The high meadows of Dolly Sods North have some of the most spectacular scenery on the east coast. With beautiful valley views, and seemingly endless rolling
fern pastures, this is an area you'll want to come back to again and again. Part of the Monongahela National Forest, Dolly Sods is a taste of the Canadian high country right in our own back yard.
Trail Notes: The trails in Dolly Sods ARE NOT color blazed. We have them marked on the maps here in different colors for ease of identification only. Non solid dotted trails indicate secondary non-official hiking trails.
From the parking area head down the washed out Bear Rocks Trail TR-522 through a meadow, then climb over a small ridge before descending again to meet the Dobbin Grade Trail TR-526 in 1.1 miles. Continue straight across the Dobbin Grade Trail remaining on the Bear Rocks Trail. The trail is considerably narrower at this point. After passing through a meadow cross Red Creek and head uphill to the left, emerging from the trees and reaching a trail junction marked by a thin trail post.
Turn right at the trail post, pass through a small clearing, and enter a wooded area climbing the ridge. Emerge from the trees at one of the larger high mountain meadows. The trail heads down through a small valley before climbing another meadow and reaching the intersection of the Raven Ridge Trail TR-521.
Stay right uphill on the Raven Ridge Trail for 0.2 miles to the intersection of the Beaver View Trail TR-523. Stay right on the Raven Ridge Trail as it passes through an area of red spruce before arriving at a connecter trail on the left in another 0.4 miles. Continue straight on the Raven Ridge Trail, then turn left onto the Rocky Ridge Trail TR-524 in 0.8 miles. If you miss this trail junction in another 120 yards you will arrive at a three way intersection marked by a small rock cairn. Instead of backtracking you can turn left here for 200 yards through the brush, and pickup the Rocky Ridge Trail.
The Rocky Ridge Trail is intermittently marked with rock cairns. In 0.3 miles enter a wooded area where the trail becomes very rocky. It can be hard to follow in places and is only marked by the rock cairns. Reach the summit side trail with views to the southwest of Canaan Valley 1.0 miles from the last trail junction. Continue south, now descending, along the ridge and arrive at a jeep road in 0.5 miles just past a small red spruce stand. There is only a thin trail post marking the jeep road junction. Continue straight on the Rocky Ridge Trail and pass a small campsite before reaching the junction of the Dobbin Grade Trail in another 0.2 miles.
Turn left downhill on the Dobbin Grade Trail as it descends the valley, then crosses the left fork of Red Creak in 1.0 miles. The trail will veer more to the right before arriving at the junction of the Beaver View Trail in 0.6 miles. Continue straight on the Dobbin Grade Trail passing a spring (hose attached) in 0.3 miles, then descend to the valley floor and pass through a boggy area before arriving at the intersection of the Upper Red Creek Trail TR-509 0.6 miles from the spring. Continue straight on the Dobbin Grade Trail shortly passing the unmarked Raven Ridge Trail, then crossing Red Creek in 0.2 miles.
Immediately after crossing Red Creek turn left on the Dobbin Grade Trail. There isn't a marker at this intersection, and the trail that continues straight climbs a small rise to a vista point. After crossing Red Creek and turning left, pass through a wet boggy section for 0.8 miles, then in 0.2 miles arrive at the junction off the Beaver Dam Trail TR-520. Continue straight on the Dobbin Grade Trail for 0.7 miles to the intersection of the Bear Rocks Trail you descended earlier. Turn right uphill on the Bear Rocks Trail for the 1.1 miles back to FR75 and parking area.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Dolly Sods North Hike (5 Most Recent)
What an amazing place! Definitely one of the wildest areas in the east, it feels like you traveled a couple thousand miles north into the Canadian wilderness. Lots of beautiful Red Spruce and bogs make this a very unique landscape for this part of the country. A perfect place for viewing wildlife, todays count was 30+ deer and 0 people on the trail, good stuff! Lots of rabbits and turkeys as well to keep you on your toes.
The ride from Arlington only took 2h 45m, a bit less than google maps had anticipated, nevertheless this is a bit far to travel for a day hike, but certainly well worth it. Nearly all trails were wet, Dobbins trail was VERY wet, you will get soaked here, bring extra shoes and socks for sure. After yesterdays rain, the 2nd Red Creek crossing on the return was ankle deep, brrr. Snowed nearly all day today, easily 15-20 degrees colder than the surrounding valleys.
I'm sure someone else mentioned this, but the gates on Forest Road 75 are still closed, i guess they are opened in May? Regardless, I ended up parking at the south end of 75 (follow Jordan Run a couple miles farther for alternate entrance) and making the 6 mile "warm up" hike up FR 75 to this loop. I was gung-ho at the time....23 miles roundtrip made for a long day.
In closing i would recommend this hike to anyone, it is unbelieveable country....i can't wait to see it in the height of summer. Trails are quite easy to follow, Rocky Ridge is a little unclear in spots, just look for the cairns.
By:
B. Gordon
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, August 11, 2007
This is a little longer than I like to drive for a weekend hike, but I was not disappointed. It took about 4 hrs from Richmond to get to the trail head. The last 4-5 miles to the trailhead is a gravel road and fairly steep so just when I thought I was making good time, I had to slow down to 10-15 mph. The trail is not too far from Seneca Rocks so I camped at Seneca Shadows Campground after my hike and had Seneca Rocks in the background. What a great way to top off the day even after all the beautiful views on the hike. As some of the other reviewers have stated, your boots will probably get wet. This was especially true on Saturday due to some heavy rain on Thursday but it was worth getting my feet wet, the views just did not stop!!!
By:
Steve from Hanover MD.
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 03, 2007
The next time you think you want to take your favorite hike over again, think again and go west. You'll have to have waterproof boots but other than that make sure the memory card in your camera is empty before you start. So many vistas, so little time. Enjoy!
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Monday, July 17, 2006
I posted this with a bogus hike date for a reason. I normally don't like to tell folks 'I told you so!' but ...... I've hiked places in PA, MD, VA and WV over the last 9 years. The only place in this region I can honestly give 5 stars to is the Mon in WV. I think now you know why!
By:
Andrew
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 02, 1998
Wonderful hike. Just be careful if you go in the spring or fall. The weather up there is very different from the lower elevation weather. I hiked on a high 60's day and woke up with about 5 inches of very dry, powdery snow on the ground. As I recall, snow was not predicted and I was not as prepared as I should have been. Obviously everything worked out, but the trail was gone and many trail markers were snowed over, even on the trees. I had some tense moments working to make sure I stayed on the trail. Fantastic area, just be prepared for more serious weather than you think you are likely to encounter!
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