Dolly Sods, WV Winter Parking Options

**stowe18** · 01-11-2018, 08:23

Planning on doing an overnight or two sometime this winter and was wondering about how easy it is to access the Red Creek TH this time of year. Would it be better to start over by the western end of the Blackbird Knob TH? Just didn’t know if they close those gates way down FR75.

Thanks in advance for any info..

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**Tyroler Holzhacker** · 01-11-2018, 09:34

The Sods, I hear, gets a lot of snow in the winter. Please report back about your winter trip. I myself want to go there sometime after the snows have melted. It would be crazy cold this time of the year, but at least the bears will be hibernating...the timber rattlers as well. You could try and starting at the red creek campground, if they are open. Another option is to see about staying at the ski resort on the eastern side of the Sods, and trekking in from there.

**Badweissenbier** · 01-11-2018, 10:47

I don't usually go that far north during the winter, I would recommend calling the Monongahela national forest people they could tell you. I've called several time and they are always helpful.
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District,
HC59, Box 240
Petersburg WV 26847
(304) 257-4488, Extension 0.

**TxAggie** · 01-11-2018, 11:30

Originally Posted by stowe18

Planning on doing an overnight or two sometime this winter and was wondering about how easy it is to access the Red Creek TH this time of year. Would it be better to start over by the western end of the Blackbird Knob TH? Just didn’t know if they close those gates way down FR75.

Thanks in advance for any info..

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I’m heading there Saturday as a matter of fact, and this is the Trail head I’ll be using. I’ll let you know on my return.

Supposed to be in the single digits both nights, should be fun!

**stowe18** · 01-11-2018, 11:39

Originally Posted by Tyroler Holzhacker

The Sods, I hear, gets a lot of snow in the winter. Please report back about your winter trip. I myself want to go there sometime after the snows have melted. It would be crazy cold this time of the year, but at least the bears will be hibernating...the timber rattlers as well. You could try and starting at the red creek campground, if they are open. Another option is to see about staying at the ski resort on the eastern side of the Sods, and trekking in from there.

I wouldn't mind starting at RC Campground / Blackbird Knob Trail.. but getting there could be a challenge. Have heard if you take FR75 up, the gates are closed this time of year. I'll let you know how it went for sure.

**stowe18** · 01-11-2018, 11:40

Originally Posted by Badweissenbier

I don't usually go that far north during the winter, I would recommend calling the Monongahela national forest people they could tell you. I've called several time and they are always helpful.
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District,
HC59, Box 240
Petersburg WV 26847
(304) 257-4488, Extension 0.

Thanks for the info - I'll definitely give them a call.

**stowe18** · 01-11-2018, 11:44

Originally Posted by TxAggie

I’m heading there Saturday as a matter of fact, and this is the Trail head I’ll be using. I’ll let you know on my return.

Supposed to be in the single digits both nights, should be fun!

Sounds fun -- Looking forward to your report on how it went! Let me know how you got to the trail head..

**Country Roads** · 01-13-2018, 19:45

All Gates are closed until mid-April. Too many people getting stuck up top and needing Forest Service help, so they decided to just close it off for the winter. You can still hike and backpack, but trail heads are limited unless you do a really long road walk. You can hike in via Red creek trail at Laneville. If you are doing a day hike, you could hike in via the Canaan Valley Wildlife refuge or one of the ski areas. You could also hike up FS19, which is quite an uphill haul, or from FS75 (that gate is also closed and is a long walk). Another trail, which leads into the Roaring Plains West Wilderness starts on Bonner Mtn Road; it is 5 miles and 2200 feet or so elevation gain.
Remember; pictures or it didn't happen

**stowe18** · 01-13-2018, 20:34

Originally Posted by Country Roads

All Gates are closed until mid-April. Too many people getting stuck up top and needing Forest Service help, so they decided to just close it off for the winter. You can still hike and backpack, but trail heads are limited unless you do a really long road walk. You can hike in via Red creek trail at Laneville. If you are doing a day hike, you could hike in via the Canaan Valley Wildlife refuge or one of the ski areas. You could also hike up FS19, which is quite an uphill haul, or from FS75 (that gate is also closed and is a long walk). Another trail, which leads into the Roaring Plains West Wilderness starts on Bonner Mtn Road; it is 5 miles and 2200 feet or so elevation gain.
Remember; pictures or it didn't happen

I’ve noticed while driving up FR75 that if that gate is closed, its a ways to the trail. I just may try the Red Creek Trail at Laneville. Don’t have much experience with the southern part of the Sods yet anyways. Thanks for the helpful info!

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**dingo** · 01-14-2018, 10:09

Originally Posted by stowe18

I’ve noticed while driving up FR75 that if that gate is closed, its a ways to the trail. I just may try the Red Creek Trail at Laneville. Don’t have much experience with the southern part of the Sods yet anyways. Thanks for the helpful info!

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If you follow the red creek trail all the way you will have to cross the creek. There are no bridges so be prepared for a wet crossing

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