Another great retreat for the Back Porch Quilters. Although the snow had melted off the trails making it not possible to ski, the focus is quilting ,of course, and participants enjoy home cooked meals along with relaxation time in the spa area including massages… and a few folks on the trails hiking! The retreat also features special workshops and shows. If you would like to take part in a future quilting retreat, please contact us at Maplelag.
Despite the absence of snow on the trails, a fun weekend in the woods and on the lake. The trails have been freezing down at night the last couple nights making it possible to mountain bike in the morning before it softens up again. There is a small window to do this and riding can be very nice. There are just a few deadfalls down on the singletrack otherwise the track is in pretty good shape for end of winter season with lots of twigs and small branches from the heavy snow earlier in the winter. After a week plus of above freezing temps, the snow melted on the surface of the lake than froze again on the top making for a nice surface to ice skate on. There are bumpy sections on the edges but the middle of the lake is very nice for skating. We also have been “jibskating” on the jump in the back bowl/sledding hill. We had to shovel a bit on the slope down but the jump is still close to the original size and providing a late season fix of skiing.
On the afternoon of March 18th, 2010, Maplelag’s popular dog, Lucky, passed away. Lucky first came to Maplelag in the Spring of 1997. He was a small pup that wondered from the woods. Calls to the neighbors, radio station and flyers posted at Richwood Store revealed no owner. Maplelag adopted the black lab mix and named him “Lucky”. Lucky was a perfect dog for Maplelag. He would guide skiers on the trails and be a magnet to kids in the lodge that would melt over him while he took it all in. Lucky lived a great life, roaming the grounds at Maplelag and never had to spend a night in a kennel. Maplelag’s singletrack classic ski trail was named after him, Lucky’s Loype and also the trail run in the Fall, Lucky’s Loype Pumpkin Run. Thanks for the great memories Lucky!
Our first night below freezing last night…..unfortunately all the snow has melted off. The trails are closed until the frost goes out. Once the frost is out and the trails have dried up, they will be open for hiking,running and we will clear out the mountain bike course. The trails are closed to horses and motorized equipment. It is important to stay off the trails when the frost is going out to prevent trail damage. Imprints made now can last all through the summer and fall. It is possible if it freezes down hard enough this weekend to be on the trails but check the website or call to see if this is possible. Thanks to everyone who came to Maplelag this winter season.
A Family Owned and Operated Destination Cross-Country Ski Center
