Backpacking - Dolly Sods Wilderness and Dolly Sods North
Description
Dolly Sods Wilderness has 25 miles of trails within 10,215 acres. The wilderness includes some of the open boggy areas similar to what is found just to the north, but is mostly spruce and hardwood forests with rhododendron laurell thickets and rock outcroppings. Red Creek drops sharply in the steep canyon to provide swimming holes and waterfalls. Dolly Sods North includes another 22 miles of trails within about 6,000 acres. Dolly Sods North is high-elevation plateau, wind-swept and boggy. Patches of native red spruce, alder, maple, and mountain ash mingle with plantations of pine, upland heath, and sphagnum bogs. The area is generally open, with wide-spreading vistas. Huckleberries and cranberries are common in the heath and bog areas. Trail Map (pdf) Brochure (pdf)
Directions from Morgantown
There are two access points for Dolly Sods from Morgantown. One is through Canaan Valley (see Canaan Mtn directions) south on rt 32 to the Laneville Road (WV 45). Turn left and go approximately 6 miles to Lainville and F R 19. Red Creek trailhead is on the left behind the Laneville wildlife management cabin. Continue on FR 19 to get to Rohrbaugh trailhead and FR 75. The second access area is Bear Rocks/Blackbird Knob- Take I-68 E to Rt. 42 S at Friendsville, MD. Follow Rt. 42 S until it intersects with Rt. 219 S at McHenry, MD. Stay on Rt. 219 S through Oakland, MD to Rt. 50 E. Take Rt. 50 E to Rt. 42 S at Mt Storm. Go 13.5 miles to Jordan Run Rd on the right. Go 5.3 miles to FR 75 on the right. Another 5 miles up the mtn. to Bear Rocks.
Travel Time: 2 hr
Activities: Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Sight Seeing, Cross Country Skiing, Swimming Holes, Mountain Biking(DS North only)
Address: Potomac Ranger District, HC 59, Box 240, Petersburg, WV 26847, 1.5 miles south of Petersburg off Rt. 28/55
Phone/Email: 304-257-4488 (Voice & TDD), 304-636-1800 - Mon. National Forest
Web resources: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/dolly_sods_wilderness.htm
ORC Resources: Brochure, Books - "Monongahelia National Forest Hiking Guide", "Out There West Virginia A Guide to Backcountry Travel and Adventure", "West Virginia Hiking Trails"
