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Line 7: Line 7:
|Trail Features=Vistas
|Trail Features=Vistas
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
|Hike Time=8 hrs
|Hike Time=6
|Trail Distance=5.4 mi
|Trail Distance=3.2
|Round Trip Distance=10.8 mi
|Round Trip Distance=6.4
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=4,187 ft
|High Point=4208
|Low Point=1,714 ft
|Low Point=2903
|Elevation Gain=2,681 ft
|Elevation Gain=2011
|Elevation Loss=-242 ft
|Elevation Loss=721
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Parking location=36.82881, -81.96248
|Parking location=36.82865, -81.82865
|Trailhead location=36.82865, -81.96289
|Trailhead location=36.82865, -81.82865
}}
}}
{{Trail Map|Other Trails=Brumley Mountain Trail}}
{{Trail Map}}


__TOC__
__TOC__


==Trail Overview==
==Trail Overview==
In [[The Channels Natural Area Preserve]].  Not the favored hiking route to the The Channels in spite of its name.  Shorter at 3.2 mi (one way) when seasonal gates are open, but still lots of climbing.
Not the favored hiking route to the The Channels in spite of its name.  Shorter when seasonal gates are open, but still lots of climbing.


==How To Get There==
==How To Get There==
Line 37: Line 37:


==Route Description==
==Route Description==
[[File:Channels trail profile.png|thumb|right|Profile chart]]An in-and-out hike.  This description starts from the bottom, but seasonal access allows shorter round trip from upper parking lot.
An in-and-out hike.  This description starts from the bottom, but seasonal access allows shorter round trip from upper parking lot.


{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
Line 45: Line 45:
!Elevation
!Elevation
|-
|-
|(2.3)
|-2.28
|Kiosk at base parking lot
|Kiosk at base parking lot
|1705
|1719
|-
|-
|(2.2)
|
|Seasonal gate
|Seasonal gate
|1734
|
|-
|-
|(1.5)
|
|Alternative parking area
|Alternative parking area
|2179
|
|-
|-
|0.0
|0.0
Line 61: Line 61:
|2905
|2905
|-
|-
|0.6
|
|Logging workspace
|Logging workspace
|3190
|
|-
|-
|1.6
|
|Channels NAP boundary sign
|Channels NAP boundary sign
|3067
|
|-
|-
|1.7
|
|Whiterock Branch stream crossing
|3199
|-
|2.5
|Intersection with Brumley Mountain Trail
|Intersection with Brumley Mountain Trail
|3698
|
|-
|-
|2.9
|
|Brumley Mountain Trail 10.5 mi. sign
|Brumley Mountain Trail 10.5 mi. sign
|3910
|
|-
|-
|3.1
|
|Spur trail to The Channels
|Spur trail to The Channels
|3871
|
|-
|-
|3.2
|
|Hayters Knob Firetower  
|Firetower  
|4151
|
|-
|-
|3.2
|
|The Channels
|The Channels
|4165
|
|}
|}


==Typical Conditions==
==Typical Conditions==
Lower section is gravel forest road.  Growth on both sides was likely mown in 2019.  Past the upper logging workspace, the trail continues on unmaintained forest roads - mostly as a single track.  Weeds, primarily stinging nettle, can be tall in places.  Patches of red-flowering Indian Paintbrush also seen.  All runoff crossings were easy to make - even after a hard rain the prior night.
Lower section is gravel forest road.  Growth on both sides was likely mown in 2019.  Past the upper construction workspace, the trail continues on unmaintained forest roads - mostly as a single track.  Weeds, primarily stinging nettle, can be tall in places.  All runoff crossings were easy to make - even after a hard rain the prior night.
 
The dark red blazes were refreshed twice in 2021.  There are two places you need to make correct choices.  First, at the logging workspace, the trail continues down an unmaintained forest road - roughly 10 o'clock from where you entered.  Additional blaze was added near the intersection then they continue several hundred feet down the trail.  Second, at the tee-intersection with Brumley Mountain Trail with many Posted - No Trespassing signs, the desired route is to the right.


==Fees, Permits, etc.==
==Fees, Permits, etc.==
Line 107: Line 101:
==Miscellaneous Information==
==Miscellaneous Information==
Managed by Virginia Department of Forestry (106 Forestry Lane / Galax, Virginia 24333).  Phone: (276) 236-2322
Managed by Virginia Department of Forestry (106 Forestry Lane / Galax, Virginia 24333).  Phone: (276) 236-2322
[http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stateforest/maps/Channels-Map-Trail-Brumley-Mtn.pdf VA Dept of Forestry map for Brumley Mtn and Channel Trails]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Photo spot
|Marker Title=The Channels
|Marker Description=Overlook sign
|Marker Location=36.8711933333333333, -81.9792416666666667
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Tower
|Marker Title=Hayter firetower
|Marker Description=Do Not Climb!
|Marker Location=36.8712016666666667, -81.9785616666666667
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Spur trail to Channels
|Marker Title=10.5 mi
|Marker Location=36.8735383333333333, -81.9790566666666667
|Marker Description=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Location=36.8670933333333333, -81.9862733333333333
}}
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Title=Trail intersection
|Marker Description=10.5 mi sign
|Marker Description=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Location=36.87601, -81.9790183333333333
|Marker Location=36.84944, -81.9825183333333333
}}
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Title=Channels NAP
|Marker Description=Trail intersection
|Marker Description=Boundary sign
|Marker Location=36.87668, -81.980325
|Marker Location=36.8339766666666667, -81.9683383333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Whiterock Branch
|Marker Description=Easy stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.867675, -81.98628
}}
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Logging work area
|Marker Title=Maintenance Parking Area
|Marker Description=Pick right direction
|Marker Description=Pick right direction
|Marker Location=36.854755, -81.9884216666666667
|Marker Location=36.828845, -81.9635583333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Kiosk
|Marker Description=Forest information
|Marker Location=36.8286466666666667, -81.9628916666666667
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Channels NAP
|Marker Description=Boundary sign
|Marker Location=36.8670933333333333, -81.9862733333333333
}}
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
Line 169: Line 132:
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Description=Upper of two lots
|Marker Description=Upper of two lots
|Marker Location=36.84944, -81.9825183333333333
|Marker Location=36.8286466666666667, -81.8286466666666667
}}
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
Line 175: Line 138:
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Description=Lower of two lots
|Marker Description=Lower of two lots
|Marker Location=36.8339766666666667, -81.9683383333333333
|Marker Location=36.8288066666666667, -81.9624783333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Forest gate
|Marker Description=Seasonally open
|Marker Location=36.828845, -81.9635583333333333
}}
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
Line 187: Line 144:
|Marker Title=Lot for full trail length
|Marker Title=Lot for full trail length
|Marker Description=If seasonal gate is closed
|Marker Description=If seasonal gate is closed
|Marker Location=36.8288066666666667, -81.9624783333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Front Entrance
|Marker Description=Channels State Forest sign
|Marker Location=36.8276116666666667, -81.9624833333333333
|Marker Location=36.8276116666666667, -81.9624833333333333
}}
}}
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