All posts by Jay Richards

Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Drying out nicely after rain Wednesday morning. Mostly tacky surface but ride the corners wide and the berms high for any slick spots in those areas. Rest of the week and weekend looks to be great fall riding. Get out before the dirt season closes on November 1st!

We have been working on the entire 25 mile LagChilada course weekly this fall clearing leaves as they fall. Thursday clearing on the shorter inner segments. Wednesday clearing on Feeling Lucky, Moorhead and North Star. Friday clearing planned on Hudson’s Hula and Bjorps. Some areas more clear than others and the wind will blow some back in the track but overall very good fall biking conditions. 

Dirt riding season will be open until November 1st than open for winter season Thanksgiving weekend. 

The singletrack segments are signed by name and courses are generally marked for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series with Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert. Any singletrack that is not marked where it crosses ski trail, continue straight on the singletrack. Reference our map or TrailForks or Strava for guidance. 

The Lagchilada challenge is in place which is a ride consisting of the entire mountain bike trail system. It is marked with both black signs and pink signs. Use the Strava app or guidance.

A good intermediate loop to ride is the Sport Loop and Bullhead Bootleg to the east. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop as well as the loops “Feeling Lucky” and “Sukkerwest”. North Loup Gnar on the north side is a slow tech skills trail. 

Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The Maplelag course is generally described as a classic or natural trail which is rideable shortly after any rain events as the rain is absorbed and drains off naturally.

Trail users are welcome to use the Brant cabin for a changing area and there are also bathrooms.   Season passes available on our gift shop page.

“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, October 18th, 2023.
“Moorhead” singletrack, October 18th, 2023.
Heading down the “Toot” hill, October 18th, 2023.
Fresh cleared trail, North Star singletrack, October 18th, 2023.
Another beautiful fall evening, October 16th, 2023. Poplar trees “popping” this week with color. 
Bullhead connector to Bootleg singletrack, October 12th, 2023. 
Fern Gully section, Bullhead Bootleg, October 11th, 2023.
Weaving through the trees, first half Twin Lake singletrack, October 11th, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Wet conditions after rain the past 24 hours. This time of year takes a bit longer to dry out but should be rideable later today. Ride the corners wide and the berms high! 

We have been working on the entire 25 mile LagChilada course weekly this fall clearing leaves as they fall. Some areas more clear than others, there are lots of leaves! and the wind will blow some back in the track but overall very good fall biking conditions. Wednesday clearing on Feeling Luck, Moorhead and North Star.

Dirt riding season will be open until November 1st than open for winter season Thanksgiving weekend. 

The singletrack segments are signed by name and courses are generally marked for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series with Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert. Any singletrack that is not marked where it crosses ski trail, continue straight on the singletrack. Reference our map or TrailForks or Strava for guidance. 

The Lagchilada challenge is in place which is a ride consisting of the entire mountain bike trail system. It is marked with both black signs and pink signs. Use the Strava app or guidance.

A good intermediate loop to ride is the Sport Loop and Bullhead Bootleg to the east. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop as well as the loops “Feeling Lucky” and “Sukkerwest”. North Loup Gnar on the north side is a slow tech skills trail. 

Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The Maplelag course is generally described as a classic or natural trail which is rideable shortly after any rain events as the rain is absorbed and drains off naturally.

Trail users are welcome to use the Brant cabin for a changing area and there are also bathrooms.   Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Fresh cleared trail, North Star singletrack, October 18th, 2023.
Another beautiful fall evening, October 16th, 2023. Poplar trees “popping” this week with color. 
Bullhead connector to Bootleg singletrack, October 12th, 2023. 
Fern Gully section, Bullhead Bootleg, October 11th, 2023.
Weaving through the trees, first half Twin Lake singletrack, October 11th, 2023.
Hudson’s Hula singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, October 11th, 2023.
Still pockets of Fall color along the bike course, October 9th, 2023.
Sunset riding, October 9th, 2023.
“Pete’s Porkie” singletrack segment on the Twin Lakes loop after fresh clearing, October 6th, 2023.
Rolling through Twin Lakes rock garden, October 6th, 2023.
Trail intersection after fresh clearing, October 6th, 2023.
More mushrooms on the side of the singletrack, October 6th, 2023.
Big acorn crop this year and we have bee clearing the acorns to the side on the singletrack, October 6th, 2023.
Ski Trail

Trail Report

Rainy conditions the past 24 hours with just over a half inch of rain. Overall seasonable fall weather as of late with beautiful mid Fall conditions. The poplar trees have changed the past few days along with oaks and tamarack trees providing brilliant late fall color. 

Last week we had our first frost which is always gets us excited for the upcoming winter season. The recent rain bringing the forest floor to live with a wide variety of mushrooms that are always interesting to see. 

We have been busy clearing leaves and forest matter off the trails now that most of the maple leaves have fallen to the ground. We hit our peak of fall color this year a bit earlier, around September 20th, but the oak, poplar and basswood trees are coming to life with autumn scenes. We will continue clearing trail right up until the ground freezes and first snow accumulates! We try to have as many trails completely cleared and cut low so we can groom and ski on minimal snow. 

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. Click here for latest update. Maplelag trails are closed to all motorized use and closed to horse traffic. We continue with trail tuning as we constantly work on the 64km of ski trails for upcoming ski season and maintain 25 miles of mountain bike trail.

Tamarack trees displaying their autumn gold, October 18th, 2023.
Another beautiful fall evening, October 16th, 2023. Poplar trees “popping” this week with color.
Beautiful morning for fall grooming, October 12th, 2023.
Local HS MTB Team “NW Wolves” on the trails Tuesday evening, October 10th, 2023.
Heavy frost on the low areas, October 10th, 2023.
Frost scene at Twin Lakes area, October 10th, 2023.
Fall scene on the shores of Island Lake, October 10th, 2023.
Monday morning scene on Little Sugarbush, October 9th, 2023.
Pockets of fall color remain in the woods, October 7th, 2023.
October skies over Twin Lakes crossing, October 7th, 2023.
Wild mushrooms on Twin Lakes ski trail, October 7th, 2023.
Puffball mushrom, October 7th, 2023.
“Popcorn” shower moving through, October 5th, 2023. After a wet week, drying out on Friday.
Mushrooms sprouting from a old stump, October 5th, 2023. Lots of wild mushrooms popping up everywhere after recent rain. 
After a wet start to the day, sunshine and clearing for the afternoon making for good trail work conditions, October 4th, 2023.
Leaf clearing on Skaters Waltz, October 3rd, 2023.
Sunset on the Goat Ranch rd, October 3rd, 2023. (B. Olson photo) 
Local high school mountain bike team enjoying the beautiful evening on the trails October 3rd, 2023.
October skies! Water levels up slightly after recent rain as seen in slough near Mother North Star trail, October 2nd, 2023.
Fall grooming on Twin Lakes ski trail, September 27th, 2023.
“Pete’s Porkie” ski trail and mountain bike segment, September 27th, 2023.
One of the many mushrooms popping up after the recent rain, September 27th, 2023.
Fall colors around Six Swedes cabin, September 23rd, 2023.
Wavy Gravy trail after clearing, September 26th, 2023.
Fall color scene, September 24th, 2023.
Wild rice on edge of Bullhead lake catching a few rays of sunshine, September 25th, 2023.
Fall color greeting at the end of the Maplelag driveway, September 23rd, 2023.
Afternoon hike on Mother Hen! September 23rd, 2023.
Twin Lakes ski trail, September 22nd, 2023.
Clearing leaves on Sap Run, September 22nd, 2023. With so many leaves, we will make multiple clearings on the key trails until the snow flies. It is much easier to groom and have early season skiing when the trails are completely cleared. 
Fall color scene at the trailhead, September 20th, 2023.
Fall color scene along the shores of Little Sugarbush, September 20th, 2023.
Fall color peaking on the maples near the cabooses, September 20th, 2023.
Swamp scene along Mother North Star trail, September 19th, 2023.
Beautiful evening for mountain bikers on the trail, September 19th, 2023.
Colorful scenes along the Maplelag driveway, September 18th, 2023.
Start of Sukkerbusk ski trail, September 18th, 2023.
Morning scene near the cabooses looking down the driveway, September 18th, 2023.
Maples near Lapland cabin vibrant with color, September 18th, 2023.
Fall color scene at the start of Sukkerbusk ski trail, September 1th, 2023
Mowing low area near end of Sap Run/sledding hill area, September 13th, 2023.
Calm evening on Little Sugarbush lake, September 12th, 2023.
Maplelag driveway, September 12th, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Great conditions over the weekend continuing into this week. Tacky/hardpack riding surface, scattering of leaves in spots. Overall very good fall biking conditions. 

We are entering the “Sweet Spot” of fall riding where nearly all the leaves are down and the track is clear. We have been working on the entire 25 mile LagChilada course weekly this fall clearing leaves as they fall. Some areas more clear than others, there are lots of leaves! and the wind will blow some back in the track but overall very good fall biking conditions.

Dirt riding season will be open until November 1st than open for winter season Thanksgiving weekend. 

The singletrack segments are signed by name and courses are generally marked for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series with Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert. Any singletrack that is not marked where it crosses ski trail, continue straight on the singletrack. Reference our map or TrailForks or Strava for guidance. 

The Lagchilada challenge is in place which is a ride consisting of the entire mountain bike trail system. It is marked with both black signs and pink signs. Use the Strava app or guidance.

A good intermediate loop to ride is the Sport Loop and Bullhead Bootleg to the east. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop as well as the loops “Feeling Lucky” and “Sukkerwest”. North Loup Gnar on the north side is a slow tech skills trail. 

Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The Maplelag course is generally described as a classic or natural trail which is rideable shortly after any rain events as the rain is absorbed and drains off naturally.

Trail users are welcome to use the Brant cabin for a changing area and there are also bathrooms.   Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Another beautiful fall evening, October 16th, 2023. Poplar trees “popping” this week with color.
Bullhead connector to Bootleg singletrack, October 12th, 2023. 
Fern Gully section, Bullhead Bootleg, October 11th, 2023.
Weaving through the trees, first half Twin Lake singletrack, October 11th, 2023.
Hudson’s Hula singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, October 11th, 2023.
Still pockets of Fall color along the bike course, October 9th, 2023.
Sunset riding, October 9th, 2023.
“Pete’s Porkie” singletrack segment on the Twin Lakes loop after fresh clearing, October 6th, 2023.
Rolling through Twin Lakes rock garden, October 6th, 2023.
Trail intersection after fresh clearing, October 6th, 2023.
More mushrooms on the side of the singletrack, October 6th, 2023.
Big acorn crop this year and we have bee clearing the acorns to the side on the singletrack, October 6th, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Great conditions over the weekend continuing into this week. Tacky/hardpack riding surface, scattering of leaves in spots. Overall very good fall biking conditions. 

We are entering the “Sweet Spot” of fall riding where nearly all the leaves are down and the track is clear. We have been working on the entire 25 mile LagChilada course, clearing leaves as they drop. 

Dirt riding season will be open until November 1st than open for winter season Thanksgiving weekend. 

The singletrack segments are signed by name and courses are generally marked for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series with Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert. Any singletrack that is not marked where it crosses ski trail, continue straight on the singletrack. Reference our map or TrailForks or Strava for guidance. 

The Lagchilada challenge is in place which is a ride consisting of the entire mountain bike trail system. It is marked with both black signs and pink signs. Use the Strava app or guidance.

A good intermediate loop to ride is the Sport Loop and Bullhead Bootleg to the east. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop as well as the loops “Feeling Lucky” and “Sukkerwest”. North Loup Gnar on the north side is a slow tech skills trail. 

Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The Maplelag course is generally described as a classic or natural trail which is rideable shortly after any rain events as the rain is absorbed and drains off naturally.

Trail users are welcome to use the Brant cabin for a changing area and there are also bathrooms.   Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Bullhead connector to Bootleg singletrack, October 12th, 2023. 
Bullhead Bootleg freshly cleared and riding great, October 11th, 2023.
Fern Gully section, Bullhead Bootleg, October 11th, 2023.
Weaving through the trees, first half Twin Lake singletrack, October 11th, 2023.
Hudson’s Hula singletrack on Twin Lakes loop, October 11th, 2023.
Still pockets of Fall color along the bike course, October 9th, 2023.
Sunset riding, October 9th, 2023.
Sunday LagChilada, October 8th, 2023. Nice job to all the riders that completed the challenged this past weekend!
“Pete’s Porkie” singletrack segment on the Twin Lakes loop after fresh clearing, October 6th, 2023.
Rolling through Twin Lakes rock garden, October 6th, 2023.
Trail intersection after fresh clearing, October 6th, 2023.
More mushrooms on the side of the singletrack, October 6th, 2023.
Big acorn crop this year and we have bee clearing the acorns to the side on the singletrack, October 6th, 2023.