Autumn on the Mountain

Fall is finally settling in on the mountain, and the turning colors of the leaves are beginning to peek through. It looks like the temperature will be dropping a bit this upcoming weekend to bring that true autumn crisp to the air. Perfect for a run, jog or walk on the trails! The lake level remains low this month, allowing for some neat finds in the lake bed!

Colors for days to come

Fire bushes lining the walkways

Asters accompany you on the walking path through the lake bed

A lovely pose by the monarch butterfly!

Beautiful, bright mountain ash berries

A garter snake sunning in the lake bed

Signs of a thirsty raccoon!

Deer tracks frequent the lake bed

Current lake level

 Thanks to Kat Sherman from the Recreation Department for the great photos!

Celebrate Family Hiking Day!

Saturday, September 24th, is an especially awesome day to get out on the trails. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is sponsoring Family Hiking Day in conjunction with National Public Lands Day! Hoping that this picture, taken this time last year during a hike to McAfee Knob in Roanoke, will motivate you to get outside and play tomorrow!

The perfect reason to visit your favorite trail in the area or explore a new one :)

More information found at the links below! 

http://www.publiclandsday.org/

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/who-we-are/events/2011/05/04/family-hiking-day

Hemlock Hero Treatment

Yesterday, Virginia Tech foresters Tom McAvoy and his associate were here at Mountain Lake to treat all of the adopted Eastern hemlocks from our Hemlock Hero MLC Membership program! A total of 14 adpoted hemlocks were treated, plus several additional trees near the Newport Cottage and the Hotel. The treatment consists of a pesticide, imidacloprid, that is injected in to the roots of the hemlock trees. The tree roots absorb this chemical and subsequently any feeding on the tree by the wooly adelgid aphids ceases. This chemical control is one of two tactics that are currently employed as a defense from the wooly adelgid pest at Mountain Lake. You can read more about our hemlock treatment program here: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at Mt. Lake: 2010 Report.

Thank You to all of our MLC Members, Hemlock Heroes, and dedicated foresters! We put your generous donations to work with your support of the Mountain Lake Conservancy.

Lake Update: September 1st

The water level in the lake is continuing to drop as the dog days of summer come to an end here on the Mountain. We were all wondering if the recent earthquake would affect the lake, but it does not seem to have had any major impact that we can discern as of yet. Never the less, we are excited for the fall season to begin. Stunning foliage and cool, comforting temperatures make for great hiking and exploring on the mountain-top!

The lake on September 1st, 2011

Neat water ledge marks left in the mud



Colorful grasses in the lakebed add to the scenery



Beautiful Mountain Ash berries

Check out the upcoming events happening this fall at Mountain Lake!

September 9-11: A.T. Hiking Weekend     http://www.mountainlakehotel.com/Section_Cat_Content_Detail.asp?SID=28&SCAT=83&ID=80

October 1st: Mountain Top Trot 10Mile & 5K Trail Run
http://mountainlakeconservancy.blogspot.com/2011/08/mountain-top-trot-trail-run.html

October 16-21: Astronomy Road Scholar Program
http://www.mtnlakeconservancy.org/programs-roadscholar.html

Oktoberfests!
http://www.mountainlakehotel.com/Section_Cat_Content_Detail.asp?SID=28&SCAT=41&ID=37

November 4-6: Zumba & Bellydance Weekend
http://www.mountainlakehotel.com/Section_Cat_Content_Detail.asp?SID=28&SCAT=108&ID=108