Backpacking the Dolly Sods Wilderness [Monongahela National Forest - West Virginia]


Where is Dolly Sods?

Dolly Sods is located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, within the Monongahela National Forest. 

Why visit Dolly Sods?

Dolly Sods is the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River, with altitudes from around 2,600 to 4,000 feet. The wilderness area offers a variety of landscapes but is perhaps best known for its windswept meadows and extensive bogs. There are nearly 50 miles of hiking trails and several prominent overlooks, providing scenic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.


Link to .pdf of Forest Service map

What should one expect on the trails at Dolly Sods?

Before even hitting the trails, know that this is a rather remote area. Allow extra time to reach your parking destination, as the forest roads are narrow and littered with rocks and potholes. The trailheads are accessible by passenger car, but a high clearance vehicle would be preferable. It took me about an hour to ascend the last 8 miles of unpaved forest road to access the Bear Rocks Trailhead from the south. You will also want to download any maps or other information you'll need on your hike, as you will most likely not have data service within the wilderness area.

A variety of scenery can be expected. There are windswept plains with vegetation resembling the Canadian tundra, dense forests surrounding the Red Creek gorge, and rocky outcrops with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You will likely be amazed by the diversity of landscapes packed into a relatively small area.  


Expect the trails to be wet and muddy. There are extensive boggy areas within Dolly Sods. If you see standing water on the trail, it's a good idea to test it with your trekking pole, or walking stick, to determine its depth. If not, you risk sinking in over knee deep! If you will be hiking in the southern portion of the wilderness area, you can also expect to be required to cross un-bridged streams and creeks. You may be able to rock hop across some of the smaller streams but will have to ford others. Exercise caution when crossing high or fast-moving water.

Many of the trails follow old railway lines and are wide, relatively flat sections. Some trails, though, wind through dense foliage that grows in very close to the trail. The trails are generally clear paths, but a couple of sections are rather rocky. In these locations, be on the lookout for rock cairns to keep you on the trail. It's also advisable to pay careful attention to the trail in some of the more open forested areas, as it is possible to wander off on what appears to be a trail but is not the main trail.

Finally, note that Dolly Sods was a World War II training ground. There may be undetonated explosives remaining in the wilderness. It is recommended you stay on marked trails, and if you should encounter a potential explosive device, note its location and report to the Forest Service as soon as possible. See the US Forest Service links, at the bottom of the page, for more information. 


Are pets allowed at Dolly Sods?

Pets are allowed in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, as long as they are under your control at all times.

Are permits required to backpack at Dolly Sods?

Permits are not required to backpack at Dolly Sods. Trail registers are provided at the major trailheads, and one member of each group should complete a line in the register, in the event US Forest Service personnel may need to locate you.

Permits may be required to park in certain locations. I did not need a permit to park in the overflow area for the Bear Rocks Trailhead. If you plan to park on Forest Road 80, you can obtain a permit application here.

Is there a fee to hike at Dolly Sods? 

There are no entrance fees, parking fees, nor trail usage fees to access the Dolly Sods Wilderness. 


Helpful Links:

US Forest Service - Dolly Sods Wilderness

USFS Dolly Sods Brochure (.pdf) 


Check out the YouTube video!


 

Location: Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia 26260, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiking After Work in Tucson, Arizona - [Brown Mountain Trail]

Image
  Where is Brown Mountain located? Brown Mountain is located about 30 minutes west of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Brown Mountain and Brown Mountain Picnic Area, where the trailhead is located, are within Tucson Mountain Park. The trailhead is just south of Kinney Road, on McCain Loop Road. What should one expect when hiking Brown Mountain? The hike is approximately 4.8 miles round-trip. The trails are mostly rock and gravel, with some loose rock present. We would definitely recommend wearing appropriate hiking footwear when hiking at Brown Mountain. The trail is, however, well-marked and well-maintained. While the altitude is not breathtaking, at a maximum of 3,098 feet, it is high enough to provide great views of the surrounding area. There are plenty of views throughout the trail, as there are dual peaks, and a section of the trail is an exposed ridgeline. The views only require a modest effort, as there is only about 400 feet of elevation gain on the trail.  Tucson Mountain Park is g
Read more

Overnight Backpacking Loop in Virginia: Three Ridges Wilderness

Image
  Where is the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Three Ridges Wilderness is located in Virginia's George Washington National Forest, about 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville. There is parking at Reids Gap (at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Virginia 664). It's also possible to start from the Appalachian Trail trailhead at Tye River. Why visit the Three Ridges Wilderness? The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs through the Three Ridges Wilderness, which is reason enough to visit. This loop features some spectacular views along the AT and a series of waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har side of the loop.  What should one expect on the trails in the Three Ridges Wilderness? If you are not accustomed to hiking in the mountains, this will be a strenuous hike. If you are, this will probably be a moderate hike. The trails are rocky and uneven in many places, so be sure to wear proper footwear and watch where you place your feet. Much of the hike is spent ascending or descending
Read more

White Mountains - Day 4 [Franconia Brook Trail]

Image
Despite the rain and strong winds overnight, we had slept soundly and for many hours. As we ate breakfast, we thought about the first foods we would eat once we emerged from the forest. When we began our final day of hiking, only about eight miles separated us from our original starting point.    The brooks, which we would have to cross a few times over the course of the day, were swollen from the previous day's rain. We marveled at the sheer power of the water crashing over the rocks as we left the campsite. Further down the trail, we passed through an area that was somewhat flooded out, due to the combination of precipitation and beaver activity.      While much of the second half of the trip was wet, the sun reappeared to lift our spirits as we hiked towards the finish. As we neared the Lincoln Woods Trail, we began to encounter other hikers more frequently. As we officially exited the Pemigewasset Wilderness, we stopped to chat with a group who had spent the night at Guyot Camp
Read more