High up on the a ridge line and deep within the southwest Virginia Appalachia mountains, a hidden group of sandstone slot canyons that awaited some wandering. In the heart the of the July with max humidity in the air, we took the long hike to the top of the ridge.
There are 10 parking spots at the “closer” parking area for the channels which begins with you hiking along a private driveway through 3 gates. 1 by the enterances, another that was guarding the road next a cabin begin renovate in progresses, and lastly the gate to the actually preserve land.
The hike is basically straight up hill for 1,700 feet and 3.5 miles one way. Very little wind and steaming vegetation was the majority of my memory of the hike until we hit the switch backs and the ground go sandier.
Eventually we reached the summit with great view of the landscape, but saw the rock top outcrops. This all just looked like nothing but a simple rocky top jump of rocks. Walking deeper and around towards the back section of the channels ,opened up quickly to the grid like corridors.
Weaker sandstone was clearly show to weathered away beneath the higher and tough sandstone caps. The cooridors were much cool than the 90+ degrees rock tops. We wanted around and explore the caves and crevasses. Unique trees cool be seen growing on top and with the slot canyon systems.
