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"

Lake Level Update

October water levels in the lake bring us to a view reminiscent of Fall 2008. The lake has continued to recede over the past month, and the bottom of the lake bed holds a small "pond" of water. Fortunately, this drop in water allows for some very cool, relevant studying of the very bottom of the lake bed. Current researchers examining the lake bed include several professors and experts in their fields from Virginia Tech and Radford University. Graduate projects and undergraduate research projects are underway, exploring the unique geology, hydrology, and geophysics of the lake atop Salt Pond Mountain. Very exciting stuff! We will keep you posted with new findings and information concerning the lake, and please be advised that over the next few weekends there will be groups of students and researchers working out on the lake bed.

An autumn vista from the Rt. 700 overlook

Mountain Top Trot Results

We had a great turn out at the 1st Annual Mountain Top Trot Trail Race at Mountain Lake this past Saturday. A total of 76 runners hit the trails in harsh weather conditions. Sleet, snow, mid-30's temp, wind..it was Extreme!!

Thank You to all of the participants who came out to run, jog, or walk; their friends and family who cheered them on; to all of our sponsors and prize donators - East Coasters, Run About Sports, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, TriAdventure Multisport Training, and the Mountain Lake Hotel; and to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped out so much!! This event could not have taken place without you!

The proceeds from this event will benefit the Mountain Lake Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Mountain Lake's unique environment and immersing YOU in the magical place we call Nature. This fundraiser will help the MLC continue to host fun-tastic, family-friendly, outdoor events each and every year. Your support means the world to us. Kowabungaaahhh!!

Thank you for bearing with me through the "hiccups" during race results, displayed below in overall fastest order by men and women. For those who didn't get a t-shirt, the 2nd order has been placed and will be available for pick up at BRMS in Blacksburg on October 14.

5K Results
Matt Layman	17:04		Brooke Sumner	23:26
Tom Sconzo	20:17		Hilary Leake	23.53
Jacob Slyder	20:29		Irene Gardner	25:17
Marvin Gates	21:12		Margot	25:42
Dylan Tarrant	21:43		Katlyn Williard	26:48
Jack Hencke	22:07		Suzanne Occiano	27:07
Will Stacy	25:00		Jan Hencke	27:29
Mike Pedigo	28:10		Missy Bennett	29:58
Alex Bier	28:49		Maria Garcia	30:11
Mike Bennett	29:50		Whitney Bonham	31:06
Samuel Williard	30:14		Heather Totty	31:40
Edward Williard	30:28		Jessica Jewell	33:49
Bryce Holland	31:01		Stacey Jewell	33:50
Dave Kennedy	35:02		Lauren Kennedy	35:02
Joe Andrews	35:45		Jenni Walke	42:07
			Debra Banning	42:07
10 Mile Results
Justin Morrison	1:17:33		Emma Betz	1:36:52
Ignacio Moore	1:17:42		Jen Schaeffer	1:40:37
Mark Lattanzi	1:18:52		Aarnes Gudmestad	1:42:10
Paul Rutemiller	1:19:01		Hanna Parsons	1:43:20
Brad Atkins	1:19:37		Mary Baugh	1:51:44
Kirby Walke	1:23:29		Connie Pierett	1:54:10
Brice Collamer	1:23:54		Courtney Griffin	1:55:17
Phil Holland	1:25:13		Michaela Galya	1:57:10
Harry Hudson Jr.	1:25:58		Sarah Abbott	2:02:14
Scott Cardwell	1:26:24		Mandy Mach	2:11:36
Andy Reagan	1:27:55		Megan Ihfield	2:13:36
Kevin Andrews	1:28:02		Amber Sholl	2:13:37
Tyler Beach	1:28:15		Anne Pagano	2:14:04
Erik Olsen	1:28:34
Guy Love	1:28:40
Joshua Norris	1:28:41
Chris Evans	1:31:29
Cliff Hatchett	1:32:02
Chris Pohowsky	1:32:43
Anthony Murray	1:32:58
Greg Pfister	1:33:59
Michael Tietz	1:34:58
Kevin Courtney	1:37:03
Douglas Dandro	1:41:31
Tony Hulbert	1:42:44
Ivan Garcia	1:44:10
Edward Colvin	1:48:58
Aaron Pierett	2:03:29
Jay Raymond	2:04:28
Taylor Mach	2:11:37
William Motley	2:19:10

Wyatt's rainbow on the drive up to ML morning of the race! Where it all went down Awesome volunteers from VT! Pre-race meeting with Kirby Pre-race meeting - 76 runners total! Warming up next to the fire 10 Milers ready to start And they're off! 5K first place Matt Layman

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