dolly sods backpacking routes
If the Sods are wild today, it hasn’t always been so. I live 2.5 hours away, so this trip took up a whole day for me. As a 3 day backpack camp along Big Stonecoal Run the first night, then the Forks of Red Creek the second. Overall, Dolly Sods was an enjoyable trip and the scenery was amazing if you were in the right places. It was time for a long overdue hike into the woods. The weather in Dolly Sods is more severe than other nearby places. Dolly Sods has 47 miles of trails which are clearly marked on the map. Our favorite approach to Dolly Sods Wilderness is from the east using Forest Road 75. The original Dolly Sods was a mountaintop meadow of about 650 acres (3 km 2) at the southern end of Rohrbaugh Plains, near the present Dolly Sods Picnic Area. The hike uphill is a moderate hike, but a bit rocky. Plentiful good camping spots allows for adapting it for up to 4 or 5 days. And at this point “long-term” is anything longer than a weekend. May 10, 2019; Perils of renting from Mountaintop Realty Sep 22, 2018; Dulles International Airport to Davis Aug 27, 2018 I open with that statement because Dolly Sods is notorious for wet and soggy conditions. The trail travels through spruce forest and meadows, with waterfalls along the way and, of course, panoramic views from Spruce Mountain. … Depending on your approach, you'll enter from Route 48, and be sure to top off your tank long before you get near the Sods. 2. A weekend backpacking in Dolly Sods, WV. Since 1967 we have enjoyed hiking, skiing, and backpacking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia and its adjoining US Forest Service lands. This makes for a leisurely 9.4, 5.2, and 6.5 miles each day. Hiking off established trails is discouraged as some ordinance may exist that is un-exploded. There wasn’t much rain in the weeks leading up to our weekend, so that allowed for many of the “slushy” trails to dry up significantly. My husband and I enjoyed our first trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness so much, we were itching to go back and explore the area more. With the addition of the new Dolly Sods-Seneca Rocks Lizard Map to my map and guide collection, I spent a few days poring over the network of trails before I just had to get out and explore. I planned to go when the leaves turned, and I decided to go yesterday. Route Map. From the parking area, it’s a 0.3 mile walk to Dolly Sods. On the way to Dolly Sods is Roaring Plains Wilderness. You can also find info and possible routes from Mid-Atlantic Hikes, such as this great 24-mile circumnavigation. With its sandstone cliffs, red spruce trees and grass-filled meadows, the high-altitude plateau known as Dolly Sods is a backpacking beauty for the books. Once you reach the top of the plateau the trail turns to sand in places and the hiking is a bit easier. Start of Wilderness Way Trail . Dolly Sods Day 1: Aborted Rohrbaugh Trail – Lion’s Head Plan On 11/02/2020 11/02/2020 By hikingjourneys In Dolly Sods My initial plan (derived on the drive down) was to experience a few trails I didn’t see on the 2011 trip. Route signs in WV are like fractions - you'll get used to it. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet. On 11/02/2020 By hikingjourneys In Dolly Sods 1 Comment. It is located in Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. This includes six trails based in the north area of the Dolly Sods and nine based in the other areas of the Dolly Sods. It’s wide open up here and is a popular place to gather for sunrise and sunset. Keeping things coordinated. The Dolly Sods feature a condensed 50 miles of hiking trails which intersect and zig-zag through many of the area's exceptionally biodiverse regions. End your hike with a bang by climbing up Tully Mountain before heading back to your vehicle. The 16.5-mile trek to the summit has been called one of the top 5 backpacking routes in the mid-Atlantic. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. No matter, the established trails are grand. Dolly Sods is a popular place for wilderness backpacking and this late in the day, many of the precious few areas suitable for a campsite, including the one I was hoping for, had been claimed by other adventurers. The road in is dirt and fairly rutted and full of holes and bumps. I encountered no bridges or shelters. Quick video from a short backpacking trip to the spectacular Dolly Sods wilderness area of West Virginia Need to Know Weather can change quickly in the Dolly Sods, so be prepared. The lofty elevation, much of it at nearly 4,000 feet, affords awe-inspiring views. If you have a chance to visit Dolly Sods—do it! The Dolly Sods offers both great day-hikes and long weekend trips... but come prepared for changing weather during any season! Elevation Gain: ~1,500 feet. South Prong Trail is an 8 mile arduous hike. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Check out our value for money boots recommendations. It was late August and there were many wildflowers … We have known that many of the better trails in the area are incorrectly marked or completely missing from many of the available Forest Service and topographic maps. Dolly Sods Loop. More than 47 miles of hiking trails, some trail-to-rail and old logging roads, make the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area a fascinating place for hiking. Hiking in Dolly Sods Wilderness. Things to Know Before Hiking Dolly Sods Wilderness. My family drove through Dolly Sods once a handful of years ago, and I had always wanted to go back to actually get out of the car and go hiking. Sep 19, 2019; Dog friendly restaurants Sep 04, 2019; Most scenic day hiking trails in the Dolly Sods? The water is clear enough to drink with tablets or another purification system. Dolly Sods boasts three peaks that can be accessed via the 47 miles of trail interweaving the area. Dolly Sods is a great place for a one or two day overnight backpacking trip. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness is located in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The area has more than 47 miles of trails in total, but the 15-mile hike through Dolly Sods North is … It has a super unique ecosystem that resembles Canada, with wild cranberries and balsam fir forests. Park at the South Prong/Boar’s Nest trailhead. Wear waterproof boots (not shoes!). Continue reading Dolly Sods Day 2: Bear Creek Trailhead – Lion’s Head – Big Stonecoal Trail. In a way, the trails are stitched together like an intricate quilt rather than a single tidy loop giving each hiker an opportunity to piece together their preferred hike, and to tweak it along the way. The Dolly Sods are some of the best backpacking grounds in the Eastern US. Backpacking & Hiking. There’s over 47 miles of trails in the area, many of which follow along old railroad grades and logging roads, as well as the Red Creek (which runs down the middle of the wilderness), and has a few streams connecting to it. It is a minor accomplishment to be there when it is not raining. West Virginia is full of hidden backcountry gems. Since we had been to the southern half, we decided to go to the northern part of the area where all the picturesque sandstone boulders are – the Dolly Sods North loop. Trail will head back uphill to yet another plateau with views of Canaan Valley and eventually the northern section of Dolly Sods. Lindy Point sunset. The route is obvious thanks to the sign and the clear path leading that way. Dolly Sods North Hike (Hiking Upward) Best trails in Dolly Sods (Alltrails) 10 scenic trails in Dolly Sods (Harman’s Log Cabins) Sunrise or sunset at Bear Rocks. If backpacking (not running) I would probably plan on two full days of hiking at least, with an overnight in the neighborhood of Bear Rocks. One of these natural gems is the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the eastern part of the state. The present-day Dolly Sods Wilderness (DSW) encompasses some 17,371 acres (70 km 2 ) of U.S. Forest Service land and is itself only part of a larger 32,000-acre (129 km 2 ) area now known as "Dolly Sods". The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Forest Wander. It seemed like something came up every time I tried to make plans for a long-term trip. In the northeast corner of this area, there’s a beautiful overlook that takes in the mountain ridges to the east. I’m glad the authors pointed out the winter access to Dolly Sods. This 21.1 mile circuit can be done as either a 2 or 3 day backpack. Many of the trails follow the railroad grades and logging roads left from the deforestation era of the early 1900s. Dolly Sods is great for a day hike or a 1-3 night backpacking trip! Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. Through my research I had heard that these spots along the Stonecoal Trail were some of the best in the area. It can be rough and you should know how to read a Topo map prior to going as the trails are not well marked. Dolly Sods Trail Map. At just over 17,o00 acres, it contains around 45 miles of hiking trails, including Breathed Mountain and Blackbird Knob. If you are looking for somewhere off the beaten path, Roaring Plains is that place. Check out the Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide by Allen de Hart and Bruce Sundquist for a thorough guide to the trails of Dolly Sods, as well as the rest of the area. Day 3: Discovering Dolly Sods. And it was dry! During periods of heavy rain, creek crossings can become difficult. It’s a very special time of the year, too. It is definitely worth the trip. This is an intermediate/strenuous 25 mile loop. Dolly Sods Wilderness Dolly Sods is a place like none other. Winter is a great time to get out if you want solitude, and that is just what I was looking for. And this hike, Dolly Sods/Lions Head, that combines the best parts of the first 2, as well as the view from the Lions Head on Breathed Mountain. 2020 has been a strange year to say the least. Take one of the walking sticks left at the trailhead or bring your own. Dolly Sods Wilderness With its sandstone cliffs, red spruce trees and grass-filled meadows, the high-altitude plateau known as Dolly Sods is a backpacking beauty for the books. I packed up fairly early on a very cool morning, with the plan to hike the Dolly Sods border trails on the northwest and northern portion to take in the views over Canaan Valley. Coal Knob sits at 3,766 feet above sea level, Breathed Mountain at 3,848 feet, and Blackbird Knob at 3,960 feet. Make sure your navigational skills are up to par as the trail can be hard to follow. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Dolly Sods Questions Jul 26, 2020; colored leaves.. Sep 24, 2019; Dolly Sods blueberry brushes ,bike routes etc. Dolly Sods Day 3: Big Stonecoal to Bear Rocks . A Winter Weekend In Dolly Sods. We like this road so much we made a Lizard sticker for it. At the end of Wilderness Way there’s a noticeboard with information about Dolly Sods Wilderness, including a map of the area. The Sods are a federally designated wilderness and hiker conveniences are correspondingly restricted to rough trails and scattered trail signs. The Dolly Sods Wilderness is just a few miles from the park in the nearby Monongahela National Forest and is the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River. There’s a traditional campground called Red Creek Campground, but you can also camp for free at any number of sites within the wilderness area. While the hiking in Dolly Sods is awesome, you will see some signs that the area was used in WW2 as an artillery range. Backpacking Dolly Sods North Loop. Fifteen different trails can be completed within the Dolly Sods Wilderness, and they accumulatively cover around 47 miles! Trailhead located one mile from the Laneville entrance of Dolly Sods. Dolly Sods covers 17,776 acres—not enormous but, larger than Manhattan and without a single deli, enough to feel some space in. Find your way to 28/7, also called Jordan Run Road.