All posts by Jay Richards

Ski Trail

Trail Report

Beautiful fall weather in place. The leaves have really transformed to Autumn beauty with the peak occurring the past few days. Still pockets of green deep in the woods. One of the more beautiful times of the year at Maplelag! 

Mountain bike trails are open. Click on the mountain bike report for latest conditions. Trails are closed to horses and motorized use.

It has been busy summer and start to fall on the ski and mountain bike trails mowing/brushing and constantly clearing deadfall and cutting/splitting firewood. We will continue working on the trails up until the snow flies. Overall, the summer has been slightly above precipitation with average temperatures at Maplelag making for great conditions for trail work. 

Fall color explosion on Sukkerbusk ski trail, October 4th, 2022.
Enjoying the fall color on the Maplelag driveway via bicycle, October 4th, 2022.
Fall color in front of the main lodge, September 30th, 2022.
Fall grooming on Skaters Waltz, September 30th, 2022.
Maples near the cabooses hitting their peak today, September 30th, 2022.
Fall color scene in the switchyard, September 29th, 2022.
Last climb on Twin Lakes ski trail, September 29th, 2022.
Fall color across from the Brant cabin, September 29th, 2022.
Rock wall at Maplelag, September 29th, 2022.
First frost of the year, September 28th, 2022.
Fall grooming on Skaters Waltz ski trail, September 27th, 2022.
Enjoying the spectacular fall colors via early evening bicycle ride, September 26th, 2022.
Maplelag Driveway, September 26th, 2022.
Fall color morning scene in the Switchyard September 26th, 2022.
Sunrise over Island lake, September 26th, 2022.
Fall grooming on Sap Run trail, September 23rd, 2022.
Marshmallow mushroom! 
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails Open. Incredible fall riding in place as far as Autumn scenes. The woods are vibrant with color. The leaves are starting to fall a bit more rapidly on the trail as we have passed our peak, all part of the fall riding experience!

We have been clearing on the course the past few weeks as leaves fall to the deck and will continue clearing on select segments, usually clearing the entire course over a period of 10 days, up until the end of October. The trails close for the first season 3 days before deer hunting season then open for the winter riding season late November. 

Click here for new map online. The main trail head is near the resort with other trails accessible from the driveway for the Twin Lakes and Sukkerwest loops, county road 110 and hiway 34 for the Bullhead Bootleg loop. Trailforks is also a great resource to use for identifying the Maplelag mountain bike trails. 

Twin Lakes has a “sport” option to bypass the first part that has more roots that leads to Hudson’s Hula loop which is rolling great the end of summer. Feeling Lucky, SukkerWest and the Citizen loop good starter trails/loops for first time riders to Maplelag.

We also have pink signs out for the LagChilada challenge which is one continuous ride of the entire trail system, about 25 miles.

Summer pass can be purchased here. The passes helps offset maintenance costs. The Maplelag trails are privately owned and operated and we receive no grants or assistance for operating.

Click here for information on the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend.

By riding at Maplelag, assume all risk and responsibility for any changing conditions that may alter the riding surface.

One of the “Five Dollar Corners” on North Loup Gnar trail, October 4th, 2022.
Maplelag driveway vibrant with fall color, October 4th, 2022.
Sukkerbusk ski trail, part of the bike course near the end point, October 4th, 2022.
Near the trail head on Sukkerbusk, October 4th, 2022.
Members of the Northwest Wolves scholastic mountain bike team enjoying the fall colors, October 3rd, 2022. (Ben Olson photo)
Sunday ride on Bullhead Bootleg, October 2nd, 2022. (P. Arneson photo)
Ski trail segment on bike course, September 30th, 2022.
Hudson’s Hula singletrack fresh cleared today, September 30th, 2022.
Fall colors coming to fruition along the trail, September 30th, 2022.
Bridge section cleared today, September 30th, 2022.
Rolling through “Bjorp’s” singletrack, cleared earlier in day. September 29th, 2022.
Ramp feature on Bjorp’s Singletrack, September 29th, 2022.
Rolling over rock feature on Bjorp’s singletrack, September 29th, 2022.
Heading into Fargo singletrack after being cleared earlier in the day, September 28th, 2022.
Twin Lakes clearing, September 27th, 2022.
Heading out for a early evening ride among beautiful fall color, September 26th, 2022.
Rolling through Hudson’s Hula, September 24th, 2022.