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Trail Report

Beautiful weekend in place after a damp middle part of the week. Nice coating of frost again this morning. Overall a wet 7 days with nearly 5″ of rainfall. With dry conditions late summer and fall, the precipitation was welcomed.

Conditions this fall have been great for clearing leaves off the ski trails with the dominating dry weather as we enter our final phase of fall grooming. We have been working on most of the trail system daily clearing leaves off as they fall. Having the trails as clear as possible before the snow flies allows us to open the trails on minimal snow.

We hit our peak of fall color around September 24th but still enjoying some great autumn scenes. The poplar, oak and tamarack trees on a display of nature beauty as we enjoy one of our favorite times of year.

We are focused on having the ski trails in tip top shape going into the winter. We have been on the trails daily, weather permitting, with final mowing and clearing leaves etc. We will continue throughout the fall right up until the frost sets in and snow flies.

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. We will continue maintaining the trails, and will be open, weather permitting, until November 1st. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.

Maplelag is enrolled in the fee based MN DNR Woodland Stewardship Program as part of conservation efforts and forest management. Please consider donating to our Maplelag Conservation Legacy program to help offset these increased costs. Thank you!

Saturday hikers on Rootin Tootin! October 16th, 2021.
Frosty coating at start of JibFly trail, October 16th, 2021.
Frosty scene at Twin Lakes crossing, October 16th, 2021.
Saturday clearing on Skaters Waltz, October 16th, 2021.
Moss along the mountain bike singletrack, October 16th, 2021.
Moon rise over Maplelag, October 13th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on a mossy segment of Skaters Waltz, October 12th, 2021.
Clearing a “snow field” on the side of Skaters Waltz, October 12th, 2021. We have random “fields” designated along the trail to collect snow we use to transport to the ski trails vulnerable areas such as south facing, turns and uphills.
Porcupine in a tree off in the distance along Skaters Waltz extension October 12th, 2021.
Good to see the Maplelag creek flowing again after the weekend rain, October 11th, 2021.
Rootin Tootin trail, October 7th, 2021
Crossing to the western trails, October 7th, 2021.
Mountain bike singletrack, October 6th, 2021. We are clearing leaves off the singletrack this week as well.
Another clearing on Suicide Hill, October 5th, 2021.
Fall grooming on Sap Run trail, October 4th, 2021.
Our wonderful trail volunteer, Denny, out for a hike on Skaters Waltz. Good to see Denny out after hip surgery the end of the summer. October 4th, 2021.
Clearing out side of trail on “Kamikaze Hill” on Skaters Waltz, October 4th, 2021. There are select areas we clear along the side of the trail used for “snow farming”. On south facing slopes or other areas that need more snow on the trails, we have spots we can shovel from early season to build up the base.
Fall color scene at end of Maplelag driveway, October 1st, 2021.
Leaf clearing on Sukkerbusk trail, September 30th, 2021.
Incredible fall scenes on the mountain bike trail, September 29th, 2021.
Golden scene on Mother North Star ski trail, September 28th, 2021. Many leaves falling down today!
South slough on Mother North Star, September 28th, 2021. Tamarack trees in the middle still a week or so from their autumn gold.
Late afternoon sun highlighting maples near the Finnish Log cabin, September 27th, 2021.
Sap Run ski trail after leaf clearing, September 27th, 2021. With the thick canopy of leaves at Maplelag, it will be a month long process to keep clear.
Leaf clearing on Sukerbusk, September 27th, 2021. We will continue clearing leaves on all the trails throughout the fall. The main trails, such as Sukkebusk, we try to have completely free of leaves before the snow flies. Have a smooth and clear as possible deck allows us to be skiing on minimal snow.
Fall color scene lakeside lodge, September 26th, 2021.
View of Little Sugarbush Lake from the wood fired sauna, September 26th, 2021.
These three maples have outperformed this year compared to other years which indicates, to us, the special fall color season it has been this year. September 26th, 2021.
Sunrise kayak on Island lake near Wavy Gravy ski trail, September 26th, 2021.
Late afternoon scene looking towards the lodge, September 26th, 2021.
Switchyard at Maplelag, September 26th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on the Maplelag trails is a non stop process from now until November, weather permitting. September 25th, 2021.
Start of the ski trails to the south, September 25th, 2021.
Twin Lakes ski trail, September 26th, 2021.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails open. A great weekend of Fall riding on tap. Overall the dirt is tacky and riding very good with excellent sight lines. Most of the leaves are down from the trees and the entire course has been cleared the past week with leaf blowers. Ride the corners and berms high for any possible greasy spots on the low or inside.

Trail clearing this week: Twin Lakes loop cleared October 15th. Inner trails and Bullhead Bootleg cleared October 14th. North Loup Gnar and Sukkerwest cleared Tuesday October 12th. Feeling Lucky and Lakeside segments cleared Monday October 11th.

The mountain bike trails will continue to be open until November 1st, weather permitting. We will leave the signage up for Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert and the LagChilada signs remain in place for the LagChilada challenge. (Nice job to the riders completing the LagChilada challenge this past weekend!)

Fantastic Labor Day weekend for the Laddies Loppet. Thanks everyone who came to the race. Race recap click here.

Moss along the singletrack, October 16th, 2021. Some of the best fall conditions of the year this weekend.
Rolling through North Star singletrack, October 15th, 2021. Great fall conditions!
Berm action on Bootleg loop, October 15th, 2021.
Thursday clearing on the “Lagchilada”, October 14th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on “North Loup Gnar” singletrack, October 12th, 2021.
Ribbons of fresh cleared trail on starter loop, October 12th, 2021.
Resuming with leaf clearing to kick off the week, October 11th, 2021.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 10th, 2021.
Twin Lakes singletrack “bridge section”, October 9th, 2021.
Derek H out to take on the full “LagChilada” challenge, October 8th, 2021.
“Moorhead” singletrack after fresh clearing, October 7th, 2021. Trails recently cleared are riding fantastic!
Clearing on Hudson’s Hula, October 7th, 2021.
End of Twin Lakes singletrack after clearing, October 7th, 2021. Rest of Twin Lakes on tap for clearing Friday.
Clearing leaves on the starter loop, October 6th, 2021.
Start of North Loup Gnar, October 5th, 2021.
Fall riding on the ski trail, September 29th, 2021.
North Star singletrack, September 29th, 2021.
Bullhead bootleg connector, September 29th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on the singletrack, September 28th, 2021. Leaves quickly covering the deck with new leaves falling fast now.
Ski trail segment of bike course, September 28th, 2021.
Ladies heading out on the Laddies course! September 26th, 2021.

Trail Report

After a gorgeous start to the week with clear, dry and sunny conditions, rain moving in today. Overall conditions have been great for clearing leaves off the ski trails with the recent dry weather. We have been working on most of the trail system daily clearing leaves off as they fall. Having the trails as clear as possible before the snow flies allows us to open the trails on minimal snow.

We hit our peak of fall color around September 24th but still enjoying some great autumn scenes. The poplar, oak and tamarack trees still on tap for a display of nature beauty as we enjoy one of our favorite times of year.

We are focused on having the ski trails in tip top shape going into the winter. We have been on the trails daily, weather permitting, with final mowing and clearing leaves etc. We will continue throughout the fall right up until the frost sets in and snow flies.

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. We will continue maintaining the trails, and will be open, weather permitting, until November 1st. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.

Maplelag is enrolled in the fee based MN DNR Woodland Stewardship Program as part of conservation efforts and forest management. Please consider donating to our Maplelag Conservation Legacy program to help offset these increased costs. Thank you!

Leaf clearing on a mossy segment of Skaters Waltz, October 12th, 2021.
Clearing a “snow field” on the side of Skaters Waltz, October 12th, 2021. We have random “fields” designated along the trail to collect snow we use to transport to the ski trails vulnerable areas such as south facing, turns and uphills.
Porcupine in a tree off in the distance along Skaters Waltz extension October 12th, 2021.
Good to see the Maplelag creek flowing again after the weekend rain, October 11th, 2021.
Rootin Tootin trail, October 7th, 2021
Crossing to the western trails, October 7th, 2021.
Mountain bike singletrack, October 6th, 2021. We are clearing leaves off the singletrack this week as well.
Another clearing on Suicide Hill, October 5th, 2021.
Fall grooming on Sap Run trail, October 4th, 2021.
Our wonderful trail volunteer, Denny, out for a hike on Skaters Waltz. Good to see Denny out after hip surgery the end of the summer. October 4th, 2021.
Clearing out side of trail on “Kamikaze Hill” on Skaters Waltz, October 4th, 2021. There are select areas we clear along the side of the trail used for “snow farming”. On south facing slopes or other areas that need more snow on the trails, we have spots we can shovel from early season to build up the base.
Fall color scene at end of Maplelag driveway, October 1st, 2021.
Leaf clearing on Sukkerbusk trail, September 30th, 2021.
Incredible fall scenes on the mountain bike trail, September 29th, 2021.
Golden scene on Mother North Star ski trail, September 28th, 2021. Many leaves falling down today!
South slough on Mother North Star, September 28th, 2021. Tamarack trees in the middle still a week or so from their autumn gold.
Late afternoon sun highlighting maples near the Finnish Log cabin, September 27th, 2021.
Sap Run ski trail after leaf clearing, September 27th, 2021. With the thick canopy of leaves at Maplelag, it will be a month long process to keep clear.
Leaf clearing on Sukerbusk, September 27th, 2021. We will continue clearing leaves on all the trails throughout the fall. The main trails, such as Sukkebusk, we try to have completely free of leaves before the snow flies. Have a smooth and clear as possible deck allows us to be skiing on minimal snow.
Fall color scene lakeside lodge, September 26th, 2021.
View of Little Sugarbush Lake from the wood fired sauna, September 26th, 2021.
These three maples have outperformed this year compared to other years which indicates, to us, the special fall color season it has been this year. September 26th, 2021.
Sunrise kayak on Island lake near Wavy Gravy ski trail, September 26th, 2021.
Late afternoon scene looking towards the lodge, September 26th, 2021.
Switchyard at Maplelag, September 26th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on the Maplelag trails is a non stop process from now until November, weather permitting. September 25th, 2021.
Start of the ski trails to the south, September 25th, 2021.
Twin Lakes ski trail, September 26th, 2021.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails are open. Beautiful start to the week with clear, dry and abundant beautiful October sunshine. Off and on rain over the weekend was welcomed as conditions were very dry. We cleared the leaves off the entire course last week and trails are riding great for late season. We will clear again this week on the entire course but with most of the leaves already down and cleared, the deck is riding very nice.

It has been a spectacular fall of riding with amazing late season weather. Even though we reached our peak of fall color 7-10 days ago, still some fantastic autumn scenes in the woods.

Trail clearing this week: Feeling Lucky and Lakeside segments cleared Monday October 11th. North Loup Gnar and Sukkerwest clearing Tuesday October 12th. The remainder of the entire trail system will be touched up later in the week.

The mountain bike trails will continue to be open until November 1st, weather permitting. We will leave the signage up for Citizen, Sport, Comp and Expert and the LagChilada signs remain in place for the LagChilada challenge. (Nice job to the riders completing the LagChilada challenge this past weekend!)

Fantastic Labor Day weekend for the Laddies Loppet. Thanks everyone who came to the race. Race recap click here.

Resuming with leaf clearing to kick off the week, October 11th, 2021.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 10th, 2021.
Twin Lakes singletrack “bridge section”, October 9th, 2021.
Derek H out to take on the full “LagChilada” challenge, October 8th, 2021.
“Moorhead” singletrack after fresh clearing, October 7th, 2021. Trails recently cleared are riding fantastic!
Clearing on Hudson’s Hula, October 7th, 2021.
End of Twin Lakes singletrack after clearing, October 7th, 2021. Rest of Twin Lakes on tap for clearing Friday.
Clearing leaves on the starter loop, October 6th, 2021.
Start of North Loup Gnar, October 5th, 2021.
Fall riding on the ski trail, September 29th, 2021.
North Star singletrack, September 29th, 2021.
Bullhead bootleg connector, September 29th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on the singletrack, September 28th, 2021. Leaves quickly covering the deck with new leaves falling fast now.
Ski trail segment of bike course, September 28th, 2021.
Ladies heading out on the Laddies course! September 26th, 2021.
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, September 25th, 2021.
Rolling on the ski trail, September 25th, 2021.
Rock garden on “North Loup Gnar” singletrack, September 25th, 2021.

Trail Report

Beautiful start to the week with sunshine and clear skies. Temps fee more like October with morning low checking in the mid 40’s. A wet weekend with nearly 4″ of rain! Bit more than we expected but very much welcomed after the warm and dry conditions as of late. Overall conditions have been great for clearing leaves off the ski trails with the dry weather. We have been working on most of the trail system daily clearing leaves off as they fall. Having the trails as clear as possible before the snow flies allows us to open the trails on minimal snow.

We hit our peak of fall color around September 24th but still enjoying some great autumn scenes. The poplar, oak and tamarack trees still on tap for a display of nature beauty as we enjoy one of our favorite times of year.

We are focused on having the ski trails in tip top shape going into the winter. We have been on the trails daily, weather permitting, with final mowing and clearing leaves etc. We will continue throughout the fall right up until the frost sets in and snow flies.

The mountain bike trails are open for riding. We will continue maintaining the trails, and will be open, weather permitting, until November 1st. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.

Maplelag is enrolled in the fee based MN DNR Woodland Stewardship Program as part of conservation efforts and forest management. Please consider donating to our Maplelag Conservation Legacy program to help offset these increased costs. Thank you!

Good to see the Maplelag creek flowing again after the weekend rain, October 11th, 2021.
Rootin Tootin trail, October 7th, 2021
Crossing to the western trails, October 7th, 2021.
Mountain bike singletrack, October 6th, 2021. We are clearing leaves off the singletrack this week as well.
Another clearing on Suicide Hill, October 5th, 2021.
Fall grooming on Sap Run trail, October 4th, 2021.
Our wonderful trail volunteer, Denny, out for a hike on Skaters Waltz. Good to see Denny out after hip surgery the end of the summer. October 4th, 2021.
Clearing out side of trail on “Kamikaze Hill” on Skaters Waltz, October 4th, 2021. There are select areas we clear along the side of the trail used for “snow farming”. On south facing slopes or other areas that need more snow on the trails, we have spots we can shovel from early season to build up the base.
Fall color scene at end of Maplelag driveway, October 1st, 2021.
Leaf clearing on Sukkerbusk trail, September 30th, 2021.
Incredible fall scenes on the mountain bike trail, September 29th, 2021.
Golden scene on Mother North Star ski trail, September 28th, 2021. Many leaves falling down today!
South slough on Mother North Star, September 28th, 2021. Tamarack trees in the middle still a week or so from their autumn gold.
Late afternoon sun highlighting maples near the Finnish Log cabin, September 27th, 2021.
Sap Run ski trail after leaf clearing, September 27th, 2021. With the thick canopy of leaves at Maplelag, it will be a month long process to keep clear.
Leaf clearing on Sukerbusk, September 27th, 2021. We will continue clearing leaves on all the trails throughout the fall. The main trails, such as Sukkebusk, we try to have completely free of leaves before the snow flies. Have a smooth and clear as possible deck allows us to be skiing on minimal snow.
Fall color scene lakeside lodge, September 26th, 2021.
View of Little Sugarbush Lake from the wood fired sauna, September 26th, 2021.
These three maples have outperformed this year compared to other years which indicates, to us, the special fall color season it has been this year. September 26th, 2021.
Sunrise kayak on Island lake near Wavy Gravy ski trail, September 26th, 2021.
Late afternoon scene looking towards the lodge, September 26th, 2021.
Switchyard at Maplelag, September 26th, 2021.
Leaf clearing on the Maplelag trails is a non stop process from now until November, weather permitting. September 25th, 2021.
Start of the ski trails to the south, September 25th, 2021.
Twin Lakes ski trail, September 26th, 2021.