![\"group\"](\"http:\/\/rattreks.com\/site_pics81\/0419.jpg\")
<\/a>Group shot from within the Great Channels of Virginia (top to bottom = John Forbes, Tyler Tarpley, Randy Tarpley, and Larry Jarret)<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>Getting an early start is prudent.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Heaven let your light shine down !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower part of Logan Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Logan Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Cliff beside Logan Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Splash pool and lower part of Logan Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John ‘gnoming’ at the top of Logan Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
After the waterfall we would soon be at the trail head and heading up the mountain. The first stop would be at the old cabin where as history dictates is where a former caretaker lived a long time ago. It has some very old and interesting features. I am sure if it could talk we would have been there for much longer ! Once we got much higher on the mountain I noticed a rather large, vertical rock face that I caught a glimpse of through the dense trees and laurels. Needing a rest anyway, I climbed up to it and to my amazement found a whole other world hidden there. Of course I summoned the others and we began an extensive sweep of the area. This would pay off immensely as we not only discovered a lot of really large , vertical cliffs and rock towers to play on but, also a superb crack to climb up which also hid a special treat being a nice cave room located deep within its belly.<\/p>\n
<\/a>One of the first things you see along the trail is this rock. Some call it a heart rock but, I call it a butt rock for obvious reasons !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The old caretakers cabin.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Front porch of the cabin<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Sexy a$$ tree along the trail !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Checking out some colors on top of the big hill we would eventually be on top of.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The huge ‘Stingray Rock’ that guards the entrance to the cave room<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking higher up the crack above the stingray rock you can see some potential headache rocks looming<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Some very tall and interesting rocks were found here<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>“Are you lookin` at my bum ? ” John utilizing the stingray rock as he climbs up the crack.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John sits atop the mighty stingray rock in this newfound crack (Photo by Larry Jarret)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>In case you did not think the stingray rock was very big in the other pics, here you can see its size as john begins his squeeze by it to access the cave room it guards<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>One inch at a time John makes his way past the stingray rock to gain access to what it and the crack is hiding.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>It was as if john was being slowly eaten by this rock creature.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Once John was inside, I somehow squeezed my fat behind through the small opening to join him. Here John is continuing deeper into the crack<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John in the back of crack in the small cave room. There were some bone looking rock formations back there.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John`s view of me from his position in the back of the crack cave. He had to use a flash to make this possible. (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Rock formations at the back of the crack cave. (using a flash) (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This rock tower is huge and sits just downhill from the cliffs we found<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Table top of the huge rock tower that sits just downhill from the cliffs we found<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler and I climbed around the base to see if we could get on top of the cliffs but, there was always an obstacle that would have to be climbed to make that possible. Here Tyler investigates a shorter crack to see if could be safely climbed without ropes.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Literally ‘tons’ of overhanging rocks blocking the way for the average climber<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This one rock would weigh several tons !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler could have pulled himself up through the laurel trees and got on top but, we didn`t really have the time to spend on it.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John took his turn at climbing this new crack<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking up this cliff at the overhanging rock on top, it reminded me of a larger version of Sitting Bear rock.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Taking a break at the base of the cliff wall near the stingray rock crack<\/p><\/div>\n
After the long exploratory break at the new cliffs the journey was back in action as we completed the steep climb up to the top and got our first sight of the old fire tower that sits on top of the Channels. It was a clear day so the views were abounding. We would take a quick shortcut over to what John and I call the ‘Hidden Channels’ which are a smaller version located in an inconspicuous area reached by a short side trail through some laurel bushes found before you reach the tower where the approach trail ends. Most folks that do venture out here walk on the tops of these and do not climb down into the more narrow cracks found there. That is their loss as there is an entire subterranean world that lies below that John and I had found on previous trips here. After a short time here we would continue on to the tower.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Neat rock formations along the trail<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler checks out some of the many cool rock formations found along the trail<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler marvels at some of the dinosaur fossil looking rock formations found along the way<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>So many of the rocks here resemble dinosaur fossils !!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>First view of the old fire tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John gnomin` atop a part of the ‘hidden channels’<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler checking out an entrance to some of the lower levels of the hidden channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down on Tyler who is taking a break at one of the entrances to the lower world of the hidden channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler and Larry atop part of the hidden channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry getting some pics from atop the Hidden Channels (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Three amigos on top of the Hidden Channels (left to right: Larry, Tyler, RAT) (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Gnome posing on top of the Hidden Channels. Tyler in the background. (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
Just behind the tower is a large crack that is too wide to step or easily jump over and our Gnome friend John is notorious for flying across it. This trip would be no exception and we even had Tyler doing it as well. As I was photographing this traditional event Tyler and I noticed there was more to the crack than I had seen before and located a way that we might be able to get down into it. After bringing this to John`s attention, we decided that we would definitely be checking that out before the day was over !<\/p>\n
<\/a>Making our way to the tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>View from a rocky outcropping near the tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Sweeping view from a rocky outcropping just before the tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler at the base of the very tall and very old fire tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Not all Gnomes can fly but, this one can !! John displays this as he seemingly flies across the huge chasm !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>It did not take Tyler long to be convinced that he could also fly across this wide chasm !!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler defying gravity across the huge chasm<\/p><\/div>\n
Of course it was imperative that we all climb the tower. Although I have seen many do this, it is not recommended and is frowned upon by the powers that be which I am sure is mainly due to liability so I must tell you not to do it !!\u00a0 The lower sections of the stairs have been removed and there is signage to discourage this however, we declined that ‘suggestion’ and accepting our own liability as tradition required,\u00a0 we proceeded to monkey our way to the top. Of course without any stairs just getting up to the first step is slightly challenging and for some would be impossible which is actually a good thing as it keeps those that probably should not be climbing it from doing so. If you can reach the remaining steps there is still a lot of risk involved as the wood is very old and can NOT be trusted so you should place your feet on each outside edge in order to be over the steel braces where the original steps are mounted to obtain the best support. This tower is one of the taller ones so it can be quite intimidating. Any fear of heights would make this not advisable. Once at the top there is a spring loaded, heavily weighted door you have to push up while on the last steps. This is at least a 50 pound push with nothing to hold it open so if you lose your grip it would certainly knock you out and off the perch which just adds more danger to this undertaking. Of course we all live for such exploits so we made short work of getting to the top and inside what`s left of the old tower. It is rickety and does sway with any movement including any winds that might be blowing at the time. I would not recommend more than 4 at a time ever. The views are impeccable. It is rumored that if funding ever comes through that it will be converted into a safer observation tower. Either way as long as its still there I will be happy.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tower view<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Here you can see the ‘airplane rock’ that sits at the end of the ridge. This is another location still on my list to visit.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Zoomed shot of the ‘airplane rock’ . (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view. Nice colors in the valley beyond the ‘hidden channels’<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view, continuing to pan right<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view, continuing to pan right<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view, slightly zoomed to show some of the remaining past peak colors<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view looking out over the main channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>I could tell Tyler was enjoying this !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view looking out over the main part of the channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view (of Lebanon Va)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view (still panning right )<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>tower view (farther right )<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view. I could not help but to notice those unique looking white rock spires on the right side, center of this photo,,,<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down at the mini channels that lies around the base of the tower with a cool tower shadow as a bonus !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view, slightly more to the right<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tower view, panning right<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Group shot !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Almost back down to the bottom. here is where the steps are gone !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John`s view of me descending the tower where the steps end (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry and myself climbing down the tower like monkeys in a zoo ! (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Watching the others as they climb back down the tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler descends the tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Descending the last section<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler having no trouble coming down the tower without steps !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>As you can see this is a very old tower (1939)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>It even shows the elevation of the mountain upon which it sits upon.<\/p><\/div>\n
Once off the tower we took a short recess to ‘snack early and snack often’ before going down into the chasm we had been ‘flying’ over before. Tyler and John made their way down onto a ledge and with a quick, precarious climb was standing in the opening of a hidden crack about half way down which would lead into a new world of channels. Larry and I wasted no time in joining them there. It led to a maze of a smaller version of the great channels which we wasted no time in exploring. There were other routes into these chasms from ground level and it was obvious that people do go here but, we had never taken the time to explore it before on previous trips. We even found another cave room in the deepest part of it. Having another new area to play in just added more to this already rewarding foray.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tyler and John leading the way down into the mini channels under the tower<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Once down on the ledge which was half way to bottom, Tyler and John disappear into another crack !! This would lead into the mazes of the mini channels there<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler finds yet another way down in the mini channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Definite sign that others have been down here before<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Rocks seem to defy gravity here<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>There was a lot of sand in this area<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Eroding sandstone makes for some very nice looking rock formations<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Following John back into another pitch black cave room<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back at Larry before I join john in the dark cave room behind me<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Using our lights and my camera flash, I am able to light up this completely dark cave room we found deep in the mini channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry outside the entrance to the new hidden cave room we discovered (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Me in the entrance to the small cave room we found (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
After our play time in the mini channels, we wasted no time in continuing on to the Great Channels. We did take time to check out the top of them first by jumping over several deep chasms that are around 40 to 60 feet deep to hang out on top of the main channels for a while to give the first timers a sense of scale to the channels before proceeding down into them. This is definitely an amazing place and as John has proven it takes a minimum of 50 times visiting it to even begin to see everything it has to offer and, that is IF you know where to look. Even he still finds new things to see on each and every trip.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Hanging out on top of the great channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>One of many chasms that make up the great channels as seen from above them<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>making our way across the top of the great channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry carefully negotiates a precarious spot in order to get across the top of the channels. You do NOT want to slip here as it is a long way down into the crack which would land you in the bottom of the channels.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler follows suit as we make our way across many cracks and chasms along the top of the channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Following John across the tops of the channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler on top of the channels about to make yet another leap of faith !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Live action shot of Larry the Roan Mtn Jedi as he climbs along the tops of the great channels of Virginia. Notice his hat is color coordinated with the bright red Mountain Ash tree !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>These little rocky knobs that stick up everywhere along the top of the channels make it easy to trip and stumble which is something you do NOT want to do here !!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down into one of the many cracks and chasms found on the top of the channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>View of the tower from on top of the main channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking towards the tower across one of the larger chasms of the channels as continue to make our way around the top<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler adds some scale to the top of the channels and how difficult it is to get from one to the other !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler on top of the main channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Tyler and John on top of the main channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Me, Tyler and john on top of the main channels (Photo by Larry Jarret)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry maneuvers across the top of the channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Me doing a Gnome pose as I stand on top of the Main Channels (Photo by John Forbes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Yeah, this picture speaks for itself. Hanging out under such rocks makes one stop and think.<\/p><\/div>\n
I particularly love the main entrance to the channels as it passes under what I call the ‘music note rock’ which is a smooth sided, vertical rock wall that has what appears (to me) to be a perfect Crotchet or Quarter Note. Once past this you are instantly within the channels and the adventures begin as you are transformed into a rat trapped within a maze of rock. It can be intimidating as the routes are not marked and the huge monolithic cracks vary greatly in size from large to extremely narrow. It is really hard to see it all in one trip but, between the experience of John and myself, we did a respectable job of doing so.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Heading down into the main channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Main entrance to the great channels<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The entrance wall is marked by this cool music note !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This reminded me of a fossilized fish !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The rock colors and formations here are amazing<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Finally Tyler gets to see the main event. Something I am sure he will never forget.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>If you have any imagination you will see many different things here. This to me looks like a Tiki head you might see carved on something in Hawaii ? (M\u0101ori mythology)<\/p><\/div>\n