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Ski Trail

Trail Report

Warm summer like weather in place. Conditions have been dry with no recent precipitation. Warm weather bringing the forest and flora to life with leaves nearly full circle and wildflowers of various kinds abundant in the woods.

We have been busy on the trails clearing deadfall and cutting firewood and working on the mountain bike trails as well. Wildlife active and on the move! 

Ice off Little Sugarbush (lake next to Maplelag) with May 4th the official ice out date. The water tables have been restored thanks to the snowfall this season just under 100″. Waterfowl active as ever including loons that are happy to have a ice free lake. 

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. Click here for latest update. Maplelag trails are closed to all motorized use and horses. We continue with trail tuning as we constantly work on the trails for the next ski season and maintain 25 miles of mountain bike trail. 

We had a great run of skiing in April, officially skiing on April 23rd capping off a fantastic ski season of 153 skiable days starting the third week of November. Was great seeing so many people out enjoying the special late season conditions. Thanks to everyone who supported us this season and the trails. The fire on October 10th was a devastating event for us and the long ski season helped keep us active, restore and gain clarity as we recover from the tragedy last fall. 

Total snowfall this season at 96″ which ranks in top 5 of total snowfall in one season at Maplelag.

Bumper crop of marsh marigolds, May 21st, 2023.
Wild violet flowers also abundant this year, May 21st, 2023.
Ferns coming to life almost overnight! May 21st, 2023.
Tamarack trees sprouting in slough along Mother North Star trail, May 18th, 2023.
Ski trail crossing to Twin Lakes, May 13th, 2023. Rain staying east of us over the weekend. 
Bloodroot flowers blooming today, May 11th, 2023.
Turtles on the move this week with warmer temps, May 11th, 2023.
Leaves budding big time today and marsh marigolds exploding today, May 11th, 2023.
First buds, May 7th, 2023.
Ice free Little Sugarbush a rare calm night this spring, May 4th, 2023.
Another night with aurora borealis! We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, May 5th, 2023.
Clearing deadfall off the ski trail, May 4th, 2023. All the wood we use for the sauna stove by the lake. 
Lake scene on Little Sugarbush early afternoon, May 2nd, 2023. Ice should be off by end of day May 3rd!
Pond near Mother Hen ski trail, May 2nd, 2023. The water levels are at normal levels after being restored from this years snowfall. 
Hepatica flowers blooming in full force on the forest floor, May 2nd, 2023.
Mountain bike singletrack, May 2nd, 2023. Mountain bike trails are now open. 
Pair of swans in a pond near Rootin Tootin ski trail, May 1st, 2023.
Moss coming back to life on Skaters Waltz ski trail, May 1st, 2023.
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Entire 25 mountain bike course is open. Excellent early season conditions. Great week of riding in place. Mostly dry conditions with tacky surface in lower areas. No rain today Tuesday the 23rd.

We continue touching up the course, blowing out leaves and dirt work to improve the riding experience. The leaves and forest have filled out with flora making for beautiful conditions. The entire course was cleared and blown out this spring and we do our best to clear any new deadfall as soon as possible. Always be aware for changing conditions and assume all responsibility riding.

We have taped all the key intersections and signs are out at most singletrack segments. 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.

Like this winter, 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.

Rolling through Bullhead Bootleg, May 21st, 2023.
Rock garden on “Pirate’s Pass”, May 21st, 2023.
Saturday morning riders, May 20th, 2023.
Sunset on the singletrack, May 19th, 2023.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, May 18th, 2023. Feeling Lucky is the first segment to kick off the “LagChilada” challenge. 
First batch of new handmade signs for the “LagChilada” challenge going up soon! The LagChilada is a 25 mile challenge encompassing the entire mountain bike trail system at Maplelag. 
Rolling on the double track, May 18th, 2023.
“Hudson’s Hula” singletrack, May 18th, 2023.
North Star Singletrack, May 13th, 2023.
North Loup Gnar singletrack, May 13th, 2023.
Lakeside singletrack, May 12th, 2023.
Bullhead Bootleg, May 12th, 2023.
Rolling along original lakeside singletrack, May 12th, 2023. 
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Entire 25 mountain bike course is open and has been cleared and blown out. Excellent early season conditions. Great weekend of riding, nice seeing everyone out. This week we will be touching up a few areas, blowing out leaves and continue tweaking the trail here and there to improve the riding experience. The leaves and forest are slowing filing out making for a beautiful riding experience with no bugs. 

Nice seeing folks out enjoying the early season conditions so far this year. 

We have taped all the key intersections and signs are out at most singletrack segments. 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. 

Like this winter, 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.

Rolling through Bullhead Bootleg, May 21st, 2023.
Rock garden on “Pirate’s Pass”, May 21st, 2023.
Saturday morning riders, May 20th, 2023.
Sunset on the singletrack, May 19th, 2023.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, May 18th, 2023. Feeling Lucky is the first segment to kick off the “LagChilada” challenge. 
First batch of new handmade signs for the “LagChilada” challenge going up soon! The LagChilada is a 25 mile challenge encompassing the entire mountain bike trail system at Maplelag. 
Rolling on the double track, May 18th, 2023.
“Hudson’s Hula” singletrack, May 18th, 2023.
North Star Singletrack, May 13th, 2023.
North Loup Gnar singletrack, May 13th, 2023.
Lakeside singletrack, May 12th, 2023.
Bullhead Bootleg, May 12th, 2023.
Rolling along original lakeside singletrack, May 12th, 2023. 
Bike Trail

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Entire 25 mountain bike course is open and has been cleared and blown out. Excellent early season conditions. Cool and fresher air in place this morning and pretty much perfect dirt surface on the track making for a great day to ride. The leaves and forest are slowing filing out making for a beautiful riding experience with no bugs. 

Nice seeing folks out enjoying the early season conditions so far this year. 

We have taped all the key intersections and signs are out at most singletrack segments. 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. 

Like this winter, 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.

Sunset on the singletrack, May 19th, 2023.
“Feeling Lucky” singletrack, May 18th, 2023. Feeling Lucky is the first segment to kick off the “LagChilada” challenge.
First batch of new handmade signs for the “LagChilada” challenge going up soon! The LagChilada is a 25 mile challenge encompassing the entire mountain bike trail system at Maplelag.
Rolling on the double track, May 18th, 2023.
“Hudson’s Hula” singletrack, May 18th, 2023.
North Star Singletrack, May 13th, 2023.
North Loup Gnar singletrack, May 13th, 2023.
Lakeside singletrack, May 12th, 2023.
Bullhead Bootleg, May 12th, 2023.
Rolling along original lakeside singletrack, May 12th, 2023. 
Ski Trail

Trail Report

After a few cool days, warmer temps on the move for the weekend. A couple of welcomed light rain showers moving through as well resulting in .14″ of precipitation. We have planted trees this week and the watering from nature good for the planting. 

Warm weather earlier in the week really bringing the forest to life. The leaves are coming out more and more and many wildflowers and plants are sprouting form the forest floor. 

We have been busy on the trails clearing deadfall and cutting firewood and working on the mountain bike trails as well. Wildlife active and on the move! 

Ice off Little Sugarbush (lake next to Maplelag) with May 4th the official ice out date. The water tables have been restored thanks to the snowfall this season just under 100″. Waterfowl active as ever including loons that are happy to have a ice free lake. 

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. Click here for latest update. Maplelag trails are closed to all motorized use and horses. We continue with trail tuning as we constantly work on the trails for the next ski season and maintain 25 miles of mountain bike trail. 

We had a great run of skiing in April, officially skiing on April 23rd capping off a fantastic ski season of 153 skiable days starting the third week of November. Was great seeing so many people out enjoying the special late season conditions. Thanks to everyone who supported us this season and the trails. The fire on October 10th was a devastating event for us and the long ski season helped keep us active, restore and gain clarity as we recover from the tragedy last fall. 

Total snowfall this season at 96″ which ranks in top 5 of total snowfall in one season at Maplelag.

Tamarack trees sprouting in slough along Mother North Star trail, May 18th, 2023.
Ski trail crossing to Twin Lakes, May 13th, 2023. Rain staying east of us over the weekend. 
Bloodroot flowers blooming today, May 11th, 2023.
Turtles on the move this week with warmer temps, May 11th, 2023.
Leaves budding big time today and marsh marigolds exploding today, May 11th, 2023.
First buds, May 7th, 2023.
Ice free Little Sugarbush a rare calm night this spring, May 4th, 2023.
Another night with aurora borealis! We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, May 5th, 2023.
Clearing deadfall off the ski trail, May 4th, 2023. All the wood we use for the sauna stove by the lake. 
Lake scene on Little Sugarbush early afternoon, May 2nd, 2023. Ice should be off by end of day May 3rd!
Pond near Mother Hen ski trail, May 2nd, 2023. The water levels are at normal levels after being restored from this years snowfall. 
Hepatica flowers blooming in full force on the forest floor, May 2nd, 2023.
Mountain bike singletrack, May 2nd, 2023. Mountain bike trails are now open. 
Pair of swans in a pond near Rootin Tootin ski trail, May 1st, 2023.
Moss coming back to life on Skaters Waltz ski trail, May 1st, 2023.