All posts by Jay Richards

Trail Report

October 4, 2021 Jay Richards

Incredible fall weather continuing into the first week of October. Much welcomed 1/2″ of rain on Friday. We hit our peak of fall color around September 24th but still enjoying some great autumn scenes. The poplar, oak and tamarack trees still on tap for a display of nature beauty as we enjoy one of our favorite times of year.

We are focused on having the ski trails in tip top shape going into the winter. We have been on the trails daily, weather permitting, with final mowing and clearing leaves etc. We will continue throughout the fall right up until the frost sets in and snow flies.

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. We will continue maintaining the trails, and will be open, weather permitting, until November 1st. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.

Maplelag is enrolled in the fee based MN DNR Woodland Stewardship Program as part of conservation efforts and forest management. Please consider donating to our Maplelag Conservation Legacy program to help offset these increased costs. Thank you!

Fall grooming on Sap Run trail, October 4th, 2021.

Our wonderful trail volunteer, Denny, out for a hike on Skaters Waltz. Good to see Denny out after hip surgery the end of the summer. October 4th, 2021.

Clearing out side of trail on “Kamikaze Hill” on Skaters Waltz, October 4th, 2021. There are select areas we clear along the side of the trail used for “snow farming”. On south facing slopes or other areas that need more snow on the trails, we have spots we can shovel from early season to build up the base.

Fall color scene at end of Maplelag driveway, October 1st, 2021.

Leaf clearing on Sukkerbusk trail, September 30th, 2021.

Incredible fall scenes on the mountain bike trail, September 29th, 2021.

Golden scene on Mother North Star ski trail, September 28th, 2021. Many leaves falling down today!

South slough on Mother North Star, September 28th, 2021. Tamarack trees in the middle still a week or so from their autumn gold.

Late afternoon sun highlighting maples near the Finnish Log cabin, September 27th, 2021.

Sap Run ski trail after leaf clearing, September 27th, 2021. With the thick canopy of leaves at Maplelag, it will be a month long process to keep clear.

Leaf clearing on Sukerbusk, September 27th, 2021. We will continue clearing leaves on all the trails throughout the fall. The main trails, such as Sukkebusk, we try to have completely free of leaves before the snow flies. Have a smooth and clear as possible deck allows us to be skiing on minimal snow.

Fall color scene lakeside lodge, September 26th, 2021.

View of Little Sugarbush Lake from the wood fired sauna, September 26th, 2021.

These three maples have outperformed this year compared to other years which indicates, to us, the special fall color season it has been this year. September 26th, 2021.

Sunrise kayak on Island lake near Wavy Gravy ski trail, September 26th, 2021.

Late afternoon scene looking towards the lodge, September 26th, 2021.

Switchyard at Maplelag, September 26th, 2021.

Leaf clearing on the Maplelag trails is a non stop process from now until November, weather permitting. September 25th, 2021.

Start of the ski trails to the south, September 25th, 2021.

Twin Lakes ski trail, September 26th, 2021.

Golden hour color on Sukkerbusk ski trail, September 23rd, 2021.

Tamarack trees in the slough surrounded by fall color, September 23rd, 2021. Along with the poplar trees standing tall, will change in October.

Mother North Star ski trail, September 23rd, 2021.

Golden hour near the basketball court, September 22nd, 2021.

Another incredible September evening, September 21st, 2021.

Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

October 3, 2021 Jay Richards

Trails are open. Spectacular fall riding in place. One of the most special times of the year to ride, in our opinion. Currently the dirt surface is the best of the year and even though the fall colors have reached their peak, there are still some fantastic colorful scenes in the woods.

Leaves are coming down fast with the transition of seasons and post peak which is providing a unique element to the riding experience. Leaves might be thicker in some areas. Use a little extra caution! We are clearing when they become thicker and have already cleared the course multiple times in effort to keep up with the many leaves from thick woods canopy at Maplelag.

This week’s singletrack clearing plans: Bullhead Bootleg, Hudson’s Hula and many segments of Twin Lakes cleared Monday September 27th. Inner trail segments cleared September 28th. North Loup Gnar, Sukkerwest, Starter Loop/lakeside and Pete’s Porkie on Twin Lakes cleared Friday October 1st.

Be sure to check this report for days we plan to clear singletrack to enjoy primo conditions. The mountain bike trails will continue to be open until November 1st, weather permitting. We will leave the signage up for Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert and the LagChilada signs remain in place for the LagChilada challenge. (Nice job to the riders completing the LagChilada challenge this past weekend!)

Fantastic Labor Day weekend for the Laddies Loppet. Thanks everyone who came to the race. Race recap click here.

Fall riding on the ski trail, September 29th, 2021.

North Star singletrack, September 29th, 2021.

Bullhead bootleg connector, September 29th, 2021.

Leaf clearing on the singletrack, September 28th, 2021. Leaves quickly covering the deck with new leaves falling fast now.

Ski trail segment of bike course, September 28th, 2021.

Ladies heading out on the Laddies course! September 26th, 2021.

Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, September 25th, 2021.

Rock garden on “North Loup Gnar” singletrack, September 25th, 2021.

Ski Trail

Trail Report

October 3, 2021 Jay Richards

A pleasant fall weekend in place after a much welcomed rain event on Friday. The leaves are falling quickly after hitting the peak last week. Still great color in the woods however as the oak, poplar and tamarack trees are still 4-8 days from changing and should provide some nice color into October.

This past month month of September will go down as one of the most spectacular ever at Maplelag! The fall colors have been some of the best we can ever remember and the weather has been amazing to boot. With no hard frost or freeze, lack of major wind and rain, the leaves have been staying on longer than usual after the peak over the weekend.

We are focused on having the ski trails in tip top shape going into the winter. We will be on the trails daily, weather permitting, with final mowing and clearing leaves etc. throughout the fall right up until the frost sets in and snow flies.

Still some great color at end of Maplelag driveway, October 1st, 2021.

Bike Trail, News

Mountain Bike Trail Report

September 29, 2021 Jay Richards

Trails are open. Spectacular fall riding in place. One of the best times of the year to ride. Currently the dirt surface is the best of the year and the fall colors have reached their peak providing some fantastic colorful scenes.

Leaves are starting to come down fast with the transition of seasons and post peak which is providing a nice element to the riding experience. We are clearing when they become thicker. Last week we cleared the entire course and should be able to clear most of the course again this week.

This week’s singletrack clearing plans: Bullhead Bootleg, Hudson’s Hula and many segments of Twin Lakes cleared Monday September 27th. Inner trail segments to be cleared September 28th. Touch up on areas Friday October 1st.

Fantastic Labor Day weekend for the Laddies Loppet. Thanks everyone who came to the race. Race recap click here.

“North Star” singletrack, September 26th, 2021.

“Bjorp’s” singletrack, September 25th, 2021.

Fall scene on Bullhead Bootleg trail, September 21st, 2021.

Clearing on the ski trail segment of bike course, September 23rd, 2021.

Clearing on start of lakeside singletrack, September 23rd, 2021.

Leaf clearing on Twin Lakes singletrack, September 23rd, 2021.

Fall colors on “North Loup Gnar” singletrack, September 21st, 2021.

Dropping into start of lakeside singletrack, September 19th, 2021.

Thumbs up! Nice job to Rick and the other riders completing the LagChilada challenge this past weekend, September 18th, 2021.

News, Ski Trail

Trail Report

September 29, 2021 Jay Richards

This month of September will go down as one of the most spectacular ever at Maplelag! The fall colors have been some of the best we can ever remember and the weather has been amazing to boot. With no hard frost or freeze, lack of major wind and rain, the leaves have been staying on longer than usual after the peak over the weekend. Windy and dry conditions on Tuesday bringing many leaves down but still some fantastic fall scenes. The oak, poplar and tamarack trees are still 4-8 days from changing and should provide some nice color into October.

Great to see everyone out on the trails this past weekend hiking, walking, biking and taking a lot of pictures! It truly was a special weekend.