All posts by Jay Richards

Wood and Trails Report

After a warm and dry period, wet weather moving in with just over a half inch of precipitation the past 48 hours. The rain was welcomed as the surface was getting dry in the forest. Cooler temps as well with morning lows in the 30’s!

The recent warm weather has really brought the forest to life with leaves popping out and full circle after temperatures in the 80’s and above. The underbrush and forest floor exploding with wild flowers and the coveted morel mushroom. The water tables are at normal to slightly above normal there is ample moisture for the woods to be healthy. 

A great time of year to be in the woods and one of the best times for hiking and biking with no bugs etc. to take in the sounds of spring with birds, waterfowl and frogs echoing through the woods. 

The ice went off Little Sugarbush on April 16th and on nearby lakes. The loons have returned and the water is busy with a nice variety of waterfowl. The ice off is always a special time of year, marking the transitions of seasons from winter to spring. 

The trails are drying up and we are back in the woods doing trail work, focusing on the mountain bike trails. We are clearing sticks, branches and blowing out leafy areas but also cutting deadfall off the ski trail, cutting in to blocks and splitting for firewood for winter season 2025/26.. 

The mountain bike trails are open, click here for report. Nice to see folks out. this year so far.

A few wildflowers are emerging from the forest floor and and a few other signs of flora on the forest floor and the grounds slowly greening up.

Thanks everyone who supports the trails at Maplelag. We had a fun run to end the ski season. We appreciate you very much and can’t wait to have folks back on the trail for dirt season. Stay tuned for more updates.

Rainfall the end of the week bringing the moss to life along the bike trail, May 16th, 2025.
Gray Tree frog, May 11th, 2025.
More wildflowers emerging from the forest floor, May 11th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on the bike track, May 11th, 2025.
Bear up on the northern part of the trail system, May 9th, 2025.
Marsh marigolds blooming in full force in recent days, May 10th, 2025.
Tamarack buds, May 10th, 2025.
Ferns emerging from Sugarbush creek, May 8th, 2025.
Tracks on tracks! Bear track on the mountain bike singletrack, May 6th, 2025.
Bloodroot flowers ready to emerge from the forest floor, May 1st, 2025. The woods should really start to come to life with warm weather moving in. 
North end of Little Sugarbush lake, May 1st, 2025. Water tables and lake levels are above normal with recent rain and good moisture from winter snow. 
Maplelag creek running good after 1.3″ of recent rainfall on April 28th, 2025.
Hepatica flowers blooming in full force today, April 26th, 2025.
Trumpeter swans on Kohlepp’s pond, April 23rd, 2025.
Evening scene along Mother North Star, April 21st, 2025.
Mossy ski trail, April 21st, 2025.
Busy beaver on a large oak tree. April 21s,t 2025. 
Group of trumpeter swans enjoying ice free Little Sugarbush lake, April 17th, 2025.
Bullhead lake ice free, April 13th, 2025.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush lake as seen in front of the new sauna, April 15th, 2025.
Edge of Little Sugarbush lake, April 13th, 2025.
Sunday night lightning, April 13th, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Damp/wet conditions after rain the past 24 hours but the trail is open. Use a little extra caution. Rain is welcomed to help tighten up the deck where it was loose/very dry after an extended dry period. Total rain around a half of an inch in 24 hour period.

We have been clearing deadfall after the recent wind but, as always, watch for any deadfall that has fallen, especially during windy days like this week! We try to clear any trees as soon as possible but with 25 miles of trail, trees can fall down across the trail even if no storms or wind.

Last week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We have been busy doing trail work the past two weeks, blowing out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course the past two weeks.Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. 

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details. 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

Twin Lakes singletrack, May 16th, 2025.
Starter loop singletrack, May 14th, 2025.
Lakeside singletrack, May 14th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack, May 13th, 2025.
Twin Lakes double track, May 13th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, May 11th, 2025. 
Dry and hardpack conditions on starter loop “Feeling Lucky”, May 11th, 2025.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes track, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes rock garden, May 10th, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Damp/wet conditions after much welcomed moisture the past 24 hours. Total rainfall around 1/4″. The trail is open and the dirt is firm and tacky. Rain is welcomed to help tighten up the deck where it was loose/very dry after an extended dry period. Rocks and roots might be a bit slick but stay light on the brakes and don’t pedal on those areas (roll it) and trail is very rideable.

We have been clearing deadfall after the recent wind but, as always, watch for any deadfall that has fallen, especially during windy days like this week! We try to clear any trees as soon as possible but with 25 miles of trail, trees can fall down across the trail even if no storms or wind.

Last week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We have been busy doing trail work the past two weeks, blowing out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course the past two weeks.Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. 

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details. 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

Woods have really filled out this week and track has been rolling great! May 14th, 2025.
Lakeside singletrack, May 14th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack, May 13th, 2025.
Twin Lakes double track, May 13th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, May 11th, 2025. 
Dry and hardpack conditions on starter loop “Feeling Lucky”, May 11th, 2025.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes track, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes rock garden, May 10th, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report


The mountain bike trails are open
. Chance of rain later today, trail will remain open unless heavy rain. Mostly dry/hardpack conditions. Tacky in low areas and much ofTwin Lakes. The woods have really filled out with thick leaf cover. Rain will be welcomed to help tighten up the deck where loose/very dry.

We have been clearing deadfall after the recent wind but, as always, watch for any deadfall that has fallen, especially during windy days like this week! We try to clear any trees as soon as possible but with 25 miles of trail, trees can fall down across the trail even if no storms or wind.

This past week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We have been busy doing trail work the past two weeks, blowing out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course the past two weeks.Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. 

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details. 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

Woods have really filled out this week and track has been rolling great! May 14th, 2025.
Lakeside singletrack, May 14th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack, May 13th, 2025.
Twin Lakes double track, May 13th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, May 11th, 2025. 
Dry and hardpack conditions on starter loop “Feeling Lucky”, May 11th, 2025.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes track, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes rock garden, May 10th, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Conditions don’t get much better for this time of year. The riding deck has firmed up nicely after rain earlier this month. Mostly dry/hardpack conditions. Tacky in low areas and much ofTwin Lakes. The woods have really filled out with thick leaf cover.

We have been clearing deadfall after the recent wind but, as always, watch for any deadfall that has fallen, especially during windy days like this week! We try to clear any trees as soon as possible but with 25 miles of trail, trees can fall down across the trail even if no storms or wind.

This past week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We have been busy doing trail work the past two weeks, blowing out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course the past two weeks.Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. 

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details. 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

Twin Lakes singletrack, May 13th, 2025.
Twin Lakes double track, May 13th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, May 11th, 2025. 
Dry and hardpack conditions on starter loop “Feeling Lucky”, May 11th, 2025.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes track, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside, May 10th, 2025.
Twin Lakes rock garden, May 10th, 2025.