Woods and Trails Report

Happy May! Summer like weather in place with very dry air. The warm weather has really brought the forest to life with leaves popping out and nearly full circle after Sunday’s warmth of near 90. The underbrush and forest floor exploding with wild flowers and the coveted morel mushroom. Most recent rainfall was early May with just over 3″ The water tables are at normal to slightly above normal there is ample moisture for the woods to be healthy. 

A great time of year to be in the woods and one of the best times for hiking and biking with no bugs etc. to take in the sounds of spring with birds, waterfowl and frogs echoing through the woods. 

The ice went off Little Sugarbush on April 16th and on nearby lakes. The loons have returned and the water is busy with a nice variety of waterfowl. The ice off is always a special time of year, marking the transitions of seasons from winter to spring. 

The trails are drying up and we are back in the woods doing trail work, focusing on the mountain bike trails. We are clearing sticks, branches and blowing out leafy areas but also cutting deadfall off the ski trail, cutting in to blocks and splitting for firewood for winter season 2025/26.. 

The mountain bike trails are open, click here for report. Nice to see folks out. this year so far.

A few wildflowers are emerging from the forest floor and and a few other signs of flora on the forest floor and the grounds slowly greening up.

Thanks everyone who supports the trails at Maplelag. We had a fun run to end the ski season. We appreciate you very much and can’t wait to have folks back on the trail for dirt season. Stay tuned for more updates.

Gray Tree frog, May 11th, 2025.
More wildflowers emerging from the forest floor, May 11th, 2025.
Moss lined singletrack on the bike track, May 11th, 2025.
Bear up on the northern part of the trail system, May 9th, 2025.
Marsh marigolds blooming in full force in recent days, May 10th, 2025.
Tamarack buds, May 10th, 2025.
Ferns emerging from Sugarbush creek, May 8th, 2025.
Tracks on tracks! Bear track on the mountain bike singletrack, May 6th, 2025.
Bloodroot flowers ready to emerge from the forest floor, May 1st, 2025. The woods should really start to come to life with warm weather moving in. 
North end of Little Sugarbush lake, May 1st, 2025. Water tables and lake levels are above normal with recent rain and good moisture from winter snow. 
Maplelag creek running good after 1.3″ of recent rainfall on April 28th, 2025.
Hepatica flowers blooming in full force today, April 26th, 2025.
Trumpeter swans on Kohlepp’s pond, April 23rd, 2025.
Evening scene along Mother North Star, April 21st, 2025.
Mossy ski trail, April 21st, 2025.
Busy beaver on a large oak tree. April 21s,t 2025. 
Group of trumpeter swans enjoying ice free Little Sugarbush lake, April 17th, 2025.
Bullhead lake ice free, April 13th, 2025.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush lake as seen in front of the new sauna, April 15th, 2025.
Edge of Little Sugarbush lake, April 13th, 2025.
Sunday night lightning, April 13th, 2025.