Kick off summer and enjoy long days at Dolly Sods. This will be a 4 day, 3 night loop backpack of approximately 20 miles covering diverse habitats from 2500 to 4700 feet in elevation.   Additional details and trail descriptions will be added in the next few weeks.

The Dolly Sods Wilderness, within the Monongahela National Forest is a designated Wilderness Area in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia.  This unique and beautiful hiking area is one of the most popular hiking areas in West Virginia.  Its size and diverse habitats allow for remote, back country hikes.

Located high on the Allegheny Plateau, Dolly Sods has extensive rocky plains, sweeping vistas and overlooks.   Upland bogs, plant life and climate are typical of Northern Canada.  

Logging, forest fires and grazing, starting in the late 1800’s, resulted in high elevation, scenic meadows brimming with blooming wildflowers in June.  In the lower elevations there are forests of northern hardwoods and laurel thickets.  At the higher elevations, groves of wind-stunted red spruce stand near heath barrens where azaleas, mountain laurels, rhododendron, and blueberries grow.   Beaver ponds dot the Wilderness and the headwaters of Red Creek flow out of the area.  

Dolly Sods Wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. 

Additional information can be found at the following links:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5090664.pdf

http://www.patc.us/hiking/destinations/dolysods.html

This backpack is co-listed with Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society based in NYC.  Come and join Sundance and other GO Members for summer solstice!

There should be ample time each day for setting-up camp, relaxation and enjoyment of group camaraderie.   

All participants must come prepared for strenuous physical activity, rock scrambling and possible river crossings, with required gear, provisions for 4 days, hiking boots and appropriate, layered clothing for changeable weather and trail conditions.   Muddy trails should be anticipated.  

Equipment / Provisions: Multi-day backpack, 3 season sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, 10+ essentials for hiking, filled water bottles at trailhead (2-3 liters), water filtration / purification, backpack stove, cookware and utensils, food, headlamp, layered clothing (no cotton) and rain gear, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent. 

Sharing of tents, stoves, water treatment is highly suggested to help keep weight to a minimum.   

Participants are responsible for their own backpacking meals and trail snacks.  

We will camp following "Leave No Trace" guidelines. 

Travel By Carpool.  We encourage carpooling and drivers to assist with transport of participants in need of rides. Passengers are responsible for their own arrangements and meeting drivers at a mutually agreed upon location and time.  We will depart meeting point promptly at 1 PM.

Meeting place and directions to follow!