All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail Report

Trails are now closed (mountain bike trails will be open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding). Cooler weather in place and we are keeping our eye on the snow chances middle and later part of the week. If we do receive significant snow and cold temps to follow, we will groom a few trails. 

It has been an up and down “spring” so far with temperatures. We continue to freeze at nights which is slowing the drying process but certainly not unusual consider how snowy March typically is. Little Sugarbush lake still ice covered with 6-8″ of ice depth with not much open water on edge. Most ponds are still frozen over. 

The bike trails are open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding. Latest update on the Bike Trail Report.

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

We will continue to update daily as we enjoy sharing what is happening on the trails, weather and nature. 

On a side note, this winter with low snow and frozen ground has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects!

South Twin, March 19th, 2024. Ice free on half of the lake. North Twin still full ice covered.
Little Sugarbush lake early evening, March 18th, 2024. The lake Maplelag is next to around 94% ice covered.
Pond near start and finish of Rootin Tootin trail, March 16th, 2024. Like the area lakes, still ice covered. 
Sauna firewood for next season. 
Harvested oak logs from storm blow down cut and ready to be hauled back for projects.
Sauna wood ready to split.

Bike Trail Report

With cooler weather in place and freezing nights forecasted, bike trails will be open in the morning this week for frozen dirt riding. Best to be out early, best time to ride 8am-10am and off by 11am as the frost has started to come out and will soften soon. Please note there is no signage out other than the permanent signage. 

Riding when the trails are soft this time of year can do the most damage to the trails. Even though we had low snow this year, the lack of snow did allow frost set down this season but we will have the trails open for frozen dirt riding when it freezes down hard at night. 

Frozen dirt riding on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, March 19th, 2024.
Bullhead connector looking towards a ice covered Bullhead lake, March 19th, 2024.
Rock segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, March 19th, 2024.
Twin Lakes singletrack lakeside south Twin Lake, March 19th, 2024.

Bike Trail Report

With cooler weather moving and and freezing nights forecasted, bike trails will be open in the morning this week for frozen dirt riding. Best to be out early, best time to ride 8am-10am and off by 11am as the frost has started to come out and will soften soon. Please note there is no signage out other than the permanent signage. 

Riding when the trails are soft this time of year can do the most damage to the trails. Even though we had low snow this year, the lack of snow did allow frost set down this season but we will have the trails open for frozen dirt riding when it freezes down hard at night. 

Frozen dirt riding! Lakeside singletrack, March 16th, 2024.
Rock garden lakeside, March 16th, 2024.
Maplelag roots! March 16th, 2024.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are now closed (mountain bike trails will be open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding). Cooler weather in place with chance of snow middle and later part of the week. If we do receive significant snow and cold temps to follow, we will groom a few trails.

It has been an up and down “spring” so far with temperatures. We continue to freeze at nights which is slowing the drying process but certainly not unusual consider how snowy March typically is. Little Sugarbush lake still ice covered with 6-8″ of ice depth with not much open water on edge. Most ponds are still frozen over. 

The bike trails are open in the mornings this week for frozen dirt riding. Latest update on the Bike Trail Report.

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

We will continue to update daily as we enjoy sharing what is happening on the trails, weather and nature. 

On a side note, this winter with low snow and frozen ground has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects!

Pond near start and finish of Rootin Tootin trail, March 16th, 2024. Like the area lakes, still ice covered. 
Sauna firewood for next season. 
Harvested oak logs from storm blow down cut and ready to be hauled back for projects.
Sauna wood ready to split.

Bike Trail Report

With cooler weather moving and and freezing nights forecasted, bike trails will be open in the morning Sunday through next week for frozen dirt riding. Very thin dusting of snow on Sunday morning. Best to be out early, best time to ride 8am-10am and off by 11am as the frost has started to come out and will soften soon. Please note there is no signage out other than the permanent signage. 

Riding when the trails are soft this time of year can do the most damage to the trails. Even though we had low snow this year, the lack of snow did allow frost set down this season but we will have the trails open for frozen dirt riding when it freezes down hard at night. 

Frozen dirt riding! Lakeside singletrack, March 16th, 2024.
Rock garden lakeside, March 16th, 2024.
Maplelag roots! March 16th, 2024.