Editing Brumley Mountain Trail

{{Trail
|City=Rosedale
|Land Owner=Virginia State Forest
|Trail Marking=White diamond
|Trail Use=Hiking, Biking
|Trail Features=Vistas
|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
}}
<display_map center="36.869,-81.967" zoom="14" width="auto" type="terrain" height="550" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/The_Channels.kml">
36.864539,-81.947022~Parking
36.863945,-81.947294~Trailhead
36.86461,-81.94703~Hayters Gap Road Trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
36.861423,-81.953277~Power line crossing~ ~Powerline.png
36.861161,-81.955638~Turn off road (stay straight while road switchbacks right)~ ~MarkerG.png
36.863489,-81.959281~Private cabin~ ~MarkerV.png
36.871957,-81.978305~Split with Brumley Mountain Trail~ ~MarkerT.png
36.871055,-81.977652~Overlook to Tri-Cities~ ~MarkerE.png
36.871424,-81.978036~Overlook at fire tower~ ~MarkerE.png
36.871230,-81.978150~Old cabin for fire watch~ ~MarkerV.png
36.871338,-81.978551~Fire tower~ ~Marker2.png
36.870934,-81.979825~The Channels~ ~MarkerG.png
36.828033,-81.962133~Brumley Gap Trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
</display_map>

[http://www.dof.virginia.gov/infopubs/_state-forests/CHSF-2013-05_pub.pdf Channels State Forest Map] - Older as it does not show access available from VA-80

__TOC__
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
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 ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
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.

== 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}}}}