Time stands still high above Canaan Valley, in Dolly Sods, where a flat, windswept expanse of subalpine heath barrens opens up to the sky. The area supports red spruce forests, heath-grass barrens, high elevation Allegheny wetlands, a significant amount of coolwater stream habitats, and caves. The Dolly Sods Wilderness and Scenic Area is located in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph counties. The Dolly Sods Wilderness and Scenic Area is one of West Virginia and the Monongahela National Forest’s most treasured natural assets. The area provides phenomenal views of West Virginia’s natural landscape, making these trails perfect for West Virginia fall foliage viewing and summer adventure. Global sites represent either regional branches of The Nature Conservancy or local affiliates of The Nature Conservancy that are separate entities. Share your plans with someone you know in case you need assistance. Here, lucky travelers might catch a glimpse of the Cheat Mountain salamander, on the federal threatened and endangered species list. Current freeway construction linking this area with metropolitan areas to the east is likely to accelerate the rate of development. Users enjoy the sense of solitude and a variety of landforms and associated vegetative com… We ask all visitors to please follow any local restrictions put in place for your safety as well as guidance from the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others (social distancing). Together, we can each do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 so we can continue to do the important work needed in West Virginia. Presentations; Monitoring Projects. GEOLOGY: The Devonian Hamshire formation of reddish shales, mudstones and sandstones. The rocks are surrounded by the 477-acre Bear Rocks Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy, which has been instrumental in preserving and protecting land in the Dolly Sods. Terms of Use Sidebars provide more details about iconic places such as the New River Gorge, Seneca Rocks, and Dolly Sods, and about unusual geologic features such as the riverless Teays Valley and the karst topography and caverns of the Big Levels. The easy-access ones make great in-and-out trips or basecamps to hike in further. Geology. Do not park in undesignated areas or block roads or gates. Remember our small towns are stressed and while local businesses will welcome the increased traffic, they may not be prepared to handle large crowds. Phone: (304) 257-4488. Dolly Sods Wilderness is located within the immense Monongahela National Forest and is one of the state's most iconic and well-known natural treasures. Explore how we've evolved to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges. On a larger scale, other non-native invasive insects, plants and diseases are threating the vast diversity of wetlands and the forests that surround them. Department of Geology, College of William and Mary, P.O. Because of the tract’s position on the Eastern Continental Divide, it feeds into headwaters of the Potomac River and major tributaries to the Ohio River, which affects the water quality of millions of downstream users, including cities such as Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Germany Valley Overlook 188. Potomac Ranger District It sits atop a high plateau on an escarpment known as the Allegheny Front, which acts to separate the Appalachian Plateau and the Ridge and Valley physiographic regions. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. hug low to the ground, where a profusion of plant life provides protection and food. We ask all visitors to please follow any local restrictions put in place for your safety as well as guidance from the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others (social distancing). The Dolly Sods Wilderness is located on top of the Allegheny Plateau of West Virginia, and is part of the Monongahela National Forest. The scenic beauty of the Dolly Sods Wilderness is a primary attraction for its users. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking and is best used from March until October. Stand up for our natural world with The Nature Conservancy. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area 174. If parking areas are full, or if you find you can’t social distance at any trail or preserve, it may be best to visit the area at another time. Stunted red spruce, ancient bogs and forlorn boulders define this haunting landscape, where creatures typically found in more northern environs roam oblivious to their geologic isolation. Bear Rocks Preserve Removing any part of the natural landscape. Additionally, the area is part of the Eastern Continental Divide, with waters to the east draining into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, and waters to the west draining to form the Monongahela River, which via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico. Open in Maps. | Wide meadows, laurel thickets, and ridgelines topped with large blocks of conglomerate black-and-white sandstone stole my attention. They sit in a high-elevation heathland punctuated with wind-carved sandstone outcrops and is home to more than a dozen rare plant and animal species. The Nature Conservancy seeks to expand protection efforts and combat threats to Bear Rocks Preserve and the surrounding Dolly Sods area. Perhaps most significant, resort and vacation home development are extensive and expanding. West Virginia’s public preserves remain open, with the exception of Ice Mountain Preserve. West Virginia’s public preserves remain open, with the exception of Ice Mountain Preserve and Bear Rocks Preserve. I planned to go when the leaves turned, and I decided to go yesterday. Though red spruce has struggled to come back, balsam fir is being decimated by an insect pest accidentally introduced from Asia. Stay small: Hike with members of your immediate household or in small groups that have also been following CDC guidelines. Privacy Statement Dolly Sods; Joyce Kilmer; Presidential Peaks; Shining Rock; Upper Buffalo; Air Pollutants of Concern. © 2021 The Nature Conservancy Bogs found on Dolly Sods and throughout Canaan Valley support a wealth of insectivorous sundews, cranberries and other northern plants. Situated atop the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River, this U.S. Wilderness Area is characterized by weather typically found much further north in Canada. Remember people are handling this difficult time differently, and people need to take measures that are comfortable for them and their family. Visit Bear Rocks Preserve, Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge, and Blackwater State Park, View Directions |. Air Quality Portal for Land Management Planning; Climate Change. Here some of the starkest ecological transitions in eastern North America meet in one landscape. Secreted away amidst these plant communities is an assortment of unique creatures that cling heartily to the unforgiving landscape. If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone that has, please stay home. Coupled with the clean air supplied by the native red spruce forests in the region, the Allegheny Front tract helps sustain the air and water on which millions in West Virginia and beyond depend. With the elevations in this part of West Virginia ranging from 2,600 feet to over 4,000 feet, the climate and plant life resembles northern Canada. When planning your visit to the preserve, please keep in mind the following guidelines: Thank you for helping us in our efforts to protect our visitors’ health and well-being. Lucky travelers might catch a glimpse of the Cheat Mountain salamander, which is on the federal threatened and endangered species list. Harder still to spot is the snowshoe hare or saw-whet owl, animals that typically are found further north. At the end of my 25-mile backpacking trip in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, I was stunned by the area’s ecological diversity and beauty. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. VALLEY AND RIDGE PROVINCE: 179. The area is well known for its extensive rocky plains, upland bogs, and sweeping vistas. Bear Rocks offers striking views of the Appalachians and opportunities to discover plants and animals rare to West Virginia. Visual diversity is enhanced by contrasting wetland/bog associations, high-elevation spruce, mixed hardwoods, and early successional vegetation such as blueberry. 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. Together, we can each do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 so we can continue to do the important work needed in West Virginia. Other Canaan Valley wetlands perched on limestone outcrops are among the most biologically significant of all Appalachian wetlands. The high meadows of Dolly Sods North have some of the most spectacular scenery on the east coast. And the Allegheny Front itself drives the “rain shadow,” a natural phenomenon resulting in some of the East’s heaviest precipitation along the western slope of the mountain, while the eastern foothills have some of the East’s lowest annual rainfall. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. *Mobile Terms & Conditions Dolly Sods Expansion boundary USDA Forest Service ownership DOLLY SODS EXPANSION - Dolly Sods Expansion Acreage: 7,156 - DOLLY SODS WILDERNESS Original map and boundary were prepared at the request of Representative Nick J. Rahall II March 11, 2008 Dolly Sods Expansion Proposed Wilderness. Time stands still high above Canaan Valley, in Dolly Sods, where a flat, windswept expanse of subalpine heath barrens opens up to the sky. It is located in Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. Today, however, the much-visited landscape is recovering well, with Conservancy efforts in the region focusing on mending and connecting large protected landscapes in order to breathe new life into this timeless region. Charitable Solicitation Disclosures Topographic maps and additional information about adjoining federal land can be obtained from: Monongahela National Forest   It is located in Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. Lightly treaded trails entwine throughout the preserve’s unique plant communities, leading hikers through a variety of shrubs like blueberry, huckleberry, mountain laurel, azalea and rhododendron. | This range in elevation, topography and resulting weather combine to support distinctive plant communities. Work alongside TNC staff, partners and other volunteers to care for nature, and discover unique events, tours and activities across the country. departs at 9:00 a.m. with geologist, Claudette Simard. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. | The tract provides additional habitat to more than 26 rare and protected species that occur locally in the Dolly Sods plateau, ranging from the Cheat Mountain salamander to the snowshoe hare, and rests on the eastern Appalachian migratory flyway for raptors and other birds. Thank you for helping us in our efforts to protect our visitors’ health and well-being. Join the million supporters who stand with us in taking action for our planet, Get text updates from The Nature Conservancy*, , where the undulating mountains of the east fold out across the skyline. ... Then you can set a shuttle and hike upwards through all the layers of vegetation and forest types and geology, from the lowest point of the Wilderness to just about the highest. Carry a CDC-approved mask and hand sanitizer. Seneca Rocks 184. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to I live 2.5 hours away, so this trip took up a whole day for me. To the north of the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia lies Bear Rocks, a spectacular outcropping of white sandstone and quartz perched on the Allegheny Front. (Next formation above - to the west - is the Mississippian sandstone Pocono formation, which makes up Spruce Knob and the Dolly Sods.) Features include rock escarpments which provide panoramic views of the deeply incised Red Creek, the high-elevation plateau, mountain summits, and surrounding ridge lines. [{"countryCode":"hkg","countryName":"Hong Kong"},{"countryCode":"ury","countryName":"Uruguay"},{"countryCode":"gab","countryName":"Gabon"},{"countryCode":"ken","countryName":"Kenya"},{"countryCode":"nam","countryName":"Namibia"},{"countryCode":"syc","countryName":"Seychelles"},{"countryCode":"zaf","countryName":"South Africa"},{"countryCode":"tza","countryName":"Tanzania"},{"countryCode":"zmb","countryName":"Zambia"},{"countryCode":"aus","countryName":"Australia"},{"countryCode":"chn","countryName":"China"},{"countryCode":"hkg","countryName":"HongKong"},{"countryCode":"ind","countryName":"India"},{"countryCode":"idn","countryName":"Indoneasia"},{"countryCode":"mng","countryName":"Mongolia"},{"countryCode":"mmr","countryName":"Myanmar"},{"countryCode":"nzl","countryName":"New Zealand"},{"countryCode":"can","countryName":"Canada"},{"countryCode":"bhs","countryName":"Bahamas"},{"countryCode":"cub","countryName":"Cuba"},{"countryCode":"dom","countryName":"Dominican Republic"},{"countryCode":"hti","countryName":"Haiti"},{"countryCode":"jam","countryName":"Jamaica"},{"countryCode":"pri","countryName":"Puerto Rico"},{"countryCode":"vir","countryName":"Virgin Islands"},{"countryCode":"eur","countryName":"Europe"},{"countryCode":"arg","countryName":"Argentina"},{"countryCode":"blz","countryName":"Belize"},{"countryCode":"bol","countryName":"Bolivia"},{"countryCode":"bra","countryName":"Brazil"},{"countryCode":"chl","countryName":"Chile"},{"countryCode":"col","countryName":"Colombia"},{"countryCode":"cri","countryName":"Costa Rica"},{"countryCode":"ecu","countryName":"Ecuador"},{"countryCode":"gtm","countryName":"Guatemala"},{"countryCode":"hnd","countryName":"Honduras"},{"countryCode":"mex","countryName":"Mexico"},{"countryCode":"nic","countryName":"Nicaragua"},{"countryCode":"pan","countryName":"Panama"},{"countryCode":"pry","countryName":"Paraguay"},{"countryCode":"png","countryName":"Papua New Guinea"},{"countryCode":"slb","countryName":"Solomon Islands"},{"countryCode":"fsm","countryName":"Micronesia"},{"countryCode":"per","countryName":"Peru"},{"countryCode":"ven","countryName":"Venezuela"},{"countryCode":"usa","countryName":"United States"}], [{"stateCode":"al","stateName":"Alabama"},{"stateCode":"ak","stateName":"Alaska"},{"stateCode":"az","stateName":"Arizona"},{"stateCode":"ar","stateName":"Arkansas"},{"stateCode":"ca","stateName":"California"},{"stateCode":"co","stateName":"Colorado"},{"stateCode":"ct","stateName":"Connecticut"},{"stateCode":"dc","stateName":"District of Columbia"},{"stateCode":"de","stateName":"Delaware"},{"stateCode":"fl","stateName":"Florida"},{"stateCode":"ga","stateName":"Georgia"},{"stateCode":"hi","stateName":"Hawaii"},{"stateCode":"id","stateName":"Idaho"},{"stateCode":"il","stateName":"Illinois"},{"stateCode":"in","stateName":"Indiana"},{"stateCode":"ia","stateName":"Iowa"},{"stateCode":"ks","stateName":"Kansas"},{"stateCode":"ky","stateName":"Kentucky"},{"stateCode":"la","stateName":"Louisiana"},{"stateCode":"me","stateName":"Maine"},{"stateCode":"md","stateName":"Maryland"},{"stateCode":"ma","stateName":"Massachusetts"},{"stateCode":"mi","stateName":"Michigan"},{"stateCode":"mn","stateName":"Minnesota"},{"stateCode":"ms","stateName":"Mississippi"},{"stateCode":"mo","stateName":"Missouri"},{"stateCode":"mt","stateName":"Montana"},{"stateCode":"ne","stateName":"Nebraska"},{"stateCode":"nv","stateName":"Nevada"},{"stateCode":"nh","stateName":"New Hampshire"},{"stateCode":"nj","stateName":"New Jersey"},{"stateCode":"nm","stateName":"New Mexico"},{"stateCode":"ny","stateName":"New York"},{"stateCode":"nc","stateName":"North Carolina"},{"stateCode":"nd","stateName":"North Dakota"},{"stateCode":"oh","stateName":"Ohio"},{"stateCode":"ok","stateName":"Oklahoma"},{"stateCode":"or","stateName":"Oregon"},{"stateCode":"pa","stateName":"Pennsylvania"},{"stateCode":"ri","stateName":"Rhode Island"},{"stateCode":"sc","stateName":"South Carolina"},{"stateCode":"sd","stateName":"South Dakota"},{"stateCode":"tn","stateName":"Tennessee"},{"stateCode":"tx","stateName":"Texas"},{"stateCode":"ut","stateName":"Utah"},{"stateCode":"vt","stateName":"Vermont"},{"stateCode":"va","stateName":"Virginia"},{"stateCode":"wa","stateName":"Washington"},{"stateCode":"wv","stateName":"West Virginia"},{"stateCode":"wi","stateName":"Wisconsin"},{"stateCode":"wy","stateName":"Wyoming"},{"stateCode":"ab","stateName":"Alberta"},{"stateCode":"bc","stateName":"British Columbia"},{"stateCode":"mb","stateName":"Manitoba"},{"stateCode":"nb","stateName":"New Brunswick"},{"stateCode":"nt","stateName":"Northwest Territories"},{"stateCode":"qc","stateName":"Quebec"},{"stateCode":"ns","stateName":"Nova Scotia"},{"stateCode":"nsw","stateName":"New South Wales"},{"stateCode":"nt","stateName":"Northern Territory"},{"stateCode":"qld","stateName":"Queensland"},{"stateCode":"sa","stateName":"South Australia"},{"stateCode":"vic","stateName":"Victoria"},{"stateCode":"wa","stateName":"Western Australia"}]. Of these beds, four are of sufficient thickness, quality, and extent to contain demonstrated coal resources which are estimated to total about 15. HC 59, Box 240 Explore how we've evolved to tackle some of the world's greatest challenges. Boulders that glisten as white as snow, spruce trees with wind-blasted, one-sided branches, landscapes that resemble the arctic tundra - this is Dolly Sods, one of West Virginia's most unusual wilderness areas. Be respectful and courteous. Harder still to spot is the snowshoe hare or saw-whet owl, animals that typically are found further north. They are a well-known landmark on the eastern edge of the plateau that includes the Dolly Sods Wilderness. It helps support tourism as a backbone for the surrounding counties’ economy in a community where hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities are an integral part of the culture. Dotting this view are large birds of prey that ride warm air currents rising from the valley below, while colorful warblers, vireos, thrushes and other songbirds hug low to the ground, where a profusion of plant life provides protection and food. Parking may be limited at many of our preserves. Acidification; Ozone; Air Pollutant Impacts. Working with private partners, the Forest Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy will affect conservation of this important region while accommodating the culture and livelihoods of local residents. Box 8795, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187, USA ABSTRACT We have measured erosion rates using 10Be from bare-bedrock surfaces exposed at high elevations at Dolly Sods, West Virginia, a classic Appalachian paleoperiglacial plateau. Donate before 2020 ends and every $1 you give becomes $2 to protect nature. Once mostly covered by dense, towering red spruce and hemlock forest, Bear Rocks and the surrounding area saw major deforestation, followed by livestock grazing, by the turn of the last century, leaving the region ecologically distressed. Every acre we protect, every river mile restored, every species brought back from the brink, begins with you. Donate before 2020 ends and every $1 you give becomes $2 to protect nature. Protecting private properties surrounding Forest Service land through the use of conservation easements. The elevation rises from 1,100 feet at the base of the Allegheny Front to 4,770 feet at its highest crest. In addition to traditional land protection of core parcels, our strategies include conservation of the remaining red spruce forests, restoration of balsam fir stands, reducing the impacts of non-native weeds, supporting research on heathlands and other key ecological features, and creating a deeper public understanding of this landscape’s ecological values and conservation needs. | Bogs found on Dolly Sods and throughout Canaan Valley support a wealth of insectivorous sundews, cranberries and other northern plants. ITINERARY: This was a two day trip covering all the trails in this small northern hardwoods/coniferous forest. You can help us protect West Virginia's diverse plant and animal communities. Canaan Valley West Virginia painting, 4x6 Mini Dolly sods landscape oil painting on easel, Gift for wv lover, Blue ridge mountains painting OKpaintingShop. Whipping, whistling wind greets visitors to Bear Rock’s barren expanse, where the undulating mountains of the east fold out across the skyline. | Dolly Sods — including the Bear Rocks Preserve — was an artillery training area during World War II. One of a zillion amazing backcountry campsites await hikers in Dolly Sods. Every acre we protect, every river mile restored, every species brought back from the brink, begins with you. Canaan Valley supports the largest wetland complex in West Virginia and the unglaciated Appalachian Mountains. Fall color at The Nature Conservancy's Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia. Practice social distancing. After some exploring the ridge, it’s time to drive south on FR75, also known as The Road to the Sky. A backpacking trip in this area will expose you to a very diverse and unique landscape with sphagnum bogs, grassy meadows lined by spruce trees, wind-carved boulders, and beautiful mountain vistas. The US Forest Service has reopened Forest Service Roads 19 and 75 that provide access to Bear Rocks. | Dolly Sods—also known as Dolly Sods Wilderness—resides within the Allegheny Mountains of Monongahela National Forest. Coal, the principal mineral resource of the Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia is in at least seven beds of low- to medium-volatile bituminous rank.