Not as helpful. On both sides of the creek are great camping spots. Continue hiking on Big Stonecoal Trail for .56 miles. Dolly Sods Wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. The trail will end at the Raven Ridge Trail junction. Turn right onto the Dobbin Grade Trail for .1 miles through several muddy areas and you will come to the Raven Ridge Trail junction. While the Dolly Sods Wilderness can be accessed by a number of forest roads, most are unmaintained and gated during winter, making the Red Creek Trailhead (near Laneville) the best choice when snow starts to fall. I have marked these campsites and others on the map below. I was carrying 2.5 L of water with me, but due to the heat/sun, the strenuousness of carrying a heavy pack, the distance between water sources, and sharing with other group members, I wished I had carried an additional … This area features unique scenery and unusual plant communities. Backpacking trip guides to help you plan your next adventure. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet. If you drive up about 200 yards north of the trailhead, there is a huge parking area for overflow. Situated … For those who wish to spend a shorter time walking in the woods, following Bear Rocks … Hike another 0.8 miles to the intersection of the Raven Ridge Trail (TR-521). Helpful answer. They found 15, some of which were still live. WSS 304-536-2144. Motor vehicles are restricted to roads and parking areas. Turn left onto the Rocky Ridge Trail for 3 miles and enjoy many spectacular views of the Canaan Valley and enjoy investigating many unique wind-carved boulders. Soon you will reach a flat area where there will be views of Lions Head and mountain ranges. Huckleberry picking is popular during the month of July. You have bogs in some areas of the northern Dolly Sods that are saturated with water. Itinerary Pre-Trips The mandatory meetings on September 16 & September 23 will prepare you for the upcoming adventure … Many of the artillery and mortar shells shot into the area for practice still exist. Swarms of bugs around our head were a source of dreadful companionship as we trekked through the night. 200 Sycamore Street They are some of the best in Dolly Sods. 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, windswept boulders, and beautiful mountain vistas. Without the tree cover, however, the slow-flowing mountain waters submerged the landscape. We ran until multiple hikers stuck in this area without an area for shelter like us. Bear Rocks are a widely recognized symbol of West Virginia wilderness and among the most frequently photographed places in the state. However, bears are active in the area. The wilderness is directly ahead of you at the intersection with FR 75. There will be several campsites that are along the creek. My name is Justin and I'm an adventurer at heart. All were exploded on site. There is a really nice camp spot along the creek here. Dolly Sods is located in the Allegheny Mountains on the highest plateau east of the Mississippi river and features some of the most varied and scenic terrain available to hikers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Hiking Trails (38) 1. Also, there is some danger when you ford the creeks. Make sure to top your water off here, there won’t be any water sources for a while. The heat was constant and we were cameling water at every source. The real challenge comes with water. The area is generally open, with wide-spreading vistas. Map showing recreational areas. Many more may exist and they are dangerous. 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. (Don’t make the same mistake I made and continue on the Dobbing Grade Trail. The Dolly Sods Wilderness is located on top of the Allegheny Plateau of West Virginia, and is part of the Monongahela National Forest. With all the water in Dolly Sods you would think that you’d have to worry about bugs, but surprisingly they are not a problem. Since it is impossible to survey every acre of wilderness, we ask that you follow these recommendations; do not touch, move, or dig near or around the suspected ordinance, identify the area on a map or by terrain feature. 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. 6 h 38 m. From the rhododendrons and azaleas in the river valley to the blueberry bushes and hushed pines of the plateau, this loop is easy enough for dogs and children to join us but challenging enough to keep it … Which you will want to take note of because eventually you’re going to retrace your steps back to this trail junction. Be sure to bring plenty of water! Ford the Left Fork Creek and find the best camping spots in the area. Dogs are also able to … Red Creek trailhead is on the left behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin. You will experience more elevation changes till you eventually have to Ford the creek again. Turn right for Wildlife and Fisher Spring trailheads; turn left for Rohrbaugh and Red Creek trailheads. Ford the creek and continue on the trail till you come to the Red Creek Trail junction. After that crossover the Red Creek where there is a nice campsite. Adjoining the eastern boundary of the wilderness is the 2,400-acre Dolly Sods Scenic Area. There are fords on some of the trails that may be a problem to cross during high water events. Beginning in August of 1943, the military used the area for maneuvers and mountain training for World War II. At the Bear Rocks Trailhead, which is marked by a wooden trail kiosk, there is parking along the shoulder. Answer: The water in Dolly Sods is general filterable and safe to drink, however it has red stain from all the spruce in the area. Flowering laurel, rhododendron and azaleas highlight this area from May through June. Along these last trails, the hike is away from water sources so water needs to last a little longer than in other parts of Dolly Sods, so be prepared and filter extra water if possible. Hillbilly Here! Cross the creek and there is a great campsite right on the other side. Find all the transport options for your trip from Rockville to Dolly Sods Wilderness right here. Then there will be a steep descent down to the creek and you will arrive at the Big Stonecoal Trail junction. There are only relatively minor elevation changes. Turn left onto the very muddy Dunkenbarger Trail for .8 miles. Take a right onto Blackbird Knob Trail for about .25 miles to a 4 way trail junction of the Breathed Mountain Trail, Big Stonecoal Trail, and a forestry road that leads to Canaan Valley. Unfortunately, the Dolly Sods didn’t stay this way. Dolly Sods Wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. Bear Rocks Trail Loop ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 11.6 mi. For footwear on this hike leave your heavy boots, that take forever to dry, at home. Dolly Sods Backpacking Trip is a rugged, rocky 5-day backpacking trip in a designated wilderness setting complete with grassy meadows, natural rock overlooks, and forested areas. Dolly Sods Wilderness. Around 4am was the peak of zombie walking. Start the day by continuing on the Red Creek Trail for .91 miles hiking uphill out of the drainage area. Dolly Sods Wilderness is a 46.6 mile hiking trail in West Virginia. The name Dolly Sods derives from an 18th century German family named the Dahles, who settled nearby and used the open mountaintop meadows called “Sods” for grazing their sheep.