenettes. More details on each cabin on the Lodging page and check availability online.

Spring sun on the Cedar and Stone sauna at Maplelag. One of two wood fired saunas at Maplelag available for overnight guest use and also day use by reservation.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

All 25 miles of mountain bike trails are open. Mostly tacky surface with a few loamy areas. Great early season riding. Thanks to all the riders coming out on Saturday which is nice for helping ride in the trail. The new wood fired sauna will be going in the afternoons for season pass holders Saturday and Sunday for post ride recovery. 

Recommended trails are all the inner trails and the Twin Lakes race loop to the west. Sukkerwest and Bullhead Bootleg rolling good as well. For first time riders to Maplelag, a good beginner loop is the Citizen loop and Sukkerwest at the end of the driveway. A intermediate to advance loop is the Sport Comp Expert loop. The entire 25 LagChilada loop is open. Reference or download course from Strava for reference until all the LagChilada signs are out. 

Day trail passes can be purchased here. and Season passes now available. Thanks for the support of the Maplelag trails and maintenance. Riders 18 and under no charge. (Maplelag is privately family owned and operated resort with no outside funding. We are happy share the dirt and appreciate the support!) 

Sauna will be going through the end of May on the weekends for season pass holders. (Advance notice please to Jay 218-849-7669)

 Click here for Maplelag trail map. Also reference Strava or Trailforks.

We have blown out select segments on the inner trails, and will blow out more trail once underbrush comes up. Not having underbrush, the windy days blow leaves back on the trail. Overall the trails are relatively clear thanks to late season clearing last Fall. All major trees have been cleared from the entire 25 mile LagChilada loop but be aware trees can fall at any time and assume full responsibility!!

Singletrack and sauna! Sauna will be available in the afternoons Saturday and Sunday this weekend. 
May 1st riding, 2026.
Start of the LagChilada and Feeling Lucky loop, May 1st, 2026.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, April 29th, 2026. A good starter loop at Maplelag. Starts at the “LagChilada” sign.
Maplelag singletrack, April 19th, 2026.
Rock garden on “Moorhead” singletrack, April 29th, 2026.
Original lakeside singletrack, April 28th, 2026.
Tacky and damp riding, April 27th, 2026.
Rolling through Bulhead Bootleg loop, April 26th, 2026.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Happy May! All 25 miles of mountain bike trails are open. Mostly tacky surface with a few loamy areas. A great weekend of riding on tap! The new wood fired sauna will be going in the afternoons for season pass holders Saturday and Sunday for post ride recovery.

Recommended trails are all the inner trails and the Twin Lakes race loop to the west. Sukkerwest and Bullhead Bootleg rolling good as well. For first time riders to Maplelag, a good beginner loop is the Citizen loop and Sukkerwest at the end of the driveway. A intermediate to advance loop is the Sport Comp Expert loop. The entire 25 LagChilada loop is open. Reference or download course from Strava for reference until all the LagChilada signs are out. 

Day trail passes can be purchased here. and Season passes now available. Thanks for the support of the Maplelag trails and maintenance. Riders 18 and under no charge. (Maplelag is privately family owned and operated resort with no outside funding. We are happy share the dirt and appreciate the support!) 

Sauna will be going through the end of May on the weekends for season pass holders. (Advance notice please to Jay 218-849-7669)

 Click here for Maplelag trail map. Also reference Strava or Trailforks.

We have blown out select segments on the inner trails, and will blow out more trail once underbrush comes up. Not having underbrush, the windy days blow leaves back on the trail. Overall the trails are relatively clear thanks to late season clearing last Fall. All major trees have been cleared from the entire 25 mile LagChilada loop but be aware trees can fall at any time and assume full responsibility!!

Singletrack and sauna! Sauna will be available in the afternoons Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
May 1st riding, 2026.
Start of the LagChilada and Feeling Lucky loop, May 1st, 2026.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, April 29th, 2026. A good starter loop at Maplelag. Starts at the “LagChilada” sign.
Maplelag singletrack, April 19th, 2026.
Rock garden on “Moorhead” singletrack, April 29th, 2026.
Original lakeside singletrack, April 28th, 2026.
Tacky and damp riding, April 27th, 2026.
Rolling through Bulhead Bootleg loop, April 26th, 2026.
Post ride sauna! Sauna available Saturday and Sundays through May ( with advance notice) to season pass holders in the afternoons!