What is special about Dolly Sods?
What is special about Dolly Sods?
Dolly Sods is well known for its open expanses of sphagnum bog, heath shrubs and scattered and stunted red spruce — all creating impressions of areas much farther north. Many plant communities are indeed similar to those of sea-level eastern Canada.
Are there bears in Dolly Sods?
Visitors to the Dolly Sods area of the Monongahela National Forest have reported seeing many more bears than is common, and several encounters have been tense. However, even tent campers can minimize the chance of a negative bear encounter.
Why is it called Dolly Sods?
In the mid-1800s, the Dalhe family used open grassy fields called “sods” for grazing sheep in this area, which now bears the name Dolly Sods Wilderness. The region, located high on the Allegheny Plateau, is known for its extensive rocky plains, upland bogs, and sweeping vistas.
Do you need a permit for Dolly Sods?
No permit is required to camp in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, but there are rules and regulations regarding backcountry camping. You can find more information on the USFS Dolly Sods website here.
What is the elevation of Dolly Sods?
The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet.
What animals are in Dolly Sods?
Just added!
- American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
- Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
- Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
- Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
- Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)
- Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
- Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
What mountain range is Dolly Sods in?
Dolly Sods is a 17,371 acre US Wilderness Area located in the Monongahela National Forest, which encompasses, in part, the Allegheny Plateau, the Cumberland Mountains, and the Cumberland Plateau (which encompasses Dolly Sods specifically) of the central Appalachian Mountain Range.
Where is the tree at Dolly Sods?
— Dolly Sods is the land of the one-sided spruce. The wind blows so hard from the northwest that trees grow branches only on the southeast side. As in the arctic tundra, shrubs become low, thick and tough from the harsh weather. You can crawl over the top of some.
Can you drive through Dolly Sods?
The main roads for driving in Dolly Sods are Forest Roads 75 and 19. They are rough, unpaved roads, but in normal weather conditions, they don’t require a four-wheel-drive, although a vehicle with high clearance would be ideal. In winter the roads are impassable due to snow.
Can you car camp at Dolly Sods?
If you’re looking to car camp, you have one option, but it’s a really good one. Red Creek Campground lies inside the Dolly Sods Scenic Area along Forest Road 75. It’s a small, primitive campground with only 12 sites and no electrical or water hookups. The sites are claimable on a first-come, first-serve basis.
How many acres is Dolly Sods?
17,371 acre
The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia.
What county is Dolly Sods in?
The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia.
How big is the Dolly Sods Wilderness?
Explore the most popular trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
What to do on Day 2 of the Dolly Sods loop?
Day Two – After closing the lower Dolly Sods loop you’ll progress through Blackbird Knob (511). This trail offers some similar sights as the highlands area and was a welcome transition from the rocky, dense forest of the lower loop. From there you trudge up a ridge line on Upper Red Creek (509).
Is the Beaver Dam trail in Dolly Sods good for families?
With little elevation and limited hiking hazards, this Dolly Sods hike is great for families. The trail connects with Raven Ridge Trail and Dobbin Grade Trail. At just 0.7 miles, Beaver Dam Trail is one of the shortest trails in Dolly Sods Wilderness.
When is the best time to visit drivedolly Sods?
Dolly Sods is a beautiful place, and at certain times of the year it does get muddy and wet but that is mostly during fall and winter months. There are areas where hunting is allowed and you may run into a Hunter occasionally during a hike in mid/late November but generally they are passing through to an area away from hikers.
