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.

Abandoned fire tower and ranger’s cabin on Middle Knob

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.”

The summit!

Looking down from the surface into the channels

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.