Camping the Dolly Sods Wilderness - Fall Backpacking in West Virginia
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- 3 Days of Fall Camping, Hiking and Backpacking in Dolly Sods, West Virginia. GPS data at www.sintax77.com
For this adventure, we'll be exploring a very unique area of West Virginia - the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, within the Monongahela National Forest. Being a high altitude plateau sitting at around 4,000 feet (the highest plateau east of the Mississippi river), the Sods offer a stark contrast to the surrounding West Virginian ecosystem. In fact, you may feel more like you're in Canada than West Virginia.
For an overview and listing of my gear check out this video: • 2014 Ultralight Backpa...
Accompanied by my wife and our two close friends, this was a 3 day, 2 night backpacking adventure. Each day's track data was recorded to individual GPX data files, available for download over at my website for those interested.
Parking: Bear Rocks Trailhead 39.06352, -79.30326
Trails Used in Order:
Day One (11.5 Miles):
Bear Rocks Trail 522
Raven Ridge Trail 521
Rocky Ridge Trail 524
Blackbird Knob Trail 553 (only for a very short segment)
Big Stone Coal Trail 513
Setup Camp a bit before Little Stone Coal Trail
Day 2 (9.5 Miles):
Dunkenbarger Trail 558
Little Stone Coal Trail 552
Red Creek Trail 514
(Out-n-back excursion on Breathed Mountain Trail 553)
Setup camp along Red Creek Trail between Breathed Mt and Blackbird Knob
Day 3 (6 Miles):
Red Creek Trail 514
Blackbird Knob Trail 511
Upper Red Creek Trail 509
Dobbin Grade Trail 526 - Prepare for mud and thigh-deep sinkholes!
Return to car via Bear Rocks Trail 522
You were right in backyard! I live about 10 miles from there. I backpack there all the time. And yes the coyotes seem to visit most nights. Great Channel like your videos!
I thoroughly enjoy all your videos so please keep them coming. I made many wonderful hikes in my younger days, some with friends no longer here so when I watch your movies it makes me smile to think how much you'll be enjoying these shots 20 years from now. Anyway, thanks for letting us live vicariously through your productions!
Russ, I'm in the same boat..packing 30! years ago. Then got away from it..career, chance, family, etc. So a few weeks ago I ordered a bunch of gear. Things have changed! What's with these hydration packs? :-) My back packing friends from the 70s are all gone or unable..so think about that everybody.
My favorite video yet of your hikes. You four have a good chemistry on the trail.
"I just want to see what happens" Famous. Last. Words!
Good video.It brought back memories from my solo in Dolly Sods two years ago. You guys passed up a really cool campsite on Rocky Ridge though, I spent two nights there. It was right on top and had a huge boulder across from it, which I sat on and watched a beautiful sunset
True cheesteak wisdom from Sintax on this one. Also Pats and Ginos are for tourists!
Great video! Dolly Sods was recommended to me by a ranger at the Seneca station a few years ago when the trail at Seneca Rocks was closed for maintenance. I've returned to Dolly Sods every year at least once. It is a fantastic place indeed. My favorite trail is Red Creek Trail, and watching this video made me request some time off in October to visit during the fall. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Zachary. You should definitely check it out in the fall some time. Comfortable weather and awesome scenery if you time the foliage right.
you guys hiked it at a GREAT time, what excellent colors you have captured. You've got a gift of telling your hiking stories. Thanks for sharing.
I visited Seneca Rocks when I was like 8-9 yrs old.My grandparents lived right on the edge of Monongahela Nat. Forest near Parsons.I used to run around in the mountains around their house all day long there as a kid when we'd visit( with no daypack,first aid kit or anything!lol).Awesome fall colors there now!Definitely hoping to make a future hike on this trail.
You know, while hiking, we were actually talking about how it would be to grow up around there and have a place like that as your back yard to run around in. It's pretty cool that you really got to do it!
Brilliant idea. The can for a pot is such a great idea. Its light and costs nothing. Never would have thought of that.
Great footage, thanks for taking us along! The Dolly Sods is a place that's right at the top of trips!
Love your videos they are inspiring me to travel. I'm in the navy and I am moving to Norfolk. You got me stoked on Virginia
just wanted to let you know you have inspired me, just started backing this year so a noob! but this will be my second trip have learned so much from your video's thanks
Great to see someone who travels around to hike make it to our area... the whole area around Canaan Valley is an awesome place... I don't know if someone else has suggested it but have you looked at the Allegheny Trail that runs through the state from the AT in Virginia to Morgantown... great videos and hike on!
I love autumn. Everything looks so pretty.
Nice video. If I didn't have this herd of children, I'd like to try an overnight hike.
We’re planning a trip to Dolly Sods about the same time of year you did this video.
You are the go to man when you want to see the trail and get the scoop! Thanks for all the hard work; hiking It firstly, and secondly for the hard work putting it together and posting it.
❤️
I hiked here last summer. Even with the mud bogs, 4 hour rainstorm, my buddy almost getting bitten by a rattlesnake, and vicious spider bite I got, it was one of the coolest places I've ever hiked. I need to get back here. Maybe after I get to Isle Royale! Another great vid! Keep these coming!!!
props to Sarah for being the only one of you heathens to tap her shot on the ground before taking it
Dolly Sods hike is the BOMB!!!!
Your backpacking videos are the best on you tube! They make me want to go even more than I already do. Your gear reviews are awesome as well. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing. Loved when you guys were talking about Philly cheesesteaks, I live just outside Philly.
Just subscribed and I gotta say this trip looked so fun man. Props to the quality of the video and the time it took to get it edited etc. Had a great time watching it.
I don't backpack, just car camp - but your videos really make me want to get into backpacking...
You guys are all great! You'll never forget. Good video production/editing too. Hey, Sintax--you have the Delorme PN60. What do you think of the Garmin or what convinced you to go with Delorme instead of say the Garmin 62st or similar?
Oh, one other thing..it's good he left the ants alone! They're just camping out too. That would have peeved me.
Thanks again for a great time!
I have spent a lot of time wondering around on the sods, one of the most beautiful places in the state.
Nice trip report doood. Dolly Sods is on my short list of hikes to do. Your itinerary was the perfect length. Thanx for the video.
Hopefully you'll be able to get down there for a visit, it's a great spot. The area creates a very laid back vibe for a backpacking trip. I'm all for chalking up elevation gains and bagging peaks, but there's nothing like slowing things down and just hanging with friends on a plateau for a few days :)
From WV never done Dolly Sods, but it just got out on the list and as close as I am it might get pushed up that list a few spots lol. Great video thanks for all the work u do! It's Feb. 2022 there's about a foot of snow outside, so this is my fix for now. Thanks.
All you hiking videos are fun to watch, but the ones involving Mike are like a little Cherry on top. Great video man.
Did the loop this weekend. Lots of mud and rock, trails aren't very well marked (no blazes). Great campsites and beautiful views. Great video!
Another enjoyable video. Beautiful area with a great mix of terrain.
That spider was super sketchy looking.
I still need to research that spider. It was like an evil strawberry with legs...
Good stuff! We went to Dolly sods last September and it was amazing. Pretty amazing landscape
you prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an instagram account??
I somehow lost the password. I would love any assistance you can offer me!
@Kelvin Ameer instablaster =)
@Curtis Andre I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out atm.
Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Curtis Andre It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thanks so much, you saved my account !
@Kelvin Ameer Glad I could help xD
Amazing hike. Just went there this weekend and did 20 or so miles with the fiancee. Might go back in a month to see more fall colors.
syrusvapor Definitely go back for the fall foliage if you can.
Cool adventure! Dolly Sods looks like a fantastic place to hike. Thanks for sharing
Best trip yet. Great looking scenery
i love Dolly Sods... spent a lot of time there myself.. dunkenburger or whatever is amazing
Respect nature, respect big ant hills.
NO I have not forgot mike and those white mushrooms and all the river crossings
Thumbs up for the flashback!
Fun to watch! Beautiful country ! Thanks for sharing your trip !
great video, thank you. the other dude - mike - really seemed like a buzz kill man, but everyone else seemed to be enjoying the vibe out there, thank you for the post.
Great Vid! Thanks for all your videos! Your videos give great techniques and hiking destinations for someone who is just getting into backpacking like myself!
A frame let's do this. Let's make G+ happen. No girls or old people allowed though. It'll be like poker night the website.
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the video. Thanks for posting! Another great place to hike! ATB …. ken
Great vid from the Dolly Sods.... Been wanting to go there my whole life, one of these days! Glad you guys had great weather! Thanks for sharing your trip!
Nice video - thanks for publishing! It's a great little place to hike though sometimes a bit overcrowded. Next time you're up for a trip to West Virginia, check out the day hike at Seneca Rocks and do a little backpacking on the Huckleberry and Seneca Creek Trails at Spruce Knob…really pretty area and even higher elevation.
I second the Seneca Creek trail. Waterfalls, huckleberries, plane wreckage, meadows, and native brooke tr
I second the Seneca Creek trail recomendation.
Great job Guys & Gals!! Thanks for sharing!
If you liked dolly sods you should try the roaring planes, it’s just a few miles away and I think it has much better views. The trail is not kept up by the national forest service so in some spots it gets a little tricky to follow but as long as you bring a good map and GPS it is one awesome hike.
Beautiful nature:-D i love all the colours in Autum. Awesome trip. I get the itches to get out on hiking.
Another great video! I know it is old, but not to me! I Hope to get out there This fall, or spring. Looks like I will bring trekking poles, with all that mud and water.
Looking forward to the graftin loop in Main at end of summer with the girls! Sure to be a good hike
Great video, awesome terrain and a great variation of vegetation
Awesome video as usual man! you have some of the best videos on youtube love your gear reviews too. In this video mike was saying something about viewers not liking him? I would have to disagree I wish you had more videos together you two are pretty funny together you remind me alot of my best friend when we go backpacking together keep them coming man peace!
Haha, no. I think Mike was just screwing around. Unless he's been the victim of some "cyber bullying" that I'm unaware of, lol ;)
Love that place!
Liked the video. I wish my wife would go backpacking with me. Did you all sleep in one tent? The ladies are easy on the eyes, made it that much better to watch.
really like this video. great area to hike. and your attitude about milage is so cool, I like to hike and enjoy not just a mile pounder,
Thanks live close to here and always wondered what it was like. Awesome photography, thanks again
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! :)
Nice hike. Enjoyed the video. Seems like you had a good ole time.
Hope to get out in that area some day.
Just discovered and enjoyed your video. I am a Mike too and had a Mike backpacking best friend. We planned sort of to camp at Jones Gap SP in Oct 2013 but did not, and he died in jan 2014 at age 57 (RIP Michael Shipman) I only wish I had cameras then to record all our backpacking trips. I am inventing new Bushcraft items, Keep backpacking. Do one from The Foothills Trail here in SC.
That was a cool video, thanks for sharing. I am just getting into backpacking and you guys make it look like a lot of fun!
Looked like nice trip, thanks for sharing .
a great hike , I really enjoyed watching , thank you for posting ..
Beautiful hike!
Definitely! I think it may have spoiled me a bit though, lol. Sensory overload every 20 mins - impossible to get bored with all the ecosystem changes.
good video of this trip looks like a good area in the wilderness
Geat video looks like it was a very fun trip.
great new hike
Great video. I highly recommend hiking in the Adirondacks you can easily find a 2-3 day overnight.
That was a awesome trip. cool place for a great hiking camping trip, like the video, is was cool. It looked like your packs were't that heavy with gear.
Really enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing you trip
Just wanted to say that I love all of your videos from your hikes to your equipment reviews - they have been quite helpful. I truly loved your videos at Dolly Sods and am looking to do that hike in the near future (3 day hike) . My youngest son has expressed a desire to go with me, but has very little hiking experience. He has hiked with me on some day hikes and we’ve done a short section of the AT, but never an overnight trip. I was just wondering how the sods would treat him and when is the best time to go. I was looking at late March or early April, but didn’t know if it would still be too cold for him - your thoughts.
Keep doing what your doing and I look forward to watching your future videos - stay safe
.
Thanks again,
Mike
43:40 Sara's like, uh blowing nose and motions to look away . . . Sintax77, yes ma'am we'll check out this tree over here :D
Great video. I've hiked this many times. Suggestion-hiking poles.
I watched this the other day
I recognized most of the trail, what an awesome place. Was funny when they looking for the pond on the map and I knew it was not there.
Awesome hike cool footage
Those bogs are brutal. I sunk up to my ars last week. Too bad I didnt watch this video before embarking.
+Lisa Ray Ugh, I feel for you. I didn't take it the stories too seriously until we were actually there. And wow, it sure lived up to it's reputation...
Great video. Best place in WV to be. I've been on every trail many times. But srsly, never did I manage to get 4500 feet of climb out of there. Maybe 1600 the way you took with ups and downs and sidetrips included.
Thanks, Sabra. I'll have to pull up the gpx files again, but we probably racked up most of the elevation by coming down off the southern end of the plateau and then heading back up. Really love the area!
Man, Keep the videos coming....!! Nice one.
You & your friends are very familiar with the places I have lived many times. Every inch of Dolly Sods is etched on my brain, including bush whacking back down to the river & sleeping on a piece of rock just wide enough 4 2. Either 1 rolls & it's a rocky 11 ft drop sideways. Franconia NH, Dolly Sods, northern Maine, Florida swamps, Daniel Boone NF, Colorado, even Kansas. I sky dived, everything before I was 22. At 61, there is only one thing I would not do again: caving in Missouri. Guts of a planet. You realize how helpless you would be without light. Also, it is wet & you understand what it's like in a sewer if it rains. Go there. Underground. If you want comedy, walk in a bog in NH. You walk on grass, then all of a sudden, the person in front of you completely disappears under water. but bobs back up. Me, my friends, & later, my fam all sat around that camp fire half way into your vid. If you look up "Newhart" opening scene, it's all in NH not VT. It's where I went to school: Plymouth & area in NH. Poorest mechanic's son at a rich prep school. The entire opening of the show is where i sailed, walked, and the very last 1 sec shows the road in front of my boarding school. Learned to camp & hike over mts there. Skydiving yes, spelunking no more.
excelent guys !
Lol he was super embarrassed when he slipped on that rock😂😂
awesome videos man, for someone just getting into it, these help!
Enjoyed that 100%. Thanks
When the opportunity presents itself, always kick the ant hill.
Looks like you all had a great time. You should try the ADK again this time in summer or fall lol
Thanks !Sintax77! and :All ! keep it up:
Oh, and PS, I like Mike, he seems cool, he is like our Dorn, same hairstyle too.
I liked the Heart check.
Hahaha I loved the flash back
Sweet video.
I have been enjoying your videos. I am new to hiking and have been starting on shorter trails 3-5 mi and I will work my way up... Your vlogs inspire me... Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I wanted to know what kind of hiking boots your wife wears?
My internet went out at exactly 25:56 so I have a frozen picture of you all taking shots on my screen. I dont know why but I find that funny. ;p
Haha, cheers! :)
Amazing how much your gear has refined. What was your pack load here? That might be a great video, gear refinement. Starter pack and the progression to what you have now.
I think you should add an after hike meal at the end of your videos. :)
great video
You should do a trip to the AT in PA, Idk if you have already done that and I just haven't seen it, but that would be cool
Up at the dried up beaver pond is what I call the Seringetti. Dry. Bad place to set up camp. Red Creek is great.
Nyce hike, thank you.. Your all awesome.. i'll hike that soon. Oh ya, great job on you're river crossing ~ }i{
Great video, thank you for posting :)
Thanks for the Great video. l will have to hike Dolly Sods this spring/summer. It looks a good place for hammock camping too. Just a couple of questions . How long do your batteries last in your GPS ? I am lucky if mine make it all day I think I may need A GPS upgrade. Could you share the website you print out your trail maps from ? The ones I print out are not that detailed.
Another cool place to hike;/camp is Linville Gorge in North Carolina. Great views and even better campsites. If you stay away from the weekends you have it mostly to yourself.
Thanks again....Jeff
That used to be a beaver pond. Built and maintained by beavers. Hunters came in with rifles and shotguns and blew the beavers away. Now no beaver pond just flatted grass.
Nice Video!
Seen so many awesome things about dolly sods. It's definitely at the top of my list as of right now. Would you suggest a time of year?
+nobryan0704 I haven't done ot yet myself, but I hear that going in spring during full bloom is pretty amazing.
My home state!!!