This will give you access to the northern part of the Wilderness. Winter Trailhead Access. Even though winter clouds and an oncoming winter storm blocked the vistas, he still had a great time! People make day trips into the Sods via this access all the time. The whole area is also extremely wet right now. The top of the plateau is truly a wild place. . Difficulty: Easy. A map, compass, and practice using them are indispensable up here in Dolly Sods; I relied on these tools frequently. Monongahela National Forest has temporarily extended road closures into the Dolly Sods area. The 17,000-acre wilderness includes high plateaus, rocky plains, bogs, and amazing vistas. The trail rolled through meadows and dark forests, with occasional views of the streams through the trees. The Dolly Sods Wilderness and Scenic Area is one of West Virginia and the Monongahela National Forestâs most treasured natural assets. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Dolly Sods is really an amazingly beautiful wilderness. Important Note Gates on Forest Roads 19 and 75, leading to Dolly Sods, will be closed during the winter months. ... Access can be difficult at times, especially during foul weather and only by steep and sometimes rough gravel forest roads. My goal was a three day solo trip, with the first two days in the Dolly Sods, and wrapping up a third day in the Roaring Plains West Wilderness to the south. At just 0.7 miles, Beaver Dam Trail is one of the shortest trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness. All Rights Reserved. This overlook is accessible by a steep scramble up a boulder field and offers a wide vista up and down the valley, and also climbs higher than I was willing to go alone in the snow. Back on the easy lower Red Creek Trail, a short walk along the water. Recent windy, wet weather plastered snow to the trees and rhododendron, and buried the trails around six inches deep, except where running water kept it clear. There are two trailheads back there: Breathed Mountain and Stonecoal. Ecommerce Software by Shopify, I arrived mid-morning on a cloudy weekday, to a parking lot empty except for one other car and a few inches of snow. Whether exploring forest roads, crushing bike-friendly trails or cruising down the neighborhood lane, fat biking in the winter is a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. The Dolly Sods Wilderness and Scenic Area is located in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph counties. As a Wilderness area overnight camping comes with special regulations. Find vacation rentals near Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Elkins on Tripadvisor! check out Purple Lizard's post for great tips on getting out in winter! The Dolly Sods Wilderness is located in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. The trail connects with Raven Ridge Trail and Dobbin Grade Trail. Deer, coyote, bobcat, and grouse left tracks everywhere, but I saw little besides a few deer. Following a cold, breezy night, I put on my frozen shoes and headed out into the morning light for day two. PETERSBURG, WV (WVNS) — Starting on Jan. 1, 2021 several roads in the Dolly Sods area will be shut down for the winter. After a cold lunch here, I followed the trail as it dropped back down to the valley floor and crossed the deep and fast stream, (remember this is without a bridge) one final time. Four distinct seasons revolve around 17,371 acres of West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness. The best way to access Dolly Sods is from Timberline with back country skis—just ski off the Salamander trail before the first big turn. These roads are closed to motor vehicle use from January to early April every year to provide for public safety due to highly variable road conditions in the winter months. Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley call Tucker County, West Virginia home. From those trails, you can get to any trail in the Sods Without the tree cover, however, the slow-flowing mountain waters submerged the landscape. Access is from forest road 75, a gravel and dirt road that is mostly inaccessible in winter. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and photography opportunities await in this winter paradise. PETERSBURG, W.Va. — Monongahela National Forest officials are preparing to implement the winter road closures in the Dolly Sods area. In addition, the cold weather quickly sapped the batteries in my electronics. The trails have dried up and temperatures are typically 15 degrees cooler than low elevations of the mid-Atlantic. , but not enough to rely on. The lofty elevation, much of it at nearly 4,000 feet, affords awe-inspiring views. Dolly Sods — including the Bear Rocks Preserve — was an artillery training area during World War II. The Blackbird Knob trailhead is 20 yards from the campground. Eight miles from Canaan Valley are the historic mountain towns of Davis and Thomas. Dolly Sods treats winter adventurers with a true test of will and proper preparation. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases, and more …. For a real treat, rent a house in the Timberline gated community with private access to Dolly Sods and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Dolly Sods is really an amazingly beautiful wilderness. While I’d planned on a much longer day, I only managed around 14 miles the first day, and made camp at one of the many campsites scattered across the wilderness. With the heavy snow weighing down the branches, the infrequent signs and the total lack of blazes, winter navigation is definitely a challenge in the Sods. September brings with it the anticipation of world renowned fall colors. The best part: easy access to the day hiking trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness. → Related reading: Photography Guide to Blackwater Falls State Park The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. I took a detour to check out Lions Head (and extend my day), a rocky outcrop hanging above the southern end of Rocky Point Trail. Exceptional experiences like visiting Dolly Sods, Davis, and Thomas are all part of the experience. Avid backpackers and photographers know Dolly Sods to be a gem that delivers a true wilderness landscape and adventure. Trail heads at Red Creek and Forest Service Road 80 remain open. Both towns have lodging options within walking distance of live music, coffee shops, restaurants, and breweries. Up here the trails were all essentially untracked, and I wouldn’t see another fresh (human) footprint until I descended the following day. From January to April, the forest roads that provide vehicle access to the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia are closed. Winter Lock in – Gallery; Dolly Sods – Gallery; Contact Us; TroopTrack Access Explore Dolly Sods August - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Uninterrupted mountainsides of Maple, Cherry, Aspen and other tree species create a picture perfect backdrop. I took a detour to check out Lions Head (and extend my day), a rocky outcrop hanging above the southern end of Rocky Point Trail. I foolishly left my snowshoes in the car, so the hidden pits and puddles left me stumbling and sliding. If taking in the winter beauty of Dolly Sods is your idea of a perfect Christmas outing, you may want to do it soon, because the Monongahela National Forest officials are preparing to implement the annual winter road closures in the Dolly Sods area. Having never set foot on this wild high plateau before, I planned for a general circumnavigation to see as much as possible. Copyright © 2021 Tucker County CVB. The best way to access Dolly Sods is from Timberline with back country skis--just ski off the Salamander trail before the first big turn. One of the premier hiking locations on the east coast. It is located a short drive from Blackwater Falls State Park, so if you are in the area be sure to set some time aside for visiting Dolly Sods. The following activities are NOT permitted at Bear Rocks Preserve: Biking and mountain biking; Camping In addition, the cold weather quickly sapped the batteries in my electronics. Daily weather can vary greatly with large extremes in temperature occurring dangerously fast. Back on the easy lower Red Creek Trail, a short walk along the water took me back to the car, where dry socks and shoes, and a long drive through the slowly growing blizzard were waiting for me. 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. Red Spruce —Red Spruce is also among the most common tree species, which reach 60 to 80 feet high with a trunk diameter of close to two feet. From those trails, you can get to any trail in the Sods There are so many great reasons to explore new places, but there are likely equal reasons to visit a familiar spot in a new season. The snow steadily deepened on the ascent, as a stream noisily cascaded down far below. All Rights Reserved. View 217 traveler reviews from properties near Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in Elkins, WV A wilderness preservation, Dolly Sods contains a sizeable amount of drainage from the Red Creek and holds both heath and bog plants that are often seen in the southern parts of Canada. Perfect weather and ideal hiking conditions are a welcomed sign that summer has arrived. Fog can form/roll in extremely quickly, dropping visibility to dangerous, disorienting near-zero conditions. Consider Purple Lizard Maps take on this topic. In fact, the "Dolly" part of the name is due to a family of sheep farmers in the area named Dahle. Recent windy, wet weather plastered snow to the trees and rhododendron, and buried the trails around six inches deep, except where running water kept it clear, With the heavy snow weighing down the branches, the infrequent signs and the total lack of blazes, winter navigation is definitely a challenge in the Sods. Thus, in winter we change our strategy and explore on snowshoes. The snow steadily deepened on the ascent, as a stream noisily cascaded down far below. Access roads can quickly become blocked by dense fog, downed trees from high wind, and snow/snow drifts. With little elevation and limited hiking hazards, this Dolly Sods hike is great for families. There are too many places with unreliable cell reception to think our digital resources can guide us, unwaveringly. Consider Purple Lizard Maps take on this topic. According to a news releases from USDA Forest Service, the road closure went into effect April 6. I foolishly left my snowshoes in the car, so the hidden pits and puddles left me stumbling and sliding. and offers a wide vista up and down the valley, and also climbs higher than I was willing to go alone in the snow. It has been cited that the flood of 1907 lead to the creation of the Monongahela National Forest for watershed protection. Up here the trails were all essentially untracked, and I wouldn’t see another fresh (human) footprint until I descended the following day. Since it's winter you will definitely want to remove your shoes and socks so they're dry on the far side. Dolly Sods Wilderness is one of the most popular areas to visit in the Monongahela National Forest, drawing hikers and backpackers from well beyond the mid-Atlantic region, according to Waskey. The needles are four sided, dark, shiny, and grow independently from all sides of the twigs and branches. © 2021 Purple Lizard Maps. Dolly Sods receives an average of 150 inches of snow in the winter closing road access. Preserve Guidelines. Distance: 0.7 miles. From Red Creek trailhead you will need to cross Red Creek to access the Northern section of the Sods. While I’d planned on a much longer day, I only managed around 14 miles the first day, and made camp at one of the many campsites scattered across the wilderness. Please, stay on existing trails, keep children close by and do not pick up or remove shells or shell fragments. Please refer to the US Forest Services guidelines before your journey into the wilderness. Purple Lizard Maps is a trademark of Purple Lizard Publishing LLC Winter. There are two trailheads back there: Breathed Mountain and Stonecoal. a map, I do know that I rely on maps regularly. After the previous day’s low mileage, and with heavy snow forecast for the next night, it became clear I’d have to cut back on my plans.