All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail Report

Trails are now closed. Warm weather moving in to start the week. The snow from last week has melted off. 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.

The bike trails are now closed until the frost is completely out of the trails, hopefully in 4-6 weeks. A good indicator is when the ice is off the lake.  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!

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.

Ski Trail Report

Trails are now closed. Warm weather moving in to start the week. The snow from last week has now melted off. It has been an up and down “spring” so far with temperatures.

The bike trails are now closed until the frost is completely out of the trails, hopefully in 4-6 weeks. A good indicator is when the ice is off the lake.  Latest update on the Fat 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!

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

Bike trails are now closed. The trails will open again once the frost is completely out of the ground. A good indicator is when the ice is off the lakes. With freezing nights still occurring, it is a slow process to completely dry out the trails. Typically mid April the trails will be open for riding. 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.

Ski Trail Report

The Fat Bike trail remains open in the mornings provided it freezes hard at night to be able to ride on frozen ground. The frost is still set in so when it warms up, it gets very muddy.  Latest update on the Fat 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!

Ski Trail Report

Trails covered with a thin coating of snow after snowfall Wednesday evening. Will be slow to melt off with cooler temps in place. Not quite enough to groom but nice to have the white to brighten up the landscape. 

The Fat Bike trail remains open in the mornings provided it freezes hard at night to be able to ride on frozen ground. The frost is still set in so when it warms up, it gets very muddy.  Latest update on the Fat 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!

Snow on Sap Run after a late night dusting, March 7th, 2024.
Scene on Skaters Waltz after dusting of snow overnight, March 7th, 2024.
One more lake skate, March 6th, 2024.
Skaters Waltz ski trail, March 4th, 2024.
Dusk along Sukkebusk, March 4th, 2024. The area to the left will be a future evergreen tree grove with trees planted in remembrance of Maplelag guests. 
David and Jackson out for a few morning laps, March 1st, 2024.
Smiles in the Skinny Field, March 1st, 2024.
Heading down the big hill “Eira” towards Bullhead Lake, March 1st, 2024.
Heading back up! March 1st, 2024.
Splitting wood for the sauna, February 27th, 2024.