3 Days Backpacking Dolly Sods | West Virginia

2 nights camping and hiking a 24 mile loop across Dolly Sods Wilderness of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. The Sods hold a special place for me as it's where I experienced my first backpacking trip. The return to the area marked exactly four years from my initial excursion. This time I would be bringing along Kim; introducing her to the magic of the Sods.
Our route began from the Bear Rocks Preserve parking lot, hiking through the open meadows and bogs the area is known for. We then traversed the western ridge overlooking the Canaan Valley, passing over and around numerous wind shaped sandstone rock formations. After getting caught in a late afternoon thunderstorm, we were able to set up camp near the sandy beaches of the Big Stonecoal Creek.
We began the second day hiking in downpour after it had rained steadily throughout the night. Water levels were gushing and we were able to see Big Stonecoal Falls at full force. The weather began to break and we ditched our packs for an out and back to the iconic rocky outcrop known as Lions Head. While the cloud cover subdued the views, the peace and serenity we experienced was worth the scramble up the unofficial trail to get there.
From Lions Head, we hiked back to our packs and descended down Big Stonecoal to the raging Red Creek. We crossed the Red Creek just upstream from the confluence with Big Stonecoal Creek. This was the toughest crossing of the trip and, while doable, we would not have wanted to cross if the water levels were much higher. Please be aware the southern portion of the Red Creek can be impassable during high water events.
Feeling energized from lunch, we continued hiking upstream along the Red Creek, passing by numerous feeder streams and cascades, including Stairstep and Curtain Falls. The southern section of the Sods felt like a jungle, with rhododendrons and dense hardwood forest typical of Appalachia. We eventually meandered past the well known ‘Forks’ area where the Left Fork of the Red Creek joins the main branch. This is a beautiful area with numerous campsites, but it is also very popular.
We continued on, ascending to the base of Blackbird Knob, returning to the exposed bogs and scattered spruce forest reminiscent of southern Canada. Shortly after, we found home for the night at an inviting campsite on an island in the Red Creek. Temperatures were unseasonably cool so we made a fire and watched the moon rise before calling it a night.
On the final day we navigated our way through muddy meadows mixed with stands of paper birch. We elected to take the Ravens Ridge Trail back to Bear Rocks in order to avoid the notoriously muddy Dobbins Grade. Finally, we retraced our steps along the Bear Rocks Trail under sunny clear blue skies.
I’m still blown away by the diversity of landscapes found at Dolly Sods. It’s unlike any place I’ve backpacked and I’m happy to say it still holds up four years after my initial trip. While muddy trails and wet feet are a part of life in the Sods, it’s totally worth it.
Recorded June 21st - 23rd, 2021.
Day 1 - 9.87 miles
Trails: Bear Rocks → Raven Ridge → Rocky Ridge → Big Stonecoal
Day 2 - 8.58 miles
Trails: Big Stonecoal → Rocky Point (Out and back to Lions Head) → Big Stonecoal → Red Creek → Blackbird Knob
Day 3 - 5.35 miles
Trails: Blackbird Knob → Upper Red Creek → Dobbins Grade → Raven Ridge → Bear Rocks
Total Distance: 23.8 miles
Kim and I were able to split up some gear to save some pack weight. Below are links to our full gear loadouts.
My loadout: lighterpack.com/r/a4w9pr
Kim’s loadout: lighterpack.com/r/1co4hf
For navigation we used the Gaia GPS app and a Purple Lizard Paper Map.
This was filmed using the Galaxy S21 Ultra, iPhone 11, and DJI Osmo Pocket
Instagram: / outdooroperator
Email: [e-mail]

[@woodycarr]

Nicely filmed, edited and graded. Has kind of a Kraig Adams vibe to it. Well done!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks Woody!

[@jasonwish-]

This was very well done, you showcased your experience and the beauty of the Sodds perfectly, kept me watching all the way to the end!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks for the kind words, Jason. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@beyondthecampfire]

Really nicely shot and edited! I especially liked all the shots of mushrooms, flowers, and animals. And that shot of the clouds passing over the clearing. Keep up the good work! Subbed!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words and the sub! We had a blast documenting the magic of the Sods. It truly is Wild and Wonderful!

[@BenMcmillen]

love dolly sods! i go several times a year. like the way you filmed this showing off the sods

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks, Ben. I try to give a feel for the trails and scenery. Fortunately, the Sods has a lot to show off!

[@paulvalachovic6393]

Impressive. This must be a common loop I've seen other talk about it. Thanks!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Yep, this is the common loop through the area with possible variations. Thanks for watching!

[@paulvalachovic6393]

@@OutdoorOperator I want to hammock camp. Do you think there will be plenty of tree options? I don't want to end up after a long day in a meadow with no trees.

[@OutdoorOperator]

@@paulvalachovic6393 Yes, most of the sites are hammock friendly. There are a few sites on the Raven Ridge & Rocky Ridge Trails that are not but those are not where I would recommend camping anyway. If I were going on a trip to the Sods I would bring my hammock.

[@paulvalachovic6393]

@@OutdoorOperator Thanks!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Found your channel through your Instagram. Awesome stuff. Love your style and videos. New follower here. Crow✌️

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks, Crow! I really appreciate that. Good to have you along for the ride 👍

[@traceylasslett5514]

Nice video! Thanks for sharing! Trail on!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks for watching, Tracey!

[@johndailyva]

Excellent video !! I am planning a trip there sometime this summer and this was super helpful and beautiful -- thank you !

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks John! Glad you found it helpful. Have a great trip!

[@AnyDayNow360]

I LOVED this video, and perhaps is the best (at least my favorite) of the Dolly Sods that I've come across. Thoroughly enjoyed the ambient music and nature without any narrative--this was truly engaging and immersive. Fantastic camping spots as well. Thank you for sharing!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Wow, thank you! This was one of my favorites to make. Certainly a wet one, but loved seeing the creeks and falls at full force ✌

[@AnyDayNow360]

@@OutdoorOperator I know you had to put in some extra time to get those shots of you two walking past. Much appreciated and the water shots were amazing!

[@OutdoorOperator]

@@AnyDayNow360 filming this way does take a bit of extra effort but I enjoy it 👍Thanks for watching!

[@waytoease]

What a nice shot at 2:48 man! Even more impressive considering you're shooting with your phone. Good job! =)

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks, Marco! That tree stuck out like a sore thumb so I had to shoot it 📸

[@dougcaye7786]

Really nice clip and it doesn't get much better than Dolly Sods ! ( I'll remain silent on Dobbins Grade though ! :) Beautifully captured your trip- great description and I like the trippy music too ! subbed - looking fwd to more. See you out there !

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks, Doug! I appreciate the feedback. Dobbins Grade is the trail that shall not be taken 😂 I made sure to avoid it, even at the expense of more mileage!

[@michaelbroyer3918]

I make a lot of WV backpacking videos and this one is outstanding! Such fine videography skills and you captured backpacking in the Sods extremely well. Thank you for sharing!!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@elmercoblentz9432]

@@OutdoorOperator Is the airplane wreckage/part still there?

[@OutdoorOperator]

@@elmercoblentz9432 I'm not familiar with a wreckage at Dolly Sods. I know there is still a plane wreckage at Spruce Knob

[@elmercoblentz9432]

@@OutdoorOperator My uncle was a regular visitor/hunter there for about a dozen years. From early eighties, I was with him twice. Once to hunt, and once with my wife and two of our children. These videos bring back memories and a yearning to go back. Thanks. And I might add, my oldest brother and the second of his sons left there in the afternoon of the day the flood took out at least one of the bridges they needed to leave. If I remember correctly that plane fuselage, I believe, both wings and tail, no engine was located about straight in from Red Creek campgrounds, quite a ways in, but within the trails network. I’ve tried finding it with Maps.

[@billseay6399]

I'm a mushroom man myself love it big guy

[@OutdoorOperator]

Lots of good fungi out in the sods. Thanks for watching!

[@jeremyposey5698]

Just came across your video as I'm preparing for a dolly sods trip. Wonderful shots and editing! Do you have any of your trip info? In your video I see the diversity the sods has to offer and the diversity I'm after! Thank you and keep putting out these fantastic videos. Hike on

[@OutdoorOperator]

Thanks for the kind words Jeremy! The Sods is a popular place so I'd recommend avoiding peak times if possible. Below is some trip info. Let me know if you have any other questions ✌️ Day 1 - 9.87 miles Trails: Bear Rocks → Raven Ridge → Rocky Ridge → Big Stonecoal Day 2 - 8.58 miles Trails: Big Stonecoal → Rocky Point (Out and back to Lions Head) → Big Stonecoal → Red Creek → Blackbird Knob Day 3 - 5.35 miles Trails: Blackbird Knob → Upper Red Creek → Dobbins Grade → Raven Ridge → Bear Rocks Total Distance: 23.8 miles

[@jihangao3219]

May I know where is the 6:00 view? Could you please let me know the trail name?

[@OutdoorOperator]

That view is Lions Head. There isn't an official trail to it but there are social paths marked by cairns from the Rocky Point trail. Thanks for watching!