Tag: virginia channels

Today’s Hike: The Great Channels of Virginia

Spectacular scenery today. See?

Our hike took us along the Brumley Mountain Trail, from Hayter's Gap to The Great Channels of Virginia. 6.2 miles round-trip, elevation change 1200ft, summit at 4208 feet.
Our hike took us along the Brumley Mountain Trail, from Hayter’s Gap to The Great Channels of Virginia.
6.2 miles round-trip, elevation change 1200ft, summit at 4208 feet.

IMG_2915 IMG_2919 IMG_2917 IMG_2922 IMG_2923 IMG_2925 IMG_2933 IMG_2936

Abandoned fire tower and ranger's cabin on Middle Knob
Abandoned fire tower and ranger’s cabin on Middle Knob

IMG_2941 IMG_2945 IMG_2950

From the Virginia Department of Forestry, "...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."
From the Virginia Department of Forestry, “…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.”

IMG_2947 IMG_2954

The summit!
The summit!

IMG_2952 IMG_2951 IMG_2962

Looking down from the surface into the channels
Looking down from the surface into the channels

IMG_2965

I got kind of a little bit lost. I have a terrible sense of direction, which is why I never hike unaccompanied, and always carry a whistle. I knew Tim wasn't far, I just couldn't see him in the labyrinth of rock crevasses.
I got kind of a little bit lost. I have a terrible sense of direction, which is why I never hike unaccompanied, and always carry a whistle.
I knew Tim wasn’t far, I just couldn’t see him in the labyrinth of rock crevasses.

IMG_2970 IMG_2969