Recent Articles from BRMC Newsletters

Trail Talk

The hot days of summer are bringing something unusual to the mountain, hikers by the car load. Since becoming the resource manager at BRMC nearly two years ago, I have become very good at predicting the volume of visitors based on the forecast. Sunny days in the mid-70s pack our parking lot. Mostly cloudy days in the mid-70s and it's a virtual ghost town. The first snow fall brings out the adventurous, determined to be the first to put their footprints in the snow. Sunday tends to be busier than Saturday. Late Friday afternoon brings the work weary folks for a relaxing stroll. Brutally hot weekends typically bring several hikers in the morning, but the numbers diminish by mid-afternoon. The hot weekend rule typically applies, except for a recent weekend. From sunrise until sunset, hikers packed the parking lot and ventured their way under the canopy of shade in the Bull Run Mountains. With the massive influx of new residents to the east of us, many are starting to discover miles of hiking trails BRMC has to offer. In addition to local visitors, we still draw hikers from the entire Washington, DC area. We even had a group of four hikers who traveled all the way from Williamsburg.

Since this is our summer newsletter it’s time to announce the dates for the Halloween Safari. Due to popular demand, we have added a third day to this event! Volunteers are vitally important to this event, we simply could not do this without your help. I already have my work cut out for me this year. As in past years, I am tasked with designing the costume and writing the narration for a native species in the Bull Run Mountains. This year I have chosen what I truly believe will be the manliest of costumes to date.

In the last newsletter I stated that we are expecting larger than normal tick population this year. I have personally pulled several ticks off my legs, body, and one that was creeping his way along the back of my neck. These ticks may be infected with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Please take preventative measures before coming out to hike, and always check yourself for ticks after. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website provides information about the prevention, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease. Additional information may be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/index.htm

As for life in the mountain house, I have survived the recent onslaught of rainy weather. I can't imagine the damage we'd endure if it weren't for the generous donation of a new roof from Cedar Shakes & Shingles, Inc. From all of us at the mountain house, thank you. In other mountain house news, Ken Bass and I were able to watch some phoebes hatching in a nest outside my door. A few days later, I caught a black rat snake attempting to have the birds for lunch (see photos below).

I'd like to thank our new visitors who have made the commitment to support the conservancy by becoming members, your support is vital to our continued success.

I'll see you on the trails!

Eastern phoebes hatching at the mountain house

Black rat snake looking for lunch