The “inner” trails, the Bootleg Loop and the new two way trail to the north “North Loup Gnar” now open for riding. Good early season conditions. Still a bit soft but will improve after more rider traffic and rain which will compress the dirt. (Trails are closed if raining or wet. Usually 4-6 hours after rain event, trails will be good for riding again. (Can vary with humidity and dew point.)
We are working on clearing the Twin Lakes loop, and plan to have open by the weekend. We are also working on signage and course marking. Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. 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. Any questions on riding, contact Jay at 218-849-7669.
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.
Checking out Twin Lakes singletrack, April 5th, 2021. Trail is rideable but will improve after a few more days of drying and leaf clearing which is on tap this week.Bridge on Bootleg singletrack loop, April 5th, 2021. Bootleg now open for riding. Bootleg singletrack, April 5th, 2021.Rock garden! April 5th, 2021.Bente’s Bump singletrack, April 4th, 2021.
A beautiful start to April. Warm and dry weather has all but pulled the frost out of the trails and the lakes are now ice free. 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 opening up the mountain bike trails. We have select mountain bike trails now open and will open additional trail, 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 traffic and motorized vehicles.
Golden hour over calm water, April 4th, 2021. Ice off the lakes this past weekend. Lakeside singletrack on the mountain bike course, Most trails now open! April 5th, 2021.Loons on Little Sugarbush, April 4th, 2021. Loons returned like always once the ice was off!Enjoying the calm waters, April 4th, 2021.
Bike trails are now closed. Trails are drying up nicely but still areas that have frost deep in the ground. Even if the temp is warm, the process of having the frost go out is lengthy. Typically the mountain bike trails will be rideable mid to late April. Riding now when trails are soft can damage the trails and take more time to repair. With the trails mostly free of snow, it is possible the trails will be open earlier if favorable weather but the frost was a bit deeper this year and the groomed trails always take a bit longer as a result of the grooming setting frost deeper into the ground. A good indicator is when the ice is off the lakes. As of April 2nd, most of the lakes were still ice covered.
We are hoping to host a short notice mountain bike race on May 8th, we will have more information and details by early April.
Trail check on lakeside singletrack, April 1st, 2021. Random segments are dry enough to open to ride but still many soft areas that need more time to dry. Trails remained closed. We hope to open select segments within a week.North facing segment of Twin Lakes singletrack still snow/ice covered, March 25th, 2021.Mountain bike singletrack starting to dry out, March 22nd, 2021.
Trails are closed. The snow has melted off the trails and the frost is slowly coming out. Once the frost is out, we can open the trails to mountain biking. Even though we have had some warm days and the snow has been off the trails, the soil is the most vulnerable this time of year and important to let the trails dry out completely to avoid permanent damage (more so from motorized and horse travel). Also we have been freezing down again at nights which makes the drying process a bit slower. A good sign the trails are ready is when the ice is off the lake and ponds.
Last official day skiing on the trails was March 14th. Thanks to everyone that came to Maplelag this past season and supported the trails and Maplelag.
We are constantly working on the trails when we can, clearing deadfall, thinning brush and maintaining the trails as weather allows. As soon as the frost is out, we will begin our annual tree planting program.
Mountain bike trails will open as soon as the frost goes out. Typically this is around mid April to early May, depending on weather. With most of the snow free from the trails, it could be more the mid April time frame and possibly early April. Things can change quick one way or the other. Follow the bike trail report for latest update.
Spring sun shining over South Twin Lake, March 25th, 2021. Although the snow has melted off the trails, ice remains on the area ponds and sloughs. A good sign when the trails are ready for spring and summer use is when the ice is off the ponds and lakes. Hudson checking out patch of snow on Sukkerbusk, March 25th, 2021.Tamarack junction with a frosty coating, March 25th, 2021.Pair of geese and trumpeter swans on North Twin Lake, March 25th, 2021.Snow covering on north facing singletrack segment on Twin Lakes, March 25th, 2021.
A Family Owned and Operated Destination Cross-Country Ski Center
