Hiking the JMT(sobo)-starting August 12th . Can’t wait!!!
Jason
Got any hikes planned?
system
#23
Just got back from a 6 day and 5 night hike at Dolly Sods in eastern West Virginia. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a wonderful hike. It’s a beautiful place and has a VERY WIDE range terrain. I started on the Red Creek trail and went from there. The trails are very well maintained and have trail head signs at all the intersections. Here are a few links if you want to check it out:
I live near the area and have hiked the Dolly Sods area many times so if anyone would like some info on it… just let me know…
Happy Trails to everyone… ~Sneaky
Sneaky
system
#24
I did the north side of the loop last fall (peak colors) and it was very nice. A number of good views along the way and some strenuous trail. You’ll need a tent. The north loop took us 3 days, 2 nights. For the full loop, plan on 5 days, 4 nights. The decent off Old Speck is a knee cruncher!
slo-go’en
system
#25
All the trees have been cut down in Dolly Sods (and just about everywhere else in W.Va). No more virgin forest, or anything even close. 3d or 4th growth at best.
Eaky
system
#26
Sneaky, I was there at the same time; I just returned Friday the 4th from 3 days in Dolly Sods.
First day - hiked in northern section where landscape is all open country of scrub and blueberry bushes punctuated with occasional mountain laurel (in full blooming season) and spruce trees. Reminded me very much of Northern New England except for the laurel. Hiked Bear Rocks trail, turned left onto Dobbin Grade trail which was very mucky - couldn’t keep my feet dry. Turned right onto Raven Ridge trail uphill and camped at nearly 4,000’. Gorgeous weather with a constant breeze to ward off bugs but not enough to affect my stove’s performance. Even though campsite was out in the open, the breezes and drying winds overnight prevented a heavy dew buildup. Splendid sunset and sunrise.
Second day - continued on the Raven Ridge Trail until it ended at the Rocky Ridge Trail which bore south. Hiked the entire trail to where it ended at the Big Stonecoal trail. At this point, I had dropped from the high open meadows into forest. The Big Stonecoal trail was also reminiscent of New England with its extreme rockiness and myriad roots. This section was in federally-designated wilderness so trail maintenance was minimal although there were still signs at junctions unlike the Otter Creek wilderness further north.
By the time Big Stonecoal ended at Red Creek, I had descended to 2,800’. Fording the creek was a pleasure. On the other side, I picked up the Red Creek Trail which as the name implies traverses up Red Creek over 6 miles to its headwaters. Hiked about 1.5 miles up the creek to my next night’s campsite. Weather still holding up but rain expected tomorrow.
Third day - rained heavy overnight but at least it stopped by morning. Skies still heavy-looking and gray as I packed up and decided to forgo hiking all the way up Red Creek. The ruggedness of the trail with rocks & roots made very slippery from the rain combined with the lack of views made the decision.
So I hiked up the Fisher Spring Trail (again, very rugged with rocks everywhere including some rockfields where it was hard to pick up the trail) to the Forest Service Road where I walked back to the car. On the way up, I sank my trekking pole in deep muck and lost the tip.
Wonderful area! I was about 2 weeks too early for the blueberries. I’ll be back - I live less than 60 miles from the trailhead.
Cookerhiker
system
#27
Cookerhiker, We were both on the trail at the same time then because I walked off the trail on the 3rd. Yeah, I was dissappointed with the blueberry bushes not being ready yet. I was hoping to have some fresh blueberries with my oatmeal in the mornings. Anyhow… Like I said, we started on Red Creek trail and hiked it all the way up to Blackbird Knob. From Blackbird knob we went to the Upper Red Creek then to Beaver View and then hit Raven Ridge. From Raven Ridge we took Rocky Ridge all the way back down to Blackbird knob then finally hit Red Creek again for the sad trail out.
If you’ve never been on Rocky Ridge Trail Cookerhiker, I’d recommend it. It’s a great trail, it’s beautiful up there. It can get a little hairy in a bad storm considering you’re on top of a ridge line for most of it. But hey, thats part of the fun. haha
We also took a trip in early March up there. I would also recommend it if you don’t mind the cold nights. Because although the day time temp was awesome for hiking, around 65 or so… the night time temp dropped close to freezing a few times. Lucky for us it was like the first warmer week up there. There was still snow everywhere but it was melting very quick and made the water falls AMAZING!
If you ever plan on hitting up Dolly Sods again. Send me an e-mail and let me know because I love going up there and I have a hard time sometimes finding someone to go with. That is if you don’t mind a tag-a-long. haha
Happy Trails to Everyone…
~Sneaky
Proffitt27@gmail.com
Sneaky