A relatively wet weekend with 1.5″ of precipitation falling Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The rain was welcomed as it got very dry after the snow melted off. Wind, very low humidity facilitating the drying process. The woods are starting to come to life more and more each day with wildflowers and buds on the trees and saplings.
The snow has all melted and ice is off Little Sugarbush lake next to Maplelag. The water tables have been restored thanks to the snowfall this season just under 100″. Waterfowl active as ever including loons that are happy to have a ice free lake.
The mountain bike trails are open for riding. Click here for latest update. Maplelag trails are closed to all motorized use and horses. We continue with trail tuning as we constantly work on the trails for the next ski season and maintain 25 miles of mountain bike trail.
We had a great run of skiing in April, officially skiing on April 23rd capping off a fantastic ski season of 153 skiable days starting the third week of November. Was great seeing so many people out enjoying the special late season conditions. Thanks to everyone who supported us this season and the trails. The fire on October 10th was a devastating event for us and the long ski season helped keep us active, restore and gain clarity as we recover from the tragedy last fall.
Total snowfall this season at 96″ which ranks in top 5 of total snowfall in one season at Maplelag.
First buds, May 7th, 2023.Ice free Little Sugarbush a rare calm night this spring, May 4th, 2023.Another night with aurora borealis! We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, May 5th, 2023.Clearing deadfall off the ski trail, May 4th, 2023. All the wood we use for the sauna stove by the lake. Lake scene on Little Sugarbush early afternoon, May 2nd, 2023. Ice should be off by end of day May 3rd!Pond near Mother Hen ski trail, May 2nd, 2023. The water levels are at normal levels after being restored from this years snowfall. Hepatica flowers blooming in full force on the forest floor, May 2nd, 2023.Mountain bike singletrack, May 2nd, 2023. Mountain bike trails are now open. Pair of swans in a pond near Rootin Tootin ski trail, May 1st, 2023.Moss coming back to life on Skaters Waltz ski trail, May 1st, 2023.Ice melt being expedited this week with strong winds during the day, May 1st, 2023.Just a few patches of snow is all that remains from this past winter, April 30th, 2023.Twin Lakes crossing, April 30th, 2023. After a very dry fall, water levels in the area ponds and sloughs are back to normal after a healthy snow season.First wild flowers emerging from the forest floor, April 30th, 2023.Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, April 30th, 2023. The entire trail system is open. We are clearing on the entire system and working on signage these weeks. One last ski, April 23rd, 2023.We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, April 28th, 2023.Aurora Borealis over the Brant cabin, April 28th, 2023.We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, Nature scene, April 23rd, 2023.Snow chimes! April 23rd, 2023. Branch was submerged in in pond, ice formed than branch related pulling up chunks of ice! Taking in the fresh snow, April 21st, 2023.Setting track through the Skinny Field, April 21st, 2023.
Happy May! A quick change from winter to almost summer like weather (albeit very dry). A welcomed light rain shower Saturday morning to help settle the dust. Amazing how dry it got this past week.Humidity in the 20’s facilitating the process.
The snow has all melted and ice is off Little Sugarbush lake next to Maplelag. The water tables have been restored thanks to the snowfall this season just under 100″. Signs of spring emerging from the forest floor with a handful of wild flowers blooming and the bullrushes in the sloughs starting to emerge. Waterfowl active as ever including loons that are happy to have a ice free lake.
The mountain bike trails are open for riding. Click here for latest update. Maplelag trails are closed to all motorized use and horses. Windy conditions the past few days have brought down a few trees to clear which is part of our year round trail work as we constantly work on the trails for the next ski season and maintain 25 miles of mountain bike trail.
We had a great run of skiing in April, officially skiing on April 23rd capping off a fantastic ski season of 153 skiable days starting the third week of November. Was great seeing so many people out enjoying the special late season conditions. Thanks to everyone who supported us this season and the trails. The fire on October 10th was a devastating event for us and the long ski season helped keep us active, restore and gain clarity as we recover from the tragedy last fall.
Total snowfall this season at 96″ which ranks in top 5 of total snowfall in one season at Maplelag.
Ice free Little Sugarbush a rare calm night this spring, May 4th, 2023.Another night with aurora borealis! We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, May 5th, 2023.Clearing deadfall off the ski trail, May 4th, 2023. All the wood we use for the sauna stove by the lake. Lake scene on Little Sugarbush early afternoon, May 2nd, 2023. Ice should be off by end of day May 3rd!Pond near Mother Hen ski trail, May 2nd, 2023. The water levels are at normal levels after being restored from this years snowfall. Hepatica flowers blooming in full force on the forest floor, May 2nd, 2023.Mountain bike singletrack, May 2nd, 2023. Mountain bike trails are now open. Pair of swans in a pond near Rootin Tootin ski trail, May 1st, 2023.Moss coming back to life on Skaters Waltz ski trail, May 1st, 2023.Ice melt being expedited this week with strong winds during the day, May 1st, 2023.Just a few patches of snow is all that remains from this past winter, April 30th, 2023.Twin Lakes crossing, April 30th, 2023. After a very dry fall, water levels in the area ponds and sloughs are back to normal after a healthy snow season.First wild flowers emerging from the forest floor, April 30th, 2023.Bullhead Bootleg singletrack, April 30th, 2023. The entire trail system is open. We are clearing on the entire system and working on signage these weeks. One last ski, April 23rd, 2023.We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, April 28th, 2023.Aurora Borealis over the Brant cabin, April 28th, 2023.We’ve been blessed with many nights of northern lights this past winter and spring, Nature scene, April 23rd, 2023.Snow chimes! April 23rd, 2023. Branch was submerged in in pond, ice formed than branch related pulling up chunks of ice! Taking in the fresh snow, April 21st, 2023.Setting track through the Skinny Field, April 21st, 2023.Fresh snow surrounding a trail side pond that recently was ice free, April 21st, 2023.Winter wonderland the end of April 21st, 2023.
Warmer temps bringing the forest floor to life with a nice assortment of wildflowers and the underbrush exploding to life the past few days. Leaves are expanding daily and the woods are getting greener each day. No significant precipitation the past 4-6 weeks but the soil is moisture laden a few inches down. Many sights and sounds of nature including the frogs, birds and waterfowl in one of the most active times of year for wildlife.
We have been working on the trails, clearing deadfall and tuning the mountain bike trails.This spring we are also planting trees and clearing on the trails along with regular forest management.
The mountain bike trails are open for riding. There are no services in the main lodge. Meal service and lodging closed at this time. The Maplelag trails are closed to horse travel and motorized vehicles.
Ice off the area lakes April 3rd. True to form, the loons returned. The lake is busy with waterfowl enjoying the solitude before summer lake activity.
Maple seedling coming to life, May 13th, 2021.Marsh marigolds blooming in recent days, May 12th, 2021.Beautiful evening on the mountain bike trail, May 11th, 2021. Forest floor starting to come to life! Beautiful spring day hiking on the Twin Lakes singletrack, May 9th, 2021.Golden top morning! Sunlight hitting the top of the trees on the west side of Little Sugarbush Lake, May 5th, 2021.Creek scene along the “Bootleg” singletrack, May 2nd, 2021.Maple leafs starting to pop out, May 2nd, 2021.Moss covered rocks on the Bootleg creek, May 2nd, 2021.Potted pines ready to be planted at Maplelag! April 30th, 2021. We will also be planting numerous seedlings as well.Scene in the Ice skating rink, April 29th, 2021.Moon set, April 29th, 2021.Clearing large oak that fell recently from wind event, April 26th, 2021. Split wood to be used for the saunas and wood burning stoves at Maplelag.Snowy scene near slough on Mother North Star, April 25th, 2021.Spruce seedlings planted a few years ago accentuated by the late April snow, April 25th, 2021.Beautiful Earth day sunset, April 22nd, 2021.Afternoon scene on the Goat Ranch Rd., gravel road that leads to Maplelag! April 20th, 2021.First tree planting of the season, April 20th, 2021. We will be planting about a 1000 trees this spring along the ski trails. Since the first years of Maplelag, we have planted nearly a half million of trees!Scene from the south shore of south Twin Lake, April 20th, 2021.Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor thanks to warm and brilliant April sunshine, Saturday April 17th, 2021.Early evening slough scene, April 15th, 2021.
Hen mallard nesting deep in the woods off the ski trail. May 20th, 2014.
Mallard nest deep in the woods, May 19th, 2014. Note: we stumbled across the nest by accident. Took a quick picture and happy to see the hen return and nesting today.
After a warm start to the weekend, Sunday cooling off and more seasonable temps in place. The ice is off the lakes and have been busy with waterfowl. The trumpeter swans are happy to see the open water and excited to tell everyone about it! Waterfowl is flying all over the place as well as other migratory birds. Few trees starting to bud and grass starting to green on some of the ski trails.
The mountain bike trails are open and riding has been fantastic for early season. There is no mud or low spots with water like other years. The recent rains have actually improved the conditions. The dry fall combined with warm temps, and snow cover preventing frost from going very deep allowing for the early opening of mountain bike trails.
