Mountain Lake Wilderness

The wilderness is about 10 miles northwest of Pembroke, Virginia in Craig and Giles Counties in southwest Virginia, and Monroe County, West Virginia. State route 615 passes along the western side of the wilderness, state route 635 passes along a section to the northwest, and SR 632 runs parallel to the wilderness on the southeast, offset by about 0.5 mile. There are eight trails in the area: • War Spur Loop, 1.8 miles, trailhead on Va 635 that are covered with eastern hardwood forests, is reached by the War Spur and Chestnut Trail loop. The trailhead for this hike is on Route 700, north of Mountain Lake. ==Natural history==

The area has a rich variety of wildlife; 43 species of mammals and over 70 species of birds include substantial populations of wild turkey, muskrat, beaver and gray fox. In addition small populations of least shrew, meadow jumping mouse, long-tailed weasel, striped skunk and the harvest mouse have been found. Endangered species of salamander may exist here. Bird populations include red crossbill, winter wren, veery, black-capped chickadee, Blackburnian warbler, rosebreasted grosbeak, and cerulean warblers; birds found in high_elevations and deep-woods. ==Topography==

Mountain Lake Wilderness ranges in elevation from about to over . The area is bisected by the Eastern Continental Divide and has about of hiking trails, including of the Appalachian Trail. The area is part of the Ridge and Valley System of mountains. The intersection of Potts Mountain and Salt Pond Mountain create a plateau like area. Piney ridge runs along the northeast side of the wilderness and Little Mountain on the northwest. The area is on the Continental Divide; streams on the west side drain into Johns Creek, part of the James River watershed that flows into the Atlantic; and streams on the south east flow into the New River and onto the Gulf of Mexico. Johns Creek once drained into the New River watershed, but millions of years ago the James River watershed expanded, capturing Johns Creek. Rockcrops at White Rocks, War Spur Overlook, Bear Cliffs, and Windrock give "outstanding views" over the area. ==See also==