Mountain bike trails are open for riding. Another rain event Thursday afternoon and evening. Trails will need a few hours to dry out in the morning Friday but should be rideable. The deck has been absorbing the rain from last week well and the classic style trails at Maplelag allow riding to be possible sooner after rain. As always, watch for greasy spots on the corners.
We have cleared recent blow down and now blowing leaves and sticks off the singletrack. Most of the inner trails have been cleared and the west side (Twin Lakes) has been cleared out. Few soft spots otherwise good early season conditions. Friday we will be blowing out Bullhead Bootleg and North Loup Gnar. Looks like a great weekend to ride…some of the best of the year with good sightlines, pleasant temps and no bugs!
We have started putting out complimentary signage but reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating.
Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms.
Mountain bike trails are open for riding. Mostly tacky surface with damp areas. Another rain event on Tuesday but should dry out good today with wind and afternoon sun. The deck has been absorbing the recent rain well and the classic style trails at Maplelag allow riding to be possible sooner after rain. As always, watch for greasy spots on the corners. We have cleared recent blow down and now blowing leaves and sticks off the singletrack. Most of the inner trails have been cleared and the west side (Twin Lakes) has been cleared out. Few soft spots otherwise good early season conditions.
We have started putting out complimentary signage but reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating.
Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms.
Happy May 1st! Looks to be a dry day today after another rain event on Tuesday that saw just over a half inch of rain. April ended up being a wet month with 3.5″ of total precipitation. The rain was welcomed with the relatively dry conditions the past 6 months and to keep the soil damp and moist for our tree planting project this spring. The moss on the trails has really come to life as well adding a vibrance to the forest floor.
More signs of spring as a few wildflowers have been popping up from the forest floor. 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.
We are now able to be on the trails clearing deadfall and have begun working on the mountain bike trails before we transition to heavier ski trail work and tree planting. We will have a big season of tree planting this year! Summer ski trail work will include fixing rutted areas, working on drainage and removing rocks and filling in low spots.
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!
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
Sunny and dry conditions welcomed this morning after a wet period. However, looks like more rain this evening! A wet end the month with another .3″ of rain on Monday. Overall we have received just under 3″ of rain the month of April. The moss on the trails has really come to life adding a vibrance to the forest floor.
We received our first batch of trees last week which we have begun planting and the rain is welcomed in the planting process. We have been clearing deadfall and blow downs off the trails after windy conditions last week and clearing out the mountain bike singletrack. Mountain bike trails now open. (click here for updates)
Slowly more signs of spring. A few wildflowers popping up other wild plants popping up from the forest floor. 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.
We are now able to be on the trails clearing deadfall and have begun working on the mountain bike trails before we transition to heavier ski trail work and tree planting. We will have a big season of tree planting this year! Summer ski trail work will include fixing rutted areas, working on drainage and removing rocks and filling in low spots.
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!
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.Saturday skiing Friday’s snow! April 20th, 2024Saturday skiing Friday’s snow! April 20th, 2024Along the side of Mother North Star ski trail, April 19th, 2024.Dusting of snow on the trails after off and on snow squalls Friday April 19th, 2024.Fresh tracks in the fresh snow, April 19th, 2024.Wind blown deadfall on the trails after recent wind, April 18th, 2024.Signs of spring along the singletrack, April 17th, 2024.Twin Lakes crossing early evening April 17th, 2024.Stacked rocks along Roy’s Run ski trail and North Loup Gnar singletrack! April 14th, 2024.East side of Little Sugarbush lake, April 11th, 2024.Sukkerbusk ski trail, April 11th, 2024.Ski trail segment of bike course, April 11th, 2024.
Bike trails are open for riding. Mostly tacky surface with damp areas. Sun out this morning and drying the deck nicely after light rain on Monday. The deck has been absorbing the recent rain well. Watch for greasy spots on the corners. We have cleared recent blow down and now blowing leaves and sticks off the singletrack. Most of the inner trails have been cleared and the west side (Twin Lakes) has been cleared out. Few soft spots otherwise good early season conditions.
We have started putting out complimentary signage but reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating.
Parking across from Brant cabin. The Brant cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms.
