All posts by Jay Richards

Bike Trail

Fat Bike Trail Report

Great riding this weekend in the mornings. Good seeing all the folks out on the trail and new folks trying the rentals for the first time. The twin lakes singletrack is now closed to fat biking until it cools down again. We should be able to open the trail again on Tuesday morning. This time of year, the best riding will be in the mornings from 6am-11am and long term forecast looks good for riding next weekend.

The Twin Lakes singletrack loop is a challenging technical winter fat biking course. The loop is around 5 miles. There are also nearby forest roads that provide additional fat biking opportunities. Thanks to Ben Olson who took on the role of machine grooming Twin Lakes singletrack this year.

There is no fee to ride the trails the remainder of the winter season.

Will have fat bikes available for rent. There is no fat biking allowed on the ski trails.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6394475777302357601

(Peder Arneson photos)

Twin Lakes singletrack in great shape for fat biking, particularily the first and last segments. March 2nd, 2017. Please ride in the morning over the weekend.
Twin Lakes singletrack in great shape for fat biking, particularily the first and last segments. March 2nd, 2017. Please ride in the morning over the weekend.
Peder Arneson out for a morning ride on Twin Lakes singletrack. February 24th, 2017.
Peder Arneson out for a morning ride on Twin Lakes singletrack. February 24th, 2017.

feb24-12

February 23rd, 2017.
February 23rd, 2017.
Top of Eagle View downhill, sunrise February 23rd, 2017.
Top of Eagle View downhill, sunrise February 23rd, 2017.
Berm action on Twin Lakes singletrack. The first and last third of the loop is fantastic riding! February 23rd, 2017.
Berm action on Twin Lakes singletrack. The first and last third of the loop is fantastic riding! February 23rd, 2017.
Steve Wenzel sneaking in a ride early Sunday morning while the track was still frozen down. February 19th, 2017.
Steve Wenzel sneaking in a ride early Sunday morning while the track was still frozen down. February 19th, 2017.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6388598792149528113

Great riding Friday morning thanks to hard freeze the night before. February 17th, 2017.
Great riding Friday morning thanks to hard freeze the night before. February 17th, 2017.
Fat biking on Skaters Waltz, February 15th, 2017. With a firm deck and cold temps, we will have Skaters Waltz skate ski trail open for fat biking Wednesday of this week and also Thursday morning until noon for fat bikes.
Fat biking on Skaters Waltz, February 15th, 2017. With a firm deck and cold temps, we will have Skaters Waltz skate ski trail open for fat biking Wednesday of this week and also Thursday morning until noon for fat bikes.
feb15-12
Mint conditions on Twin Lakes singletrack, February 15th, 2017.
Fantastic conditions on Twin Lakes singletrack for fat biking. February 14th, 2017.
Fantastic conditions on Twin Lakes singletrack for fat biking. February 14th, 2017.
feb12-18
Finishing up a ride on the Twin Lakes singletrack. February 12th, 2017.
Fat biking on twin lakes singletrack, February 12th, 2017. Great conditions. Best to ride in the morning when firm. Please ride in the morning during warmer temps to preserve the trail conditions.
Fat biking on twin lakes singletrack, February 12th, 2017. Great conditions. Best to ride in the morning when firm. Please ride in the morning during warmer temps to preserve the trail conditions as the riders above.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6385612035694163729

Deer enjoying the firm base on Twin Lakes singletrack. Dusting of new snow on top of firm base. February 8th, 2017.

 

Ben Olson on Twin Lakes singletrack
Ben Olson on Twin Lakes singletrack

feb5-12 feb5-13

Course groomed late Sunday afternoon. Thanks Ben for grooming!

 

Steve Wenzel on course, February 4th, 2017. Peder Arneson photo.
Steve Wenzel on course, February 4th, 2017. Peder Arneson photo.

feb4-12

February 3rd, 2017.

 

Packing in the new snow on Twin Lakes singletrack. January 31st, 2017.
Packing in the new snow on Twin Lakes singletrack. January 31st, 2017.
New snow slowing riding down compared to the weekend but conditions are very nice. January 31st, 2017.
New snow slowing riding down compared to the weekend but conditions are very nice. January 31st, 2017.
DCIM100GOPROG0013062.
Fat bikes left, ski on the right!

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6381627817217377025

Twin Lakes singletrack open again for fat biking. Great surface, fun riding. January 25th, 2017.

Mid morning ride on the Twin lakes singletrack. January 18th, 2017.
Mid morning ride on the Twin lakes singletrack. January 18th, 2017.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6376597185204809345

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6374769390687775393

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6374363560157398145

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6373607238079603665

Great riding on the fat bike trail after setting up from grooming and a few riders riding it in. January 5th, 2016.
Great riding on the fat bike trail after setting up from grooming and a few riders riding it in. January 5th, 2016.
Fat bike loop in great shape after Ben's grooming the night before
Fat bike loop in great shape after Ben’s grooming the night before
Tight and narrow makes for challenging conditions in spots but great winter riding for Fat Bikes
Tight and narrow makes for challenging conditions in spots but great winter riding for Fat Bikes
Late night fat bike trail grooming, January 3rd, 2016. Thanks again Ben Olson!
Late night fat bike trail grooming, January 3rd, 2016. Thanks again Ben Olson!

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6370869920737238577

 

Great riding! December 29th, 2016.
Great riding! December 29th, 2016.
Ben Olson heading out to pack fat bike trail. Thanks Ben!
Ben Olson heading out to pack fat bike trail, December 28th, 2016.  Thanks Ben!

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6368623790940072449

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6366558072140880593

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6365333544811154097

Conditions improving on the Twin Lakes singletrack as the track is firming up. Still a challenging ride! December 14th, 2016.
Conditions improving on the Twin Lakes singletrack as the track is firming up. Still a challenging ride! December 14th, 2016.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6363103300945700801

Packing the Fat Bike short track loop. December 9th, 2016. We hope to have the entire loop packed and groomed by next week.
Packing the Fat Bike short track loop. December 9th, 2016. We hope to have the entire loop packed and groomed by next week.

 

Fat biking on Twin Lakes singletrack. December 5th, 2016.
Fat biking on Twin Lakes singletrack. December 5th, 2016.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6359622300018725393

New "Swix" fat bikes added to the fat bike rental fleet this year.
New “Swix” fat bikes added to the fat bike rental fleet this year.
Fat biking on Twin Lakes singletrack, November 21st, 2016.
Fat biking on Twin Lakes singletrack, November 21st, 2016.

 

*Front Page, Grooming, Maplelag, News, Seasons, Winter

Late Season Grooming

Grooming new snow from Sunday morning into the base on Skaters Waltz, February 26th, 2017.
Grooming new snow from Sunday morning into the base on Skaters Waltz, February 26th, 2017.

Dusting of new snow Sunday morning improving the ski conditions. Latest trail report. We will continue regular grooming and ski operations with lodging for two more weeks. We close for the season on March 13th for lodging but will continue grooming select trails and have those trails open for skiing until the snow is gone.

Ski Trail

Trail Report

Trails are open however conditions have deteriorated with warmer temps overnight and just over a half inch of rain.  A few exposed areas now wearing thin and always use caution on the hills etc. Folks were out skiing today and we will have the trails open for Tuesday. We don’t close the trails if skiable conditions considering folks have come from  Canada and other states. Ski at own risk.

Great day of Nordic play over the weekend. Textbook spring conditions. Firm and fast in the morning, than softening up as the day passed. Great seeing all the folks on the trails this weekend. Good reports from the skiers. Thanks for the reports!

Big time warm up on Friday but the snow and tracks held out well. There was some melting but folks were skiing all day right up until dusk. We held off on grooming until this evening to let the snow cool a few degrees and when it started glazing over. Air temp is above 32 but the tracks and deck are glazing over, thanks to cold base underneath, clear skies and dry air. Groomed Friday evening included Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, Mother North Star, Twin Lakes and Skaters Waltz.

Grooming when we did yesterday made a difference in keep the tracks and base firm today. Looks to be a bit cooler Saturday.  The time of transition or “sweet spot” should be longer tomorrow. Bottom line, there is snow to ski and pick the time of day for desired glide and kick. Fast and slippery in am, ideal from 930am to 1pm than getting soft and slow in the afternoon.

A nice day of spring skiing on Thursday. Was slow to warm up but quickly shot up to 40 by 2pm. The warmer temps softened the snow and slowed down the skiing. Glazing over again at dusk. Reports from folks skiing today were very good. At dusk we cut new track on about 20km of trail than groomed the skate trails in the evening so the trails could set up hard overnight. Even though the temp is being reported above freezing, there is no melting.  The trails are glazing over thanks to the cold base underneath. We will be grooming again Friday evening.

We have a good base of snow on the trails and woods ranging from 6-18″. New snowfall since February 1st is 3″. Snowfall since January 1st around 23″. Total snowfall on the season now at 57″.

Reports from skiers this past week have good to excellent.

All the inner trails and Twin Lakes double tracked. Roy’s Run, Island Lake, Wavy Gravy, Bootleg extension and segments of Lucky’s Loype single tracked. Skaters Waltz, the extension of Skaters, North Loup and Suicide Hill groomed for skating. (15km) There is also a track on the side of the skate lane on North Loup.

Day pass for day use is $15.

We have been grooming the Twin Lakes singletrack for Fat Biking. Thanks Ben Olson for taking on this role and volunteering his time! The fat bike trail is closed Monday-Wednesday until cooler weather returns.  Latest trail report.

Skaters Waltz, February 20th, 2017.
Skaters Waltz, February 20th, 2017.
Sap Run mid day, February 20th, 2017.
Sap Run mid day, February 20th, 2017.
Skiers heading out on Sukkerbusk, February 20th, 2017.
Skiers heading out on Sukkerbusk, February 20th, 2017.
Late afternoon striding on Mother North Star, February 19th, 2017.
Late afternoon striding on Mother North Star, February 19th, 2017.
Skaters Waltz, late afternoon. Still good coverage, few thin areas on exposed sections. February 19th, 2017.
Skaters Waltz, late afternoon. Still good coverage, few thin areas on exposed sections. February 19th, 2017.
Sap Run late afternoon. February 19th, 2017.
Sap Run late afternoon. February 19th, 2017.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6388601820102079681

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6388210603863716577

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6387938725768412561

Reports, Ski Trail

Trail Report

Spring conditions.  Faster skiing in the morning before softening up in the afternoon, glazing over at dusk again. Good skiing all day,  depending on desired conditions. Excellent snow coverage on the trails. There has been no melting this week as temps have been below melting.  Cooling down to 1 degree Wednesday morning. Cold temps good for freezing down the base hard. We have a deep base of snow on the trails and woods ranging from 8-18″.   New snowfall since  February 1st is 3″.  Snowfall since January 1st around 23″.   Total snowfall on the season now at 57″.

Reports from skiers this past week have good to excellent.

Grooming on select trails, mostly the more used trails at this time. We will groom Thursday afternoon on many trails to set up overnight for skiing on the weekend. To ensure the best skiing possible Friday-Sunday, please do not ski on the fresh groomed Thursday.  The base and trails overall are holding out great.  The base on trail is deep, over 12″ in some spots and plenty of snow for good skiing. Snow depth in woods 1-2 feet. The snow will not melt off by the weekend.

All the inner trails and Twin Lakes double tracked. Roy’s Run, Island Lake, Wavy Gravy, Bootleg extension and segments of Lucky’s Loype single tracked. Skaters Waltz, the extension of Skaters, North Loup and Suicide Hill groomed for skating. (15km) There is also a track on the side of the skate lane on North Loup.

Day pass for day use is $15.

We have been grooming the Twin Lakes singletrack for Fat Biking. Thanks Ben Olson for taking on this role and volunteering his time! Latest trail report.

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6387938725768412561

https://plus.google.com/photos/117475008862763984699/albums/6387474143555540113

 

feb14-01
Sukkerbusk late afternoon. No snow loss today! February 14th, 2017.
feb14-02
Start of Twin Lakes trail. Right track fast and icy, left track bit slower. We will leave the fast icy track alone so it withstands the warmer weather better. February 14th, 2017.
feb14-03
Island Lake trail. Along with most of the singletrack classic trails,  likely will not be groomed before the weekend as track is well set, intact and will withstand warmer weather if left alone. February 14th, 2017.
feb14-04
North Loup, February 14th, 2017. Fast on Tuesday but groomer’s top choice!
feb14-06
Skaters Waltz extension, February 14th, 2017. Bit harder than skaters waltz. Alternative option to Skaters Waltz for folks looking for harder faster deck.
feb14-07
Skaters Waltz, February 14th, 2017. Pretty much ideal conditions on Skaters Waltz today.
feb14-05
North Loup, February 14th, 2017.  Solid, firm deck and fast tracks!