All posts by Jay Richards

Woods and Trail Report

Light morning shower to start the week. Rainfall has been light the past 24 hours with around .14″ of precipitation. Overall July was slightly above normal for the month with around 4″ recorded in July. The woods are as lush as ever. We have been working on the trail when we can amongst the projects at Maplelag, clearing deadfall and mowing on the inner trails. 

A busy month of July clearing trees off the trails after strong winds over 80mph brought down 100’s of tree on the Maplelag property during the “Solstice Storm”. We have cleared nearly 300 trees on the trails so far. We were able to get the 25 mile “LagChilada” mountain bike course open a week after the storm. We are extremely grateful for the professional crew that helped us out. Thank you! 

The woods look a little different in areas from the Solstice Storm but wildlife has been on the move and an interesting variety of mushrooms and lichens popping up along the forest floor as well as the usual wildflowers. 

The mountain bike trails are open, click here for report.  

Support the trails! Day and season pass purchases help us offset costs to maintain the trails. Thanks everyone for the support. 

Ski trail mowing, August 1st, 2025.
Natural Knotweed along the trail, August 1st, 2025.
Fog lingering over the marsh area, north end of Little Sugarbush lake, July 28th, 2025.
Decaying oak deadfall providing nutrients for the forest floor, July 28th, 2025.
“Maple” mushroom, July 22nd, 2024.
Ghost pipe mushrooms popping up along the trail this week, July 23rd, 2024.
Tranquil evening on Little Sugarbush, July 17th, 2025.
Bald eagles along Skaters Waltz extension, Ju.ly 16th, 2025. Active nest on Eagle View along Island Lake trail again. 
“Buck” moon over Little Sugarbush lake, July 9th, 2025.
Calm waters on Little Sugarbush, July 8th, 2025.
Clearing on Sukkerbusk ski trail, June 27th, 2025.
Black Eyed Susan along the trail, June 28th, 2025.
Yarrow along the trail, June 28th, 2025.
Trees still to clear at start of Bullhead lake trail, June 28th, 2025.
Colorful mushrooms sprouting along the trail, June 28th, 2025.
Clearing storm blow down before the start of the LagChilada bike course, June 23rd, 2025.
Thanks Jack and Laurens for your help this week clearing trail!
Thanks Steve and Keith! 
Jens tossing off another log. One of many this week!
Blowdown on the ski trail after the Solstice storm, June 21st, 2025.
Wild Iris flowers blooming the end of this week, June 13th, 2025.
“Strawberry” moon over Little Sugarbush lake, June 12th, 2025. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Mostly tacky surface. Just a light rain shower early this morning. Might be a few random slick spots but otherwise should be good riding this afternoon.This week we will continue tuning on select segment of trail.

Last week we brushed out SukkerWest on Friday, Bullhead Bootleg loop Thursday and finished the original lakeside singletrack segment Wednesday. Cooler temps has made for nice riding.

The deer flies are out in some areas, worst area seems to be North Loup Gnar, but not as bad as other years….keep the wheels moving!  

We have cleared nearly 300 trees so far since the Solstice Storm. Huge huge thanks to the crew that helped us out!  Be aware trees may fall without warning and assume full responsibility while riding.

The LagChilada challenge remains in place which encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details.  Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. Click here for the Strava map which can be downloaded. Nice job to everyone completing the challenge this year including the riders doing a double!! 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

The Maplelag trails are described as classic or old style. Featuring more narrow singletrack with roots and rocks and generally more technical in nature. A good beginner loop is the Citizen Loop and a good intermediate loop is the Sport loop. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

“Moorhead” singletrack in great shape, August 3rd, 2025.
Moorhead singletrack rock garden, August 3rd, 2025.
North Star singletrack, August 3rd, 2025. When the white appears, it means things are drying out deep in the earth!
Rock feature on “Pirate’s Pass” singletrack, August 3rd, 2025.
Start of the LagChilada, August 2nd, 2025.
“Pirate’s Pass” singletrack, August 2nd, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Just a few sprinkles this morning. Surface conditions remain dry/hardpack and tacky and should be a great day of riding. Slight chance of late afternoon showers.

This past week we brushed out SukkerWest on Friday, Bullhead Bootleg loop Thursday and finished the original lakeside singletrack segment Wednesday. Cooler temps has made for nice riding.

The deer flies are out in some areas, worst area seems to be North Loup Gnar, but not as bad as other years….keep the wheels moving!  

We have cleared nearly 300 trees so far since the Solstice Storm. Huge huge thanks to the crew that helped us out!  Be aware trees may fall without warning and assume full responsibility while riding.

The LagChilada challenge remains in place which encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details.  Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. Click here for the Strava map which can be downloaded. Nice job to everyone completing the challenge this year including the riders doing a double!! 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

The Maplelag trails are described as classic or old style. Featuring more narrow singletrack with roots and rocks and generally more technical in nature. A good beginner loop is the Citizen Loop and a good intermediate loop is the Sport loop. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

Start of the LagChilada, August 2nd, 2025.
Moorhead singletrack cleared end of the week and rolling great, August 2nd, 2025.
“Pirate’s Pass” singletrack, August 2nd, 2025.

Wood and Trails Report

A dry week after what was a wet and humid July. Precipitation slightly above normal for the month with around 4″ recorded in July. The woods are as lush as ever. We have been working on the trail when we can amongst the projects at Maplelag, clearing deadfall and mowing on the inner trails.

A busy month of July clearing trees off the trails after strong winds over 80mph brought down 100’s of tree on the Maplelag property during the “Solstice Storm”. We have cleared nearly 300 trees on the trails so far. We were able to get the 25 mile “LagChilada” mountain bike course open a week after the storm. We are extremely grateful for the professional crew that helped us out. Thank you! 

The woods look a little different in areas from the Solstice Storm but wildlife has been on the move and an interesting variety of mushrooms and lichens popping up along the forest floor as well as the usual wildflowers. 

The mountain bike trails are open, click here for report.  

Support the trails! Day and season pass purchases help us offset costs to maintain the trails. Thanks everyone for the support. 

Ski trail mowing, August 1st, 2025.
Natural Knotweed along the trail, August 1st, 2025.
Fog lingering over the marsh area, north end of Little Sugarbush lake, July 28th, 2025.
Decaying oak deadfall providing nutrients for the forest floor, July 28th, 2025.
“Maple” mushroom, July 22nd, 2024.
Ghost pipe mushrooms popping up along the trail this week, July 23rd, 2024.
Tranquil evening on Little Sugarbush, July 17th, 2025.
Bald eagles along Skaters Waltz extension, Ju.ly 16th, 2025. Active nest on Eagle View along Island Lake trail again. 
“Buck” moon over Little Sugarbush lake, July 9th, 2025.
Calm waters on Little Sugarbush, July 8th, 2025.
Clearing on Sukkerbusk ski trail, June 27th, 2025.
Black Eyed Susan along the trail, June 28th, 2025.
Yarrow along the trail, June 28th, 2025.
Trees still to clear at start of Bullhead lake trail, June 28th, 2025.
Colorful mushrooms sprouting along the trail, June 28th, 2025.
Clearing storm blow down before the start of the LagChilada bike course, June 23rd, 2025.
Thanks Jack and Laurens for your help this week clearing trail!
Thanks Steve and Keith! 
Jens tossing off another log. One of many this week!
Blowdown on the ski trail after the Solstice storm, June 21st, 2025.
Wild Iris flowers blooming the end of this week, June 13th, 2025.
“Strawberry” moon over Little Sugarbush lake, June 12th, 2025. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Continued dry weather and good riding conditions. This week we brushed out SukkerWest on Friday, Bullhead Bootleg loop Thursday and finished the original lakeside singletrack segment Wednesday. Cooler temps has made for nice riding and the Canadian wild fire smoke doesn’t seem as bad in the deep woods. 

The deer flies have hatched in some areas, worst area seems to be North Loup Gnar, but not as bad as other years….keep the wheels moving!  

We have cleared nearly 300 trees so far since the Solstice Storm. Huge huge thanks to the crew that helped us out!  Be aware trees may fall without warning and assume full responsibility while riding.

The LagChilada challenge remains in place which encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details.  Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked. Click here for the Strava map which can be downloaded. Nice job to everyone completing the challenge this year including the riders doing a double!! 

 Maps: Trailforks and click on Maplelag map for reference of the trails. 

The Maplelag trails are described as classic or old style. Featuring more narrow singletrack with roots and rocks and generally more technical in nature. A good beginner loop is the Citizen Loop and a good intermediate loop is the Sport loop. 

Maplelag is a family owned and operated business. We are one of the few MTB trail systems in the Midwest that maintain the trails ourselves with no outside funding or assistance and pay property taxes that in turn help support other trails locally and in the state! Please consider a trail pass to offset some of our expenses. We love to mountain bike and share the trail with others…what it is all about! Thank you.

Bjorp’s singletrack, July 31st, 2025.
Bridge section on Twin Lakes singletrack, July 29th, 2025.
Bjorp’s singletrack, July 26th, 2025
Hudson’s Hula singletrack, July 26th, 2025.
Lakeside singletrack, July 25th, 2025.
Twin Lakes singletrack, July 25th, 2025.
Last section of singletrack, July 23rd, 2025.
Rolling a rock feature on Bjorp’s Bump, July 22nd, 2025. Ride around to the right.