All posts by Jay Richards

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Mostly tacky riding surface. Recent wind bringing a few sticks down etc. but overall nice riding conditions. Thursday we cleared out the deadfall and blew out the entire loop on Bullhead Bootleg. Friday we blew out Hudson’s Hula and a few other short segments. All the trees have been cleared off the entire 25 mile LagChilada course but always be prepared for any new deadfall.

Last week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We will have started blowing out the course again, clearing small sticks etc. after some windy days the past week. 

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada 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

 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.

Twin lakes singletrack, May 21st, 2025.
Sukkerbusk ski trail, part of bike course, May 21st, 2025.
Moorhead singletrack, May 21s,t 2025.
First half Twin lakes singletrack, May 21st, 2025. 
Twin Lakeside, May 21st, 2025.
Goat ranch rd, part of the connector from the main trails to Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 21st, 2025.
Approaching bridge on Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 21st, 2025.
The infamous roots on first half Twin Lakes, May 21st, 2025. To bypass the fist half, follow the Sport loop. 
Wet conditions but very rideable, May 20th, 2025.
Yellow slippers along the trail, May 20th, 2025.
Saturday riding, May 17th, 2025.
Original lakeside singletrack, May 17th, 2025.

Woods and Trail Report

Welcomed sunshine and warmth returns after a wet start to the week. Just under 2″ of total precipitation. The moisture was also welcomed and the woods is vibrant as ever.

Warm weather earlier this month has really brought the forest to life with leaves popping out and full circle after temperatures in the 80’s and above. The underbrush and forest floor exploding with wild flowers and the coveted morel mushroom. The water tables are at normal to slightly above normal there is ample moisture for the woods to be healthy. 

A great time of year to be in the woods and one of the best times for hiking and biking with no bugs etc. to take in the sounds of spring with birds, waterfowl and frogs echoing through the woods. 

The ice went off Little Sugarbush on April 16th and on nearby lakes. The loons have returned and the water is busy with a nice variety of waterfowl. The ice off is always a special time of year, marking the transitions of seasons from winter to spring. 

The trails are drying up and we are back in the woods doing trail work, focusing on the mountain bike trails. We are clearing sticks, branches and blowing out leafy areas but also cutting deadfall off the ski trail, cutting in to blocks and splitting for firewood for winter season 2025/26.. 

The mountain bike trails are open, click here for report. Nice to see folks out. this year so far.

Thanks everyone who supports the trails at Maplelag. We had a fun run to end the ski season. We appreciate you very much and can’t wait to have folks back on the trail for dirt season. Stay tuned for more updates.

Oyster mushrooms sprouting today, May 21st, 2025. With a little warmth to come, the forest floor should really come to life the next few days!
Yellow slippers ready for warmer weather to return, May 20th, 2025.
Rainfall the end of the week bringing the moss to life along the bike trail, May 16th, 2025.
Gray Tree frog, May 11th, 2025.
More wildflowers emerging from the forest floor, May 11th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on the bike track, May 11th, 2025.
Bear up on the northern part of the trail system, May 9th, 2025.
Marsh marigolds blooming in full force in recent days, May 10th, 2025.
Tamarack buds, May 10th, 2025.
Ferns emerging from Sugarbush creek, May 8th, 2025.
Tracks on tracks! Bear track on the mountain bike singletrack, May 6th, 2025.
Bloodroot flowers ready to emerge from the forest floor, May 1st, 2025. The woods should really start to come to life with warm weather moving in. 
North end of Little Sugarbush lake, May 1st, 2025. Water tables and lake levels are above normal with recent rain and good moisture from winter snow. 
Maplelag creek running good after 1.3″ of recent rainfall on April 28th, 2025.
Hepatica flowers blooming in full force today, April 26th, 2025.
Trumpeter swans on Kohlepp’s pond, April 23rd, 2025.
Evening scene along Mother North Star, April 21st, 2025.
Mossy ski trail, April 21st, 2025.
Busy beaver on a large oak tree. April 21s,t 2025. 
Group of trumpeter swans enjoying ice free Little Sugarbush lake, April 17th, 2025.
Bullhead lake ice free, April 13th, 2025.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush lake as seen in front of the new sauna, April 15th, 2025.
Edge of Little Sugarbush lake, April 13th, 2025.
Sunday night lightning, April 13th, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Mostly tacky riding surface with a few damp spots after wet weather the start of the week. Recent wind bringing a few sticks down etc. but overall nice riding conditions. Thursday we cleared out the deadfall and blew out the entire loop on Bullhead Bootleg. 

Last week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We will begin blowing out the course again, clearing small sticks etc. after some windy days the past week. 

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details.  Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked.

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

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.

Twin lakes singletrack, May 21st, 2025.
Sukkerbusk ski trail, part of bike course, May 21st, 2025.
Moorhead singletrack, May 21s,t 2025.
First half Twin lakes singletrack, May 21st, 2025. 
Twin Lakeside, May 21st, 2025.
Goat ranch rd, part of the connector from the main trails to Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 21st, 2025.
Approaching bridge on Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 21st, 2025.
The infamous roots on first half Twin Lakes, May 21st, 2025. To bypass the fist half, follow the Sport loop. 
Wet conditions but very rideable, May 20th, 2025.
Yellow slippers along the trail, May 20th, 2025.
Saturday riding, May 17th, 2025.
Original lakeside singletrack, May 17th, 2025.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

The mountain bike trails are open. Mostly tacky riding surface with a few damp spots after wet weather the start of the week. A LagChilada ride Wednesday evening found a few areas here and there holding water (ride wide or on the upside) but should dry up by this evening. Recent wind bringing a few sticks down etc. but overall nice riding conditions. Today we are clearing out the deadfall and blowing out the entire loop on Bullhead Bootleg.

Last week we started dirt work, tuning sections of the course, focusing mainly on the Sport/Comp/Expert loop. We will begin blowing out the course again, clearing small sticks etc. after some windy days the past week.

The LagChilada challenge remains in place, handful of riders already completed this year! The LagChilada encompasses all the trails at Maplelag. Click here for more details.  Secondary signage is up and the LagChilada course is marked.

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

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.

Twin lakes singletrack, May 21st, 2025.
Sukkerbusk ski trail, part of bike course, May 21st, 2025.
Moorhead singletrack, May 21s,t 2025.
First half Twin lakes singletrack, May 21st, 2025.
Twin Lakeside, May 21st, 2025.
Goat ranch rd, part of the connector from the main trails to Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 21st, 2025.
Approaching bridge on Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 21st, 2025.
The infamous roots on first half Twin Lakes, May 21st, 2025. To bypass the fist half, follow the Sport loop.
Wet conditions but very rideable, May 20th, 2025.
Yellow slippers along the trail, May 20th, 2025.
Saturday riding, May 17th, 2025.
Original lakeside singletrack, May 17th, 2025.

Woods and Trail Report

Wet weather returns with 1.6″ the past 24 hours. Cooler temps in place as we take a break from the warmth earlier this month. This current system looks to wrap up later today.

Warm weather earlier this month has really brought the forest to life with leaves popping out and full circle after temperatures in the 80’s and above. The underbrush and forest floor exploding with wild flowers and the coveted morel mushroom. The water tables are at normal to slightly above normal there is ample moisture for the woods to be healthy. 

A great time of year to be in the woods and one of the best times for hiking and biking with no bugs etc. to take in the sounds of spring with birds, waterfowl and frogs echoing through the woods. 

The ice went off Little Sugarbush on April 16th and on nearby lakes. The loons have returned and the water is busy with a nice variety of waterfowl. The ice off is always a special time of year, marking the transitions of seasons from winter to spring. 

The trails are drying up and we are back in the woods doing trail work, focusing on the mountain bike trails. We are clearing sticks, branches and blowing out leafy areas but also cutting deadfall off the ski trail, cutting in to blocks and splitting for firewood for winter season 2025/26.. 

The mountain bike trails are open, click here for report. Nice to see folks out. this year so far.

A few wildflowers are emerging from the forest floor and and a few other signs of flora on the forest floor and the grounds slowly greening up.

Thanks everyone who supports the trails at Maplelag. We had a fun run to end the ski season. We appreciate you very much and can’t wait to have folks back on the trail for dirt season. Stay tuned for more updates.

Yellow slippers ready for warmer weather to return, May 20th, 2025.
Rainfall the end of the week bringing the moss to life along the bike trail, May 16th, 2025.
Gray Tree frog, May 11th, 2025.
More wildflowers emerging from the forest floor, May 11th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on the bike track, May 11th, 2025.
Bear up on the northern part of the trail system, May 9th, 2025.
Marsh marigolds blooming in full force in recent days, May 10th, 2025.
Tamarack buds, May 10th, 2025.
Ferns emerging from Sugarbush creek, May 8th, 2025.
Tracks on tracks! Bear track on the mountain bike singletrack, May 6th, 2025.
Bloodroot flowers ready to emerge from the forest floor, May 1st, 2025. The woods should really start to come to life with warm weather moving in. 
North end of Little Sugarbush lake, May 1st, 2025. Water tables and lake levels are above normal with recent rain and good moisture from winter snow. 
Maplelag creek running good after 1.3″ of recent rainfall on April 28th, 2025.
Hepatica flowers blooming in full force today, April 26th, 2025.
Trumpeter swans on Kohlepp’s pond, April 23rd, 2025.
Evening scene along Mother North Star, April 21st, 2025.
Mossy ski trail, April 21st, 2025.
Busy beaver on a large oak tree. April 21s,t 2025. 
Group of trumpeter swans enjoying ice free Little Sugarbush lake, April 17th, 2025.
Bullhead lake ice free, April 13th, 2025.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush lake as seen in front of the new sauna, April 15th, 2025.
Edge of Little Sugarbush lake, April 13th, 2025.
Sunday night lightning, April 13th, 2025.