Category Archives: Reports

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Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Conditions are excellent for early season. Surface is mostly dry with tacky areas on the low and north facing segments. Pleasant temps, no bugs and great sight lines make it one of the best times of the year to ride! Forest is starting to fill out more and more each day making it a special time to be in the woods.

We have been clearing out singletrack segments as needed after the entire course was cleared out earlier this year. We are also widening bridges on the Bootleg loop, added a few wooden features on the new trails, dirt work on select areas and planted a couple hundred trees along the course. We will continue tuning the trail throughout the spring and summer.

Great seeing new folks and the locals alike out this season. Rider traffic helps compress the deck and ride in the lines!

Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack segments. There are also red signs at key intersections. We have also taped off most intersections. The two way “North Loup Gnar” trail can be accessed of county road 110 just to the east of Maplelag driveway. Bootleg loop accessed from county road 26 via the gravel road 110. Please park in the first parking lot where the recycling bins are located. The main lodge is closed, no services available. Park and ride! Any questions on riding etc., contact Jay at 218-849-7669.

The Maplelag trails are classic “old school” trails, first built in 1990, mirrored off the courses used for racing to provide training opportunities for local racers. and feature some of the more technical areas of cross country riding in the Midwest.

We have set a new course for the LagChilada mountain bike challenge, riding all the trails in one ride! Click here for more detail The course is marked at key intersections with pink “LagChilada” signs.

We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available here.

New season passes will be available in a few weeks. Trail fees are appreciated to help offset trail work, signage and hopefully a new map. These are major expenses and we receive no grants outside funding for the privately maintained trails at Maplelag. Click here for most recent map. (Note: There are a few reroutes on the map but everything will be tapped off. No riding allowed on AMA land and please stay on designated trails at all time. Assume all risk and take responsibility for your actions) We are working on a new trail map that will feature many new trails built last summer and fall.

Another beautiful spring evening for riding! May 13th, 2021. Leaves filling out more and more each day, forest floor coming to life and the deck is dry and hard. Usually we don’t see the clay turn white until August!
“Hudson’s Hula” segment on the Twin Lakes singletrack, May 11th, 2021. Incredible early season riding continues!
Moss lined singletrack, May 11th, 2021.
Turning a corner on the new loop “Feeling Lucky”. May 10th, 2021. It has been great having all the early season riders to help ride in lines and help us make adjustments to improve the trail after identifying rider patterns.
Signs for the LagChilada mountain bike challenge loop are being placed at the key intersections. May 10th, 2021. Start at the new loop “Feeling Lucky”.
Jacob rolling along lakeside singletrack, May 9th, 2021.
Hitting the singletrack! May 9th, 2021.
Start of Bootleg singletrack, May 8th, 2021.
Bente’s Bump singletrack, May 8th, 2021.
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Sunny Saturday on the singletrack! Group of local riders all smiles after completing the Bootleg singletrack loop, May 1st, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6682.jpg
Fun Friday! Always welcome and love seeing new riders on the trail, adventuring off the beaten paths to check out new places to ride. April 30th, 2021.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Conditions are excellent for early season. Surface is mostly dry with tacky areas on the low and north facing segments. Pleasant temps, no bugs and great sight lines make it one of the best times of the year to ride!

We have been clearing out singletrack segments as needed after the entire course was cleared out earlier this year. We are also widening bridges on the Bootleg loop, added a few wooden features on the new trails, dirt work on select areas and planted a couple hundred trees along the course. We will continue tuning the trail throughout the spring and summer.

Great seeing new folks and the locals alike out this season. Rider traffic helps compress the deck and ride in the lines!

Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack segments. There are also red signs at key intersections. We have also taped off most intersections. The two way “North Loup Gnar” trail can be accessed of county road 110 just to the east of Maplelag driveway. Bootleg loop accessed from county road 26 via the gravel road 110. Please park in the first parking lot where the recycling bins are located. The main lodge is closed, no services available. Park and ride! Any questions on riding etc., contact Jay at 218-849-7669.

The Maplelag trails are classic “old school” trails, first built in 1990, mirrored off the courses used for racing to provide training opportunities for local racers. and feature some of the more technical areas of cross country riding in the Midwest.

We have set a new course for the LagChilada mountain bike challenge, riding all the trails in one ride! Click here for more detail The course is marked at key intersections with pink “LagChilada” signs.

We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available here.

New season passes will be available in a few weeks. Trail fees are appreciated to help offset trail work, signage and hopefully a new map. These are major expenses and we receive no grants outside funding for the privately maintained trails at Maplelag. Click here for most recent map. (Note: There are a few reroutes on the map but everything will be tapped off. No riding allowed on AMA land and please stay on designated trails at all time. Assume all risk and take responsibility for your actions) We are working on a new trail map that will feature many new trails built last summer and fall.

“Hudson’s Hula” segment on the Twin Lakes singletrack, May 11th, 2021. Incredible early season riding continues!
Moss lined singletrack, May 11th, 2021.
Turning a corner on the new loop “Feeling Lucky”. May 10th, 2021. It has been great having all the early season riders to help ride in lines and help us make adjustments to improve the trail after identifying rider patterns.
Signs for the LagChilada mountain bike challenge loop are being placed at the key intersections. May 10th, 2021. Start at the new loop “Feeling Lucky”.
Jacob rolling along lakeside singletrack, May 9th, 2021.
Hitting the singletrack! May 9th, 2021.
Start of Bootleg singletrack, May 8th, 2021.
Bente’s Bump singletrack, May 8th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 1IMG_6725.jpg
Sunny Saturday on the singletrack! Group of local riders all smiles after completing the Bootleg singletrack loop, May 1st, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6724.jpg
“Hudson’s Hula”, Twin Lakes singletrack, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6682.jpg
Fun Friday! Always welcome and love seeing new riders on the trail, adventuring off the beaten paths to check out new places to ride. April 30th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 3D30001B-0D60-435C-BAEA-7E918EEAFFFF.jpg
Hard not to smile with the current conditions, Bjorp’s singletrack, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2A09ED76-B43F-48C8-BBDE-95F23CA9AC61.jpg
One of the bridges widened on Bootleg, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 39DF1A2C-BF91-44AD-B51F-392F14498D1C.jpg
Leaf clearing on Bjorp’s singletrack, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6511.jpg
Calm conditions and great riding, Twin Lakes lakeside, April 27th, 2021.
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“Fargo” singletrack, April 25th, 2021.
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Maplelag team member Jacob Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.
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Jacob lakeside, April 24th, 2021. (Ben Olson photo)
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Maplelag team member Ben Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_641w9.jpg
Ben weaving through the rocks! April 24th, 2021.
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Moorhead rock garden, April 24th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 6416FFFA-AB41-49CC-8AE5-883474373E70-1.jpg
Dylan Welsh riding the wooden feature on Bjorp’s singletrack, April 17th, 2021 (Dylan Welsh photo)
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is GPTempDo2wnload-22.jpg
Beautiful conditions for April 17th, 2021.
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Bootleg singletrack, April 17th, 2021.
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Bridge crossing on Bootleg singletrack, April 17th, 2021.

Trail Report

A transition to warmer temps bringing the forest floor to life with a nice assortment of wildflowers. Leaves are expanding daily and the woods are getting greener each day despite no significant moisture recently. 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.

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.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6794.jpg
Golden top morning! Sunlight hitting the top of the trees on the west side of Little Sugarbush Lake, May 5th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6741-1536x2048.jpg
Creek scene along the “Bootleg” singletrack, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6686.jpg
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Maple leafs starting to pop out, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6751-1536x2048.jpg
Moss covered rocks on the Bootleg creek, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_66e83.jpg
Potted pines ready to be planted at Maplelag! April 30th, 2021. We will also be planting numerous seedlings as well.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6649.jpg
Scene in the Ice skating rink, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_66924.jpg
Moon set, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6499-2048x1536.jpg
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.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6455-1.jpg
Snowy scene near slough on Mother North Star, April 25th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMnG_6452-2048x1536.jpg
Spruce seedlings planted a few years ago accentuated by the late April snow, April 25th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6236.jpg
Beautiful Earth day sunset, April 22nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6253.jpg
Afternoon scene on the Goat Ranch Rd., gravel road that leads to Maplelag! April 20th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6268-1536x2048.jpg
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!
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6223.jpg
Scene from the south shore of south Twin Lake, April 20th, 2021.
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Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor thanks to warm and brilliant April sunshine, Saturday April 17th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is I2MG_6119.jpg
Early evening slough scene, April 15th, 2021.

Mountain Bike Trail Report

Mountain bike trails are open. Conditions are excellent for early season. Surface is mostly dry with tacky areas on the low and north facing segments. Cooler temps, no bugs and great sight lines make it one of the best times of the year to ride!

We have been clearing out singletrack segments as needed after the entire course was cleared out earlier this year. We are also widening bridges on the Bootleg loop, added a few wooden features on the new trails, dirt work on select areas and planted a couple hundred trees along the course. We will continue tuning the trail throughout the spring and summer.

Great seeing new folks and the locals alike out this season. Rider traffic helps compress the deck and ride in the lines!

Trail head is at flagpole near main lodge. Look for white signs that have “Beginner/Sport/Comp/Expert” or named singletrack segments. There are also red signs at key intersections. We have also taped off most intersections. The two way “North Loup Gnar” trail can be accessed of county road 110 just to the east of Maplelag driveway. Bootleg loop accessed from county road 26 via the gravel road 110. Please park in the first parking lot where the recycling bins are located. The main lodge is closed, no services available. Park and ride! Any questions on riding etc., contact Jay at 218-849-7669.

The Maplelag trails are classic “old school” trails, first built in 1990, mirrored off the courses used for racing to provide training opportunities for local racers. and feature some of the more technical areas of cross country riding in the Midwest.

We have set a new course for the LagChilada mountain bike challenge, riding all the trails in one ride! Click here for more detail The course is marked at key intersections with pink “LagChilada” signs.

We will be hosting the Laddies Loppet this Labor day weekend. More details available soon.

New season passes will be available in a few weeks. Trail fees are appreciated to help offset trail work, signage and hopefully a new map. These are major expenses and we receive no grants outside funding for the privately maintained trails at Maplelag. Click here for most recent map. (Note: There are a few reroutes on the map but everything will be tapped off. No riding allowed on AMA land and please stay on designated trails at all time. Assume all risk and take responsibility for your actions) We are working on a new trail map that will feature many new trails built last summer and fall.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 1IMG_6725.jpg
Sunny Saturday on the singletrack! Group of local riders all smiles after completing the Bootleg singletrack loop, May 1st, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6724.jpg
“Hudson’s Hula”, Twin Lakes singletrack, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6682.jpg
Fun Friday! Always welcome and love seeing new riders on the trail, adventuring off the beaten paths to check out new places to ride. April 30th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 3D30001B-0D60-435C-BAEA-7E918EEAFFFF.jpg
Hard not to smile with the current conditions, Bjorp’s singletrack, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2A09ED76-B43F-48C8-BBDE-95F23CA9AC61.jpg
One of the bridges widened on Bootleg, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 39DF1A2C-BF91-44AD-B51F-392F14498D1C.jpg
Leaf clearing on Bjorp’s singletrack, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6511.jpg
Calm conditions and great riding, Twin Lakes lakeside, April 27th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6441.jpg
“Fargo” singletrack, April 25th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6426.jpg
Maplelag team member Jacob Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6425.jpg
Jacob lakeside, April 24th, 2021. (Ben Olson photo)
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6428.jpg
Maplelag team member Ben Olson checking out the new wood feature at start of “Moorhead” singletrack, April 24th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_641w9.jpg
Ben weaving through the rocks! April 24th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6420.jpg
Moorhead rock garden, April 24th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 6416FFFA-AB41-49CC-8AE5-883474373E70-1.jpg
Dylan Welsh riding the wooden feature on Bjorp’s singletrack, April 17th, 2021 (Dylan Welsh photo)
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is GPTempDo2wnload-22.jpg
Beautiful conditions for April 17th, 2021.
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Bootleg singletrack, April 17th, 2021.
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Bridge crossing on Bootleg singletrack, April 17th, 2021.

Trail Report

Very dry conditions in place with no significant moisture recently. Forest floor slowly coming to life with a nice assortment of wildflowers and leaves slowly starting to pop out on the trees. 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.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6794.jpg
Golden top morning! Sunlight hitting the top of the trees on the west side of Little Sugarbush Lake, May 5th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6741-1536x2048.jpg
Creek scene along the “Bootleg” singletrack, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6686.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 5A88E376-678B-4972-A8C5-9C1B2D2F3CEB.jpg
Maple leafs starting to pop out, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6751-1536x2048.jpg
Moss covered rocks on the Bootleg creek, May 2nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_66e83.jpg
Potted pines ready to be planted at Maplelag! April 30th, 2021. We will also be planting numerous seedlings as well.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6649.jpg
Scene in the Ice skating rink, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_66924.jpg
Moon set, April 29th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6499-2048x1536.jpg
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.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6455-1.jpg
Snowy scene near slough on Mother North Star, April 25th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMnG_6452-2048x1536.jpg
Spruce seedlings planted a few years ago accentuated by the late April snow, April 25th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6236.jpg
Beautiful Earth day sunset, April 22nd, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6253.jpg
Afternoon scene on the Goat Ranch Rd., gravel road that leads to Maplelag! April 20th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6268-1536x2048.jpg
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!
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6223.jpg
Scene from the south shore of south Twin Lake, April 20th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_6155.jpg
Hepatica flowers exploding on the forest floor thanks to warm and brilliant April sunshine, Saturday April 17th, 2021.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is I2MG_6119.jpg
Early evening slough scene, April 15th, 2021.