Category Archives: News

Items for the News Archive — usually front page items go here, especially once no longer on front page

Bike Trail, News

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Damp/wet conditions with drizzle this afternoon. We plan to keep the trails open until November 1st as planned. With colder temps moving in and possible freezing, best riding will be in the morning or mid/late afternoon. We continue work on the trails blowing off leaves. Most of the inner trails cleared this week and Hudson’s Hula as well to the west.

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challenge over the weekend.

Dirt riding season will be open until November 1st than open for winter season Thanksgiving weekend. 

The singletrack segments are signed by name and courses are generally marked for the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series with Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert. Any singletrack that is not marked where it crosses ski trail, continue straight on the singletrack. Reference our map or TrailForks or Strava for guidance. 

The Lagchilada challenge is in place which is a ride consisting of the entire mountain bike trail system. It is marked with both black signs and pink signs. Use the Strava app or guidance.

A good intermediate loop to ride is the Sport Loop and Bullhead Bootleg to the east. A good beginner loop to ride is the Citizen loop as well as the loops “Feeling Lucky” and “Sukkerwest”. North Loup Gnar on the north side is a slow tech skills trail. 

Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.  The Maplelag course is generally described as a classic or natural trail which is rideable shortly after any rain events as the rain is absorbed and drains off naturally.

Trail users are welcome to use the Brant cabin for a changing area and there are also bathrooms.   Season passes available on our gift shop page.

Dropping into the lakeside singletrack, October 23rd, 2023.
Lakeside Bulhada Lake Bootleg singletrack, October 21st, 2023.
Bridge crossing on Bootleg singletrack, October 21st, 2023.
Custom belt buckles for riders who complete two LagChiladas in one ride! 
Late season dirt! October 20th, 2023.
News

October 13th Update

Brant Cabin which has a new paint job and site of the new store, community area after renovations and remodeling inside.

Hard to believe it has been one year since the fire on October 10th, 2022. We want to thank everyone that has supported us and provided comfort, love and financial support the past 12 months. We are extremely grateful by the kindness and heartfelt acts.

Sunset on a horrific day as fire destroyed the main lodge at Maplelag, October 10th, 2022.

It has been a very busy Fall. The plan is to remodel and enhance the cabins we already have as part of the resort. We are doing new construction as well as remodeling, making kitchens available in select cabins to rent for the upcoming winter season and eventually year round. We have also remodeled the Brant Cabin which will be the site of the new store and a community area for day users and overnight guests. At this time we are not rebuilding a new main lodge like the previous two lodges that had food service, serving up to 300 guests at one time. We will be begin taking formal reservations in November.

Beautiful fall color surrounding the freshly painted Six Swedes cabin. Inside is remodeling featuring a kitchen and improvements to the bathroom.

Maplelag continues to be a family owned and operated business, (no, we did not sell) that maintains nearly 75 miles of ski, snowshoe, mountain bike and fat bike trails. We are one of the few trail systems in the country that operate such a large system privately and is self funded and maintained. This is a major operating expense and our rates and passes will consider this when we set new pricing. This also includes self funded conservation efforts as we strive for a balance to offer outdoor recreation opportunities to experience the unique diversity of Maplelag’s forest.

(photos below with updates on each project)

Bruce and Steve doing a fantastic job remodeling the bathroom on the left and and adding a kitchen to the right!
Jason and Ben framing the new kitchen area on the Candy Store.
New roof on the entire Candy Store completed this past week.
Ready for sheeting!
Lapland Cabin with kitchen addition. We are very excited for this project. Major changes inside as well. We hope to have completed by late winter/early spring to be available to rent year round.
Pat with the finishing touches on the Brant Cabin which has a new paint job and will be site of the new store. The Candy Store, Six Swedes, Brant, wood fire sauna and Sod Roof all with fresh painting and staining this fall.
Keith repairing windows on the Red Caboose.
Jonell and her sister painting the interior of the Red Caboose.
Repairing the bathroom area in the Red Caboose. Exciting changes in this area.
Fall grooming on the Twin Lakes ski trail. We are spending every chance we have on the ski trails preparing for the winter. Having the trails cleared as clean as possible before the ground freezes and the snow flies allows us to open the trails on minimal snow.
Constant clearing of deadfall on the ski trails. Better now than the winter!
Members of the area school mountain bike team “Northwest Wolves” on the trails for practice. One of the highlights of the mountain bike season is having the team out and their energy and enthusiasm. Maplelag is happy to donate the use of the trails.
Good progress on the Candy Store addition this week.
First frost of the year this past week….always gets us excited for the upcoming winter months!
Beautiful fall sunset along the Goat Ranch rd. at the end of the Maplelag driveway..
News

Fall Color Day September 23rd

Fall color across from the Brant Cabin where the new store is located, September 20th, 2023.

September 23rd we will have a “Fall Color Day” at Maplelag. This day will simply be a time for people to come out and enjoy the trails or property taking in the fall colors. We will have the new store open (located in the Brant Cabin) and also Wood Fire Pizza food truck will be on site from 12-5.

Wood Fire pizza food truck will be on site September 23rd, 2023 12-5pm.
Maplelag store, located in the Brant Cabin will be open in the afternoon, September 23rd, 2023.