A check of the trails this morning on Skaters Waltz found fast conditions, very close to “good” or “b” ski conditions. Just a couple areas to pay attention to. We have transported snow to the thin areas and with the precip early this morning and snow falling this afternoon, skiing was good. We also skied on the lake and found fast and fun conditions. Good coverage on the edges.
10km of groomed trail now open for skiing. Skaters Waltz open for skating and Sukkerbusk, Sap Run trails open for no track classic skiing. Be advised there are areas of thin cover in the start area and open but in the woods skiing is to good to fair for early season, “Rock ski” conditions. No tracks set but we will set tracks on Sukkerbusk, JibFly and Twin Lakes after next snowfall. Other trails are skiable but caution must be used if venturing out on other trails.
Just under two inches of wet snow early Monday morning that was groomed on 30km of the trail system. Temp fell during the day which allowed the base to harden up nicely. Grooming Tuesday the 12th, smoothing out the trails groomed yesterday with the “Ginzu” groomer. Wednesday we will be moving snow to the thin areas.
In total we have packed on 45 of 65km of trail. Snow depth in the woods 2-4″, compacted base where groomed 1-3″. Trails not groomed (Roys’ Run, Island Lake, Wavy Gravy/Bullhead) providing a bushwhacking type experience. Use extra caution if skiing these trails until groomed.
The Twin Lakes singletrack will be open for fat biking again this year. Groomed on Tuesday, December 12th
Denny Barry out for a early season ski today. December 13th, 2017.Skaters Waltz with good coverage throughout. Firm base with added moisture this week. December 13th, 2017.Southern faced segment with good coverage on Skaters Waltz, December 13th, 2017.Great skiing on the lake! Fast and fun! December 13th, 2017.
Grooming through the Skinny field, pressing new snow from last night. December 11th, 2017.Grooming on Twin Lakes trail, top of Eagles View. December 11th, 2017.Checking out Sap Run trail at dusk, December 11th, 2017 . Webcam screen shot!
Lakeside Twin Lakes singletrack after fresh grooming by Ben Olson, December 12th, 2017.
Building up the base on a downhill on Skaters Waltz, December 12th, 2017.Roll packing on Sap Run, December 9th, 2017.Roll packing on Skaters Waltz, December 9th, 2017.Sections of Skaters Waltz very skiable, need a few more inches before entire loop can be open. December 9th, 2017.
We have been grooming on select trails this week after Sunday night storm. We will be packing select trails Saturday morning after the dusting of snow Friday night. Friday we packed out Rootin Tootin’ Mother North Star JinFly. Thursday we packed on North Loup and Skaters Waltz extension and made another pass on Skaters Waltz, Suicide Hill and Sukkerbusk. We packed Sap Run, Sukkerbusk, JibFly, Skaters Waltz and Suicide Hill ski trails Tuesday. Wednesday we packed out Twin lakes and made additional passes on Sap Run, Sukkerbusk and Skaters Waltz. Still need 2-5″ of additional snow to open the trails but a good start. Thin cover in open areas. We will continue working on the trails daily, adding snow to thin areas and clearing deadfall from the recent wind on outer trails.
Twin Lakes Singletrack open for fat biking. Latest report
Packing on Rootin Tootin, December 8th, 2017
Packing on North Loup ski trail, December 7th, 2017.Making another pass on Suicide Hill, December 7th, 2017.Scraping snow off the basketball court and transporting to thin spots in start area. December 7th, 2017.Packing on Twin Lakes, December 6th, 2017.Another pass on Skaters Waltz, December 6th, 2017. Firming up!Testing the skiing on Skaters Waltz, throwing off sticks. Few more inches and trails will be officially open. December 5th, 2017.Rollpacking on Sukkerbusk, December 5th, 2017.Sukkerbusk ski trail, December 05th, 2017.Rollpacking on Skaters Waltz, December 5th, 2017.Suicide Hill, December 17th, 2017.
A mixed bag of weather today as .25″ of rain fell this morning than dry until light snow started falling around dusk along with falling temps. Total accumulation expected around 2-3″. We will pack any snow that accumulates over 2″. Windy conditions accompanying the snow. Check out the cams for snowfall.
Mild weather last week but we still froze at nights, keeping the frost we have in the ground and the ice on the lakes, ponds and sloughs. Ideal conditions this past week for last minute trail tuning as we prepare for the return of winter and snow!
Fun Thanksgiving weekend in the woods hiking, skating on the lake and fat biking on the Twin Lakes singletrack. Despite the mild weather, there is almost 8″ of ice on the lake. The trails are in great shape and ready for snow! Thanks to the Moorhead Nordic Ski team for coming out to help clear on the trails last Saturday.
We had just enough snow for the first grooming of the year on the early season loop the beginning of November. We had a few people out skiing but need 3-4″ of new snow before we can officially open the trails for skiing. We will be working on the trails as we can clearing small branches and any deadfall after recent winds. Think Snow!!
Dusting of snow at dusk on Skaters Waltz, December 4th, 2017.Fine tuning on Sukkerbusk, November 30th, 2017.Sap Run, November 30th, 2017.Clearing on JibFly, November 30th, 2017.Sunrise over Sap Run ski trail. November 25th, 2017.Sunrise over Little Sugarbush, November 25th, 2017.Skating fun on the lake. November 24th, 2017.End of Sukkerbusk ski trail, November 22nd, 2017.Riding on Twin Lakes singletrack, November 22nd, 2017. Twin Lakes open for early winter riding when frozen.Members of the Moorhead Nordic ski team after a morning of clearing on the trails. Thanks Moorhead Nordic! November 18th, 2017.Sap Run ski trail frosty and frozen. Ready for snow! November 16th, 2017.Intersection of Sukkerbusk and Mother North Star Ski trails, November 14th, 2017.Back bowl mid day, November 13th, 2017.Sneaking in one more early season ski, Sukkerbusk November 13th, 2017.Bullhead lake. Solid 4-5″ of ice. November 13th, 2017.Bottom of Suicide Hill, mid day November 13th, 2017.Sukkerbusk, November 13th, 2017.
Winter weather in place. Coldest temps of the season today with early morning low well below zero! Warming during the night but still well below normal. Cold temps are welcomed at Maplelag to help freeze down the ground and prepare for snows to come.
We packed and combed out the new snow that fell on Wednesday night on the early season loop we have been grooming the past week. Frosty morning Wednesday with trees covered beautifully in white. Cold temps freezing over Little Sugarbush lake the morning of November 6th. Frost setting down in the ground with this cooler weather and key component for next snowfalls and preparing the trails for skiing.
Roll combing Skaters Waltz, November 9th, 2017.Roll combing Suicide Hill, November 9th, 2017.Combing dusting of new snow on Suicide Hill, November 9th, 2017.
Snow covered pines. November 9th, 2017.North end of bullhead lake in swamp area. November, 9th, 2017.
Cattail with touch of new snow dusting. November 9th, 2017.
Bottom of Suicide Hill, November 8th, 2017.
Early season skiing on Suicide Hill, November 8th, 2017.Frosty morning over frozen Little Sugarbush Lake, November 7th, 2017.Winter scene on the shore of Little Sugarbush, November 7thg, 2017.Frosty scene at start of Sap Run and Lucky’s Loype. November 7th, 2017.Frosty scene looking toward Finish Log and Sava Sauna cabins. November 7th, 2017.Sun lighting up the frosty trees at start of Sap Run ski trail as seen from the Sap Run webcam. November 7th, 2017.Little Sugarbush freezing over November 6th, 2017.Little Sugarbush freezing over November 6th, 2017.Bottom of Suicide Hill still hanging on to some coverage, November 5th, 2017.Nest of a snowbird! November 5th, 2017.Eagle View, Twin Lakes ski trail, November 5th, 2017.Recent snow great for checking out all the tracks in the woods. November 5th, 2017.
Beavers busy near Bullhead lake, November 5th, 2017.Skate skiing up Suicide hill, November 3rd, 2017. Suicide Hill has the best coverage on the trail system right now and made for nice up and down skiing this morning, especially for November 3rd!Early season skiing. November 2nd, 2017.Bear track on the ski trail! November 2nd, 2017.
Grooming through the skinny field, November 1st, 2017.Grooming through the skinny field, November 1st, 2017.Suicide Hill, November 1st, 2017.
Trails are now closed for the season. Although there will be riding opportunities the next few weeks, especially now with a dusting of snow and frozen ground, we close the trails in respect to the area hunters for deer hunting season.The Twin Lakes singletrack trail will open again hopefully the weekend of November 17th for winter season/riding.
Click here for trail map. Trail starts just past the flag pole, head towards skaters waltz ski trail for the beginner loop (Citizen/TT), advanced loop (sport/comp/expert) starts near start of Sap Run and Lucky’s Loype ski trails. Singletrack sections can be bypassed on the east side. To access Twin Lakes loop, take either the east side or main loop and follow red signs or head down the driveway and look for orange cones just past the gate and red signs indicating the start of Twin Lakes singletrack.
The trails can be described as classic, old school singletrack. Some sections are very technical with roots and rocks and a great test of skills! The Twin Lakes loop is recommended first for first time visitors to Maplelag with mountain bike experience. For first time riders, the Citizen loop is recommended.
Season pass is $10. Park in far parking lot, click in and enjoy!Maplelag maintains, builds, manages and funds the trails privately but we are happy to share the trail. We appreciate season pass purchases to keep the trails maintained and build new for others to enjoy. We have been working on new trail on Maplelag property on the Bullhead loop this summer and hope to have completed by the end of fall and open for riding next spring.
Any questions on riding or conditions, email Jay at [email protected] or text 218-849-7669. We typically will have the trails open all the time unless we receive excessive rainfall. The natural singletrack at Maplelag dries and weathers quickly and can be ridden hours after any rain event.
Ben Olson on Twin Lakes singletrack for a early winter ride before trail close. November 2nd, 2017.Peder Arneson on Twin Lakes singletrack for a early winter ride before trail close. November 2nd, 2017.Snow started to cover up the forest floor late afternoon, October 26th, 2017.Rock garden in reverse. Twin Lakes singletrack, October 26th, 2017. Great to end the dirt season.Hudson’s Hula trail segment, Twin Lakes singletrack. October 22nd, 2017.Pete’s Porkie singletrack segment, Twin Lakes singletrack. October 20th, 2017.
Riding Pete’s Porkie opposite direction. Fun to mix it up! October 20th, 2017.Last downhill segment on Twin Lakes singletrack, October 19th, 2017.Clearing leaves on Twin Lakes singletrack, October 18th, 2017.Cleared track! October 18th, 2017.Rolling along Twin Lakes. October 17th, 2017.Twin Lakes rock garden leaf covered. Use caution! October 12th, 2017.Twin Lakes singletrack, October 12th, 2017.Golden tunnel on the mountain bike course. October 8th, 2017.Hudson’s Hula segment, Twin Lakes singletrack. October 7th, 2017.Section of Twin Lakes singletrack after leaf blowing, October 6th, 2017.Fresh blown singletrack. October 6th, 2017.Group of riders heading out on fat bikes Tuesday morning, October 3rd, 2017. Fat bikes good option for leafy trails!
View of Twin Lakes from “Pete’s Porkie” singletrack segment. October 2nd, 2017.Leafy singletrack, October 2nd, 2017.Fall riding, September 28th, 2017.
