Usda forest service sopa monongahela national forest. Dolly sods wilderness, dolly sods north, and dolly sods scenic area map. Looking over monongahela national forest, it is difficult to visualize the landscape of bareness that existed when this magnificent forest was established in 1915. National map accuracy standard of the office of management. Dolly sods north mongahela national forest, west virginia. The dolly sods wilderness is a popular hiking and backpacking destination in eastern west virginia within monongahela national forest. Otter creek, dolly sods, laurel fork north, laurel fork south, and cranberry. Dolly sods is a rocky, highaltitude plateau with sweeping vistas and lifeforms normally found much farther north in canada. Monongahela national forest national forest foundation. The west virginia highlands conservancy website has a decent map set that covers the dolly sods that you can print out and. Best trails in dolly sods wilderness west virginia alltrails. It is located in grant, randolph and tucker counties, west virginia. Dolly sods north seneca rocks, west virginia length difficulty streams views solitude camping 11.
Almost the entire eastern half of west virginia is marked green parkland on the map, and most of that goodness falls under the auspices of this stunning national forest. May 18, 20 the dolly sods wilderness area is located in the monongahela national forest, roughly 15 miles west of petersburg, west virginia. The dolly sods wilderness, which is part of the national wilderness preservation system, contains much of the red creek drainage and contains heath and bog ecotypes, more commonly typical to. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. With the elevations in this part of west virginia ranging from 2,600 feet to over 4,000 feet, the climate and plant life. Monongahela national forest camping showing 40 locations. I go there, i trip constantly, i come home covered in mud complaining about it. With beautiful valley views, and seemingly endless rolling fern pastures, this is an area youll want to come back to again and again. Monongahela national forest the monongahela national forest is in the potomac highlands of west virginia. There are over 850 miles of hiking trails, including the allegheny.
Camping near monongahela national forest is easy with hipcamp, where private landowners offer oneofakind camping experiences. These two maps are designed to work together, they are the same scale and overlap by an inch to help you transition east to west. There are campgrounds, picnic areas, and over 800 mi of hiking trails, in addition to mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, boating, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, hunting, and fishing. At this fork, disregard sign to left for dolly sods, and proceed to the right on county rt. Otter creek, dolly sods, laurel fork north and south, cranberry, big draft, roaring plains west wilderness, and spice run wilderness. Monongahela national forest west virginia conservation agency. Dolly sods wilderness bushcraft backpacking, hiking, and. Schedule of proposed actions are available on this website in both pdf portable document format and html page format. Forest service operates 23 public campgrounds in the monongahela national forest. I keep hoping that national geographic will issue a map that covers this national forest, but with regards to maps for the eastern us, they seem more focused on issuing maps that cover the entirety of the at at present. Spruce knob is the highest point in west virginia at 4,863 ft 1,482 m, and seneca rocks is a 900 ft 270 m quartzite crag. Wilderness area is characterized by weather typically found much further north in canada, hence its nickname a bit of canada gone astray.
Located in grant, randolph and tucker counties, west virginia, the dolly sods wilderness spans over 17,371 acres in the monongahela national forest. Mineral resources of the dolly sods wilderness area, grant. The dolly sods wilderness contains much of the red creek drainage and contains bog and heath ecotypes, more commonly typical to southern canada. If backpacking not running i would probably plan on two full days of hiking at least, with an overnight in the neighborhood of bear rocks. The high meadows of dolly sods north have some of the most spectacular scenery on the east coast. Mar 29, 2015 in the allegheny mountains of west virginia, lies the monongahela national forest. Dolly sods wilderness has 47 miles of trails within 17,371 acres. Monongahela national forest maps click a region of the overview map to view detail maps throughout the monongahela national forest. Just like two days off are better than one, two lizard maps are better than one. Dolly sods circumnavigation hiking trail, davis, west virginia. Dolly sods is part of the monongahela national forest located in eastern west virginia. The 17,371 acre dolly sods wilderness in the monongahela national forest is part of the national wilderness preservation system. Red creek begins on the high plateau of allegheny mountain, a flat, poorly drained area.
With the signing of the omnibus public land management act of 2009, an additional 37,741 acres of the federal land managed by the monongahela national forest in west virginia has been given wilderness designation. This trail is probably better for camping than it is for any hopes of a scenic view, until the tower is restored. Dolly sods wilderness diy outdoors west virginia university. The unique geology of the area makes dolly sods and the neighboring roaring plains some of the most impressive hiking destinations in. The dolly sods wilderness area includes about 4,4 hectares within the monongahela national forest, tucker, grant, and randolph counties, w. Original data were compiled from multiple source data and may not meet the u. The first land was purchased in 1915, and on april 28, 1920, it became the monongahela national forest by presidential proclamation. Starting with 7,200 acres of overused and abused land, today the monongahela national forest is a lush, beautiful, healthy hardwood forest. National forest extends closure of roads into the dolly.
Three scenic areasdolly sods, gaudineer, and falls. The dolly sods wilderness contains much of the red creek drainage and contains bog and heath ecotypes, more commonly typical to. Dolly sods monongahela national forest, west virginia. There are seven trailheads that are accessible from forest rds. The dolly sods wilderness and scenic area is one of the monongahela national forests most treasured natural assets. The bell knob lookout tower trail at the dolly sods scenic area in the monongahela national forest, west virginia is an easy 1 mile outandback hike to an old deteriorating lookout tower and various campsites. Dolly sods wilderness loop backpacking guide into the. Best camping in and near monongahela national forest. If you want to dive deep into the dolly sodsseneca rocks lizard map, grab the dolly sodsseneca rocks adventure list this 19page lizard adventure list downloadable pdf is designed to help you do just thatdive in and plan amazing adventures using your lizard map and the adventure list. Dec 28, 2018 the dolly sods wilderness is located on top of the allegheny plateau of west virginia, and is part of the monongahela national forest. Our dolly sodsseneca rocks and the elkins otter creek lizard maps cover the northern tier of monongahela national forest. Monongahela national forest travel west virginia, usa. Maps and map files related to west virginia geology for pdf maps of statewide geologic and natural resource data see the maps designed for printing header.
In this episode, we journey to monongahela national forest in west virginia to explore its beautiful bogs and meadows, and to explore what its wilderness might reveal about ourselves and the world. Aug 08, 2019 an overnight backpacking trip in the dolly sods wilderness area, located within monongahela national forest, west virginia with ansel weese youtube channel. Depending on where you start the hike, the trail will be easy, until you hit the wet portion of the trail near red creek where you can often sink knee. For a longer or more challenging hike, connect this trail with one of the many others in the area.
Part of the monongahela national forest, dolly sods is a taste of the canadian high country right in our own back. Monongahela national forest includes spruce knobseneca rocks national. Dolly sodsseneca rocks monongahela national forest wv. Monongahela national forest topo map in randolph county, west. Monongahela national forest topo map in randolph county. The dolly sods wilderness is located on top of the allegheny plateau of west virginia, and is part of the monongahela national forest.
Wilderness area in the allegheny mountains of eastern west virginia, usa, and is part of the monongahela national forest mnf of the u. Forest plan was originally approved and released in 1986, and includes 6 significant amendments that have occurred since. I have a really weird lovehate relationship with the sods. A backpacking trip in this area will expose you to a very diverse and unique landscape with sphagnum bogs, grassy meadows lined by spruce trees, windcarved boulders, and beautiful mountain vistas. In west virginias monongahela national forest, the dolly sods wilderness features sweeping vistas, spruce and aspen groves, beautiful meadows, beaver dams and rolling creeks. The trail begins off fire road 19, just past the dolly sods picnic area. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Dolly sods wilderness davis monongahela national forest refuge headquarters and visitors center canaan valley state park camp little canaan wma onelane bridge legend refuge headquarters and visitors center parking area handicap access fishing access beaver wetland complex refuge all roads and trails are also open to xcountry skiing access road. Monongahela national forest map potomac highlands, west.
Monongahela national forest headquarters elkinsrandolph. This map has no warranties as to its contents or accuracy. The wv geological and economic survey website also contains print maps for purchase much other geologic and mining data. The monongahela national forest is a national forest located in the allegheny mountains of eastern west virginia, usa. Dolly sods and roaring plains trail maps when is mothers.
Anyone know of a trail map for monongahela national forest. Within the border of pocahontas county is more than onethird of the 900,000acre monongahela national forest, a vast paradise of forest land and natural wilderness areas. There are fords on some of the trails that may be a. Backpacking dolly sods wilderness in the monongahela. Posts from the monongahela national forest category. The monongahela national forest is the only national forest that is completely within the boundaries of west virginia. Explore monongahela national forest holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. Forest service manual, recreation, wilderness and related. The unique geology of the area makes dolly sods and the neighboring roaring plains some of the most impressive hiking destinations in the midatlantic. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is bartow 1 s which is approximately 6 miles away and has an elevation of 3,025 feet 882 feet lower than monongahela national forest. Dolly sods wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. Monongahela national forest west virginia conservation. Dolly sods wilderness weekend car camping adventure a slice of canada in our own backyard the 17,371 acre dolly sods wilderness in the monongahela national forest is part of the national wilderness preservation system.
The monongahela has five federallydesignated wilderness areas. Dolly sods is an area of high elevation windswept plains on the allegheny plateau. Monongahela national forest includes spruce knobseneca rocks national recreation area and eight wilderness areas. The mnf is now more than 919,000 acres of national forest. The area is also home to several intersecting trails, offering a selection of loop options for multiday hikes of varying levels of difficulty. In the allegheny mountains of west virginia, lies the monongahela national forest. Our dolly sods seneca rocks and the elkins otter creek lizard maps cover the northern tier of monongahela national forest. The dobbin grade trail within the dolly sods wilderness at the monongahela national forest is an easy 4. This easy hike in the dolly sods wilderness will take you to one of the best overlooks in the area. Jun 21, 2014 in this episode, we journey to monongahela national forest in west virginia to explore its beautiful bogs and meadows, and to explore what its wilderness might reveal about ourselves and the world. National map accuracy standard of the office of management and budget.
The monongahela national forest mnf was founded in 1920 to help recover lands ravaged by uncontrolled logging, fire, and floods. Part of the monongahela national forest, dolly sods is a taste of the canadian high country right in our own back yard. Several people have been asking what car camping is. Dolly sods wilderness, dolly sods north, and dolly sods scenic area 3d map. Dolly sods wilderness monongahela national forest original data were compiled from multiple source data and may not meet the u. Dolly sods backpack loop monongahela national forest, west virginia situated in the northern portion of west virginias monongahela national forest is a piece of hiker heaven called the dolly sods. Established in 1920 with just 7200 acres, the forest today covers more than 900,000 acres across 10. Plentiful good camping spots allows for adapting it for up to 4 or 5 days. The 2006 forest plan establishes direction for managing resources on national forest system lands within the proclaimed boundaries of the monongahela national forest. Depending on where you start the hike, the trail will be easy, until you hit the wet portion of the trail near red creek where you can often sink kneedeep in mud.
Forest service usfs dolly sods is a rocky, highaltitude plateau with sweeping vistas and lifeforms normally found much farther north in canada. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking and is best used from march until october. This wilderness area contains a unique ecosystem with over 30 miles of hiking trails. Monongahela national forest 200 sycamore street elkins, west virginia 26241 304 6361800 telephonetty dolly sods wilderness dolly sods wilderness occupies the lower half of the drainage of the north fork of red creek. This 19page lizard adventure list downloadable pdf is designed to help you do just thatdive in and plan amazing adventures using your lizard map and the. The dolly sods wilderness originally simply dolly sods is a u. Hike to rohrbaugh cliffs in dolly sods, rohrbaugh plains. This forest ranges in elevation from 900 feet at petersburg to 4,861 feet at spruce knob, the highest point in west virginia. Whsv due to the ongoing covid19 pandemic, the monongahela national forest has announced that the closure of roads in the dolly sods wilderness area will. Situated atop one of the highest plateaus east of the mississippi, this u. An overnight backpacking trip in the dolly sods wilderness area, located within monongahela national forest, west virginia with ansel weese youtube channel.
The area is well known for its extensive rocky plains, upland bogs, and sweeping vistas. The pdf file format allows documents to be saved in one common format that is downloadable by anyone. It is one of the highest points in west virginia and as a result the vistas are unlike any other on the east coast. The dolly sods open mountain top meadow wilderness occupies a small portion of this area. Monongahela national forest is a national forest in west virginia. The dolly sods are some of the best backpacking grounds in the eastern us.
This format can be viewed within your browser or printed out on your printer. Purple lizard maps exist to help you make your own adventures. Eight federally designated wilderness areas are located within the forest. Within the border of pocahontas county is more than onethird of the 900,000acre monongahela national forest, a vast paradise of. The monongahela national forest mnf was founded in 1920 to help recover lands ravaged by uncontrolled.