Channels Trail: Difference between revisions

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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Tower
|Marker Title=Hayter firetower
|Marker Description=Do Not Climb!
|Marker Location=36.8712016666666667, -81.9785616666666667
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Spur trail to Channels
|Marker Location=36.8735383333333333, -81.9790566666666667
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Description=10.5 mi sign
|Marker Location=36.87601, -81.9790183333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Icon Type=Point of interest

Revision as of 20:26, 2 August 2020

Channels Trail

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Channels Trail Banner.jpg
Highlight Although your likely goal, not the typical access
Park The Channels Natural Area Preserve
Land Owner Virginia Department of Forestry
Located Rosedale, VirginiaLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking Red blaze
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingHunting

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

Vistas

Difficulty Rating Hard
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 66 Hours <br />0.375 Days <br />360 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 3.23.2 Mi <br />5.15 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 6.46.4 mi <br />10.3 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type In-and-Out
Low / High Point 29032,903 Feet <br />967.667 Yards <br />884.834 Meters <br />42084,208 Feet <br />1,402.667 Yards <br />1,282.598 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 20112,011 Feet <br />612.953 Meters <br /> / (721721 Feet <br />219.761 Meters <br />) – South-to-North
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days 2 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking 36° 49' 43.14" N, 81° 49' 43.14" W Map
Trailhead 36° 49' 43.14" N, 81° 49' 43.14" W Map
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Trail Overview

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

From Kingsport, TN

  1. Take I-81 north to Virginia Exit 14 (Hwy VA-140/Jonesboro Road) towards Abingdon.
  2. After 0.5 mile, turn right/east onto US-19/11 Lee Highway
  3. After 0.9 mile, turn left/north onto US-19/Porterfield Highway.
  4. After 8.2 miles, turn right slightly and downhill onto Brumley Gap Road (County Road 689).
  5. Wind 8.2 miles until seeing the Channels State Forest sign on left/north - just past Fletchers Chapel Church on right/south. Church address is 23268 Brumley Gap Road, which Google Maps overshoots.
  6. Proceed uphill on gravel forest road to kiosk on right which is at turn into main parking for 8-10 cars.

This location is open all year for the entire 5.5 mile trail distance to The Channels. A gate is locked just past this point during the off-season. If the latter is open, then high-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive could proceed up a couple of miles to an upper parking area to shorten the hike and climb. While the forest road is in great condition, low-clearance sedans would bottom out in the frequent water diversions.

Route Description

An in-and-out hike. This description starts from the bottom, but seasonal access allows shorter round trip from upper parking lot.

Mileage Feature Elevation
Kiosk at base parking lot 1719
Seasonal gate
Alternative parking area
0.0 Locked gate at upper parking area 2905
Logging workspace
Channels NAP boundary sign
Intersection with Brumley Mountain Trail
Brumley Mountain Trail 10.5 mi. sign
Spur trail to The Channels
Firetower
The Channels

Typical Conditions

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.

Fees, Permits, etc.

The Channels State Forest is open from dawn to dusk. No fee to park and walk the trail. No camping.

After the Hike

Head to Abingdon for an outdoor lunch in one of the many restaurants.

Miscellaneous Information

Managed by Virginia Department of Forestry (106 Forestry Lane / Galax, Virginia 24333). Phone: (276) 236-2322

VA Dept of Forestry map for Brumley Mtn and Channel Trails

Gallery