All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail

Trail Report

Wet conditions and much cooler temperatures return after sunny and summer like weather the start of the week. Just over a half inch of rain Tuesday evening and off and on rain showers today with a quarter inch forecasted. Morning lows in the 40’s on Thursday.

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.

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.
Leaf clearing on the ski trails, September 12th, 2023.
Singletrack segment after leaf clearing, September 12th, 2023.
Fall color scene along Mother North Star looking towards Kohlepp’s pond, September 12th, 2023.
Fall grooming, September 11th, 2023.
Spectacular Labor Day sunset over Little Sugarbush, September 4th, 2023.
First maple leaves falling to the forest floor after a much needed rain, September 4th, 2023.
Sunset scene Labory Day evening, September 4th, 2023.
The “super moon” shining over Little Sugarbush, August 30th, 2023.
Beautiful last summer morning….hints of Fall! August 26th, 2023.
Trail mowing at end of Sap Run and back bowl, August 24th, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Light rain moving in today will put riding on hold until later today. Mostly tacky surface but watch for greasy spots on the insides of corners. Ride the berms and corners on the outside.

With most maples having lost their leaves, we are getting close to the sweet spot of fall riding. This week we are in the process of blowing out the entire course again before the weekend. Tuesday we cleared out Bullhead Bootleg, Twin Lakes Race loop and most of the inner trail.

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. Please note we are remodeling in this cabin but the bathrooms are open.  Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Sunset riding, October 4th, 2023.
Local HS MTB Team “NW Wolves” out for practice on beautiful Fall evening, October 3rd, 2023.
Working through a rock garden, October 3rd, 2023
Leaf clearing on the Singletrack, October 3rd, 2023.
Sunset ride, October 2nd, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Damp/wet conditions this morning after rain last night. Trail will be rideable, watch for greasy spots on the insides of corner. Right the berms and corners high!

The leaves have fallen fast this year and we have been trying to stay on top of the leaf clearing the best we can. This week we plan to blow out the entire course again before the weekend. Tuesday we cleared out Bullhead Bootleg, Twin Lakes Race loop and most of the inner trail. Many leaves have already fallen so we are getting closer to the sweet spot point of the fall riding season! 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. Please note we are remodeling in this cabin but the bathrooms are open.  Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Local HS MTB Team “NW Wolves” out for practice on beautiful Fall evening, October 3rd, 2023.
Working through a rock garden, October 3rd, 2023
Leaf clearing on the Singletrack, October 3rd, 2023.
Sunset ride, October 2nd, 2023.
Ski Trail

Trail Report

Wet conditions and much cooler temperatures return after sunny and summer like weather the start of the week. Just over a half inch of rain the past 24 hours.

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.

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.
Leaf clearing on the ski trails, September 12th, 2023.
Singletrack segment after leaf clearing, September 12th, 2023.
Fall color scene along Mother North Star looking towards Kohlepp’s pond, September 12th, 2023.
Fall grooming, September 11th, 2023.
Spectacular Labor Day sunset over Little Sugarbush, September 4th, 2023.
First maple leaves falling to the forest floor after a much needed rain, September 4th, 2023.
Sunset scene Labory Day evening, September 4th, 2023.
The “super moon” shining over Little Sugarbush, August 30th, 2023.
Beautiful last summer morning….hints of Fall! August 26th, 2023.
Trail mowing at end of Sap Run and back bowl, August 24th, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Another beautiful summer like day with fall color scenes! The leaves have fallen fast this year and we have been trying to stay on top of the leaf clearing the best we can. This week we plan to blow out the entire course again before the weekend. Today we are clearing out Bullhead Bootleg, Twin Lakes Race loop and most of the inner trail. Many leaves have already fallen so we are getting closer to the sweet spot point of the fall riding season! 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. Please note we are remodeling in this cabin but the bathrooms are open.  Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Sunset ride, October 2nd, 2023.
Hudson’t Hula, September 28th, 2023.
North Loup Gnar, September 28th, 2023.
Twin Lakes rock garden, September 28th, 2023.
Infamous Twin Lakes roots on first half of trail, September 28th, 2023.
Twin Lakes lakeside, September 23rd, 2023.
Sunset ride at end of Twin Lakes singletrack, September 27th, 2023.
Evening ride on Bullhead Bootleg, September 25th, 2023.
Clearing out Bullhead Bootleg! September 25th, 2023.
Heading on to the trails, September 24th, 2023,
Fall color scene at the trail head, September 24th, 2023.
Riders heading out Saturday morning, September 23rd, 2023.
Members of the Maplelag MTB team ready to hit the trails, September 23rd, 2023.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, September 22nd, 2023. Cleared earlier in the day but leaves quick to fall to the ground! 
Leaf clearing on the singletrack, September 21st, 2023.
Beautiful conditions for the LagChilada, September 22nd, 2023. We have cleared the entire course this week but leaves are falling fast….enjoy the special time of year!!
Local high school team “NWC Wolves” on the move September 19th, 2023.
Twin Lakes singletraxck after fresh clearing, September 20th, 2023.
Beauty night to ride! September 19th, 2023.
Coaches and kids with this years shirt for those completing the LagChilada challenge. September 19th, 2023.
Fall scene, September 18th, 2023.