All posts by Jay Richards

Trail Report

A great start to the week for trail work with dry conditions and pleasant temps. Looking back at other years, not unusual to have the first snowfall and an early taste of winter like temps this time of year!! Overall the trails are in good shape as we complete our final push of trail clearing for the Fall season. 

We try to have the trails as cleared as possible so the frost can set when cold temperatures come and we can groom and open the trails on minimal snow.  

We are past our peak of Fall color but beautiful autumn scenes remain in place with the woods still providing golden pockets. Incredible Northern Lights recently we were fortunate to catch over Island lake on the Maplelag property.        

1.25″ rainfall to date in October. Total rainfall in September at .44″. August rainfall at 3.2″. Rainfall the month of July at 5.71″. Total rainfall in June at 7.56″. It was also a very wet month of May with right around 8″ of rain. Since January 1st, we have received almost 28″ of rain.                

 Mountain bike trails now open. (click here for updates)

Not much color left in the woods, a few areas catching attention. October 28th, 2024.
Fall grooming on Bullhead lake trail, October 23rd, 2024.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush lake next to Maplelag, October 21st, 2024.
Leaf clearing on Wavy Gravy ski trail, October 21st, 2024.
Fall color scene on Mother North Star trail, October 20th, 2024.
Tamarac trees starting to change color, October 17th, 2024. The only coniferous tree to change color and lose their needles.
Clearing singletrack, October 17th, 2024.
MEA mountain biking! October 17th, 2024. 
Clearing deadfall and leaves on Sukkerbusk, October 16th, 2024. Wood on sides will be cut up for firewood next spring.
Maple near the Big Dipper cabin at fall color peak, October 15th, 2024.
Fall grooming, October 15th, 2024.
Fall grooming on Skaters Waltz, October 15th, 2024.
New welcome sign day! Another great sign by our painter Pat! October 15th, 2024. 
Heading out to the trails for Fall grooming, October 11th, 2024.
Mother North Star ski trail, October 11th, 2024. 
Autumn scene over south Twin Lake on the Maplelag property, October 9th, 2024.
Maplelag driveway, October 9th, 2024.
Northern Lights over island lake on the Maplelag property, October 7th, 2024.
Maples near the switchyard at their peak this week, October 7th, 2024.
Fall color on the Bullhead connector! October 6th, 2024. 
Fall grooming, October 5th, 2024.
Touch of frost on the low areas, October 4th, 2024.
Fall grooming, October 3rd, 2024.
dEnjoying the fall colors along the Maplelag driveway on a evening ride, October 3rd, 2024. 
Fog rolling off Little Sugarbush lake, October 4th, 2024.
Maplelag driveway at the fork, go left! September 30th, 2024.
Scene at Twin Lakes, September 30th, 2024. 
Maples in Switchyard starting to put on a nice display of fall color, September 28th, 2024.
Calm morning on Little Sugarbush lake, September 28th, 2024.
Twin Lakes ski trail crossing, September 28th, 2024.
Swans on Twin Lakes, September 28th, 2024.
Morning scene along Mother North Star ski trail, September 28th, 2024. 
Fall color near the Red and Orange caboose, September 23rd, 2024.
Fall riding at it’s best on the mountain bike trails, September 24th, 2024.
Woolly bear caterpillar on trail! September 17th, 2024. More black than gold means more snow!
Incredible northern lites next to the full moon, September 16th, 2024.
New Maplealg sign at the fork, September 12th, 2024. The woods are slowly coming alive with Fall color. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails are open. Excellent late season riding. This is the last week the trails are open for the dirt season! (season ends on November 3rd at sunset).

We blew out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course last week and will touch up a few spots this week but otherwise most of the deck is leaf free, and rolling great on a hardpack surface. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees making for good sight lines as well.       

There is no trail fee for the remainder of the season thanks to a generous donation by MLC Custom Homes of Detroit Lakes to offset trail maintenance the remainder of the dirt season. 

Couldn’t ask for better weather for year 34 of the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend. Thanks everyone who came for race # 9 in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and support folks that made it a great day! We are already looking forward to next year for Laddies Loppet 2025 over Labor Day weekend!  

Great week hosting the local HS MTB Team “Wolves” training camp earlier this summer. Fun energy and nice job to kids and coaches! Contact us if you are interested in bringing your team for training camp summer 2025. [email protected]

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challengethis year! The opportunity to complete the challenge is available every day the trails are open during the dirt season.

We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time.  If you encounter any trail issues, please text Jay at 218-849-7669 or if any other trail questions.   

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. Nice job to all the riders that have completed it so far this year!  

Parking across from Hygge cabin. The Hygge cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in this cabin formally called the Brant. 

 Click here to be part of the Strava Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Lakeside singletrack, October 28th, 2024.
Rolling along Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 27th, 2024. (P.A.)
Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 27th, 2024.
Twin Lakes singletrack, October 27th, 2024.
Jamey out on the trails Thursday morning, October 24th, 2024.
Clearing trail, October 23rd, 2024.
Rooty section on the starter loop, October 23rd, 2024.
Sunset on the lakeside drops, October 23rd, 2024.
Fresh cleared Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 22nd, 2024.

Trail Report

Another beautiful late fall day. After a dry 6-7 weeks we have had off and on rain this week which has been very much welcomed. The trails overall are still very dry and hardpack and conditions remain good for trail work.  

We have been busy on the trails clearing deadfall and blowing leaves off the trails. We try to have the trails as cleared as possible so the frost can set when cold temperatures come and we can groom and open the trails on minimal snow.  

We are past our peak of Fall color but beautiful autumn scenes remain in place with the woods still providing golden pockets. Incredible Northern Lights recently we were fortunate to catch over Island lake on the Maplelag property.        

1.25″ rainfall to date in October. Total rainfall in September at .44″. August rainfall at 3.2″. Rainfall the month of July at 5.71″. Total rainfall in June at 7.56″. It was also a very wet month of May with right around 8″ of rain. Since January 1st, we have received almost 28″ of rain.                

 Mountain bike trails now open. (click here for updates)

Fall grooming on Bullhead lake trail, October 23rd, 2024.
Sunset over Little Sugarbush lake next to Maplelag, October 21st, 2024.
Leaf clearing on Wavy Gravy ski trail, October 21st, 2024.
Fall color scene on Mother North Star trail, October 20th, 2024.
Tamarac trees starting to change color, October 17th, 2024. The only coniferous tree to change color and lose their needles.
Clearing singletrack, October 17th, 2024.
MEA mountain biking! October 17th, 2024. 
Clearing deadfall and leaves on Sukkerbusk, October 16th, 2024. Wood on sides will be cut up for firewood next spring.
Maple near the Big Dipper cabin at fall color peak, October 15th, 2024.
Fall grooming, October 15th, 2024.
Fall grooming on Skaters Waltz, October 15th, 2024.
New welcome sign day! Another great sign by our painter Pat! October 15th, 2024. 
Heading out to the trails for Fall grooming, October 11th, 2024.
Mother North Star ski trail, October 11th, 2024. 
Autumn scene over south Twin Lake on the Maplelag property, October 9th, 2024.
Maplelag driveway, October 9th, 2024.
Northern Lights over island lake on the Maplelag property, October 7th, 2024.
Maples near the switchyard at their peak this week, October 7th, 2024.
Fall color on the Bullhead connector! October 6th, 2024. 
Fall grooming, October 5th, 2024.
Touch of frost on the low areas, October 4th, 2024.
Fall grooming, October 3rd, 2024.
dEnjoying the fall colors along the Maplelag driveway on a evening ride, October 3rd, 2024. 
Fog rolling off Little Sugarbush lake, October 4th, 2024.
Maplelag driveway at the fork, go left! September 30th, 2024.
Scene at Twin Lakes, September 30th, 2024. 
Maples in Switchyard starting to put on a nice display of fall color, September 28th, 2024.
Calm morning on Little Sugarbush lake, September 28th, 2024.
Twin Lakes ski trail crossing, September 28th, 2024.
Swans on Twin Lakes, September 28th, 2024.
Morning scene along Mother North Star ski trail, September 28th, 2024. 
Fall color near the Red and Orange caboose, September 23rd, 2024.
Fall riding at it’s best on the mountain bike trails, September 24th, 2024.
Woolly bear caterpillar on trail! September 17th, 2024. More black than gold means more snow!
Incredible northern lites next to the full moon, September 16th, 2024.
New Maplealg sign at the fork, September 12th, 2024. The woods are slowly coming alive with Fall color. 

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails are open. We have blown out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course this past week. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees making for good sight lines. A few leafy areas on the track since blowing off the trail here and there otherwise riding about as good as it gets. Rain earlier in the week has made for primo dirt surface.       

We will continue clearing select segments of trail throughout the fall until dirt season ends on November 3rd at sunset.

There is no trail fee for the remainder of the season thanks to a generous donation by MLC Custom Homes of Detroit Lakes to offset trail maintenance the remainder of the dirt season. 

Couldn’t ask for better weather for year 34 of the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend. Thanks everyone who came for race # 9 in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and support folks that made it a great day! We are already looking forward to next year for Laddies Loppet 2025 over Labor Day weekend!  

Great week hosting the local HS MTB Team “Wolves” training camp earlier this summer. Fun energy and nice job to kids and coaches! Contact us if you are interested in bringing your team for training camp summer 2025. [email protected]

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challengethis year! The opportunity to complete the challenge is available every day the trails are open during the dirt season.

We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time.  If you encounter any trail issues, please text Jay at 218-849-7669 or if any other trail questions.   

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. Nice job to all the riders that have completed it so far this year!  

Parking across from Hygge cabin. The Hygge cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in this cabin formally called the Brant. 

 Click here to be part of the Strava Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Jamey out on the trails Thursday morning, October 24th, 2024.
Clearing trail, October 23rd, 2024.
Rooty section on the starter loop, October 23rd, 2024.
Sunset on the lakeside drops, October 23rd, 2024.
Fresh cleared Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 22nd, 2024.
Leafy deck on Moorhead singletrack, Oktober 22nd, 2024. Moorhead will be cleared before the weekend. 
Start of the LagChilada October 19th, 2024.
Clearing singletrack on Saturday October 19th, 2024. Unfortunately the leaves keep it from staying clear very long…
MEA LagChilada! Nice work guys, October 17th, 2024.
Members of the local HS MTB team riding with Ben, recognizing 10 years of service to coaching! Thanks Ben! October 17th, 2024.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Trails are open. Recent rain has made for primo dirt surface. We have blown out the entire 25 mile LagChilada course this week. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees making for good sight lines. A few leafy areas since blowing off the trail here and there otherwise riding about as good as it gets.    

We will continue clearing select segments of trail throughout the fall until dirt season ends on November 3rd at sunset.

There is no trail fee for the remainder of the season thanks to a generous donation by MLC Custom Homes of Detroit Lakes to offset trail maintenance the remainder of the dirt season. 

Couldn’t ask for better weather for year 34 of the Laddies Loppet mountain bike race weekend. Thanks everyone who came for race # 9 in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series and thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, and support folks that made it a great day! We are already looking forward to next year for Laddies Loppet 2025 over Labor Day weekend!  

Great week hosting the local HS MTB Team “Wolves” training camp earlier this summer. Fun energy and nice job to kids and coaches! Contact us if you are interested in bringing your team for training camp summer 2025. [email protected]

Nice job to all the riders that completed the LagChilada challengethis year! The opportunity to complete the challenge is available every day the trails are open during the dirt season.

We always try to clear any new deadfall right away but limbs, branches etc. can fall down at any time.  If you encounter any trail issues, please text Jay at 218-849-7669 or if any other trail questions.   

Reference our map, Trailforks or Strava to help with navigating. LagChilada challenge signs are also in place. Click for more information on the LagChilada challenge. Nice job to all the riders that have completed it so far this year!  

Parking across from Hygge cabin. The Hygge cabin is also available for a changing area and bathrooms and there are also maps located in this cabin formally called the Brant. 

 Click here to be part of the Strava Maplelag Mountain Bike Club

Jamey out on the trails Thursday morning, October 24th, 2024.
Clearing trail, October 23rd, 2024.
Rooty section on the starter loop, October 23rd, 2024.
Sunset on the lakeside drops, October 23rd, 2024.
Fresh cleared Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, October 22nd, 2024.
Leafy deck on Moorhead singletrack, Oktober 22nd, 2024. Moorhead will be cleared before the weekend. 
Start of the LagChilada October 19th, 2024.
Clearing singletrack on Saturday October 19th, 2024. Unfortunately the leaves keep it from staying clear very long…
MEA LagChilada! Nice work guys, October 17th, 2024.
Members of the local HS MTB team riding with Ben, recognizing 10 years of service to coaching! Thanks Ben! October 17th, 2024.