Category Archives: Reports

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Trail Report

Cool and windy day in place. We avoided the brunt of the storms yesterday with just a few sprinkles of rain. More wind bringing a few trees down and the usual forest matter. Overall the woods are very lush and green with abundant of variety of wildflowers popping up on the forest floor.

June continuing like May as far as moisture. It was a very wet month of May with right around 8″ of rain. Since January 1st, we have received almost 12″ of rain. The recent warm weather after this wet period has really brought the forest to life with lush green. The leaves are full circle and many wildflowers popping up each week. We have started the first mowing on the ski trails as we continually clear deadfall.      

The rain has been welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the previous 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.     

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! 

Scene along the ski trail, June 4th, 2024.
Red Columbine flowers blooming in full force this year, June 3rd, 2024. Like other wildflowers, the abundant moisture has bumper crops.
Great crop of yellow slippers this year, May 31st, 2024.
Calm conditions at sunset on Little Sugarbush after a windy and wet afternoon, May 30th, 2024.
Jack in the Pulpit blooming along ski trail,May 29th, 2024.
First mowing of the season on the ski trails, May 22nd, 2024.
Marsh marigolds blooming this week, May 18th, 2024
Baby snapper on the move, May 18th, 2024.
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.
Golden hour spring sunset, May 7th, 2024. Leaves on the trees starting to pop the past few days. 
Switchyard scene at sunset, May7th, 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. 
First batch of trees ready for spring tree planting, April 26th, 2024.

Trail Report

Dry and pleasant conditions with sunshine this afternoon after a few morning sprinkles. Rain again yesterday afternoon with .25″. Total precipitation on Sunday at .71″ June continuing like May as far as moisture. It was a very wet month of May with right around 8″ of rain. Since January 1st, we have received almost 12″ of rain. The recent warm weather after this wet period has really brought the forest to life with lush green. The leaves are full circle and many wildflowers popping up each week. We have started the first mowing on the ski trails as we continually clear deadfall.      

The rain has been welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the previous 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.     

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! 

Scene along the ski trail, June 4th, 2024.
Red Columbine flowers blooming in full force this year, June 3rd, 2024. Like other wildflowers, the abundant moisture has bumper crops.
Great crop of yellow slippers this year, May 31st, 2024.
Calm conditions at sunset on Little Sugarbush after a windy and wet afternoon, May 30th, 2024.
Jack in the Pulpit blooming along ski trail,May 29th, 2024.
First mowing of the season on the ski trails, May 22nd, 2024.
Marsh marigolds blooming this week, May 18th, 2024
Baby snapper on the move, May 18th, 2024.
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.
Golden hour spring sunset, May 7th, 2024. Leaves on the trees starting to pop the past few days. 
Switchyard scene at sunset, May7th, 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. 
First batch of trees ready for spring tree planting, April 26th, 2024.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails open. Tacky surface conditions. Sunshine and drying nicely today with a breeze. Watch for a few slick spots here and there. We are clearing on the singletrack today blowing forest matter etc. off. Trails being worked on today include last part of Twin Lakes, Bjorps and starter loop. Yesterday Feeling Lucky and Hudson’s Hula was cleared.  

Last week on Friday we blew out Moorhead singletrack loop and the bridge section. Wednesday we blew out the entire Bullhead Bootleg loop. We will continue blowing out more trail this week and clearing what seems constant deadfall!

The woods have really filled out the past week with the leaves coming full circle and wild flowers popping up on the forest floor. We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time. As always, good seeing folks out and thanks for the support!     

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

Maplelag moss lush and green thanks to all the recent rain, June 4th, 2024.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, June 4th, 2024.
Scene along the trail. June 4th, 2024.

Morel along the trail! June 4th, 2024.
Heading into the start of the LagChilada and “feeling lucky” loop, June 1st, 2024.
“Feeling Lucky”, June 1st, 2024.
Twin Lakes singletrack, June 1st, 2024.
Fresh cleared section, May 31st, 2024.
Start of Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop, May 30th, 2024. 
Ferns along the trail, May 30th 2024.
Clearing trail on Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 29th. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report


Trails open
. Tacky surface conditions. Watch for a few slick spots here and there. Chance of rain later today, might put riding on hold until Wednesday. We are clearing on the singletrack today blowing forest matter etc. off on select singletrack segments including Feeling Lucky. 

Last week on Friday we blew out Moorhead singletrack loop and the bridge section. Wednesday we blew out the entire Bullhead Bootleg loop. We will continue blowing out more trail this week and clearing what seems constant deadfall!

The woods have really filled out the past week with the leaves coming full circle and wild flowers popping up on the forest floor. We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time. As always, good seeing folks out and thanks for the support!     

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

Heading into the start of the LagChilada and “feeling lucky” loop, June 1st, 2024.
“Feeling Lucky”, June 1st, 2024.
Twin Lakes singletrack, June 1st, 2024.
Fresh cleared section, May 31st, 2024.
Start of Bullhead Bootleg singletrack loop, May 30th, 2024. 
Ferns along the trail, May 30th 2024.
Clearing trail on Bullhead Bootleg loop, May 29th. 

Trail Report

A humid and damp morning with chance or rain later today. .71″ total precipitation recorded in the Maplelag weather station Sunday evening. June continuing like May as far as moisture. It was a very wet month of May with right around 8″ of rain. Since January 1st, we have received almost 12″ of rain. The recent warm weather after this wet period has really brought the forest to life with lush green. The leaves are full circle and many wildflowers popping up each week. We have started the first mowing on the ski trails as we continually clear deadfall.      

The rain has been welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the previous 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.     

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! 

Red Columbine flowers blooming in full force this year, June 3rd, 2024. Like other wildflowers, the abundant moisture has bumper crops.
Great crop of yellow slippers this year, May 31st, 2024.
Calm conditions at sunset on Little Sugarbush after a windy and wet afternoon, May 30th, 2024.
Jack in the Pulpit blooming along ski trail,May 29th, 2024.
First mowing of the season on the ski trails, May 22nd, 2024.
Spring scene along the trail, May 22nd, 2024. The woods have really come to life the last week.
Marsh marigolds blooming this week, May 18th, 2024
Baby snapper on the move, May 18th, 2024.
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