Category Archives: Reports

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Trail Report

A nice sunny day on tap after a damp and wet middle of the week. Around 1.5″ of rain combined Wednesday and a little rain on Thursday evening. The rain welcomed to freshen up the forest floor and give the recently planted trees a drink. The recent warm weather after a wet period has really brought the forest to life. The leaves are close to full circle and many wildflowers popping up.  

Around 4″ of rain the past 6 weeks. The rain has been welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the past 6 months and to keep the soil damp and moist for the trees we are currently planting for our tree planting project this spring. The lake, ponds, sloughs and water tables are pretty much at normal levels now. The moss on the trails has really come to life as well adding a vibrance to the forest floor. The leaves are starting to pop from most of the trees and the wild plants and flowers are beginning to emerge.       

We have been clearing deadfall and blow downs off the trails after windy conditions in mid April and clearing out the mountain bike singletrack. Mountain bike trails now open. (click here for updates)

Summer ski trail work will include fixing rutted areas, working on drainage and removing rocks and filling in low spots in between almost daily mowing when not raining.

Ice went off Little Sugarbush lake Saturday April 6th. True to form, the loons returned the same day and combined with other waterfowl the lake is busy with activity and one of the more special times of the year on the lake.  

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

On a side note, the end of February and early March with low snow and frozen ground it has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects! 

Planting the last of the potted trees in the new “Memory Grove” at Maplelag, May 13th, 2024. We have started a special grove at Maplelag planting trees in memory Maplelag guests that have passed in the last year and will continue to plant in the future each spring. 
Family fun on the mountain bike singletrack! May 12th, 2024.
Northern Lights, May 10th, 2024.
Planting the last of the seedlings trees, May 8th, 2024. We planted a variety of coniferous trees from spruce, Norway pines and tamaracks this spring with around 500 trees planted.
Moss on Mother North Star ski trail, May 8th, 2024.
Golden hour spring sunset, May 7th, 2024. Leaves on the trees starting to pop the past few days. 
Maple seedling sprouting to life, May 7th, 2024.
Forest floor coming to life, May 7th, 2024.
Switchyard scene at sunset, May 7th 2024.
Switchyard scene at sunset, May7th, 2024.
Calm morning on the edge of Little Sugarbush lake, May 5th, 2024,
Beautiful spring sunset over Little Sugarbush lake, May 3rd, 2024.
Tree planting has begun for the spring! April 30th, 2024. We will be planting around 1000 trees, mostly coniferous. 
Moss on Sukkerbusk ski trail coming to life after recent rain, April 29th, 2024.
Moss along the bike trail singletrack, April 29th, 2024.
First batch of trees ready for spring tree planting, April 26th, 2024.
Pair of loons enjoying the calm waters of Little Sugarbush lake after the ice went off.
Calm waters on Little Sugarbush

Trail Report

A wet Wednesday with 1.14″ of rain. The rain welcomed to freshen up the forest floor and give the recently planted trees a drink. The recent warm weather after a wet period has really brought the forest to life. The leaves are close to full circle and many wildflowers popping up. 

Around 4″ of rain the past 6 weeks. The rain has been welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the past 6 months and to keep the soil damp and moist for the trees we are currently planting for our tree planting project this spring. The lake, ponds, sloughs and water tables are pretty much at normal levels now. The moss on the trails has really come to life as well adding a vibrance to the forest floor. The leaves are starting to pop from most of the trees and the wild plants and flowers are beginning to emerge.       

We have been clearing deadfall and blow downs off the trails after windy conditions in mid April and clearing out the mountain bike singletrack. Mountain bike trails now open. (click here for updates)

Summer ski trail work will include fixing rutted areas, working on drainage and removing rocks and filling in low spots in between almost daily mowing when not raining.

Ice went off Little Sugarbush lake Saturday April 6th. True to form, the loons returned the same day and combined with other waterfowl the lake is busy with activity and one of the more special times of the year on the lake.  

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

On a side note, the end of February and early March with low snow and frozen ground it has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects! 

Planting the last of the potted trees in the new “Memory Grove” at Maplelag, May 13th, 2024. We have started a special grove at Maplelag planting trees in memory Maplelag guests that have passed in the last year and will continue to plant in the future each spring. 
Family fun on the mountain bike singletrack! May 12th, 2024.
Northern Lights, May 10th, 2024.
Planting the last of the seedlings trees, May 8th, 2024. We planted a variety of coniferous trees from spruce, Norway pines and tamaracks this spring with around 500 trees planted.
Moss on Mother North Star ski trail, May 8th, 2024.
Golden hour spring sunset, May 7th, 2024. Leaves on the trees starting to pop the past few days. 
Maple seedling sprouting to life, May 7th, 2024.
Forest floor coming to life, May 7th, 2024.
Switchyard scene at sunset, May 7th 2024.
Switchyard scene at sunset, May7th, 2024.
Calm morning on the edge of Little Sugarbush lake, May 5th, 2024,
Beautiful spring sunset over Little Sugarbush lake, May 3rd, 2024.
Tree planting has begun for the spring! April 30th, 2024. We will be planting around 1000 trees, mostly coniferous. 
Moss on Sukkerbusk ski trail coming to life after recent rain, April 29th, 2024.
Moss along the bike trail singletrack, April 29th, 2024.
First batch of trees ready for spring tree planting, April 26th, 2024.
Pair of loons enjoying the calm waters of Little Sugarbush lake after the ice went off.
Calm waters on Little Sugarbush

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open for riding. Wet and damp to start the day after an inch of rain on Wednesday. Should slowly dry out today and be rideable in the afternoon. The woods have really filled out the past few days with the leaves and wild flowers on the forest floor. As always, good seeing folks out and thanks for the support! 

This week we are tuning on parts of the trail, building up berms and cleaning lines. Monday we blew out Hudson’s Hula singletrack on the Twin lakes loop. We will continue to clear trail as needed and provide best riding conditions possible during the riding season.  The last two weeks we have blown out the entire trail system and touch up select areas as needed during the week. As always, use caution for any unexpected blow down or deadfall. We try to clear anything as soon as possible on the 25 mile trail system. 

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. 

Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in the Brant.

Summer trail pass to help offset operating and maintenance expenses. We are a self funded/maintained trail system and happy to share our mostly hand built singletrack trails! Thank you.

Click here to join the Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Family fun on the singletrack! May 12th, 2024.
Sunday riding, May 12th, 2024. The woods have really come to life filling out with leaves and underbrush.
Start of Feeling Lucky singletrack, May 11th, 2024.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 10th, 2024. (P.Arneson photo)
Bjorp’s singletrack, May 10th, 224.
“Pete’s Porkie” segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, May 8th.
Creek on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop flowing nicely after recent rain, May 3rd, 2024.
Member of the local mountain bike team “Northwest Wolves” heading out for evening ride, May 3rd, 2024.
Sunset over Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 3rd, 2024.
Moorhead singletrack, May 3rd, 2024. (Ben Olson photo)
The past two weeks we have blown out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course with a leaf blower. May 3rd, 2024.
Moss coming alive on the singletrack after recent rain, April 29th, 2024.
Saturday riding, April 20th, 2024

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open for riding. Best conditions of the spring being reported with “hero dirt” surface…a nice mix of dry and tacky. Riding could be on hold this afternoon with rain forecasted. The woods have really filled out the past few days with the leaves and wild flowers on the forest floor. As always, good seeing folks out and thanks for the support!

This week we are tuning on parts of the trail, building up berms and cleaning lines. Monday we blew out Hudson’s Hula singletrack on the Twin lakes loop. We will continue to clear trail as needed and provide best riding conditions possible during the riding season.  The last two weeks we have blown out the entire trail system and touch up select areas as needed during the week. As always, use caution for any unexpected blow down or deadfall. We try to clear anything as soon as possible on the 25 mile trail system. 

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. 

Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in the Brant.

Summer trail pass to help offset operating and maintenance expenses. We are a self funded/maintained trail system and happy to share our mostly hand built singletrack trails! Thank you.

Click here to join the Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Family fun on the singletrack! May 12th, 2024.
Sunday riding, May 12th, 2024. The woods have really come to life filling out with leaves and underbrush.
Start of Feeling Lucky singletrack, May 11th, 2024.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 10th, 2024. (P.Arneson photo)
Bjorp’s singletrack, May 10th, 224.
“Pete’s Porkie” segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, May 8th.
Creek on Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop flowing nicely after recent rain, May 3rd, 2024.
Member of the local mountain bike team “Northwest Wolves” heading out for evening ride, May 3rd, 2024.
Sunset over Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, May 3rd, 2024.
Moorhead singletrack, May 3rd, 2024. (Ben Olson photo)
The past two weeks we have blown out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course with a leaf blower. May 3rd, 2024.
Moss coming alive on the singletrack after recent rain, April 29th, 2024.
Saturday riding, April 20th, 2024

Trail Report

Damp and cooler weather this morning and looks like rain will return this afternoon. The rain will be welcomed to freshen up the forest floor and give the recently planted trees a drink. The recent warm weather after a wet period has really brought the forest to life. The leaves are close to full circle and many wildflowers popping up.

Around 4″ of rain the past 6 weeks. The rain has been welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the past 6 months and to keep the soil damp and moist for the trees we are currently planting for our tree planting project this spring. The lake, ponds, sloughs and water tables are pretty much at normal levels now. The moss on the trails has really come to life as well adding a vibrance to the forest floor. The leaves are starting to pop from most of the trees and the wild plants and flowers are beginning to emerge.       

We have been clearing deadfall and blow downs off the trails after windy conditions in mid April and clearing out the mountain bike singletrack. Mountain bike trails now open. (click here for updates)

Summer ski trail work will include fixing rutted areas, working on drainage and removing rocks and filling in low spots in between almost daily mowing when not raining.

Ice went off Little Sugarbush lake Saturday April 6th. True to form, the loons returned the same day and combined with other waterfowl the lake is busy with activity and one of the more special times of the year on the lake.  

Although this year was one of the lowest snow years to date on record, it was an opportunity to learn more about grooming, preparing the trails for winter and being prepared for future low snow years. For as long as we have been grooming, every year is different and what makes it interesting and enjoyable! 

Thank you to everyone that has visited us this past year from the overnight guests to the day users. We appreciate it very much! 

On a side note, the end of February and early March with low snow and frozen ground it has been favorable for cutting deadfall and windblown trees from storms and wind. Most of the woods we use for the wood fire stoves and campfires at Maplelag but bigger logs that have are not rotten we use for shelving, tables and other projects! 

Planting the last of the potted trees in the new “Memory Grove” at Maplelag, May 13th, 2024. We have started a special grove at Maplelag planting trees in memory Maplelag guests that have passed in the last year and will continue to plant in the future each spring. 
Family fun on the mountain bike singletrack! May 12th, 2024.
Northern Lights, May 10th, 2024.
Planting the last of the seedlings trees, May 8th, 2024. We planted a variety of coniferous trees from spruce, Norway pines and tamaracks this spring with around 500 trees planted.
Moss on Mother North Star ski trail, May 8th, 2024.
Golden hour spring sunset, May 7th, 2024. Leaves on the trees starting to pop the past few days. 
Maple seedling sprouting to life, May 7th, 2024.
Forest floor coming to life, May 7th, 2024.
Switchyard scene at sunset, May 7th 2024.
Switchyard scene at sunset, May7th, 2024.
Calm morning on the edge of Little Sugarbush lake, May 5th, 2024,
Beautiful spring sunset over Little Sugarbush lake, May 3rd, 2024.
Tree planting has begun for the spring! April 30th, 2024. We will be planting around 1000 trees, mostly coniferous. 
Moss on Sukkerbusk ski trail coming to life after recent rain, April 29th, 2024.
Moss along the bike trail singletrack, April 29th, 2024.
First batch of trees ready for spring tree planting, April 26th, 2024.
Pair of loons enjoying the calm waters of Little Sugarbush lake after the ice went off.
Calm waters on Little Sugarbush