Jason,
This depends on how the access layer connects to the distribution layer. A single Etherchannel is not supported between one physical switch and two different physical switches (unless those two switches using Stackwise, VSS, or vPC). By this, I meaning the following is NOT allowed:
---------Distribution SW1
Access ---- Etherchannel --------VRRP
---------Distribution SW2
You can, however, have Etherchanel across two links that connect two switches together. So, in the case below, Access SW1 is using multiple physical links bundled as Etherchannel to Dist SW1 and another set of multiple physical links bundled to Dist SW2.
Access SW1---Etherchannel #1-----Dist SW1
--------VRRP
Access SW1---Etherchannel #2-----Dist SW2
In this case, you could setup HSRP/VRRP/GLBP between Dist SW1 and SW2 for gateway redundancy (assuming the Dist switches support layer 3).