All posts by Jay Richards

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Dry and sunny today. Track is mostly tacky, watch for a possible few slick spots, otherwise good riding conditions. This morning we cleared all the recent blowdowns from the weekend.

We have been brushing out overgrown areas and continue to blow out segments of trails. Bjorp’s and Hudson’s Hula singletrack are top picks….have been rolling great. 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 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. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Another rain shower overnight has the track a bit damp this morning but clear and sunny as of 9am. Track is mostly tacky, watch for a possible few slick spots, otherwise good riding conditions. Yesterday we blew out sections of trail on the inner loop.

We have been brushing out overgrown areas and continue to blow out segments of trails. Bjorp’s and Hudson’s Hula singletrack are top picks….have been rolling great. 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 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. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Most of the rain last night/early this morning missed Maplelag. Clearing and sunny at 10am. Track is mostly tacky, watch for a possible few slick spots, otherwise good riding conditions. Yesterday we blew out sections of trail on the inner loop. Earlier this week we finished brushing out the end of Twin Lakes, Bjorps and a few other areas.

Last week we brushed out overgrown areas, focusing on the Hudson’s Hula loop which is now cleared and rolling great and also parts of North Loup Gnar. 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.

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. 
Hudson’ Hula singletrack after fresh clearing, July 18th, 2025.
Twin Lakes bridge segment, July 17th, 2025.
Deep woods singletrack, July 16th, 2025

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Track is mostly tacky, watch for a possible few slick spots, otherwise good riding conditions. Today we blew out sections of trail on the inner loop. Earlier this week we finished brushing out the end of Twin Lakes, Bjorps and a few other areas. 

Last week we brushed out overgrown areas, focusing on the Hudson’s Hula loop which is now cleared and rolling great and also parts of North Loup Gnar. 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.

Afternoon riding on 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. 
Hudson’ Hula singletrack after fresh clearing, July 18th, 2025.
Twin Lakes bridge segment, July 17th, 2025.
Deep woods singletrack, July 16th, 2025

Woods and Trail Report

Clear and sunny end to the week after a wet start to the week. Just under 2″ of rain Monday-Wednesday. No rain on Thursday.

It has been 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 but wildlife has been back 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. 

“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.