I started off the New Year in the best possible way. I met with friends, Rhonda, Tammy and Silas for a day hike to see and experience the natural wonder that is the Channels in Southwest Virginia. Living where I do the options for adventure surrounding me in any direction I would choose to go are so abundant it is sometimes difficult to decide where to go and what to explore.
The Channels, a Maze of Boulders and Crevices near Abington, have been on the short list for a day hike for quite a while. The Channels Natural Area Preserve is 721 acres of forest, fire tower, trails, views, and a 20 acre labyrinth just waiting to be explored. We set out on Saturday January 7, for the 7 mile round trip hike to the maze that originates from a parking area on Highway 80. The parking lot on Highway 80 is limited to 10 cars, controlling the number of folks who are loose in the Channels at one time. This is to somewhat protect the natural resources and offer a more enjoyable experience to the hiker by preventing overcrowding. The lot is policed and cars illegally parked can be towed. If this hike is on your list have a backup destination in mind in case parking is not available. There are 2 ways into the Channels, a long hike and a short one. On our way in we went to the trailhead for the long hike before figuring out we had chosen the wrong directions to plug into the GPS. Correcting our course after a cool drive up a gravel mountain road in the Jeep Gladiator we pulled up to the parking area on Virginia Highway 80, just as another vehicle was backing out. Luck was on our side!
The day had started out cool, overcast and gloomy. As we disembarked and gathered our gear the sun peaked out from behind the clouds. As we began the hike up the gravel fire road the clouds began to disperse. The world warmed up as we climbed. When the fire road swung right we continued straight following directions towards our destination.
We met other hikers coming and going, we passed family groups with children and we were passed by younger more athletic hikers. The climb towards the summit was intense in places. The climb was rated semi strenuous and it told on us in places. The trail narrowed, and became rocky in places. Treacherous footing and slick conditions made having a hiking staff or poles a good call.
It felt great to be out with friends. The hike was just right for the first one of the new year. We had some nice vistas looking off into the distances. We traveled through green tunnels that contrasted nicely with the wintery landscape. We topped out at the foot of a Firetower. The tower reached high into the now blue sky. Passing beneath it we hit the trail to the Channels. We clambered down and entered the maze. The boulders reached up into the sky, the sandy paths winding through them twisting and winding around. It has a slot canyon feel to it. The rock formations were interesting and the site has a middle earth feel to it. I enjoyed the trip outside the mundane. I breathed in the cool clean air and wandered the maze. We made our way back to the base of the Firetower and ate our snacks in the sun. Soaking in the sun on the 7th day of January in the Year of our Lord 2021, I had a moment of deep revelation.
All things are relative, all time is finite. All I have lies in the moment where I find myself. What is happening in our world today is frightening, and fear is a malignant spirit that will creep into the soul and destroy the peace and joy that is ours as Children of the Most High God. Hang onto what is most precious. Find and feast on that which feeds the spirit on the goodness that is available.
This is a magical little hike, 7 miles round trip that took us about 4 to 4.5 hours. I didn’t mark start and end times. Until next hike!!!
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 