Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest, WV
DatesSep 30th - Oct 6th 2012 Service ProjectTrail maintenance Free DaysDay hike area peaks, photography, fishing, relaxing AccommodationsBackpack camping Trip RatingStrenuous : 4-6 mile backpack, digging, lopping, bending, shoveling LeadersMike Leonard Equipment |
The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness is located in north-central West Virginia within the Monongahela National Forest. 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. In the lower elevations, you'll find a forest of northern hardwoods and laurel thickets. Higher up, groves of wind-stunted red spruce stand near heath barrens where azaleas, mountain laurels, rhododendron, and blueberries grow. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage where our project will focus. Red Creek contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. The bogs are unique depressions of sphagnum moss, cranberries, and the insect-eating sundew plant. Beaver ponds dot the Wilderness and the headwaters of Red Creek spill out of the area. The Wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. The Red Creek Trail runs north-south for approximately eight miles, moist and rocky across the entire area, and splashes through Red Creek at least twice. Our service project is conducting basic maintenance -- brushing back overgrown vegetation, improving erosion control and the trail tread --on Red Creek Trail through the heart of the Dolly Sods Wilderness. We'll backpack approximately 4-6 miles to establish a wilderness base camp for the week adjacent to Red Creek. From base camp, we'll make daily forays to work on the trail, and will have opportunities to hike, fish, swim, and enjoy the fall colors throughout the week. This is easily the most popular Wilderness in West Virginia, and the amount of foot traffic proves it. Because of its proximity to the Washington, DC area, this trail provides wilderness access to many hikers and backpackers, so our work is greatly needed. Check out more photos from last year's project in the nearby Cranberry Wilderness in our gallery.
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