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
|Trail Distance=5.4 mi
|Round Trip Distance=10.8 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=4,187 ft
|Low Point=1,714 ft
|Elevation Gain=2,681 ft
|Elevation Loss=-242 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Parking location=36.82881, -81.96248
|Trailhead location=36.82865, -81.96289
}}
{{Trail Map|Other Trails=Brumley Mountain Trail}}

__TOC__

==Trail Overview==
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.

==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==
[[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.

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

==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.

The dark red blazes need to be refreshed.  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.  Blazes are seen again 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.==
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

[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==
{{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
|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
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Brumley Mtn Trail
|Marker Description=Trail intersection
|Marker Location=36.87668, -81.980325
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Whiterock Branch
|Marker Description=Easy stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.867675, -81.98628
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Logging work area
|Marker Description=Pick right direction
|Marker Location=36.854755, -81.9884216666666667
}}
{{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
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Description=Upper of two lots
|Marker Location=36.84944, -81.9825183333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Seasonal Parking Lot
|Marker Description=Lower of two lots
|Marker Location=36.8339766666666667, -81.9683383333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Forest gate
|Marker Description=Seasonally open
|Marker Location=36.828845, -81.9635583333333333
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Lot for full trail length
|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
}}