Wintry like weather this week. Temps in the lower 20’s Tuesday morning and white on the ground has it feeling like winter! Another measurable snowfall in October with an inch or so falling Monday evening. Total snowfall this month around 3″. Looks to be freezing at nights the next week or so which is great for helping set frost in the ground. An important element for preparing the trails for skiing. Few ponds starting to freeze over as a result of the colder weather.
We’ve had great weather for the month of October for trail work. The leaves have come down the trees and clearing them off the main trails in full force.
Having the trails free of leaves, especially at Maplelag with the thick leaf beds of maple leaves, allows the ground to freeze quicker and skiable conditions after the first snowfalls.
October rainfall around 2″ so far. September rainfall recorded around 5″. A wet August as well with nearly 7″ of total rainfall during the month.
Trumpeter swans dominant presence with over 25 currently residing on Twin Lakes. Good trail to hike or bike to observe them.
Snow started to cover up the forest floor late afternoon on the singletrack. October 26th, 2017. Mountain bike trails now closed for the season. Open again Thanksgiving week.Intersection of Sukkerbusk and Mother North Star as snow was starting to fall. October 26th, 2017.Trail clearing right up to the last moment possible. October 26th, 2017.Trail clearing at intersection of Sap Run and Skaters Waltz, October 25th, 2017.Ready for snow! Final clearing on Suicide Hill. October 25th, 2017.
Fantastic sunset over Maplelag, October 25th, 2017.Great sight lines through the woods after leaves have come down. View towards Little Sugarbush from Sap Run. October 25th, 2017.Great sight lines through the woods after leaves have come down. View towards Little Sugarbush from Sap Run. October 25th, 2017.Another clearing on Suicide Hill, October 24th, 2017. Suicide Hill has been mowed/cleared more than any trail segment on the trail system. First to be groomed, and last area to hold snow in the spring.Fall grooming on “Kamikaze” hill, Skaters Waltz ski trail. October 19th, 2017.Sunrise on Island Lake, October 18th, 2017. We still have dreams of building a outpost/eco cabin on the island in the future!
Tamarack trees in their peak. October 18th, 2017. Tamarack one of species of trees planted at Maplelag over the years. Maplelag has planted nearly a half million trees since 1973!Trumpeter swans on Rutherford Slough near North Loup ski trail, October 18th, 2017.Fall grooming on North Loup, October 17th, 2017.Fall scene in skating rink area. Tamarack trees in their peak right now and a few aspen and oak trees still holding color. October 15th, 2017.Fall grooming on Skaters Waltz, October 11th, 2017.
Fall grooming on Mother North Star, October 9th, 2017.Fall grooming on North Loup, October 9th, 2017.Golden tunnel on the mountain bike course. October 8th, 2017.Fall scene in the Skinny Field, October 8th, 2017.Fall scene at Twin Lakes crossing, October 6th, 2017.Twin Lakes ski trail, October 6th, 2017.
Double green ski trail, October 4th, 2017.Twin Lakes ski trail, September 29th, 2017.First frost of the year on low lying area near Orange caboose, September 29th, 2017.
Maple tree near Brant cabin displaying brilliant fall color. September 29th, 2017.First touch of frost of the year on low lying areas and roof tops. September 29th, 2017.
Little Sugarbush lake, September 28th, 2017.Start of Loon Return ski trail, September 28th, 2017.
Early signs of fall, August 15th, 2017.Removing rocks and filling in low spots and improving drainage on Sukkerbusk. July 7th, 2017. Trail tuning will continue through the summer and fall until the snow flies.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush, June 2nd, 2017.Various mushrooms popping up throughout the forest floor. May 30th, 2017.View of Twin Lakes. May 28th, 2017.Trumpeter swans on South Twin, May 28th, 2017. Swans more visible on smaller lakes now boat traffic has increased on larger lakes.
Riders taking in the beautiful Sunday morning on the mountain bike course. April 30th, 2017.Singletrack in great shape after drying out from snow earlier in the week. April 28th, 2017. Mountain bike trail open for riding.April skiing! Skiing through the skinny field, April 27th, 2017.Frozen pond, April 27th, 2017. Ducks were still nesting on the edge, riding out the cold weather.
Suicide Hill, April 27th, 2017.Mother North Star ski trail with dusting of snow. April 26th, 2017.
Marsh marigolds on hold after wintry weather. April 26th, 2017.
Trail work on new mountain bike trail. April 24th, 2017.Snow Sunday morning April 23rd, 2017 as seen from the Sap Run trail cam.Ski trails starting to green up after rain over the weekend. April 19th, 2017.Early spring flowers, April 13th, 2017.With not much greening (still early in the spring) mossy areas sticking out nicely. April 13th, 2017.After a windy few days during the ice out phase, calm conditions Monday night, April 10th, 2017. Official ice out date was April 8th this year.
