Just bring snowshoes if you plan to hike it in winter. Dolly Sods Loop. If you’re looking for a semi-difficult loop, this is great. Bear Rocks Trail to Raven Ridge Trail and Dobbin Grade Trail Loop (easy). Bear Rocks Trail takes the runner on a wonderful singletrack through open fields, a minor river crossing, and some minor forest groves. From the Dolly Sods’ high plateau and wind-stunted red spruce, Bear Rocks Trail descends gradually to bogs and a crossing at Red Creek. Dolly Sods Day 1: Aborted Rohrbaugh Trail – Lion’s Head Plan On 11/02/2020 11/02/2020 By hikingjourneys In Dolly Sods 1 Comment My initial plan (derived on the drive down) was to experience a few trails I didn’t see on the 2011 trip. Straddling a windswept section of the Allegheny Front, West Virginia’s Dolly Sods Wilderness offers what is heralded by some as the best hiking on the eastern seaboard. Below are the trail names and order of directions to complete the 10.4 mile loop from beginning to end starting from the Dolly Sods Wilderness Trailhead described above, otherwise known as the North Loop: It can be accessed on the southwestern side and will take you north into the middle of the Dolly Sods. Beaver Dam Trail. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area: Dolly Sods North Hike - See 269 traveler reviews, 294 candid photos, ... Bear Rocks Trail - Raven Ridge Trail - Rocky Ridge Trail - Dobbin Grade Trail Loop … From the sounds of it the trails are poorly marked which should… Dolly Sods has an almost 50-mile trail system that is interconnected. Dolly Sods a popular place for nature study and relatiad outdoor recreation. Listed below are several possible loop hikes. Arguably one of the most beautiful hiking areas on the United States’ east coast, the Dolly Sods Wilderness inarguably has the most unique trailhead warning sign: Watch out for unexploded ordinance in the area. Backpackers can essentially plan their hikes in any which meandering way, and of any length of the distance they choose. The wind blows so much across the open, higher elevations of Dolly Sods Wilderness that it’s simply too harsh for trees to grow in normal shapes and sizes. We did the three day option for the Dolly Sods/Lion's Head hike and it is clear why this loop is so popular (we saw about twenty or so people a day, and there were probably about fifty people camping at the Forks when we settled down for day at around 2 p.m. 90% of the backpackers that we came across were doing this loop). Dolly Sods | Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. We asked the campsite occupants if we were on the trail and they replied that we were on a “parallel” trail and the main trail was just to the left. Canaan Loop, Dolly Sods, Blackwater Canyon Blackwater Falls GPS Data. Dolly Sods Wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. At mile 2.4, I veered right at Raven Ridge Trail, which rolls over an expansive meadow, into a forested area, and connects with Rocky Ridge Trail at 3.8 miles. The west side of Dolly Sods is a bit harder to get to. Dolly Sods Trail Map Only a few minutes down Blackbird Knob Trail the trail seemed to run straight into a campsite. At just 0.7 miles, Beaver Dam Trail is one of the shortest trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness. Backpacking Lions Head Loop. The trip starts off along the Bear Rocks Trail which heads downhill from the parking lot. Note that the weather can change suddenly, and freezing weather has been recorded in all months of the year. This is known as the outer loop. We wanted to branch out and see something new, so we decided to go to Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia, about a three-hour drive from DC. Backpacking Dolly Sods North Loop. The Forks of Red Creek, in the central section crossing Red Creek and several streams. 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. This is a difficult loop trail to Breathed Mountain in Dolly Sods Wilderness. Fords indicate streams that may be a problem to cross during high water events. It is common for weekend backpackers to choose between completing a loop of the northern half of the wilderness or a loop of the southern half of the wilderness. This trail goes by Blackbird Knob. The Dolly Sods Wilderness area is a slice of Eastern Canada, unexpectedly found smack in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains. Unlike anywhere else in West Virginia, the Dolly Sods Wilderness and surrounding areas of the Monongahela National Forest offer a landscape that you can see across for long distances without the help of an elevated vantage point. 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. Update 1/5/2008: GPS Data now provided in GPX format for easy transfer to your GPS! High altitude meadows filled with wildlife and more berries than you can eat are seen from both sides of the trail going in and out of forests. I'd echo the authors suggestion, push on toward the later campsite and try to get there on the earlier side! Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. We followed the following trails: Rohrbaugh Plains Trail, Wildlife FS 560 Trail, then a bit on Forest Road 75 back to the parking area, which is just north of the Dolly Sods … This route combines several unique trails, each with their own flavor that marks the uniqueness of these highlands. Dry wood is rather hard to come by. This route combines several unique trails, each with their own flavor that marks the uniqueness of these highlands. August 29 - 31, 2014 TOPOGRAPHIC MAP After debating over a few different locations to go backpacking over Labor Day weekend we settled on Dolly Sods in West Virginia. This is a mild trail with several stream crossings. 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. This is an intermediate/strenuous 25 mile loop. View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink. Adjoining the eastern boundary of the wilderness is the 2,400-acre Dolly Sods Scenic Area. Plentiful good camping spots allows for adapting it for up to 4 or 5 days. The best way to capture the essence of this area is the 23-mile Dolly Sods Loop. The Dolly Sods Wilderness area is a slice of Eastern Canada, unexpectedly found smack in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains. ... Part of the loop along Dobbins Grade Trail, made on an abandoned dirt road, is usually wet. This 6.5 mile loop located in the northern section of the wilderness area is a nice day hike introduction to Dolly Sods. Dave Kiel. Since my husband and I started hiking over two years ago, we’ve been to almost every trail in Shenandoah National Park within driving distance. Plentiful good camping spots allows for adapting it for up to 4 or 5 days. There may be additional small stream crossings. Again with all of the recent rain, the streams were flowing rather heavy. With little elevation and limited hiking hazards, this Dolly Sods hike is great for families. GPS Waypoint data is now available for a … North Dolly Sods Loop from Bear Rocks Trailhead Allegheny Plateau, West Virginia . If backpacking (not running) I would probably plan on two full days of hiking at least, with an overnight in the neighborhood of Bear Rocks. If backpacking (not running) I would probably plan on two full days of hiking at least, with an overnight in the neighborhood of Bear Rocks. It’s time to go and explore the Dolly Sods and all it has to offer. It is less well known, but it is nearly as stunning as the eastern side, and it has significantly smaller crowds. The Dolly Sods North hike is arguably the best of the best: a stunning, 10.6-mile stem-and-loop through blissful meadows and spruce forests with terrific views of the Canaan… 5.0 This moderate 7 mile loop trail brings you through the Dolly Sods Wilderness on 3 different trails: Bear Rocks Trail (TR522), Dobbin Grade Trail (TR526), and Raven Ridge Trail (TR521). Distance: 0.7 miles. Since we had been to the southern half, we decided to go to the northern part of the area where all the picturesque sandstone boulders are – the Dolly Sods North loop. This is an intermediate/strenuous 25 mile loop. Dolly Sods is a rocky, high-altitude plateau with sweeping vistas and lifeforms normally found much farther north in Canada.To the north, the distinctive landscape of "the Sods" is characterized by stunted ("flagged") trees, wind-carved boulders, heath barrens, grassy meadows created in the last century by logging and fires, and sphagnum bogs that are much older. Dolly Sods Wilderness Loop Backpacking Guide The Dolly Sods Wilderness is located on top of the Allegheny Plateau of West Virginia, and is part of the Monongahela National Forest. It takes you past the Big Stonecoal Falls as Big Stonecoal Hikers should consult a trail map to choose a … We had a certain loop in mind which Tara found on another website somewhere. Hiking Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia. The drive to Dolly Sods took us through the Canaan Valley. Red Creek Trail is the longest trail in the Dolly Sods at a 6.4-mile hike. from Dolly Sods Picnic Area to Fisher Spring Run Trail. West Virginia is full of hidden backcountry gems. The Dolly Sods are some of the best backpacking grounds in the Eastern US. This long loop hike offers rushing creeks, cascades and waterfalls, and high rocky peaks with expansive views of the canyon that Red Creek has carved. There are two loops: the shorter trail is 10 miles, the longer trail is 16 miles. The trail connects with Raven Ridge Trail and Dobbin Grade Trail. Dolly Sods contains 47 miles of trails that circumnavigate, circumvent, and connect all throughout the Wilderness area. Get your hiking boots ready! Rohrbaugh Trail spans 3.6 mi. Add Beaver View Trail into your loop to make it a little bit longer and see some freaking awesome beaver dams! 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. It links to many different trails, ending with the Blackbird Knob Trail. My husband and I enjoyed our first trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness so much, we were itching to go back and explore the area more. Dolly Sods gets TONS of rain, so don't expect to put together a fire (especially in the valley) if there has been recent rain. One of these natural gems is the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the eastern part of the state. Recognizing its unique aspects, Congress in 1975 set aside the 10,215-acre Dolly Sods Wilderness to be maintained with minimal disturbance from human activities. Bear Rocks Trail takes the hiker on a wonderful singletrack through open fields, a minor river crossing, and some minor forest groves. Dolly Sods North Loop. Difficulty: Easy. Purchase GPS Waypoint data and access to topographic maps of this trail using Pay Pal! Make sure your navigational skills are up to par as the trail can be hard to follow. The Dolly Sods are some of the best backpacking grounds in the Eastern US.