All posts by Jay Richards

Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails Open. A beautiful fall weekend of riding. Good seeing folks out. A much welcomed shower Friday night to settle the dust and tack the track up a bit. The leaves are starting to fall a bit more rapidly on the trail, all part of the fall riding! Should be a nice week of fall riding.

However, 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.

Members of the Northwest Wolves scholastic mountain bike team enjoying the fall colors, October 3rd, 2022.
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.
Rolling through Hudson’s Hula singletrack segment on Twin Lakes loop, September 22nd, 2022.
North Loop Gnar segment rolling great after leaf clearing today, September 23rd, 2022.
Feeling Lucky freshly cleared today, September 23rd, 2022.
Leaf clearing at end of Twin Lake singletrack, September 22nd, 2022. We will continue to clear select segments during the fall.
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 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! 
Sukkerbusk ski trailhead, September 22nd, 2022.
Fall color scene on the Maplelag driveway, September 21st, 2022.
Fall color scene along Mother North Star trail, September 21st, 2022.
Mountain bike Singletrack, September 21st, 2022. We randomly clear segments during the fall. Check the bike trail report for latest report.
Fall color appearing along the Maplelag driveway, September 18th, 2022.
Early fall color near the caboose, September 18th, 2022.
Mother North Star ski trail, September 18th, 2022. Woods still very green for this time of year at Maplelag. Typically the peak deep in the woods will be later 
First phase of fall grooming and leaf clearing this week, September 14th, 2022.
Twin Lakes ski trail, September 14th, 2022.
Fall color flowers at Twin Lakes crossing, September 14th, 2022.
Touch of fall color around the lodge, September 8th, 2022.
Final awards ceremony on Sunday, September 4th. Incredible weather for the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend!
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails Open! A great weekend of riding in place. A much welcomed shower Friday night to settle the dust and tack the track up a bit. Friday we cleared out Hudson’s Hula singletrack, Moorhead singletrack, North Star singletrack and the Twin Lakes bridge segment. Also this week we cleared the starter loop on the inner system, the original Twin Lakes loop to the west, Fargo and Bjorp’s singletrack,  These segments recommended riding for the weekend.

Last week we blew out Feeling Lucky, Bullhead Bootleg and North Loop Gnar singletrak loops/segments. Leaves are coming down fast now but overall great fall riding in place.  

We will blow leaves off the course every 7-10 days on various segments the month of September and October than trails close early November for the dirt season. 

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.

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.
Rolling through Hudson’s Hula singletrack segment on Twin Lakes loop, September 22nd, 2022.
North Loop Gnar segment rolling great after leaf clearing today, September 23rd, 2022.
Feeling Lucky freshly cleared today, September 23rd, 2022.
Leaf clearing at end of Twin Lake singletrack, September 22nd, 2022. We will continue to clear select segments during the fall.
Twin Lakes bridge loop riding superb after leaf clearing earlier in the day, September 21st, 2022.
Rolling through “Moorhead” rock garden, September 19th, 2022. Fantastic conditions for late September! 
Ski trail portion of bike course. September 18th, 2022. Still very “green” in the woods for late September. We are 5-6 days behind the usual peak of fall color at Maplelag. 
Twin Lakes rock garden, September 18th, 2022.
Saturday riders, September 17th, 2022. Always good to see first time riders on course! 
Sun popping out periodically on Saturday, September 17th, 2022.
Rolling through Twin Lakes Singletrack, September 16th, 2022.
Rolling through the “Moorhead” Singletrack, September 8th, 2022.
Thumbs up from Sam Elson out on trail today, September 8th, 2022.
Great riding Monday, September 5th, 2022. One of the best times of the year to ride are the days after the mountain bike race weekend!
Short track awards ceremony, September 4th, 2022. Incredible weather over the weekend making for fantastic riding conditions. 
Maplelag team member Steve Wenzel rolling through the “Moorhead” rock garden, September 3rd, 2022. Steve has competed in every race since 1990!
Start of the Kids Competitive cross country, September 3rd, 2022.
Sunday short track racing action, September 4th, 2022. (Matt Johnson photo)
Ski Trail

Trail Report

Beautiful start to Saturday after a welcomed rain shower overnight resulting in .20″ of rain. Slightly warmer temps moving in end of the week for the weekend after the first frost of the season Wednesday morning.

Beautiful fall colors started to emerge more and more each day with some trees around the lodge and cabins close to their peak. The woods still very lush and green with not as much color as seen around the lodge. 

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! A few storms and wind events this summer bringing down the usual amount of trees, no structural damage to any buildings. Overall, the summer has been slightly above precipitation with average temperatures at Maplelag making for great conditions for trail work. 

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! 
Sukkerbusk ski trailhead, September 22nd, 2022.
Fall color scene on the Maplelag driveway, September 21st, 2022.
Fall color scene along Mother North Star trail, September 21st, 2022.
Mountain bike Singletrack, September 21st, 2022. We randomly clear segments during the fall. Check the bike trail report for latest report.
Fall color appearing along the Maplelag driveway, September 18th, 2022.
Early fall color near the caboose, September 18th, 2022.
Mother North Star ski trail, September 18th, 2022. Woods still very green for this time of year at Maplelag. Typically the peak deep in the woods will be later 
First phase of fall grooming and leaf clearing this week, September 14th, 2022.
Twin Lakes ski trail, September 14th, 2022.
Fall color flowers at Twin Lakes crossing, September 14th, 2022.
Touch of fall color around the lodge, September 8th, 2022.
Final awards ceremony on Sunday, September 4th. Incredible weather for the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend!