It's looking really good for me to make it so far. After studying the map a little last night and reading one of my trail books on Dolly Sods I came up with a tentative hike route I plan on taking. Since we still have 5 weeks till the hang, this could change a little, but I thought I would share my plans with everyone. This way anyone interested in taking this route with or without me could schedule their time. This entire hike is based on seeing as much as Dolly Sods as I could, which includes the higher plateau's of North Dolly Sods, and the Mountainous regions of South Dolly Sods. It also includes meeting up at the designated hang areas and some really good photo opportunities. Like I said, this could change a little depending on weather and/or how my knee holds up. I'm going to delay any trips I planed until after this hang to give my knee a chance to rest.
Enough jabbering, on with the routes.
Thursday Morning-Park at the TR522 (Bear Rocks) trail head. Leave in the morning before noon, like to hit the trail as early as possible, between 6-9 would be great. Begin on TR522 (Bear Rocks), to TR521 (Raven Ridge), to TR524 (Rocky Ridge), down TR526 (Dobbin Grade) and camp in the valley near the Left Fork of Red Creek. [Edit: WV mentioned below of a camp spot, after looking on my areal photo i can see what looks like that spring? Anyway there does look like allot more trees in that area. This would be another camp option] Options would be to cut out TR524 (Rocky Ridge) and head down TR521 (Raven Ridge) or TR523 (Beaver View). This would work if someone came late and would like to meet up at the camp spot, or wanted to make a little shorter day. Some features of these trails are large sloping valleys, long views, and unique flora/fauna. Rocky Ridge trail has some outstanding views of Canaan Valley, Timberline Ski slopes, and an amazing array of rocky outcrops. Should hear some coyotes Thursday night. Approximate mileage 6.5.
Friday-Easy Day and can leave almost anytime, so breakfast, lounging and building up gumption to go is possible. Head up and out of the valley on TR526 (Dobbin Grade) to TR509 (Upper Red Creek), to TR511 (Blackbird Knob) and end up at Friday nights hammock hang meeting point. More open scenery in the upper sections then more wooded areas further south toward camp. Once at camp a quick dunk in Red Creek may be in order. Approximate mileage 4.
Saturday-Another early rise as this may be the longest hike of the trip but should offer some beautiful scenery. Day will start heading up TR511 (Blackbird Knob), to TR513 (Big Stonecoal), to TR554 (Rocky Point), to TR514 (Red Creek), ending up at hammock hang spot two. Lots of hardwoods and hillsides with the grand view coming from Rocky Point. This will be a good place to take a nice break, take in the scenery, and take a mental imprint. A couple options for this day would be to head down TR514 (Red Creek) at the start then up TR553 (Breathed Mountain) possibly find a bushwhack shortcut to TR513 (Big Stonecoal). Another option would be to camp out on top of Rocky Point Saturday night. This would be a great sunset/sunrise, but would miss hammock hang night two and would double the hike out for Sunday. [Edit: I was thinking that i have not done any night hikes. If i spend more time on Rocky Point, like hanging out enjoying the view, or catching a sunset, this would open up an early evening into dark hike back to hang spot two] Approximate miles for original route, 8.
Sunday-Goodbye's and cries as we know the work week ahead is coming and another trip ending. Head out whenever and work up TR514 (Red Creek) to TR511 (Blackbird Knob) to TR509 (Upper Red Creek), to TR526 (Dobbin Grade) and back onto TR522 (Bear Rocks). End the day at the ride home. This should be a beautiful ending to the weekend through the unique landscape of upper Dolly Sods. The gentle up slope should also work out any soreness gathered over the weekend and be somewhat easy. Possible alternatives would be to bribe a fellow hanger that parked a little closer to Saturday nights hang to give a poor weary wore out fellow hanger a ride back to Bear Rocks.
Approximate total miles for Sunday, 5.5.
That's it, that's my plan, I just hope it works out for me to do it. If anyone is interested in joining me, you are more than welcome. Like I said, it should offer up most of what Dolly Sods has to offer and give some outstanding views if the weather is nice. I know sometimes the fog will roll in on Dolly Sods and take quite awhile to clear out. Just to let anyone that may be interested know, I'm not a fast hiker. I like to take in the scenery and look around from time to time. I will also stop and break especially at scenic views, nothing beats leaning back on a pack overlooking a scenic spot with the wind gently blowing. Gotta love it.
Originally Posted by wi1ecoyote
sounds good to me - let me check with Oh-No
see you at Fisher Spring Run
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