Mountain Top Trot Trail Run

The Mountain Lake Conservancy 
presents the 1st Annual...  

Mountain Top Trot Trail Run

10-Mile and 5K Race

    

When:    October 1, 2011 
   

Registration                7:30-9:30am

  10-Mile Start Time   10:00am 

  5K Start Time           10:30am 
   

Where: The Mountain Lake Conservancy Trail system in Pembroke, VA. Both the 5K and 10-mile race course will encounter forested trail terrain varying from gravel to rocky and a climb to one of Mountain Lake's scenic vistas. 

Some minor changes have been made to the courses as of Sept. 26, please view updated and final course routes below:
Click here to view the 10-Mile course

Click here to view the 5K course

Kirby from East Coasters in Blacksburg, VA, recently ran the 10-mile course. You can check out the stats from the run here.
 

Why: To savor the magical fall foliage and cool mountain-top temperatures of Salt Pond Mountain. This is also a fundraiser event to benefit the Mountain Lake Conservancy, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to immersing you in nature, where you belong.

Entry Fee:      $25 Pre-registered -  Pre-registration ends Sept. 28!

                          $30 Day-of race

 

The Goods:      

     Race T-shirt 

     (Guaranteed to all racers registered by Sept. 16, limited shirts available day of)

     Post-race Meal & Refreshments

     Adrenaline Delights

     Prizes awarded to fastest overall and category male & female racers

 

Categories: Men's and Women's

                  Age 10 and under, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 60 and wiser
 

Limited to 200 racers! Register on-line or via mail:

     On-line at : 
http://www.active.com/running/pembroke-va/mountain-top-trot-2011?int=29-6

     Mail-in : 

Mail-In Registration Form & Waiver

On-site lodging available at the historic Mountain Lake Hotel, rate includes Oktoberfest!

http://www.mountainlakehotel.com/

For more information please contact Jess Coker at the Mountain Lake Conservancy at 540-626-7121 ext. 444 or email the mlc@mountainlakehotel.com. 

See you on the Mountain!

Lake Update

The current lake level is estimated at 52 feet below full lake, 12% full by volume, and 29% full by total area.

Naturalist Hikes & New Friends of the Conservancy Nature Center

Meet Hazel, age 16, Naturalist Extraordinaire.

This summer season, Hazel volunteered to lead naturalist walks throughout the week for visiting hotel and day guests. She is the daughter of two scientists and her family spends a good part of the summer staying at the Mountain Lake Biological Station here on the mountain. Miss Hazel has acquired a great wealth of knowledge over the years of the mountain ecology and many studies that take place here every year. The guests and staff have truly enjoyed learning from Hazel, and are most appreciative of her volunteer effort and passion for environmental stewardship.
Thank You, Hazel, for your wonderful walks this summer season!

We have a new friend of the Conservancy, Sylvia, the corn snake. Sylvia is a 4'6", female corn snake, age unknown. She was originally taken in by a Reptile Rescue Center in Christiansburg, VA, and then adopted by the Wildlife Society at Virginia Tech. Sylvia was housed in the lobby of Cheatham Hall in the College of Natural Resources. She is a fairly shy creature, however, and was recently taken out of Cheatham Hall and in need of a new owner. Sylvia's new home is now set up in the Conservancy Nature Center. She is adjusting nicely and we will keep you updated with pictures of her indoor habitat and reception from our visitors.

The Corn Snake, Elaphe guttata, is native to the mid- to south-eastern United States. The corn snake's range is from southern New Jersey south through Florida, west into Louisiana and parts of Kentucky. However, this is not a common snake of Salt Pond Mountain. Corn snakes may be found in wooded groves, rocky hillsides, meadowlands, woodlots, barns, and abandoned buildings. This snake is not poisonous, and as pets they are generally docile and relaxed when handled. More information about the corn snake can be found here:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Cornsnake.cfm