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Dolly Sods / Monongahela National Forest, WV

Half Week Trip

Jul 15 - Jul 19, 2015 -- $700 ★★

While West Virginia is known for whitewater rafting, not many people know of an alpine wilderness destination in the Monongahela National Forest, called Dolly Sods. Dolly Sods is a roadless area considered one of the crown jewels of the Monongahela NF and has sweeping ridge views, health bogs, grassy plains, tundra-like features, canyons, creeks and spruce groves. Plus, we will spend an afternoon hanging out at an idyllic swimming hole during in mid-summer. For those who are limited by time constraints or just want to try out backpacking for the first time, this trip is a great introduction to Fitpacking.


Our journey will begin at the Northeast corner of the Dolly Sods wilderness and traverse counter-clockwise around ridges with sweeping views such as those from Rocky Knob. We will also be spend a few hours lazing around a sweet swimming hole at Red Creek (after hiking there of course) before completing the loop to give you a diverse sampling of the beauty this wilderness has to offer.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical July weather averages in the high-70s during the day and mid-50s at night. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 90s and the 30s at night. July is often rainy, so be prepared for precipitation with high quality raingear that we hopefully won't need to use.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Bruce Cannon

Cost

$700 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Dulles Airport (IAD) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 3 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Important Note

Please Note: This is a half-week Trip that begins on a Wednesday. You may also choose to join us for the first half-week trip, to Dolly Sods.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Fly or drive into Dulles Airport (IAD)

Take free airport shuttle to Best Western Dulles Airport Inn, 45440 Holiday Drive, Sterling, VA, 20166, 703-471-8300

Equipment shakedown

Trip to REI Tempe, 1405 W Southern Ave, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Distribution of trail mix

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out to dinner in town, not included in trip cost



Thursday, July 16, 2015

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Check out of Hotel

Shuttle van will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Drive 3 hours to Bear Rocks Trailhead at the Northeast End of the Dolly Sods Wilderness

Begin Hiking on the Bear Rocks Trail #522

Hike 1.0 miles on the Bear Rocks Trail #522 (part of it is severely eroded Jeep Trail, stay to the left) to cross the Dobbing Grade Trail #526

Hike 1.1 downhill miles on the Bear Rocks Trail #522 then up the grassy slopes of Raven Ridge to the Raven Ridge Trail #521

Turn Left and Hike 1.3 miles on the Raven Ridge Trail #521 to the Dobbin Grade Trail #526

Turn right and Hike 0.9 miles on the Dobbin Grade Trail #526 to the Beaver View Trail #523. There is a spring about 0.7 miles into this trail. Fill up water containers in anticipation of a dry camp tonight.

Turn right and Hike 0.9 miles on the Beaver View Trail #523 to the Raven Ridge Trail #521

Turn left on the Raven Ridge Trail #521 and hike about 0.1 miles

Camp near a grove of mature Red Spruce trees in a protected area, practicing Leave No Trace principles

Miles today: 5.3 miles. Total to date: 5.3 miles

Bailout: Public Forest Road 75


Friday, July 17, 2015

Hike 1.1 miles on the Raven Ridge Trail #521 to the Rocky Ridge Trail #524

Turn left. There are sweeping views of Dolly Sods from this ridge

Hike 1.2 miles on the Rocky Ridge Trail #524 to Rocky Knob, with views of Canaan Valley and the mountains

Hike 0.6 miles on the Rocky Ridge Trail #524 to the Dobbin Grade Trail #526

Turn right to stay on the Rocky Ridge Trail #524

Hike 0.5 miles on the Rocky Ridge Trail #524 to the Harmon Trail #528

Turn left and hike 1.4 miles on the Harmon Trail #528 to the Black Bird Knob Trail #511

Turn left and hike 0.2 miles on the Black Bird Knob Trail #511 to Red Creek

Cross the Left Fork of Red Creek and immediately turn left into a large Red Spruce Grove

Set up camp in the large Red Spruce Grove. Leave packs here and put on swimming gear.

Day-hike 0.7 miles on the Black Bird Knob Trail #511 to the Red Creek Trail #514

Day-hike 0.9 miles on the Red Creek Trail #514 to the Forks

Enjoy the Forks, a waterfall and swimming hole

Day-hike 1.6 miles on the Red Creek Trail #514 and the Black Bird Knob Trail #511 back to camp

Miles today: 8.2 miles. Total to date: 13.5 miles

Bailout: Cabin Mt. Rd or Ridge Rd


Saturday, July 18, 2015

Hike 1.1 miles on the Black Bird Knob Trail #511 to the Upper Red Creek Trail #509

Turn left and hike 1.2 miles on the Upper Red Creek Trail #509 to the Dobbin Grade Trail #526. There is a great vista about 0.2 miles in, just after crossing the Right Fork of Red Creek.

Turn right and hike 0.2 miles on the Dobbin Grade Trail #526. There is a great vista just after crossing the Right Fork of Red Creek that takes us a short ways off trail.

Return to the Dobbin Grade Trail #526 and hike 1.6 miles to the Bear Rocks Trail #522

Turn right and hike 1.0 miles on the Bear Rocks Trail #522 back to FR75

End of Hike

Miles Today: 5.3. Total to Date: 18.8

Shuttle to Hyatt Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd, Herndon, VA, 20171, 703-713-1234.

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony at local restaurant (dinner not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, July 19, 2015

Check out of Hotel

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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