The Eastern Divide Ultra

A brand-spanking new trail run event will take place in Giles County next year in June. It's a 50K Ultra Trail Race put on by your a couple of extreme dreamers down in Blacksburg. The race course will take runners "From the Falls to the Lake", starting at the Cascades down in Pembroke and ending at Mountain Lake! The last 10 miles or so of the race will be on the MLC trail system. This amazing event will bring in up to 200 extreme runners from all over the states, quite a spectacle whether you're a racer or cheering on the runners! We'll keep you updated on Mountain Lake's involvement in the race, and you can find more info. and follow the race website at http://www.easterndivideultra.com/index.html.


The Mountain Lake Conservancy & Hotel is very proud and excited to be a part of this extreme challenge!!

Snow on the Mountain & Research in the Lake

It's been a while since our last post and a lot has been going on at Mountain Lake over the past few weeks. The mountain saw snow on the Halloween weekend and again just this week. We're shaping up for a white wonderland of winter here on the mountain-top in the upcoming snow season! Hoping to see you up here doing some winter hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing when there's snow here and no where else!

In other news, the lake level has continued to drop and most recently has been reminiscent of 2008 water levels. Once again, exploring the empty lake bed provides a rare and unique experience. It's not every day that you can stand at the bottom of what would be a lake up to 120 feet deep!! The extreme water levels allow for researchers and students from locals colleges and universities to conduct some pretty neat studies that they wouldn't be able to observe any where else. Currently professors, field experts, graduate and undergraduate students from both Virginia Tech and Radford University have been exploring water drainage sites and the lake bed. You can see some awesome pictures and get an idea for just some of the field research that has been done over the past few weeks here. There is still much to be learned about this truly one-of-a-kind, natural, mountain-top lake!

Last but certainly not least, the UVA Mountain Lake Biological Research Station (located right next to Mountain Lake's property) has just recently installed a live-feed webcam << check it out!!

At the Old Golf Course overlook during Halloween weekend.
Photo submitted to the Guest Photo Contest by Mrs. Thomas!

Ice-covered berries.
Photo submitted to the Guest Photo Contest by Mrs. Thomas!

A wintery Halloween vacation.
Photo submitted to the Guest Photo Contest by Mrs. Thomas!

As always, the Mountain Lake dining room goes all out to decorate for the holidays.
Our dining room manager, Fran, is so creative!

Snow again on November 16.

The snow makes a hike uniquely serene and peaceful.
The birds and wildlife seem chipper and bring life to the winter wonderland.

"Welcome to the Top of the World"