The Experience
You will love: A summit with Slot Canyons, yes in Virginia…….I won’t tell anyone you just happy giggled at the thought of experiencing this.
You need to know: No fee required.
This hike will inspire you and have you exploring with wide eyed child glee. This hike will surprise you that four million years later a gift like The Channels is waiting for you. The Channels are a 6.4 mile round trip hike, from the trail head it is a consistent ascent with some hard breathing points but wonderfully dressed with forest canopy and mountain laurel. As you near the summit, the terrain turns rocky and when wet can turn quite saturated and muddy. There is little technical difficulty on this hike but you are here for the summit, not a summit view but a summit slot canyon.
How do I find the Channels?
At the summit, look for well placed signs just south of the retired fire tower. From here, descend below the summit into the sandstone slot canyons coated in green and snaking in and around one another for easy childlike exploration. When ready, exit the same way you came in.
The slot canyon was formed 4 million years ago, where sandstone tapped out to ice and water to form wonderous passages of bus sized boulders and stones placed and tossed without consent throughout large, towering green- and lime-colored walls. The Channels are well marked and easy to navigate so enjoy yourself in this geological playground. When you are ready to return to your car, retrace your steps.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
You need to know: No fee required.
This hike will inspire you and have you exploring with wide eyed child glee. This hike will surprise you that four million years later a gift like The Channels is waiting for you. The Channels are a 6.4 mile round trip hike, from the trail head it is a consistent ascent with some hard breathing points but wonderfully dressed with forest canopy and mountain laurel. As you near the summit, the terrain turns rocky and when wet can turn quite saturated and muddy. There is little technical difficulty on this hike but you are here for the summit, not a summit view but a summit slot canyon.
How do I find the Channels?
At the summit, look for well placed signs just south of the retired fire tower. From here, descend below the summit into the sandstone slot canyons coated in green and snaking in and around one another for easy childlike exploration. When ready, exit the same way you came in.
The slot canyon was formed 4 million years ago, where sandstone tapped out to ice and water to form wonderous passages of bus sized boulders and stones placed and tossed without consent throughout large, towering green- and lime-colored walls. The Channels are well marked and easy to navigate so enjoy yourself in this geological playground. When you are ready to return to your car, retrace your steps.
HIKE ON!
GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2 water bottle
- heavy snack or lunch
- hiking shoes or hiking boots, grip needed
- bug spray
