A return of warmer weather and dry conditions in place. The trails have dried out after off and on precipitation events the past few weeks and frost exiting from the ground. Cooler conditions with no bugs makes it one of the best times to work on the trails clearing deadfall, trail maintenance and tree planting.
Despite the generally cooler weather the month of April with multiple light snow events, select warm days have slowly brought the forest floor to life. Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor days it has been warmer and sunnier. Many sights and sounds of birds and waterfowl in one of the most active times of year for wildlife.
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.
We have been working on the trails, clearing deadfall and tuning the mountain bike trails. Mountain bike trails now open, weather permitting. This spring we will be planting trees and clearing on the trails along with regular forest management. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.
Potted pines ready to be planted at Maplelag! April 30th, 2021. We will also be planting numerous seedlings as well.Scene in the Ice skating rink, April 29th, 2021.Moon set, April 29th, 2021.Clearing large oak that fell recently from wind event, April 26th, 2021. Split wood to be used for the saunas and wood burning stoves at Maplelag. Snowy scene near slough on Mother North Star, April 25th, 2021.Spruce seedlings planted a few years ago accentuated by the late April snow, April 25th, 2021.Beautiful Earth day sunset, April 22nd, 2021.Afternoon scene on the Goat Ranch Rd., gravel road that leads to Maplelag! April 20th, 2021.First tree planting of the season, April 20th, 2021. We will be planting about a 1000 trees this spring along the ski trails. Since the first years of Maplelag, we have planted nearly a half million of trees!Scene from the south shore of south Twin Lake, April 20th, 2021.Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor thanks to warm and brilliant April sunshine, Saturday April 17th, 2021.Early evening slough scene, April 15th, 2021.
Trails are open. Incredible weather in place for late April. Conditions are excellent for early season. Deck is a combination of dry/tacky/loamy and riding really nice for this time of year. Ideal temps, no bugs and great sight lines make it one of the best times of the year to ride!
Good seeing new folks and the locals alike this past weekend and season.
We continue to work on the trails, clearing and placing out signs and course marking. Last week we added a couple more wooden trail features at the start of “Moorhead” singletrack and also “North Loup Gnar” singletrack. We are also widening the bridges on Bootleg Singletrack.
Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack. There are also red signs at key intersections. We have also taped off the North 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 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 details.
We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available soon.
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.
Calm conditions and great riding, Twin Lakes lakeside, April 27th, 2021.“Fargo” singletrack, April 25th, 2021.Maplelag team member Jacob Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.Jacob lakeside, April 24th, 2021. (Ben Olson photo)Maplelag team member Ben Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.Ben weaving through the rocks! April 24th, 2021.Moorhead rock garden, April 24th, 2021.
A nice weekend in the woods, ending with snow Sunday afternoon! Has been a snowy second half of the month, mostly light dustings of accumulations outside the snow event on April 13th that saw 4-5″ of snow fall.
Despite the cooler weather, warm days have slowly brought the forest floor to life. Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor days it has been warmer and sunnier. Many sights and sounds of birds and waterfowl in one of the most active times of year for wildlife.
The snow event on April 13th resulted in 4-5″. The amount of snow combined with the cold temps was enough to sneak in a April groom! Skiing after grooming was pretty awesome! What a treat to get in another ski. Snow in April is typical and hasn’t been many Aprils it hasn’t snowed!
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.
We are starting to work on the trails, clearing deadfall and tuning the mountain bike trails. Mountain bike trails now open, weather permitting. This spring we will be planting trees and clearing on the trails along with regular forest management. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.
Snowy scene near slough on Mother North Star, April 25th, 2021.Spruce seedlings planted a few years ago accentuated by the late April snow, April 25th, 2021.Beautiful Earth day sunset, April 22nd, 2021.Afternoon scene on the Goat Ranch Rd., gravel road that leads to Maplelag! April 20th, 2021.First tree planting of the season, April 20th, 2021. We will be planting about a 1000 trees this spring along the ski trails. Since the first years of Maplelag, we have planted nearly a half million of trees!Scene from the south shore of south Twin Lake, April 20th, 2021.Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor thanks to warm and brilliant April sunshine, Saturday April 17th, 2021.Early evening slough scene, April 15th, 2021.Mountain bike singletrack, April 15th, 2021.Crust cruising! Enjoying the last of the late season April snow, April 15th, 2021. Freezing temps the night before making skiing everywhere possible on the remaining coverage.Bear tracks crossing North Loup trail, April 15th, 2021.Denny and Terry after a outing enjoying the April snow, April 14th, 2021.April grooming! Roll packing and combing the snow from today, April 13th, 2021.Heading out for a ski! April 13th, 2021.Suicide Hill, April 13th, 2021.Pretty nice skiing for April 13th, 2021.Snowy scene at Twin Lakes crossing, April 13th, 2021.Kohlepp’s Slough near Mother North Star trail, April 13th 2021.Suicide Hill, April 13th, 2021.Moss covered Skaters Waltz ski trail, April 10th, 2021.
Trails are open. Might be a few damp spots from rain early this morning/snow last night but deck absorbing the precipitation. Chance of rain early afternoon, late afternoon early evening should be fine riding. Rest of week into the weekend, at this point, looks really good. Overall has been very dry and the deck is starting to firm up. Conditions are excellent for early season.
Great weekend of riding even with cooler temps but still is early spring! Good seeing new folks and the locals alike this weekend.
We continue to work on the trails, clearing and placing out signs and course marking. Last week we added a couple more wooden trail features at the start of “Moorhead” singletrack and also “North Loup Gnar” singletrack.
Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack. There are also red signs at key intersections. We have also taped off the North 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 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 details.
We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available soon.
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.
“Fargo” singletrack, April 25th, 2021.Maplelag team member Jacob Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.Jacob lakeside, April 24th, 2021. (Ben Olson photo)Maplelag team member Ben Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.Ben weaving through the rocks! April 24th, 2021.Moorhead rock garden, April 24th, 2021.
Trails are open. Great weekend of riding in place. Mostly dry conditions, a few damp areas otherwise very good early season riding. Chance of precipitation later today, but should be nice riding most of the day today. Good seeing new folks and the locals alike this weekend!
We continue to work on the trails, clearing and placing out signs and course marking. This week we added a couple more wooden trail features at the start of “Moorhead” singletrack and also “North Loup Gnar” singletrack.
Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack. There are also red signs at key intersections. We have also taped off the North 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 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 details.
We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available soon.
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.
Maplelag team member Jacob Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.Jacob lakeside, April 24th, 2021. (Ben Olson photo) Maplelag team member Ben Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.Ben weaving through the rocks! April 24th, 2021.Moorhead rock garden, April 24th, 2021.
A Family Owned and Operated Destination Cross-Country Ski Center
