Editing Channels Trail

{{Trail
|Trail Highlight=Although your likely goal, not the typical access
|Park=The Channels Natural Area Preserve
|Land Owner=Virginia Department of Forestry
|Trail Marking=Red blaze
|Trail Use=Hiking, Hunting
|Trail Features=Vistas
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
|Hike Time=8 hrs for entire trail
|Trail Distance=5.50 mi
|Round Trip Distance=11.0 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|Low Point=1713 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Parking location=36.82761, -81.96248
|Trailhead location=36.82761, -81.96248
}}
{{Trail Map}}

__TOC__

==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
#Take I-81 north to Virginia Exit 14 (Hwy VA-140/Jonesboro Road) towards Abingdon.
#After 0.5 mile, turn right/east onto US-19/11 Lee Highway   
#After 0.9 mile, turn left/north onto US-19/Porterfield Highway. 
#After 8.2 miles, turn right slightly and downhill onto Brumley Gap Road (County Road 689).
#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.
#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.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Mileage
!Feature
!Elevation
|-
|0.0
|Kiosk at base parking lot
|
|-
|
|Seasonal gate
|
|-
|
|Alternative parking area
|
|-
|
|Locked gate at upper parking area
|
|-
|
|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

==Gallery==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=10.5 mi
|Marker Description=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Location=36.8670933333333333, -81.9862733333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trail intersection
|Marker Description=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Location=36.84944, -81.9825183333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Channels NAP
|Marker Description=Boundary sign
|Marker Location=36.8339766666666667, -81.9683383333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Maintenance Parking Area
|Marker Description=Pick right direction
|Marker Location=36.828845, -81.9635583333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Description=Upper of two lots
|Marker Location=36.8286466666666667, -81.8286466666666667
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Description=Lower of two lots
|Marker Location=36.8288066666666667, -81.9624783333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Lot for full trail length
|Marker Description=If seasonal gate is closed
|Marker Location=36.8276116666666667, -81.9624833333333333
}}