Hike Details for Dolly Sods - Sept 16-18 Hang & Backpacking Weekend

**vdeal** · 09-13-2011, 11:25

Tracy,

Sorry to hear that, hope your sister recovers fully.

WV is correct. The weather link references the NOAA weather zone 41 which is Tucker County.

**BearChaser** · 09-13-2011, 13:25

HappyCamper, sorry to hear about your sister. I hope she recoverers quick & fully.

I'm currently laying back in the Blackbird partaking in a cold beverage & enjoying the beautiful weather. Right now in the blackwater area it's sunny with scattered clouds. The temp in Thomas said 71. Wind is blowing and the Blackwater river is a little high, not bad, just a little.

**sweetbabyd** · 09-13-2011, 14:45

Originally Posted by crackedup

HappyCamper, sorry to hear about your sister. I hope she recoverers quick & fully.

I'm currently laying back in the Blackbird partaking in a cold beverage & enjoying the beautiful weather. Right now in the blackwater area it's sunny with scattered clouds. The temp in Thomas said 71. Wind is blowing and the Blackwater river is a little high, not bad, just a little.

Crackedup, will water be plentiful on our hikes? also, is there much of a cell signal out there? i would imagine not

but it would be nice to send word back home during the trip.

**vdeal** · 09-13-2011, 16:16

Cell service at Dolly Sods is very, very limited in my experience. Water quantity should be fine.

**BearChaser** · 09-13-2011, 16:34

Sweetbabyd-yes, I believe the new routes WV setup has water along the way at some points or another to filter/treat. As for cell service, I have no idea. Maybe WV or someone else could chime in with that answer.

Thanks vdeal.

WV · 09-13-2011, 17:30

We'll need to carry water along the Rocky Ridge Trail. Otherwise we'll be swimming in it. The "Red" in Red Creek clogs filters pretty fast.

Cell phone? I don't know - don't have one.

Might do the loop to Raven Ridge in reverse. We can discuss that at the trailhead and decide when we get near the Forks. I recall seeing a little stream running through the rocks of the trail up on the Breathed Mountain Trail, but the MNF guide doesn't mention water along that trail. Also the trees are pretty small up there. I think I could find a place to hang one hammock, but I'm not sure about nine. We'll see. There are other options. One reason to reverse the loop would be to do the Rocky Ridge Trail on Friday instead of Thursday, when there might be a view (and sunshine). Of course that would mean we'd get to experience part of the Dobbin Grade Trail in Thursday's weather - the quintessential Dolly Sods experience. I can't wait.

**sweetbabyd** · 09-13-2011, 17:34

Originally Posted by vdeal

Cell service at Dolly Sods is very, very limited in my experience. Water quantity should be fine.

thank you for the reply vdeal!

**sweetbabyd** · 09-13-2011, 17:43

Sweetbabyd-yes, I believe the new routes WV setup has water along the way at some points or another to filter/treat. As for cell service, I have no idea. Maybe WV or someone else could chime in with that answer.

Thank you crackedup! see you soon! sending you a PM

Originally Posted by WV

We'll need to carry water along the Rocky Ridge Trail. Otherwise we'll be swimming in it. The "Red" in Red Creek clogs filters pretty fast.

Cell phone? I don't know - don't have one.

Might do the loop to Raven Ridge in reverse. We can discuss that at the trailhead and decide when we get near the Forks. I recall seeing a little stream running through the rocks of the trail up on the Breathed Mountain Trail, but the MNF guide doesn't mention water along that trail. Also the trees are pretty small up there. I think I could find a place to hang one hammock, but I'm not sure about nine. We'll see. There are other options. One reason to reverse the loop would be to do the Rocky Ridge Trail on Friday instead of Thursday, when there might be a view (and sunshine). Of course that would mean we'd get to experience part of the Dobbin Grade Trail in Thursday's weather - the quintessential Dolly Sods experience. I can't wait.

thank you so much for planning these hikes WV! see you soon and also sending you a PM

**USMCStang** · 09-13-2011, 18:47

The only places I can confirm cell service is along the northern end of forest road 70 between bear rocks and red creek campground, and along raven and rocky ridge trails. Effectively, the two ridgelines forming the border of the sods. I have Verizon service, and you can actually get 3g in those spots. Service elsewhere is unlikely unless you are above 4000 feet, and get a line of site to a tower.

Otherwise, my phone serves as my camera. Having service is nice for getting a quicker GPS lock for geotagging photos, but I usually don't take too many anymore, since I've been there quite a few times.

**vdeal** · 09-13-2011, 19:16

Originally Posted by WV

I recall seeing a little stream running through the rocks of the trail up on the Breathed Mountain Trail, but the MNF guide doesn't mention water along that trail.

There is a small water source on Breathed Mt. Tr. when you come up from Red Creek Tr. and first top out. There's a little copse of trees with about two campsites and the stream is right by it.