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2006-2007 Outing Pictures

Old Rag Hike

On September the 8^th the LGMS 7^th Grade Discovery class climbed to the summit of Old Rag. On the way up, a ground hive of bees that had been unearthed was discovered. From the paw and claw marks and the missing honeycomb, it was concluded that this was the work of a hungry black bear. Further along, a baby copperhead snake was happened upon and left behind without incident. At higher elevations the students found evidence of ancient root systems of blighted and long since gone American chestnut trees. These still living roots and the small blighted shoots they continue to send to the surface are all that is left of the giant trees once known as the redwoods of the east. After the long ridgeline rock scramble hikers reached the summit. Some angry looking storm clouds made the lunch break at the top a short one. Luckily, a little drizzle was all the clouds produced and the long downhill to the bus relatively dry and enjoyable.

LGMS FALL PICTURES

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PHMS FALL PICTURES

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LGMS SPRING PICTURES

7th Grade

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8th Grade

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Hawksbill Raptor Watch

Forest, Hawksbill Mountain. At the summit, a wildlife biologist and raptor expert gave a presentation on migratory raptors and the park’s efforts to restore the Peregrine Falcon. In the 1960s and 70s pesticides such as DDT left this species unable to reproduce and near extinction. After lunch and some bird watching, the students hiked down Hawksbill’s peak, and down the Cedar Run drainage all the way to the park boundary on the piedmont (east) side. Once again, the students beat the bus by a narrow margin to the parking area and, once again, found a stream to jump into.

LGMS PICTURES

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Rapidan and Staunton River Study

On October the 10^th the 7^th grade Discovery students from LGMS conducted a stream study at the confluence of the Rapidan and Staunton Rivers. The day started with a hike up the Staunton River drainage to see what the Discovery kids could find. They found some slippery river rocks to eat lunch on and a riverside plant that has tiny thorns and causes a burning sensation to exposed skin. They found similarities between this plant and a plant called devil’s club, which they had read about, in a novel, in class. Looking down from a high bank into a deep pool below fast water, the students watched native brook trout rise from the bottom of the crystal clear stream to snatch caddis flies struggling on the surface. Other times the trout would rise only partway up the water column and gulp, indicating that they were feeding on the larva forms of these flies or perhaps some other macro invertebrate species. After hiking back down to where the Staunton joins the Rapidan, the students took up seining nets and in groups of three or four, they turned over streambed rocks and churned up the bottom dislodging macro invertebrates from their hiding places. Stonefly, mayfly and caddis fly larva were found. The students examined hellgrammites, crayfish, right opening snails, and many other creatures. Forms were filled out, questions answered, and based on the macro invertebrates that were present, the students concluded that the stream was unpolluted and healthy. The 7^th graders then released the macro invertebrates and themselves into the stream.

LGMS PICTURES

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