CL-October 2024 - 30

EXPLOREMORE
The view from the bottom
of The Channels Fire Tower
atop Clinch Mountain.
The Channels Challenge
A hike for the ages that's worth the eff ort
by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
E
veryone told us how hard hiking
to Th e Channels would be.
" Th e hike there is a slog. " " It's
uphill all the way there. " " It's really, really
hard. " Th ese are just a few warnings we
received before our adventure in Th e
Channels Natural Area Preserve.
However, despite these warnings, no
one who issued them said it wasn't worth
the work involved. " Th e Channels are
awesome. " " It's totally worth the climb. "
" You'll love it, " they also told us.
Having now joined the ranks of those
who have visited Th e Channels, I can
personally vouch for the challenge the
6.7-mile, out-and-back hike poses. With
an elevation gain of roughly 1,400 feet
and some grades as steep as 30%, the trek
to Th e Channels is indeed a challenge.
But, I can also personally vouch for
the reward.
Here's how I remember the
experience: My husband, our two dogs
and I pull into the small, 10-space gravel
parking lot a little aſt er 9 a.m. on a
Monday. I took the day off from work
and I'm determined to enjoy the journey,
regardless of its legendary arduousness.
Th e fi rst mile-and-a-half prove
relatively easy, especially compared to
our expectations. We are walking uphill,
but the trail is wide, and its incline is
gradual and gentle. At a switchback,
we stop for snacks, sitting in the grass
alongside the trail. I peel an orange and
a hard-boiled egg, drink some water
28 * Cooperative Living * October 2024
Climbing the fi re tower, pictured here,
at The Channels is prohibited.
and fortify our dogs with some mini
Milkbones. My husband crunches
some almonds and chews a handful
of dried cherries.
Th en we start again.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
At the next switchback, things
quickly get tougher. " Now I understand
what everyone was talking about, "
I tell my husband, tightening the belly
strap of my brand-new hiking backpack
around my waist.
We trudge on for perhaps another
mile, our conversation waning as our
breath grows more labored. Aſt er a few
more switchbacks, we pause to view the
mountains through the trees, startling
two pileated woodpeckers whose red
Sandstone rock formations
create a maze of shadow and
light near the summit of Middle
Knob on Clinch Mountain.
heads and black and white wings
fl ash amongst the branches as they
fl ee our presence.
When we start moving again, I have
to stifl e the temptation to check my
work email on my phone. Surprisingly,
I have service. It is Monday, aſt er all.
Best to stay informed about what awaits
me at work when I return tomorrow.
But I let the urge pass like the
cloud shadows I watch driſt ing over
the mountains. I tell myself that all
the work will still be there, whether
I know about it now or later. I keep
my attention on the cloud shadows,
the rocky trail, the rhythmic sound of
my own breathing, and the satisfying
sensation of exertion in my lungs,
legs and shoulders.
co-opliving.com
The trail features many steep
drop-off s, like the one shown here.
http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-October 2024

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