All posts by Jay Richards

Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Entire 25 mile “LagChilada” mountain bike course is open. Tacky/dry surface conditions. We have been leaf blowing select singletrack sections recently on the inner loops, and Hudson’s Hula to the west. This week we will plan to blow out the Bullhead Bootleg loop. A nice weekend of riding with dry and cooler temps and looks to remain dry most of the week.

The leaves and forest have filled out with flora making for beautiful conditions. The entire course was cleared and blown out this spring and we do our best to clear any new deadfall as soon as possible. Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The next phase in trail work will be brushing out areas that become overgrown. 

We have taped all the key intersections and signs are out at singletrack segments. 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. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop.

Like this winter, 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.

Brant cabin available for mountain bike day users. 
Twin Lakes singletrack, June 8th, 2023.
Blowing out singletrack, June 8th, 2023.
Fresh cleared trail! June 8th, 2023.
Ski Trail

Trail Report

Cooler weather in place after a frontal passage and around 1/2″ of precipitation this week. Although we have been missing most of the heavy rain from recent storms, there has been light showers keeping the woods lush and green.

Warm weather the past few weeks bringing the forest and flora to life with leaves full circle and wildflowers of various kinds abundant in the woods including yellow slippers most recently blooming.

We have been busy on the trails this spring and early summer clearing deadfall and cutting firewood and working on the mountain bike trails. The first mowing of the year on the trails also occurring this week and will continue through the summer. Wildlife active and on the move! 

Ice off Little Sugarbush (lake next to Maplelag) with May 4th the official ice out date. The water tables have been restored thanks to the snowfall this season just under 100″. Waterfowl active as ever including loons that are happy to have a ice free lake. 

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

We had a great run of skiing in April, officially skiing on April 23rd capping off a fantastic ski season of 153 skiable days starting the third week of November. Was great seeing so many people out enjoying the special late season conditions. Thanks to everyone who supported us this season and the trails. The fire on October 10th was a devastating event for us and the long ski season helped keep us active, restore and gain clarity as we recover from the tragedy last fall. 

Total snowfall this season at 96″ which ranks in top 5 of total snowfall in one season at Maplelag.

Tamarack trees in between Twin Lakes, June 6th, 2023.
Mini lily pads on South Twin Lake, June 6th, 2023.
Clearing on ski trail which serves as part of the bike course, June 3rd, 2023.
Rootin Tootin ski trail, June 3rd, 2023.
Bullhead lake at the start of Bullhead Lake trail, June 3rd, 2023.
Summer grooming, May 30th, 2023.
Rare morning of calm waters, May 31st, 2023.
Yellow slipper wild flowers blooming in full force, May 31st, 2023.
Lakeside of lodge site, May 26th, 2023.
Birch top hung up near Sukkerbusk ski trail over singletrack, May 25th, 2023.
Cut in blocks and ready to split for sauna firewood! 
Ferns exploding on the ski trails this week, May 25th, 2023.
Bumper crop of marsh marigolds, May 21st, 2023.
Wild violet flowers also abundant this year, May 21st, 2023.
Tamarack trees sprouting in slough along Mother North Star trail, May 18th, 2023.
Ski trail crossing to Twin Lakes, May 13th, 2023. Rain staying east of us over the weekend. 
Bloodroot flowers blooming today, May 11th, 2023.
Turtles on the move this week with warmer temps, May 11th, 2023.
Leaves budding big time today and marsh marigolds exploding today, May 11th, 2023.
First buds, May 7th, 2023.
Ice free Little Sugarbush a rare calm night this spring, May 4th, 2023.
Another night with aurora borealis! We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, May 5th, 2023.
Clearing deadfall off the ski trail, May 4th, 2023. All the wood we use for the sauna stove by the lake.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Entire 25 mile “LagChilada” mountain bike course is open. Much welcomed cooler weather in place after a frontal passage. Mostly tacky surface. This week we have been blowing out singletrack on the main loop and also the Hudson’s Hula loop to the west. A great weekend of riding on tap!

The leaves and forest have filled out with flora making for beautiful conditions. The entire course was cleared and blown out this spring and we do our best to clear any new deadfall as soon as possible. Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The next phase in trail work will be brushing out areas that become overgrown. 

We have taped all the key intersections and signs are out at singletrack segments. 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. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop.

Like this winter, 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.

Brant cabin available for mountain bike day users.
Twin Lakes singletrack, June 8th, 2023.
Blowing out singletrack, June 8th, 2023.
Fresh cleared trail! June 8th, 2023.
Twin Lakes ski trail, part of the Sport loop. June 6th, 2023.
Bullhead Bootleg track, June 6th, 2023.
Twin Lakes singletrack, June 6th, 2023.
Feeling Lucky singletrack, June 5th, 2023.
Original lakeside singletrack, June 1st, 2023.
Tacky track on the singletrack! May 31st, 2023.
Yellowslippers blooming in full force along the trails, May 31st, 2023.
Hudson’s Hula segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, May 29th, 2023.
North Loup Gnar rock garden, May 27th, 2023.
Start of “Feeling Lucky” singletrack which is also start of the LagChilada challenge, May 23rd, 2023.
Rooty section on Twin Lakes singletrack, May 24th, 2023. The Twin Lakes loop has option to ride full loop singletrack or take Citizen/Sport loop of ski trail to Hudson’s Hula loop. 
Singletrack riding, May 23rd, 2023.
Wood feature on “Bjorp’s” singletrack, May 23rd, 2023.
Maplelag, News, Seasons, Summer

June 7th Update

Summer has arrived quickly, it has been just over one month since we were skiing and there was still ice on the lake!  The forest has filled out completely with each wildflower blooming a record crop. Consistent rainfall has brought the woods to a vibrant and lush state.

Big crop of yellow slipper this year.

We have begun our summer grooming on the trails preparing for the ski season and continue trail maintenance on the mountain bike trails which remain open for mountain biking. We always enjoy seeing people out challenging themselves on our natural/classic trail system. 

Second grooming on the big hill to Bullhead lake

We have also transplanted tamarack trees to the property. One idea we plan to implement is planting 10 trees in memory of Maplelag guests that have passed in the year. We are saddened to hear of the passing of long time guests these past few months and keeping all family and friends in our thoughts and prayers. 

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Cleaning up at lodge site, June 6th, 2023.

As far as the rebuilding plans of a new lodge, we are still in a holding period as we await final insurance claims and also look for new insurance which, as expected, has been difficult. Until these two components are settled, we can not move forward with a rebuild of a lodge. However, we will continue with trail and grounds maintenance and have the trails open for day use. Other summer projects on select cabins include exterior painting, new flooring, new mattresses and resort upkeep. Even though we will not be hosting the Concordia Language Villages, unfortunately, we will be very busy with our skelton staff of family and the “machine” Keith.

We hope to begin taking reservations for fall or winter rentals late summer for select cabins we are making improvements on.

Brant cabin open for day use for mountain bikers


We will have camping available for the Laddies Loppet Mountain Bike race weekend. It was great to attend one of the series race last weekend and see many of the faces that come to Maplelag and get ideas for our new one day event this year.

In closing, we want thank everyone who continues to reach out to us and see how we are doing. It is still hard to believe the fire event on October 10th and process what has happened. It is a long road to recovery and the future of rebuilding.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer and we will touch base mid summer with another update!