Dolly Sods

[Sherman Cahal]

Dolly Sods

Dolly Sods is the highest elevation plateau east of the Mississippi River located along the Allegheny Front in West Virginia, and boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Mountain State.

Sunrise from Bear Rocks at Dolly Sods, looking into the valley carved by the South Fork of the Potomac River.


















Dolly Sods at sunrise.


A view down into the Broad Run valley, looking eastward to the Potomac River.


A view along the Raven Ridge Trail.


Bear Rocks Trail


Portions of the Bear Rocks Trail, especially closer to Forest Road 75, were degraded by years of abuse by a Jeep trail.








The Bear Rocks Trail as it approaches Red Creek.








High elevation plains and bogs line the Beaver Dam Trail.




Dobbin Grade Trail follows an old rail grade and parallels Red Creek.


The Dobbin Grade Trail is a flat and wide path that winds its way through bogs and plains affording sweeping views of the entire valley.






Sunset at Dolly Sods from my campsite.


Ferns basked in autumn colors.


A quiet stream winds its way along the Dunkenbabger Trail.


Red Creek on the southern fringes of Dolly Sods.






The Big Stonecoal Trail makes a steep descent from Dolly Sods to Red Creek.

Be sure to check out the newest recreation guide at American Byways, Dolly Sods, which contains two trail highlights, campground information and over 130 photographs taken over the span of two months. Enjoy!

[MyTwoSense]

Shermie,
 
Those are gorgeous.  I love the colors of fall.  You've captured the carpet of color wonderfully.
 
Bravo!
 
Thanks!

[willyboy]

Incredible!

[ColDayMan]

Looks cold and I don't see an IKEA.

[Living in Gin]

I love that last photo. Makes me wish I was out hiking through the woods instead of staring at a computer screen in Manhattan.

[Sherman Cahal]

My second trip was in October and while it was in the low 50s during the day, it became bitterly cold at 30F at night... only made worse with 20 MPH constant winds at the top. My first tent was just out in the open, which was a bad move because all of the damn wind just sailed through my place. I relocated it quickly against a tree and was fine for the night. My sleeping bag is rated down to 20F, and I was toasty until the wee hours of the morning.

For the sunrise, I was in four layers and was cold. But within two hours, I had stripped all but two layers off.

[MyTwoSense]

My second trip was in October and while it was in the low 50s during the day, it became bitterly cold at 30F at night... only made worse with 20 MPH constant winds at the top. My first tent was just out in the open, which was a bad move because all of the damn wind just sailed through my place. I relocated it quickly against a tree and was fine for the night. My sleeping bag is rated down to 20F, and I was toasty until the wee hours of the morning.

For the sunrise, I was in four layers and was cold. But within two hours, I had stripped all but two layers off.

A tent?   Where is the lodge?

[Rusty Shackleford]

A tent?   Where is the lodge?

Nuh-uh. Just a motel and a restaurant at the top.

(Seriously, Dolly Sods is seriously remote.)

[MyTwoSense]

A tent?   Where is the lodge?

Nuh-uh. Just a motel and a restaurant at the top.

(Seriously, Dolly Sods is seriously remote.)

[Robert Pence]

Spectacular color, and a lot of folks don't expect topography like that in the eastern US.

[SFSpike]

Great photos!!! Would never have guessed that was W. Virginia.  Breathtaking, truly.

[taestell]

Awesome, Sherman.

[edale]

Beautiful.

[Etheostoma Caeruleum]

Fantastic photos! Lots of darters in these streams! I just signed a national petition to curb the desecration of entire mountaintops in WV.

[Rabbit Hash]

Other world-esque!

[mrnyc]

oh man, i think this calm beauty is finally going to help my coffee fueled insomnia tonight.