Editing Brumley Mountain Trail

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:The Channels Natural Area Preserve Top View.jpg
|Trail Highlight=Your likely trail if you want to "go to The Channels"
|Park=The Channels Natural Area Preserve
|Land Owner=Virginia Department of Forestry
|Trail Marking=White diamond
|Trail Use=Hiking, Biking, Geocaching
|Trail Features=Vistas, Canyons
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=4 hrs
|Trail Distance=2.96 mi
|Round Trip Distance=5.92 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=4,188 ft
|Low Point=3,014 ft
|Elevation Gain=1,174 ft
|Elevation Loss=0 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=East-to-West
|Parking location=36.86454, -81.94702
|Trailhead location=36.86395, -81.94729
}}
{{Announcement
 |Title=Limited Parking Space
 |Body='''Notice:''' Beginning June 10, 2020, the parking area at Channels Natural Area Preserve is limited to 10 vehicles. If the parking area is full when you arrive, please come back another time. Parking along Highway 80 is not permitted, and violators will be ticketed. Visit the [https://dof.virginia.gov/education-and-recreation/state-forests/virginia-state-forests/channels-state-forest/ park website] for details
}}
</br>
{{Trail Map|Zoom Cancel=Yes}}

__TOC__
== Trail Overview ==
If you are looking to hike to The Channels, this is the trail you were probably looking for. Although it is 14.6 miles long, most people hike it using the 3 mile access to The Channels from the east end of the trail where it terminates at VA-80.

The Great Channels are an unusual geological maze of large sandstone boulders and eroded crevices.

Per a park brochure: "At the crest of the mountain, within the Natural Area Preserve, are the Great Channels of Virginia, impressive formations of 400-million-year old sandstone outcroppings. Geologists conclude that the Channels were likely formed while the high elevation sandstone cap was under the influence of permafrost and ice wedging during the last ice age. These forces shattered and enlarged joints in the sandstone caprock."

Recommend late May to June when the Mountain Laurel is also in bloom.

== How to get there ==
There are a few ways to reach The Channels as they are on a network of trails. For now the "traditional" approach will be described and other routes hopefully detailed in the future.<br>

From Kingsport, TN
#Take I-81 north to VA Exit 24 (Meadowview).
#Follow VA-80 for about 14 miles and park at the trail head on your left where Raven Ridge Road (Private) intersects VA-80. 

There is parking at the trail head for seven to twelve vehicles by Raven Ridge Road. Raven Ridge Road is an active private road. Do not block the road access in finding parking spots. This parking spot on VA-80 is known as Hayters Gap.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Hike the dirt Raven Ridge Road following the signs to The Channels. The trail appears to have been initially blazed with double yellow rings on trees but have been updated with white diamonds nailed to trees. Also mile markers were added to aid in (the assumed frequent) rescues. 

I have a bit of a discrepancy between most agreed distances and my watch routes viewed on Google Earth.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles Out
!{{PAGENAME}}
!Miles Remaining
!Elevation (ft)
|- 
|0.0
|Trail head at parking spot
|3.1
|3,011
|- 
|0.05
|Gate for private road access
|3.05
|3,040
|- 
|0.5
|Cross under power line
|2.6
|3,211
|- 
|0.7
|Stay straight to stay on trail, cabin on road to right
|2.4
|3,110
|- 
|1.0
|Private cabin seen from the trail to the right
|2.10
|3,204
|- 
|1.15
|Road gate
|1.95
|3,226
|- 
|1.57
|Mile marker 12 on tree, rough halfway point
|1.53
|3,316
|- 
|2.72
|Mile marker 11 on tree
|0.38
|3,951
|- 
|3.08
|Diversion from Brumley Mountain Trail (stay left, trail goes right)
|0.02
|4,094
|- 
|3.2
|Turn left for mini-channels and views to the east, turn right towards fire tower for The Channels
|
|4,153
|- 
|3.25
|Pass under/by fire tower at the trail high point to The Channels, follow arrows the remaining way
|
|4,208
|}

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Wide dirt roads narrowing to a hiking trail.  Very muddy in spots after rain and due to drainage across roadbed.  Not accessible or recommended in winter.  The deep Channels can be full of snow into spring.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fee or permit required for hiking; however, mountain biking does require a $4 day use fee.  Hunting is allowed in the state forest, thus avoid during those official seasons.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 == Photos ==
 {{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Hayters Gap Road Trailhead|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.86461,-81.94703}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Power line|Marker Title=Power line crossing|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.861423,-81.953277}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Turn off road (stay straight while road switchbacks right)|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.861161,-81.955638}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Old structure|Marker Title=Private cabin|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.863489,-81.959281}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Trail sign|Marker Title=Split with Brumley Mountain Trail|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.871957,-81.978305}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Overlook|Marker Title=Overlook to Tri-Cities|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.871055,-81.977652}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Overlook|Marker Title=Overlook at fire tower|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.871424,-81.978036}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Old structure|Marker Title=Old cabin for fire watch|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.871230,-81.978150}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Tower|Marker Title=Fire tower|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.871338,-81.978551}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=The Channels|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.870934,-81.979825}}
-{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Brumley Gap Trailhead|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.828033,-81.962133}}