All posts by Jay Richards

Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails open. A few morning sprinkles, chance of more rain later but trails are open. Cooler weather in place and combined with a nice track, great riding conditions.

Great weekend hosting the local HS MTB Team “Wolves” training camp. Fun energy and nice job to kids and coaches! The trail has been ridden in very nice thanks to all the riders.

We continue with trail tuning through the summer, brushing out overgrown areas and dirt work to improve drainage, berms and corners and blowing out the trail. The entire 25 mile course has been blown out multiple times this year and we continue touching up areas as needed, mostly focusing on Bullhead Bootleg and the Laddies Loppet MNMBS race loops. Once again we will be hosting the Laddies Loppet for year 34!! 

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challengethis year! The opportunity to complete the challenge is available every day the trails are open during the dirt season.

We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time.  If you encounter any trail issues, please text Jay at 218-849-7669 or if any other trail questions.   

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. Nice job to all the riders that have completed it so far this year! 

Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in the Brant.

Summer trail pass to help offset operating and maintenance expenses. We are a self funded/maintained trail system and happy to share our hand built classic old style singletrack trails! Thank you, always great seeing folks out and we appreciate the support!

 Click here to join the Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Wooden feature on “Bjorp’s” singletrack, August 4th, 2024.

Wolves on the move! August 4th, 2024.
2024 Wolves MTB Camp group! August, 3rd, 2024. Thanks for your visit!! 
Middle school riders heading out, August 3rd, 2024.
Rolling through the rock garden, August 3rd, 2024.
Members of the “Wolves” local HS MTB team after a ride around Bootleg singletrack loop, August 2nd, 2024.
Original lakeside singletrack, August 2nd 2024.
First group ride for the area MTB team camp “Wolves”. August 1st, 2024.
News

In Memory of Jim Richards

Jim with a pair of unique skis, one of the many of hundreds he had collected over the year. Sadly, most were lost in the fire of October 2022.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jim Richards, whom was a co-founder of Maplelag. 
Jim was surrounded by family and friends as he took his last breath on earth, after suffering a stroke four weeks ago.



Jim had exceptional vision to create a magical place in the forest, along the shores of Little Sugarbush, a retreat that has been enjoyed by 100's of thousands of people from skiing, biking, weddings, retreats and language learning. His work ethic and adventurous spirit will continue to be present as Maplelag moves forward in this next chapter. A special tree grove memorial will be constructed this fall. There will be a private celebration of life. A full obituary linked here.
Jim checking in folks at the main office. Jim loved. visiting with people and could always connect with people from anywhere around the world.

Jim could be found at the end of the Scandinavian Smorgasbord at Maplelag serving the fruit soup while always making sure the coffee pot was full.
The day before his stroke, Jim
Carrying sap buckets for maple syruping back in the day.
Before starting a cross country skiing resort, Jim and Mary were avid downhill skiers.
Jim attended college at Dartmouth and played hockey there.
Taking a break from cutting wood back in the early years.
Paddling to a beaver dam during the “blasting” years.
The old “bomb” used
So long Jim, you will be missed….Rest In Peace!
*Front Page, News

In Memory of Jim Richards

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Jim Richards, whom was a co-founder of Maplelag.
Jim was surrounded by family and friends as he took his last breath on earth, after suffering a stroke four weeks ago.

Jim had exceptional vision to create a magical place in the forest, along the shores of Little Sugarbush, a retreat that has been enjoyed by 100’s of thousands of people from skiing, biking, weddings, retreats and language learning. His work ethic and adventurous spirit will continue to be present as Maplelag moves forward in this next chapter. A special tree grove memorial will be constructed this fall. There was a private celebration of life at Maplelag in August. Obituary posted here.

9/19/39-08/03/24

More photos posted on the News Page.

Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails open. Dry and hardpack conditions. No rain the past 24 hours. Cooler start to the day and overall great riding conditions. We are hosting the local HS MTB Team “Wolves” training camp this week and having a good time! The trail has been ridden in very nice!  The bugs/deer flies are out…keep the wheels moving!  Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop is top pick to avoid the worst of the flies.

We continue with trail tuning through the summer, brushing out overgrown areas and dirt work to improve drainage, berms and corners and blowing out the trail. The entire 25 mile course has been blown out multiple times this year and we continue touching up areas as needed, mostly focusing on Bullhead Bootleg and the Laddies Loppet MNMBS race loops. Once again we will be hosting the Laddies Loppet for year 34!! 

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challengethis year! The opportunity to complete the challenge is available every day the trails are open during the dirt season.

We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time.  If you encounter any trail issues, please text Jay at 218-849-7669 or if any other trail questions.   

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. Nice job to all the riders that have completed it so far this year! 

Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in the Brant.

Summer trail pass to help offset operating and maintenance expenses. We are a self funded/maintained trail system and happy to share our hand built classic old style singletrack trails! Thank you, always great seeing folks out and we appreciate the support!

 Click here to join the Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

2024 Wolves MTB Camp group! August, 3rd, 2024. Thanks for your visit!!
Middle school riders heading out, August 3rd, 2024.

Rolling through the rock garden, August 3rd, 2024.
Members of the “Wolves” local HS MTB team after a ride around Bootleg singletrack loop, August 2nd, 2024.
Original lakeside singletrack, August 2nd 2024.
First group ride for the area MTB team camp “Wolves”. August 1st, 2024.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails open. Mostly tacky riding surface A few damp spots here and there. We are in a period of warm and humid weather but the trails are rolling good. The bugs/deer flies are out…keep the wheels moving!  Bullhead Bootleg is top pick to avoid the worst of the flies. Watch for wet spots on start of Twin Lakes, ride to the side.

We continue with trail tuning through the summer, brushing out overgrown areas and dirt work to improve drainage, berms and corners and blowing out the trail. The entire 25 mile course has been blown out multiple times this year and we continue touching up areas as needed, mostly focusing on Bullhead Bootleg and the Laddies Loppet MNMBS race loops. Once again we will be hosting the Laddies Loppet for year 34!! 

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challengethis year! The opportunity to complete the challenge is available every day the trails are open during the dirt season.

We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time.  If you encounter any trail issues, please text Jay at 218-849-7669 or if any other trail questions.   

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. Nice job to all the riders that have completed it so far this year! 

Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in the Brant.

Summer trail pass to help offset operating and maintenance expenses. We are a self funded/maintained trail system and happy to share our hand built classic old style singletrack trails! Thank you, always great seeing folks out and we appreciate the support!

 Click here to join the Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Members of the “Wolves” local HS MTB team after a ride around Bootleg singletrack loop, August 2nd, 2024.
Original lakeside singletrack, August 2nd 2024.
First group ride for the area MTB team camp “Wolves”. August 1st, 2024.
Start of Bente’s Bump singletrack, July 31st, 2024.
Fresh coating of dirt on start of Twin Lakes ski trail which has been a bit softer this season with all the rain, July 29th, 2024.
End of last singletrack segment, dirt work on the edges this week. July 29th, 2024.
Lush green and tacky track, July 28th, 2024.
Bente’s Bump singletrack, July 28th, 2024. 
Start of the LagChilada, July 25th, 2024. 
Twin Lakes rock garden, July 20th, 2024. Not part of the race course but part of the LagChilada! Ride around options. 
Twin Lakes lakeside singletrack, July 17th, 2024.
Mowing on ski trail segment of bike course, July 16th, 2024.
“Hudson’s Hula” singletrack, July 15th, 2024. 
Twin Lakes singletrack, July 14th, 2024.
Fresh trail tuning on the lakeside singletrack, July 13th, 2024.
Fresh trail tuning on the lakeside singletrack, July 13th, 2024.
New bridge on Bear Pass singletrack, July 13th, 2024.
Local gravel riding on the Sugar Creek Rd, July 10th, 2024. This fun rolling road can be accessed off the Goat Ranch Rd. and is a nice down and back addition to a ride at Maplelag!
Staying balanced on “North Loup Gnar”, July 8th, 2024.
Wet riding on Sunday, July 7th, 2024.
Riding the corners wide after the rain, July 7th, 2024.
Ski trail segment of bike course on Twin Lakes loop, July 5th, 2024.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, July 3rd, 2024.
Bridge on Bullhead Bootleg loop, July 2nd, 2024.