Temps warming up after a cold week which saw lowest temp at -5. Cold weather has set frost deep into the ground and made good ice on the lakes, sloughs and ponds. This week we packed around 5km of trail (Sap Run and early season loop) after a few dustings of snow. We still need 2-3″ of snow before we can open for skiing but packing the snow on the early season loop now makes it easier to open after additional snow.
Little Sugarbush lake, lake Maplelag is next to, froze over completely on November 7th. This is one of the earliest dates on record it has frozen over. Setting frost deep into the ground will be good for the first snowfalls.
The trails are now closed to the public until November 18th in respect to local landowners deer hunting. This includes the mountain bike trails a well.Winter riding season will open November 18th as well, weather permitting.
We had a great end to fall trail clearing until the cold weather moved in. Overall the trails are in good shape and ready for snow. We will continue with fall grooming right up until the snow accumulates enough to groom. Clearing the leaves and having a clean and smooth surface as possible allows the ground to freeze up sooner and open select trails on minimum snow for early season skiing. With dense snow, we can open select trails on just 3-4″ of snow for early season skiing.
Sap run after roll packing, November 14th, 2019.
Skater Waltz, November 14th, 2019.
Sukkerbusk, November 14th, 2019.
Top of Suicide Hill, November 14th, 2019.Skinny field, November 14th, 2019.Sukkerbusk ski trail, November 12th, 2019.Skaters Waltz, November 12th, 2019.Bullhead Bay, November 12th, 2019.Air pocket between ice, result of falling lake levels on Little Suguarbush, November 12th, 2019. Enough snow and good ice on the lake for skiing. November 11th, 2019.Mink track on the edge of the lake, November 11th, 2019.Mink entering and exiting on shore of the lake (with a little issue). The lake level has dropped since the lake froze over last week with the edges collapsing. November 11th, 2019.Little Sugarbush lake mostly ice covered, November 6th, 2019.Clearing on JibFly, November 5th, 2019.Removing thick leaf bed on Mother North Star, November 6th, 2019.Dusting of snow on Sap Run, November 2nd, 2019.
Mother North Star ski trail, November 2nd, 2019.
Around 5-6″ of snow accumulating on the trails from a storm October 11th and 12th. We groomed an out and back segment for the first grooming of the year. We were able to ski a few days and good to see a few other folks out enjoying. This is one day later than last year in October when we had snow enough to groom and ski.
Earlier this fall we did cat work on Mother Hen, making a new return and also made a new return on Wavy Gravy trail. We are excited to have Mother Hen back on the grooming plan for this coming winter season!
Other trail work includes cleaning deadfall along the side of the trails and cutting firewood for next season for the wood burning stoves at Maplelag. We also planted nearly a 1000 trees earlier this year.
Final mowing/clearing on Suicide Hill, November 1st, 2019. Ready for snow! Fall grooming on Rootin Tootin ski trail, October 31st, 2019.Bullhead lake frozen over completely, October 31st, 2019. (as seen from bottom of Suicide Hill)Fall grooming on Skaters Waltz, October 30th, 2019.Another load of deadfall cleared off the trails, October 30th, 2019.Leaf clearing on Skaters Waltz, October 30th, 2019. Many low areas that were holding water now frozen over. Most ponds and sloughs now frozen over with a dusting of snow on top after multiple nights in the upper teens, October 30th, 2019. Ice forming on the edge of Island Lake, October 29th, 2019.
Icy scene on the edge of Island Lake, October 29th, 2019.Fall grooming through the skinny field on Sukkerbusk, October 28th, 2019. Moss deck after clearing leaves on Skaters Waltz ski trail, October 26th, 2019. Dry weather has been welcomed to resume final fall grooming.Clearing on Kamikaze hill, Skaters Waltz October 26th, 2019.Many ponds freezing over Thursday including the new pond at the start of JibFly after temps in the low 20’s. October 24th, 2019.Clearing leaves on Twin Lakes singletrack, October 23rd, 2019.Members of the Moorhead Nordic team out for a training session taking advantage of MEA break. October 16th, 2019.Fall/winter scene at start of JibFly ski trail. October 14th, 2019. Usually this low area is dry!
Landon and Sofie out for a ski Monday afternoon on the last remaining snow from weekend storm. Nice job getting out! Just Ski! October 14th, 2019.Still lots of snow at bottom of Suicide Hill morning October 14th, 2019.Few hours of good crust skiing before softening and melting, October 14th, 2019.Tracks from the neighbor! Fall and winter scene, October 14th, 2019.Bending branches slowly popping back up, October 14th, 2019.One of the downed trees from snow load, October 14th, 2019.First grooming of the year on Sukkerbusk, October 12th, 2019.Grooming Suicide Hill, October 12th, 2019.Skiing through the Skinny Field, October 12th, 2019.Bottom of Suicide Hill, October 12th, 2019.Skiing through fall color on Sukkerbusk, October 12th, 2019.As expected, unfortunately a handful of trees falling due to heavy snow, October 12th, 2019.Many branches folding over with leaves catching snow. October 12th, 2019.Start of Roy’s Run and North Loup late Friday afternoon, October 11th, 2019.
Skaters Waltz extension late afternoon, October 11th, 2019.
Bending branches from the wet snow collecting on the leaves. October 11th, 2019.
Tree art in the woods! October 11th, 2019.Fall grooming, top of Suicide Hill, October 9th, 2019.Fall grooming, bottom of Suicide Hill, October 9th, 2019.Golden scene on Skaters Waltz, October 7th, 2019.Clearing leaves on Poki Loki trail, October 7th, 2019.Fall scene on the Maplelag driveway, October 7th, 2019. Mostly oak trees with color along the sides.Start of Northern Trails, North Loup and Roy’s Run. Low areas holding water after excessive rain this fall. October 5th, 2019.Start of Roy’s Run ski trail, October 5th, 2019.Autumn scene off the ski trail, October 3rd, 2019.Fall grooming on Mother North Star, October 3rd, 2019.
Maple with fall color in front of Six Swedes, October 3rd, 2019.
Maples alive with color behind cabins at Maplelag. October 3rd, 2019.Fall scene on south Twin Lake. At least a dozen trumpeter swans have been residing on the Twin Lakes. October 1st, 2019.Fall scene near slough off Mother North Star. Nice to see the sun for a few hours after all the rain yesterday, September 30th, 2019.Lakeside mountain bike Twin Lakes singletrack, September 30th, 2019. Fall scene on north side of Bullhead Lake, September 28th, 2019.Round two for these beavers on birch tree, September 28th, 2019.Trumpeter swans in slough along Goat Ranch Rd. September 29th, 2019.Sunrise scene on Island Lake, September 28th, 2019.Intersection of Rootin Tootin and Skaters Waltz, September 27th, 2019.Leaf bed on Rootin Tootin. Still some deep pockets of solid green, September 27th, 2019.Mother North Star ski trail cleared multiple times this week, part of the bike course. September 27th, 2019.Meadow near trail head, September 27th, 2019.Fall scene on Bullhead lake. Trumpeter swans enjoying a piece of floating bog, September 26th, 2019.Tuning new return for Mother Hen trail. We are excited to have this beginner trail back on the grooming plan for this upcoming winter season.Clearing leaves on Sukkebusk, September 23rd, 2019.Clearing leaves on Sukkebusk, September 23rd, 2019.Cat work on the trails, September 23rd, 2019.New return added to Wavy Gravy ski trail, September 23rd, 2019.Fall color around the Finish Log and Sava Sauna cabins, September 19th, 2019.Fall color scene in the switchyard, September 18th, 2019.
Trail head at Maplelag, September 18th, 2019.Beautiful evening ride, Maplelag driveway, September 18th, 2019. The colors have exploded this week! Sukkerbusk ski trail, September 18th, 2019.Rootin Tootin ski trail, September 18th, 2019.
Rootin Tootin ski trail, September 18th, 2019.Slough along Mother North Star, September 17th, 2019.Fall grooming on Mother North Star, September 17th, 2019.Crossing at driveway from Twin Lakes ski trail, September 17th, 2019.Fall color scene in the switchyard, September 16th, 2019.Fall color scene as scene from the tower of the main lodge, September 16th, 2019.Fall color scene on the driveway, September 16th, 2019.Fall riding on the mountain bike course, September 15th, 2019.
Dusting of snow on the singletrack Saturday morning, November 2nd, 2019. Hard deck underneath making for a fun ride!
Trails are open. Dusting of snow on the deck. With warmer temps possible in the afternoon, conditions could get a bit greasy on top but with cloudy skies and frozen ground, should hold most of the day. Best riding today will be in the morning. Recommended loops are the new Bootleg loop and Twin Lakes singletrack which are in good late season riding condition.
Creek on Bootleg loop still running strong, October 31st, 2019. Overall Bootleg loop is in excellent riding condition. One wet spot still distance of a bike length.
Trails will be closing on November 4th for the dirt season than open again late November for fat biking/winter riding. Once again we will be grooming the Twin Lakes loop for fat biking and also plan to groom the new Bootleg loop. These trails were recently cleared of leaves and will allow the frost to set up quicker and be groom ready sooner.
We recently completed a new loop called “Moorhead” that branches off the original main loop just past the “Fargo” segment. This new loop around 1 mile in length. We also completed the new “Bullhead Bootleg” earlier this summer. The new trail loop is around around 3.5 miles in length. The trail is slow tech/flow tech. Very smooth but tight turns with fun berms and rollers on the downhills.
Both trails built on Maplelag property.
The Bootleg trail is accessed off county hiway 34 about 1/2 south of end of goat ranch road across from blue adopt a highway sign. Limited parking, best to ride to the trail from Maplelag. Call or text 218-849-7669 if more information needed. The new trail will not be part of the Laddies Loppet but hopefully in the spring race we plan for 2020 the end of May.
The trails are closed during rain events but usually an hour or two is all it takes to be back on the trail riding with the nature of the trails at Maplelag being classic old style singletrack.
Click here for trail map. Trail starts at the Skaters Waltz ski trail. (look for white sign with Citizen, Kids Comp, Sport, Comp/Expert) All main intersections are now marked and signs at the key intersections for beginner (citizen) or advanced (sport/comp/expert). Please park in far parking lot next to blue dumpsters.
Summer pass can be purchased online, good for whole season. (There is no charge for Maplelag team members). The Maplelag trails are self supported with no grants or outside assistance. Trail pass revenue helps offset trail maintenance, new trail work and property taxes. Thank you.
Rock garden on “Moorhead” singletrack, October 27th, 2019.
Bridge crossing Bootleg singletrack, October 27th, 2019.
Lakeside Bootleg singletrack, October 27th, 2019.
Beautiful afternoon lakeside Twin Lakes singletrack, October 26th, 2019.
Pump section, Bootleg singletrack, October 26th, 2019.
Sunset ride on Bootleg loop, other than a couple short wet spots, conditions are excellent. October 24th, 2019.
Sunset over Twin Lakes, October 24th, 2019. Gets dark fast!!
Twin Lakes rock garden after clearing, October 23rd, 2019.
Clearing on Twin Lakes singletrack, October 23rd, 2019.
Heading out for a group ride, October 19th, 2019.
Riders on the Bootleg loop, October 19th, 2019. Beautiful weekend of riding.
The return of nice weather welcomed. Great riding on Bootleg loop, October 17th, 2019.
With most leaves off the trail, track drying a bit faster October 17th, 2019.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack after clearing, October 16th, 2019.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack after clearing, October 16th, 2019.
Clearing bridge section on Bootleg, October 16th, 2019. Creek running strong with all the recent moisture.
Bootleg singletrack, afternoon October 15th, 2019.
Singletrack segment on main loop. October 15th, 2019. Mostly firm deck under the thin compacted leaf covering.
Twin Lakes ski trail, October 12th, 2019.
Twin Lakes singletrack, October 12th, 2019. Relatively clear segment of trail.
Start of Twin Lakes singletrack, October 12th, 2019. Heavy snow folding over a lot of branches.
Golden scene on starter loop, October 9th, 2019.
Beautiful fall riding, October 9th, 2019.
Bridge crossing on Bootleg trail, October 9th, 2019.
Fargo singletrack, October 9th, 2019.
Twin Lakes lakeside, October 9th, 2019.
High water on bridge segment starter loop, October 9th, 2019.
Bridge crossing on Bootleg loop. October 6th, 2019. Water running strongest has been all year. Last year at this time was bone dry!
Great fall scenes on the trail, October 6th, 2019.
Rolling through rock garden on new “Moorhead” trail segment, October 6th, 2019.
Great fall scenes on the trail, October 6th, 2019.
Bridge crossing on Bootleg loop. October 6th, 2019. Water running strongest has been all year. Last year at this time was bone dry!
Rolling through rock garden on Moorhead singletrack, October 6th, 2019.
Fargo singletrack segment, October 6th, 2019. Best riding after wet weather is the hillier segments that are hardpack and shed water better.
Start of Fargo singletrack after clearing, October 3rd, 2019.
Fargo singletrack, October 3rd, 2019.
Clearing out rock garden on new Moorhead singletrack, October 3rd, 2019.
Late afternoon ride under fall scene, October 2nd, 2019.
Clearing on Hudson’s Hula. Entire Twin Lakes loop cleared Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lakeside singletrack Twin Lakes, September 30th, 2019.
New singletrack segment “Moorhead”. September 30th, 2019.
Fall scene along the bike trail, September 30th, 2019.
Ski trail segment, September 30th, 2019.
Beautiful fall riding, September 28th, 2019.
Bridge section on Bullhead bootleg, September 28th, 2019.
Rock garden on new trail segment “Moorhead”. September 28th, 2019.
Fall scene on north side of Bullhead Lake, September 28th, 2019.
Great fall riding, September 27th, 2019. Get out before the leaves cover up the track!
Clearing singletrack on the main loop, September 27th, 2019.
Clearing leaves on bridge segment singletrack, September 26th, 2019. It has been a busy week clearing leaves off the trail. Leaves continue to fall and will be a another 2-3 weeks of leafy conditions. Enjoy!
Golden hour riding on Bootleg loop, September 25th, 2019.
Golden hour riding on Bootleg loop, September 25th, 2019.
Start of Bootleg singletrack after leaf clearing, September 24th, 2019. Still many leaves on trees yet to come down.
Rock garden on Moorhead singletrack, September 23rd, 2019.
Bike track on the ski trail cleared, September 23rd, 2019.
Riding on new singletrack “Moorhead”. Cleared on September 23rd, 2019.
Beautiful fall riding, September 20th, 2019.
Cruising on Bootleg loop, September 20th, 2019.
Berming on Bootleg loop, September 20th, 2019.
Bridge crossing on Bootleg, creek running as strong as ever. Usually a trickle this time of year. September 18th, 2019.
Beautiful evening ride, September 18th, 2019. The colors have exploded this week!
Beautiful evening ride, September 18th, 2019.
Singletrack after fresh clearing. Leaves are falling down fast this year. September 18th, 2019.
Berms on Bootleg trail, September 11th, 2019.
Rock garden on new “Moorhead” trail, September 6th, 2019.
Start of Elite short track race Laddies Loppet, September 1st, 2019. Skinnyski.com photo.
Staz Bednardski previewing the course, August 30th, 2019. (Bruce Martens photo)
Area high school cycling team on course practicing Thursday evening. August 29th, 2019.
Bootleg trail, August 29th, 2019.
John Wessling checking out the course, August 29th, 2019. Ride the berms high! Course has dried out nicely after rain earlier in the week. Couple damp spots but should be completely dry by Saturday morning!
Beautiful evening for Wednesday night time trial, August 28th, 2019.
Hudson’s Hula, Twin Lakes singletrack. August 27th, 2019.
Clearing out Twin Lakes singletrack, August 27th, 2019.
After morning rain, beautiful evening for riding. August 26th, 2019.
Hints of Fall on the mountain bike course, August 25th, 2019.
Rolling on the ski trail, August 25th, 2019.
Beautiful evening ride, August 23rd, 2019.
Beautiful evening ride, August 23rd, 2019.
Maplelag team members enjoying the beautiful evening on the Laddies Loppet course, August 23rd, 2019.
Trail tuning, August 21st, 2019.
Evening ride on new Bootleg trail, August 20th, 2019.
Bridge crossing over Bootleg creek on new trail. Flowing strong after morning rain. August 20th, 2019.
Trail tuning, August 19th, 2019. We will be tuning on the course for Laddies Loppet mountain bike race over Labor Day weekend daily until race weekend.
Evening ride on Twin Lakes singletrack, August 13th, 2019. Bit damp from rain earlier in the day but overall nice riding.
Crossing at end of Lakeside drop segment. With the high water tables this summer, bridge has been useful. August 13th, 2019.
High side of lakeside drop segment. Most of the segment brushed out again today. August 14th, 2019.
Beautiful evening ride, new Bootleg loop. August 8th, 2019.
Evening ride on new “Bootleg” loop, August 1st, 2019.
Evening ride on new “Bootleg” loop, August 1st, 2019.
Evening ride on new “Bootleg” loop, August 1st, 2019.
Many Point Scout Camp mountain bike program after a riding session. The scouts are out at least once a week. Many first time riders as well! July 30th, 2019.
Signage at start of new “Bullhead Bootleg” loop.
“Fern Gully” segment on new Bootleg trail, July 28th, 2019.
Berm action on new “Bootleg” trail, July 28th, 2019.
Twin Lakes rock garden, July 28th, 2019. A “B” line option will be added in the next few weeks to avoid the technical section.
Testing out newest addition to new trail “Bootleg”. July 23rd, 2019.
New berm work on final trail segment of new trail. July 23rd, 2019.
Beautiful morning ride, July 20th, 2019.
Switchback climb on Twin Lakes singletrack, July 20th, 2019.
Deck setting up nicely on new trail “Bootleg”, July 20th, 2019.
Rock garden on main loop, July 20th, 2019.
Twin Lakes singletrack, July 20th, 2019.
Nice riding Friday evening on new trail “Bootleg”. July 19th, 2019.
Great riding on the new trail Tuesday evening, July 16th, 2019.
Beautiful evening ride after a wet few days, July 11th, 2019.
Bridge crossing on additional new singletrack segment added to new “Bullhead Bootleg” singletrack loop. July 11th, 2019.
Hand building another section of singletrack to be added to new “Bootleg” loop, July 10th, 2019.
Berm action on new trail, July 7th, 2019.
Rolling on the ski trail, July 7th, 2019.
Rolling through on the new trail, July 7th, 2019.
Sunny Saturday ride, July 6th, 2019.
Lakeside singletrack, July 6th, 2019.
Checking out the new trail “Bullhead Bootleg”. July 6th, 2019.
Rolling on the ski trail, July 6th, 2019.
One of the bridges on new trail, July 4th, 2019.
Summer scene along the bike trail, July 4th, 2019.
“Fern Gully” singletrack segment on new mountain bike trail near Bullhead lake, July 3rd, 2019.
Riding through a berm on new trail. July 3rd, 2019.
Bridge crossing on new trail, July 3rd, 2019.
Fun on the new trail, July 3rd, 2019.
Berm tuning on new trail, June 30th, 2019.
Lush singletrack in the deep woods. June 28th, 2019.
Testing trail tuning on new trail, June 25th, 2019. Planning to have “officially” open by the weekend!
Building and tuning last major berm on phase 1 Bullhead Bootleg loop, June 26th, 2019.
Building and tuning last major berm on phase 1 Bullhead Bootleg loop, June 26th, 2019.
Great riding Sunday afternoon, Twin Lakes singletrack June 23rd, 2019.
Great riding Sunday afternoon, June 23rd, 2019.
Testing out new trail, June 23rd, 2019. Getting closer to be officially opened!
Testing out new trail, June 23rd, 2019. Getting closer to be officially opened!
Testing out new trail, June 23rd, 2019. Getting closer to be officially opened!
Berm work on new trail, June 22nd, 2019.
Another gorgeous June evening for riding. June 18th, 2019.
Berm tuning on new trail near Bullhead lake. June 21st, 2019.
Great dirt to work with on new trail “Bootleg” near Bullhead lake on Maplelag property, June 20th, 2019.
Deep woods singletrack, June 18th, 2019.
Brothers on the trail! June 17th, 2019.
Beautiful evening ride, June 13th, 2019.
Twin Lakes singletrack, June 13th, 2019.
Yellow slippers along the side of the singletrack, June 12th, 2019.
Clearing overgrown area, June 12th, 2019.
Singletrack on the doubletrack! Signature Maplelag trails. June 12th, 2019.
Suicide hill mowed today, part of all bike courses. June 12th, 2019.
Evening ride, June 11th, 2019. Even with rain earlier in the day, track absorbs and dries out quickly enough hour or two after.
Rolling down the ski trail, June 5th, 2019.
Deep woods singletrack riding, June 5th, 2019.
Deep woods singletrack riding, June 5th, 2019.
Berm work on new trail, May 31st, 2019.
Pat checking out new trail. May 30th, 2019. We are slowly making progress on new trail. Hope to officially open most of the loop late next month.
Forest road riding on Sugarbush trail, May 30th, 2019.
Working on new trail, May 30th, 2019.
Fun times on the trail! May 28th, 2019.
Riding the berm high. May 28th, 2019.
Pat rolling through the Twin Lakes rock garden, May 28th, 2019.
Pat rolling through the Twin Lakes rock garden, May 28th, 2019.
Checking out new mountain bike trail segment near Bullhead lake, May 20th, 2019. We still have 4-6 weeks of tuning and bridge building before we officially open the trail.
Checking out new mountain bike trail segment near Bullhead lake, May 20th, 2019.
Damp but good riding on the weekend. May 19th, 2019.
Testing out a segment on new trail, May 19th, 2019.
Twin Lakes singletrack, May 18th, 2019.
Weaving along lakeside singletrack, May 18th, 2019.
Hudson’s Hula singletrack, May 17th, 2019.
Trail work on new singletrack. Thanks Denny and Peder for your help! May 17th, 2019.
Tuning on new trail build new Bullhead lake, May 15th, 2019.
Twin Lakes lakeside singletrack, May 14th, 2019.
Woods slowly starting to green up. May 14th, 2019.
New trail work near Bullhead lake. May 13th, 2019.
Rolling along Lakeside singletrack, May 10th, 2019.
Lakeside singletrack Twin Lakes, May 7th, 2019.
Rolling on the singletrack, May 7th, 2019.
Lakeside singletrack Twin Lakes, May 7th, 2019.
Technical section on the singletrack, May 7th, 2019.
Twin Lakes singletrack, May 4th, 2019.
Trail work on new singletrack, May 3rd, 2019.
Keith rolling through the “Fargo” singletrack, May 1st, 2019. This segment has been closed the past few years but now it is cleared and open for riding! Segment branches off near the end of the east side loop.
Trail work on new trail near Bullhead lake. May 2nd, 2019.
Twin Lakes lakeside on “Pete’s Porkie” segment. April 28th, 2019.
Rolling through Twin Lakes rock garden, April 28th, 2019.
Great riding Saturday April 27th, 2019.
Great riding Saturday April 27th, 2019.
Lance S rolling along lakeside, April 25th, 2019.
Trail feature on the singletrack, April 25th, 2019.
Twin Lakes rock garden, April 25th, 2019. Twin Lakes needs a few more days to dry out. Couple low areas holding water.
Ski trail segment on bike course, April 25th, 2019.
Riding into sunset, April 25th, 2019.
Keith dropping in for the first dirt ride of the year, April 23rd, 2019.
A platter of pan fried walleye ready to be served family style. Walleye is typically served on Thursday nights. The Minnesota delicacy coming off the grill at Maplelag ranks with the best in the country.
Maplelag is famous for its home cooked, made from scratch, all you can eat meals served family style. We can also accommodate vegetarian/vegan diets and any gluten free or food allergies. Any food related questions please feel free to contact us.
A Family Owned and Operated Destination Cross-Country Ski Center
With most leaves off the trail, track drying a bit faster October 17th, 2019.
