Warmer temps bringing the forest floor to life with a nice assortment of wildflowers and the underbrush exploding to life the past few days. Leaves are expanding daily and the woods are getting greener each day. No significant precipitation the past 4-6 weeks but the soil is moisture laden a few inches down. Many sights and sounds of nature including the frogs, birds and waterfowl in one of the most active times of year for wildlife.
We have been working on the trails, clearing deadfall and tuning the mountain bike trails.This spring we are also planting trees and clearing on the trails along with regular forest management.
The mountain bike trails are open for riding. There are no services in the main lodge. Meal service and lodging closed at this time. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.
Ice off the area lakes April 3rd. True to form, the loons returned. The lake is busy with waterfowl enjoying the solitude before summer lake activity.
Maple seedling coming to life, May 13th, 2021.Marsh marigolds blooming in recent days, May 12th, 2021.Beautiful evening on the mountain bike trail, May 11th, 2021. Forest floor starting to come to life! Beautiful spring day hiking on the Twin Lakes singletrack, May 9th, 2021.Golden top morning! Sunlight hitting the top of the trees on the west side of Little Sugarbush Lake, May 5th, 2021.Creek scene along the “Bootleg” singletrack, May 2nd, 2021.Maple leafs starting to pop out, May 2nd, 2021.Moss covered rocks on the Bootleg creek, May 2nd, 2021.Potted pines ready to be planted at Maplelag! April 30th, 2021. We will also be planting numerous seedlings as well.Scene in the Ice skating rink, April 29th, 2021.Moon set, April 29th, 2021.Clearing large oak that fell recently from wind event, April 26th, 2021. Split wood to be used for the saunas and wood burning stoves at Maplelag.Snowy scene near slough on Mother North Star, April 25th, 2021.Spruce seedlings planted a few years ago accentuated by the late April snow, April 25th, 2021.Beautiful Earth day sunset, April 22nd, 2021.Afternoon scene on the Goat Ranch Rd., gravel road that leads to Maplelag! April 20th, 2021.First tree planting of the season, April 20th, 2021. We will be planting about a 1000 trees this spring along the ski trails. Since the first years of Maplelag, we have planted nearly a half million of trees!Scene from the south shore of south Twin Lake, April 20th, 2021.Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor thanks to warm and brilliant April sunshine, Saturday April 17th, 2021.Early evening slough scene, April 15th, 2021.
Hen mallard nesting deep in the woods off the ski trail. May 20th, 2014.
Mallard nest deep in the woods, May 19th, 2014. Note: we stumbled across the nest by accident. Took a quick picture and happy to see the hen return and nesting today.
After a warm start to the weekend, Sunday cooling off and more seasonable temps in place. The ice is off the lakes and have been busy with waterfowl. The trumpeter swans are happy to see the open water and excited to tell everyone about it! Waterfowl is flying all over the place as well as other migratory birds. Few trees starting to bud and grass starting to green on some of the ski trails.
The mountain bike trails are open and riding has been fantastic for early season. There is no mud or low spots with water like other years. The recent rains have actually improved the conditions. The dry fall combined with warm temps, and snow cover preventing frost from going very deep allowing for the early opening of mountain bike trails.
The trees around the lodge and cabins have hit their peak. It has been a fantastic season of fall color. Combined with the incredible late September weather, one of the best times of the year to be in the woods. We can’t recall a September that has been as tranquil, weather wise, as this one. Won’t be long until things change…FAST! The trails in the woods still have some days until they hit their peak.
The ski trails are in excellent conditions and looking great for the winter. We flagged a new loop for the snowshoe trail and it is now cleared and ready for snow! All the trails that can be accessed for mowing have been mowed and we will continue to touch up until the snow starts flying! We have also been cutting trees cleared from the ski trail and splitting for the old sauna and warming house. The mountain bike course is riding nicely and in great shape. Latest bike trail report.
Rain on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday totaling around 1.5″. Rain good for the pine seedlings and giving the grass a drink. The leaves are really starting to change and some trees have already hit their peak of fall color. We are around 38% of trees hitting the peak. One of the most beautiful times of the year at Maplelag.
Great conditions to be in the woods. We flagged a new loop for the snowshoe trail and will begin clearing it for the winter. The ski trails are in excellent condition. All the trails that can be accessed for mowing have been mowed and we will continue to touch up until the snow starts flying! We have also been cutting trees cleared from the ski trail and splitting for the old sauna and warming house. The mountain bike course is riding nicely and in great shape. Latest bike trail report.
