All posts by Jay Richards
Maplelag Event
Wedding Weekend
Mountain Bike Trail Report
We welcomed much needed precipitation this morning. Trails will need a day or so to dry out depending on if any additional rainfall. Forest is starting to fill out more and more each day with lush green scenes.
We have been clearing out singletrack segments as needed after the entire course was cleared out earlier this year. We also widened bridges on the Bootleg loop, added a few wooden features on the new trails, dirt work on select areas and planted a couple hundred trees along the course. We will continue tuning the trail throughout the spring and summer.
Great seeing new folks and the locals alike out this season. Rider traffic helps compress the deck and ride in the lines!
Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack segments. There are also red signs at key intersections and pink signs for the LagChilada loop challenge. We have also taped off most intersections. The two way “North Loup Gnar” trail can be accessed of county road 110 just to the east of Maplelag driveway. Bootleg loop accessed from county road 26 via the gravel road 110. Please park in the first parking lot where the recycling bins are located. The main lodge is closed, no services available. Park and ride! Any questions on riding etc., contact Jay at 218-849-7669.
The Maplelag trails are classic “old school” trails, first built in 1990, mirrored off the courses used for racing to provide training opportunities for local racers. and feature some of the more technical areas of cross country riding in the Midwest.
We have set a new course for the LagChilada mountain bike challenge, riding all the trails in one ride! Click here for more detail The course is marked at key intersections with pink “LagChilada” signs.
We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available here.
New season passes will be available in a few weeks. Trail fees are appreciated to help offset trail work, signage and hopefully a new map. These are major expenses and we receive no grants outside funding for the privately maintained trails at Maplelag. Click here for most recent map. (Note: There are a few reroutes on the map but everything will be tapped off. No riding allowed on AMA land and please stay on designated trails at all time. Assume all risk and take responsibility for your actions) We are working on a new trail map that will feature many new trails built last summer and fall.
Trail Report
Summer like weather the past few days bringing the forest to life. More wildflowers popping out adding to the ones that have bloomed the past few weeks. Underbrush and new saplings exploding to life the past few days. Leaves are expanding daily and close to full circle. No significant precipitation the past 4-6 weeks but the soil is moisture laden a few inches down and the woods looks very lush and green. Many sights and sounds of nature including the frogs, birds and waterfowl in one of the most active times of year for wildlife.
We have been working on the trails, clearing deadfall and tuning the mountain bike trails.This spring we are also planting trees and clearing on the trails along with regular forest management.
The mountain bike trails are open for riding. There are no services in the main lodge. Meal service and lodging closed at this time. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.
Ice off the area lakes April 3rd. True to form, the loons returned. The lake is busy with waterfowl enjoying the solitude before summer lake activity.
