Dirty Dawg Mountain Bike Race - this weekend July 23rd!

It's that time of the season, the Dirty Dawg 6-Hour Enduro Mountain Bike Race will be held this weekend, July 23rd! Sure to be an event of epic fun for all, whether you're biking in the race or cheering bikers on. More race information can be found at http://dirtydawgmtb.blogspot.com/. It's not too late to register! - solo, duo, and single speed categories. This is a family-friendly event, play a round of disc golf on our course that surrounds the Start/Finish meadow, or take a hike before the race gets started. Camping is available for registered racers and family on the evening of July 23rd, concessions will be available after the race, please remember that Mountain Lake property has a NO PET policy!

Special discount rate in the hotel for registered racers and family - $99.00 per night, double occupancy, includes dinner and breakfast! Special valid Friday, 7/22 and Saturday, 7/23. 
http://www.mtnlakeconservancy.org/special-dirtydawg.html

Some photos from previous Dirty Dawg races:

Lake Level Update & A Snapshot of Life on the Mountain

The hot summer temperatures have led to a decrease in water levels in the lake. We're seeing a pattern similar to last season, when water levels peaked during the third week of July. 

The peninsula on the left slowly surfacing

A water level marker pictured in the previous post

On the bright side, the lake bed boasts a bounty of beautiful blooms. The water may come and go, but the forest and trails remain steady.

Gems of the lake bed

Rhododendron in bloom, all around the lake and along the Indian Trail

 

 A lovely night on the Mountain...wish you were here!

Hanging out around the fire

Everyone loves roasting marshmallows!

MLBS Rocket Net Demo

This morning David Kramer from Virginia Tech gave a rocket net demonstration to Tami Ransom's Wildlife Techniques class from the U.V.A. Biological Station. The net was set-up at the Old Horse Barn on Mountain Lake Conservancy & Hotel property. David uses this type of rocket net for capturing large birds of prey, particularly golden and bald eagles and vultures. The net is set up next to a lure, an animal carcass, so the net quickly covers and traps the bird while it is on the ground.

The rocket launch set up

Kramer showing the class how to set up the wire fuse

Testing the voltage

A video of the net being launched. The loud noise startled me so the shot is a bit shaky! 

 A portion of Kramer's research is studying the Golden Eagle, which now winters in the Appalachians of Southwest Virginia, but then migrates north to Canada to breed. Kramer and his associates band the eagles in addition to attaching a radio transmitter that tracks the eagles.

Post-launch, this net is 40' x 60'

The walk back along the Lower Jungle Trail on this fabulous Friday on the mountain offered stunning fungal views and melodic bird songs.

Hemlock varnish shelf fungus

Reference shot for the size of the Hemlock tree with fungus

The song of the Wood Thrush and call of the Pileated woodpecker.

Lake Level Update & Bloom Status

The spring rains have brought a continuing rise in water level for the lake. The "T" dock down near the water is floating, and canoes and kayaks have been put in the water for hotel guest use only. (Boat use will cease if and when the dock is no longer floating!) There is a post that has been stuck in the shore-line that will serve as a gauge for day-to-day water fluctuations. The post marker has most recently shown a decrease in water level along the shore line of approximately one foot in the last week. 

Pictured below: what is currently in flower on the mountain. The beautiful rhododendron blooms are just around the corner! Come up and visit us for a stroll on the mountain, and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers..

An early Indian Pipe

At the Wind Rock Overlook

Fire pinks abound!

Mountain Laurel on Bald Knob

The Flaming Azalea blooms are just fizzling out

Bald Knob Bee Bowls

If you hike up to Bald Knob, you may notice several small, brightly colored cups on the ground with a liquid and perhaps insects inside of them. These cups are part of a survey that is looking at pollinators on the mountain, particularly regarding blueberry pollination. This research, along with many other projects on the MLC property, is conducted by biologists at the Mountain Lake Biological Station. Please remember to adhere to all signs posted on the Mountain Lake Conservancy & Hotel property, and respect any research equipment you may find while out exploring on the trails and in the forest!

A gorgeous view from the Bald Knob Overlook

Trillium bloom

Cub Scouts Conservation Project: Tree Planting at Mountain Lake

A big Thanks! to the WEBELOS cub scout den of Giles County for planting several oak tree seedlings around Mountain Lake this past weekend. The scouts were completing a conservation project requirement, and planted 5-foot tall oak seedlings around the property and trails in areas prone to erosion. They also planted a few trees around the hotel to replace older trees that had died. Great work WEBELOS!

New Signage Improves Trails

Last week, the Midweek Crew visited Mountain Lake to work on our signage project.  Over the winter, they routed and painted 55 trail signs for our property.  During their 3 day stay, they removed the old and broken existing trail signs and put the new ones in the ground.  It was no easy feat, especially when we had to hike out 80-lb bags of QuikCrete, posts and tools to places like Bear Cliffs Connector! We are so excited about our new signs and can't thank this group enough for their hard work and support.  Below are some pictures from the project.

Bald Knob trail-head behind the hotel

Tom enjoying the ride

A total of 55 new signs went in the ground

North end of the lake on the Indian Trail

New steps!

Testing out the new stone steps 

Bald Knob - this hole was hard to dig!

early morning fog on the powerline

Last trail sign in the ground!

 

Some of the women worked on clearing the Indian Trail which borders the lake.  The path is now clear of debris and easier to hike.  Thanks again!