This loop is sheer awesomeness the scenery constantly changes and the terrain is incredibly unique for the East Coast. I took the advice though and Took the Ravens ridge trail back up to the bear rocks trail. As a 3 day backpack camp along Big Stonecoal Run the first night, then the Forks of Red Creek the second. At just 0.7 miles, Beaver Dam Trail is one of the shortest trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness. As always the trail is rough and rocky. Despite maps and a GPS we got lost somewhere up by the Rocky Ridge Trail and began bushwacking back to the trail. This is a spectacular hike, and worth a visit. During the Second World War the U.S. Army used the area for artillery and mortar training, and at the trailheads the Army Corp of Engineers still displays signs warning hikers that there may be unexploded ordinance in the area. Roaring Plains WV, on the southern tip of the Dolly Sods Wilderness, is still a truly secluded backcountry hiking experience. This was going well until the GPS died due to poor battery selection on your's truly's end. Advice. Packs are heavy when you carry your sleeping bags and tent and food and all. Beautiful hike through a unique and alien landscape, but the lack of water was a problem for our group. The wind had played havoc with the snow, creating bare patches of rock in some places and 3'+ drifts in others. There is a spectacular view from the southern peak. The conditions were wet and boggy, but we didn't see another person from start to finish, so if solitude and a challenge is what you seek, do this hike in the off season. Dolly Sods Day 1: Bear Rocks to Stonecoal Creek The Dolly Sods Wilderness is located on top of the Allegheny Plateau of West Virginia, and is part of the Monongahela National Forest. plus a half hour for lunch. The Forks is one of the nicest campsites I've stayed at in WV and the views on the entire Rocky Ridge are pretty awesome. Dolly Sods is a great place for a one or two day overnight backpacking trip. intersection of the Dobbin Grade Trail TR526, nice campsite with slate chairs and fire ring, intersection of the Raven Ridge Trail TR521, Continue straight on the Raven Ridge Trail TR521, Turn left on the Rocky Ridge Trail TR524, intersection of the Blackbird Knob Trail TR511, intersection of the Dunkenbarger Trail TR558, intersection of the Rocky Point Trail TR554, intersection with the Red Creek Trail TR514, Turn right on the Blackbird Knob Trail TR511, Turn left on the Upper Red Creek Trail TR509, Turn right on the Dobbin Grade Trail TR526, Turn left uphill on the Raven Ridge Trail TR521, View all 42 archived reviews for the Dolly Sods/Lions Head hike. Forest, intersection of the Dobbin Grade Trail TR526, nice campsite with slate chairs and fire ring, intersection of the Raven Ridge Trail TR521, Continue straight on the Raven Ridge Trail TR521, Turn left on the Rocky Ridge Trail TR524, Turn left uphill on the Raven Ridge Trail TR521, View all 78 archived reviews for the Dolly Sods North hike, 6.0 hours I'd echo the authors suggestion, push on toward the later campsite and try to get there on the earlier side! Dolly Sods Full Loop is a 22.5 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Davis, West Virginia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. By the time we got back to the car, we were humbled, bewildered, amazed and satisfied. Today Dolly Sods Wilderness Area consists of 17,371 acres and almost 50 miles of hiking trails. We decided to pony up and explore the sods before the fire road gate closed. Finding camping along the Big Stonecoal Trail TR513 should not be a problem any time, but make sure to arrive in the early afternoon at the Forks of Red Creek on the second day to get a good camp spot. This is a solid hike that was not so much physically demanding but somewhat difficult mentally because parts of the trail were extremely wet and muddy. We have 3 circuit hikes posted here: Dolly Sods North, at 10 miles this hike highlights the high meadows and mountain views. What's � I had to back track a number of times and I was always able to get back on track but vigilance was required.� I had to resort to All Trails a few times to find my position relative to the path (my last resort).� All Trails saved my butt and got me back.� Sometimes I was maybe just 50 feet off.� Definitely need to pay close attention and be prepared for extra time backtracking.�. Fire road 75 was closed, but where at specifically we were not positive. Beaver Dam Trail. Stunning mountain vistas, a variety of unique ecosystems, and the majority of the Red Creek drainage provide nature junkies the ecological immersion and solitude that only wilderness can provide. We did the three day option for the Dolly Sods/Lion's Head hike and it is clear why this loop is so popular (we saw about twenty or so people a day, and there were probably about fifty people camping at the Forks when we settled down for day at around 2 p.m. 90% of the backpackers that we came across were doing this loop). This time we would not fail. The name Dolly Sods derives from a combination of Dahles, a local 18th century family, and Sods, meaning an open mountain top or meadow. Start at the parking area off Forest Road 75, approx. It was time to soldier into the Sods. We drove out what has to be the straightest gravel road in West Virginia, running along the ridge line between Tucker and Grant Counties. Advice. From the top the views were incredible. It is challenging - mostly for the length rather than the terrain. share. It can be rough and you should know how to read a Topo map prior to going as the trails are not well marked. At the junction, follow the trail northwest. �At night, the temperature reached just 5 degrees, well below freezing. The rocky ridge trail had some very awesome views. Recognizing its unique aspects, Congress in 1975 set aside the 10,215-acre Dolly Sods Wilderness to be maintained with minimal disturbance from human activities. Perhaps better map study would have told me that before I arrived. 0. After WWII the area fell into neglect, and was threatened by multiple construction and mining project proposals. Arguably one of the most unique, and beautiful hiking areas on the East Coast. 100 yards north of the Bear Rocks Trailhead. The characteristic meadows are the result of logging that took place from 1899 to 1924. The characteristic meadows are the result of logging that took place from 1899 to 1924. Dolly Sods - Monongahela National After WWII the area fell into neglect, and was threatened by multiple construction and mining project proposals. But hindsight is 20/20 and we enjoyed the trip nonetheless. As my hands and feet froze we set off into the sods. I just personally won't be back because it's not my style of hiking. The route finding in a few places is tricky, especially early on 524. We continued down 522 which was unpleasing rock and generic trees until we got about halfway. June 19,2015. This was quite an experience. The high plateaus of Dolly Sods are made up of wind carved sand stone, stunted red spruce, grassy meadows, and sphagnum bogs. �Surviving a trip into the wild under such dire circumstances would not be for the faint of heart. During the Second World War the U.S. Army used the area for artillery and mortar training, and at the trailheads the Army Corp of Engineers still displays signs warning hikers that there may be unexploded ordinance in the area. The Dolly Sods had been hit by some intense weather for the past week, reports said 12+ inches of snow. 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. We have 3 circuit hikes posted here: Dolly Sods North, at 11.9 miles this hike highlights the high meadows and mountain views. Trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia MyHikes has 14 amazing hiking trails with 38 miles to explore in Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia. This has been one of my favorite hikes and I would highly recommend it. Then in the early 1970’s concerned environmentalists, along with The Nature Conservancy, began purchasing the land for preservation and recreational use. In the northeast corner of this area, there’s a beautiful overlook that takes in the... Lindy Point sunset. The Dolly Sods Wilderness, which is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains heath and bog eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. My low rating is more about personal preference than trail quality. It was supposed to rain with Hurricane Bill coming up from the Texas Gulf, aiming right at West Virginia and likely to get stuck in the mountains. We went down trail 522 and the going was a bit tough. So many views all along the trail, the elevation changes were very easy this is West Virginia it gets much harder believe me. The rangers thought the gate was roughly 4 miles from the top, so we decided to go for it. To the north, the distinctive landscape of "the Sods" is characterized by stunted trees, wind-carved boulders, heath barrens, grassy meadows created in the last century by logging and fires, and sphagnum bogs that are much older. 13 comments. Arguably one of the most unique, and beautiful hiking areas on the East Coast. The trail smoothed out and the valley opened up. The temps immediately dropped as we climbed over the ridge line with the wind picking up severely. There are so many to choose from with expansive views of the mountains, hikes along rock strewn creeks, over large high mountain meadows. ... We preferred the big rocks and epic views to the grassy meadows of the inner Dolly Sods Wilderness. Let me start by thanking those that have maintained and worked hard to make these trails awesome, because they are. The trails are horrible from what we could tell, virtually stream beds and swamps (frozen now, thankfully). This trail leaves you exposed a lot and is super wet. We parked at the Bear Rocks parking area and immediately the cold set in. We started late in the day and we made camp on the ravens ridge trail just before the rocky ridge trail tucked in the pine trees out of the wind. Close. And 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. The Top Dolly Sods Hiking Trails Bear Rocks Trail. We were then in the DOLLY SODS. Wind chill was around 0 and horror set in as I had forgotten my cold weather go to fleece and softshell jacket. The dobbins grade trail was a little mucky I only got my foot wet once. Hiking Upward trails and data are courtesy of HikingUpward.com and are used by permission. Overall great hike and would love to try it again in the fall. If you decide to do this as a 2 day backpack, still camp along the Big Stonecoal Trail TR513, however this makes for a challenging second day of 11.7 miles back to the parking area. Windy as usual, and cold, only about 40 degrees F. We camped on Saturday night near the intersection of Dobbin Grade (526) and Beaver View. Dogs are also able to … Archived. Get directions to the trailhead, use our trail maps, elevation charts, and pictures from the trail to plan your hike or meetup with friends - … �It will, however, be my reason for going again in the spring. The trail to this point was very easy to follow. Dolly Sods is a rocky, high-altitude plateau with sweeping vistas and lifeforms normally found much farther north in Canada. I wonder. Anyone been out to Dolly Sods VERY recently. Unique area, fantastic scenery, amazing hiking.� The only reason I knocked one star off is that I found it to be more difficult than rated.� The main challenges for me were the amount of water in the area and staying on the trails.�, Be prepared for multiple stream crossings, these are not lightweight.� Bring sandles or river shoes specifically for crossing the streams.� Be prepared for rapid weather changes, cool nights� Suggest hiking in gaiters, there is a lot of mud and water on the trails.� Might have been less wet if I had gone later in the season, I don't know.�, Regarding following the trails I did have some problems as others describe in their posts. �In this case, sleeping overnight in the extreme cold without freezing to death looked like a suitable endeavor worthy of quenching my thirst for the extreme. Hiking Upward. Dolly Sods a popular place for nature study and relatiad outdoor recreation. 5.0 Luckily I always pack more than is necessary and pulled out my back up thick base layer and hardshell. Sunday, July 2, 2017. There are a lot of campsites established along Dobbin Grade, though most were claimed by the time we arrived late in the day. We did this hike as an overnight backpack on Saturday 10/7 - Sunday 10/8, shortening the route by taking the picturesque Beaver View trail (523) back up to Raven Ridge (521). Considering going back out that way over Labor Day weekend and mainly wondering what the bugs are like. Then in the early 1970’s concerned environmentalists, along with The Nature Conservancy, began purchasing the land for preservation and recreational use. This is the toughest backpacking trip I have taken to date. It takes a long time for the sods to freeze. To hike along so are the northern flora was strange as a native to the region but also almost enchanting. Before getting a taste of hiking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, I discovered how precious it is. It is definitely worth the trip. this? To the south, a dense cove forest occupies the branched canyon excavated by the North Fork of Red Creek. At the “top” of the trail, there is an overlook platform where you can safely check out the view. I camped along the Canaan Valley overlook and enjoyed a spectacular sunset. Firewood was plentiful, and there were tall trees to hang bear bags. I visited when summer was in full swing, which is the best time to go if you wish to taste the wild huckleberries which are found all over the place. Posted by 1 year ago. The grade is steep, but the trail is quite smooth. Dolly Sods North Circuit (60) ... As I searched for suitable options, I came across this hike on Midatlantic Hikes (and this similar one on Hiking Upward), which seemed the perfect introductory backpack; not too much elevation gain (1350 ft., 4.2% grade) and just the right length (11.3 mi over 2 days). The lofty elevation, much of it at nearly 4,000 feet, affords awe-inspiring views. 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. The high plateaus of Dolly Sods are made up of wind carved sand stone, stunted red spruce, grassy meadows, and sphagnum bogs. I did this as a 2-night backpack starting on Friday evening. Friday was mostly a night hike, but we went back over that section in the daylight on Sunday so it was nice to experience the crazy starry sky and then get the views of the surrounding hills later. I didn't have any problems with the mud because I wore waterproof boots (thanks to previous reviewers!). Good views, not too hard a hike, and though we didn't get any rain it was very muddy! Elated to hear about my upcoming trip, my waitress at Hellbender Burritos was a local and had grown up backpacking all of the area’s loops. Hiking in and around Canaan Valley is a popular outdoor activity for both locals and visitors, and there are several trails and state parks to fit everyone’s hiking needs. The high plateaus of Dolly Sods are made up of wind carved sand stone, stunted red spruce, grassy meadows, and sphagnum bogs. The Forks of Red Creek, in the central section crossing Red Creek and several streams. The hike... Big Stonecoal Trail. Overall, Dolly Sods was an enjoyable trip and the scenery was amazing if you were in the right places. It is that good of a hike, as beautiful as it is challenging. It was much clearer up this way. If you’re in the Mid-Atlantic (and not afraid to get your feet wet), I highly suggest finding your way to Dolly Sods! Dolly Sods in West Virginia gets more crowded every year as hikers discover this unique area. Hiking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV. The previous reviews are excellent, but thought I'd share some additional thoughts that might be helpful. The Meadows with the granite boulders were also very beautiful and made the first longer day worth it. The Dobbin Grade Trail within the Dolly Sods Wilderness at the Monongahela National Forest is an easy 4.5 mile one-way trail that connects the Bear Rocks Trail to the Rocky Ridge Trail and cuts across almost the entirety of the Sods. Ol Sods vets here. After 2.4 miles, you'll meet up with Raven Ridge Trail. I'm not sure that I would consider it a moderate level, as there are elevation changes, but they are not challenging.
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