Brumley Mountain Trail

Brumley Mountain Trail (log in to submit report)
Highlight	Your likely trail if you want to "go to The Channels"
Park	The Channels Natural Area Preserve
Land Owner	Virginia Department of Forestry
Located	Rosedale, VirginiaLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking	White diamond
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail	Canyons
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	4 hrs0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	2.96 mi4.764 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 5.92 mi9.527 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	3,014 ft1,004.667 Yards <br />918.667 Meters <br /> / 4,188 ft1,396 Yards <br />1,276.502 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	1,174 ft357.835 Meters <br /> / (0 ft0 Meters <br />) – East-to-West
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	1 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	1 trails / 5.4 mi of trail
Parking	36° 51' 52.34" N, 81° 56' 49.27" W Map
Trailhead	36° 51' 50.22" N, 81° 56' 50.24" W Map
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Limited Parking Space
Notice: Beginning June 10, 2020, the parking area at Channels Natural Area Preserve is limited to 10 vehicles. If the parking area is full when you arrive, please come back another time. Parking along Highway 80 is not permitted, and violators will be ticketed. Visit the park website for details

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Trail Overview

If you are looking to hike to The Channels, this is the trail you were probably looking for. Although it is 14.6 miles long, most people hike it using the 3 mile access to The Channels from the east end of the trail where it terminates at VA-80.

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

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.

From Kingsport, TN

1. Take I-81 north to VA Exit 24 (Meadowview).
2. 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. This parking spot on VA-80 is known as Hayters Gap.

Route Description

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.

Miles Out	Brumley Mountain Trail	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

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.

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

• 

  Hikers above the Channels - NOTE! No longer permitted

Click here to upload an Image