One Of The Natural Wonders Of Appalachia...The Great Channels Of VA!

 

If there were a Seven Natural Wonders of the Appalachian Highlands one place that would have to be on this list is the Great Channels of Virginia. This natural wonder is located on Clinch Mountain east of Abingdon, VA. This wasn't my first trip here as I made my first visit with the Clinch Coalition back in November 2015. 

So, it had been a few years since my last time here. Once again this hike was starting from the Hayters Gap Trailhead on VA-80 at the Washington-Russell County lines. However, there had been some changes since my last visit. First, there had been changes to the parking. Five years ago it was a park where you could. But since then numbered parking spots have been installed, limiting parking to 10 spots. Oh, and as some of the new signage says this new rule will be enforced by a ticket or a tow. The signage wasn't all that was new. there was a new information kiosk at the trailhead, including a map. 

The hike itself had changed all that much in five years. It is still a steep hike up, mostly on an old roadbed. On the way, people were working on the Cabin just off the trail (remember the first part of this hike is on an easement).  On the colleges here 2015 photos are first.

The biggest changes were seen at Hayters Knob (or Middle Knob) where the Channels are located. The first was the old Fire wardens Cabin has been removed. It had seen better days back in 2015 as only half of it remained. So, it is gone was not much of a surprise. One good thing about the cabin being gone. It opened up quite a view on some rocks.

However, what was is at the top of the Channels a chain barrier and sign had been put up. What this means is you're not too proceed past this point. This wasn't where five years ago and while disappointing it is understandable (read the sign it will tell you why). While there were changes above, below the Channels were just as amazing as the first time. 

The one disappointing thing is that no work has been done on the old fire tower and it remains closed. Overall, I don't know why I don't do this one more often, it is a wonderful hike. Oh, one more thing, somehow I missed BLANK Falls coming and going...