Dolly Sods Backpack - Spots Available!

On Thursday afternoon George, Gene and I met GO member Gregory at the Dolly Sods Bear Rock's Trailhead parking lot.  There was a stiff wind blowing, which was refreshing after our drive from our meeting place in NJ.  Our plan was to do a 25 mile loop and see the best of Dolly Sods.  George would be our navigator.

During the southbound hike the weather would get progressively more humid and warm with frequent morning showers and thunderstorms starting late afternoon.   At times the solstice sun was intense and the high humidity made the moderate trails more challenging.

Due to our late start that day and concern about dry campsites along the way, we decided to hike just a short distance and camp by the Red Creek.   Uphill from the campsite were the grassy slopes of Raven Ridge with an expansive view of the evening sky.

Day 2 would be a long hike through grassy and wet trails with sweeping views of Dolly's mountain plateaus.  The initial climb brought us to a stretch of unique and beautiful rock formations and extensive growth of mountain laurels. Our destination for the second night would be Big Stonecoal Run where we camped in a White Pine forest on the bank of Big Stonecoal.   It was a lovely campsite along the stream, where we waded and hung out on the rocks.   We had the entire place to ourselves.   The next day was Rocky Point Trail, which was aptly named for numerous, pointy rocks.  I had considered hiking in quick drying trail runners to deal with the wet conditions and mud, but ultimately was happy to have the thick soles and protection of mid-weight hiking boots.   We planned to drop our packs and then hike up to Lion's Head Overlook, which is one of the highlights of Dolly Sods.  Unfortunately, despite our trail map and trail descriptions we could not find the right path to the overlook.   Two hiking buddies we had been crossing paths with also had the same problem even after being there previously.  In general, the signage was pretty good in Dolly Sods, but not for overlooks and campsites.  Trail blazes are not used, but numerous cairns and orange ribbons help to show you the way. Anyway, we were pretty much ready to get to and unwind at our last campsite on Red Creek, so we moved on without seeing Lion’s Head.   The last night’s campsite was the best of the trip, due to the numerous waterfalls, rapids and swimming holes alongside and downstream from the campsites.   This site was a 5 mile hike in from Red Creek Campground and many people we met hiked in directly to set up a base camp for day hikes.

While George and Gene were setting up camp, Gregory and I water hiked downriver and explored the rapids and pools.  It was gorgeous.  The water was a comfortable temperature and we ran into the hiking buddies again at their waterfront campsite.  Unfortunately, the heavy thunderstorms predicted for evening materialized just as we started to swim.  We managed to bushwhack to the trail and get back to camp before the first monsoon of the evening.   Eventually the first wave passed and we had our last dinner and hung out at the river with some young adults from Washington, DC who were camping near us. There was more heavy rain to follow that night.  I think we all agreed that “quick drying” clothing does not when humidity is high.  The next morning we packed up under light sprinkles and decided to make a beeline for Red Creek Campground parking lot where we planned to drop gear and hitch to the cars. The final crossing of the trail over Red Creek was not well marked, but George learned from some campers that the correct crossing was over a dam some distance downstream from where the trail left off. We eventually arrived at Red Creek Campground parking area. Some of us had just started down the road (minus our packs) back to Bear Rocks when the hiking buddies passed us in their pickup, backed up and offered a tailgate lift back to the cars.   Hanging off the back of the truck was one of the highlights for me and saved us a big hike.  Thanks to George, Gene and Gregory and our two other trail buddies for a great back country experience.

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.