The RETURN to Dolly Sods! West Virginia Backpacking in Monongahela National Forest

Our last trip to Dolly Sods was a complete nightmare. We had to pull the plug due to poor gear decisions and nasty winter weather.
We returned to Dolly Sods for some REDEMPTION, and to enjoy the beauty of this unique area of Monongahela National Forest. We spent four days, three nights navigating from red creek all the way up to bear rocks, and back. This route hit all the highlights that Dolly Sods has to offer
Overall, Dolly Sods once again proved why it's such a fantastic place to backpack! From scenic mountain streams, to wide-open plateaus, Dolly Sods is an incredible place to backpack, with A+ campsites littered throughout the entire wilderness area. What a fun trip!
SBO Merch
teespring.com/stores/schillbr...
Our Podcast - Backcountry BSing
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
anchor.fm/kevin-schill
Our Instagram for more fun:
/ schillbrothersoutdoors
Some of our Gear:
LiteAF (Packs): liteaf.com?ref=403
HillTop Packs Bags: partners.hilltoppacks.com/1433...
Water Filter: amzn.to/2W1bKGP
Water Bag: amzn.to/3c4W0rY
Rain Jacket: amzn.to/2tMMhlF
Hiking Shorts: amzn.to/2IKP0WZ
Canister Stove: amzn.to/2BHLfLE
Spork: amzn.to/2Xs6DAw
Ti Mug: amzn.to/2J4eOvp
Ti Pot: amzn.to/2JXpVpx
BEST Hiking Socks: amzn.to/3c68oY4
Our Camera Gear:
Big DSLR: amzn.to/2KsSFZf
Small DSLR: amzn.to/2RFA4O0
Camcorder: amzn.to/31Bvfqy
Big Tripod: amzn.to/2ndpI68
Lavalier: amzn.to/2KCOZjG
Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/2H63cWP
Drone: amzn.to/2AKfljV
Camera Backpack: amzn.to/2QFK2ty
28mm: amzn.to/2VjXOWJ
22mm: amzn.to/3edU55N
#DollySods

[@macfawlty]

You need a mobile gimbal for your phone or an action camera with stabilization (like the OSMO Pocket). Also, you should be aware that flying a drone in the Dolly Sods Wilderness (or any similar designated wilderness area) is NOT legal. You can however fly at Bear Rocks, which is not inside the DSW boundaries.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Great trip guys!! Love that drone footage. Dolly Sods is so freaking beautiful!!

[@HuckOutdoors]

Glad to see you guys back out! Dolly Sods looks like a beautiful spot! Nothing like out here on the west coast.

[@deerless2965]

Fantastic !! Can’t imagine anyone watching this and not wishing they were the fifth... this has to be one of the best videos you’ve put out, great footage, great style all your own. I love the hike some, then camp routine format, it’s how I like to backpack.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@StevenZiegler]

My wife and I just returned from Dolly Sods, 3day/2night and I put this on to watch as we rest our aching bones. Good stuff and fun to watch where we had been earlier today! Our first night we took one of the dry camps on a ridge and it was amazing!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

That’s great!

[@OUTDOORS55]

The climb to rocky point trail, and stonecoal junction, was great. Loved it so much Me, Adam, and Timmy, decided to do it twice, in the poring rain, just for fun! Always great fun at the sods😀

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Hahahaha yeah! I thought of you when we did it

[@inkblots-life1111]

Another great one. Dolly sods looks like a gorgeous hike. Love how you can camp right by the stream and be able to chill and listen to the water. 🤙🏼🌲✌🏼

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Heck yes

[@jeffgrumley8230]

Dude was just there 2 weeks ago... Yall camped in the same exact spot we did on our last night!!

[@whatkjsaw4461]

SBO ‘canopy mode’, ‘classic Dolly Sods’ trail tour with ‘stone for weirdos who camp without chairs’, a ‘sick, sick camp set up’, ‘sharing all sorts of covid’ and sporting ‘farmers tans’. Thanks Bros, I really enjoyed this, glad to see the drone make it to the Sods for the birds eye views.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Lol thank you Kerri! Kevin definitely Bro’d out on this

[@druhol6753]

Awesome video. Saw this a couple months ago and inspired me. Got a long weekender in dolly sods planned early June.

[@kdavis4910]

Very ironically, because of the total washout that lasted almost the entire trip, Dolly Sods was absolutely beautiful. The drone shots especially showed nature's color pallet. The greens were so vivid and the other colors like rocks and other plants that aren't green but colors like purple or the palest greens. It's amazing what lots of rain does to the forest and it's still a magical time to be out there in spite of the wet and the chill and the soggy gear. Beautiful views guys. Thank you for this. Lots of people love this place and I would love to visit.

[@turtlecrawford6468]

Awesomeness! The moment I've been waiting for.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@kimberlymayo9951]

Nice...thanks for the vicarious trips. Looking forward to doing some hikes myself. Great memories!

[@LousyFIBs]

Thanks for showing your map. I made waypoints and notes in my iPhone app for future reference.

[@WanderingFromKansas]

Well done, guys! Thanks, as always, to take us along. I really like that modified porch mode with the Banyan.

[@davidschmude]

Thanks for taking me along as it doesn’t look like I’m gonna make it there this year.

[@Wraith007B]

Ha, that's my favorite camp site and area as well! I had it all to myself last October (2019). Great to see you guys enjoying the area!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

We need to get there in Oct! That would be an amazing time to see to the Sods

[@waywardangler8318]

Nice to see you guys back in Dolly Sods and not freezing to death! Love that place

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Agree!

[@Djhikes63]

Awesome video guys

[@safromnc8616]

Looks like a great trip will have to check it out... Been staying closer to home so headed to Pisgah for the Holiday weekend. Cheers !

[@DragonRoams]

Nice playing around with the tarp setups. Andy I did a doors porch mode back in May it was weird since my doors are removable but it kept the snow out. The Bear Rocks campsite is a real nice one we stayed there back in November. Great video I really liked the drone shots in this one. Nice to see you got to end the trip on a high note.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!!

[@iceman8223]

Great video guys.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@SkitterComic]

Nice tarp setup.

[@wildground2922]

cool video, man! I love Dolly Sods.

[@Athreehourtour]

Appreciate u guys and ur Vids thanks so much would love to see u guys discuss ur vid and editing setups

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@freddonelson5505]

Really great trip. Relaxing by a flowing stream is definitely "the bomb"! Loved your $5 meal challenge ... l'm loving those loaded mashed potatoes myself. Try adding some salmon to them!! Thanks for sharing this one!!😎😎

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Fred!

[@BohemianAdventurers]

Well done sirs!! I definitely want to make it there in the next couple of years. Screw that Cranberry Wilderness!

[@theadventureswithben]

Nice video! Never know what to expect in the sods but it looks like you guys liked out. We were there last summer and we camped in the same spot you did but in the middle of the night we woke up to sounds of gushing water. Our tent was floating about 1ft off the ground. The entire site was under water and all of our gear that was outside our tent was gone including our shoes. We took a deep breath and got out bare foot in the freezing cold water that was well up to our waste and we were able to make it to higher ground. All our gear was gone besides our tent and sleeping stuff. We had no shoes and we were at least 20 miles from our car. So we called a ranger they told us to stay put till the conditions got better. We had no food and were freezing so we decided to take our chances and after along day of Bush wacking and no shoes we were able to make it back to a servous road and got a ride back to our car. I was surprised we did not get seriously hurt but The weird thing was that it wasn't raining and it wasn't calling for rain. But we later found out that it had rained up steam of where we were. Moral of the story is when ever camping in dolly sods don't camp to close to a stream even if it's not calling for rain.

[@brionbearclaw7476]

I was there last in September 2018, and going in on Friday west across Bear Rocks was good weather, and I camped in a pine grove on Rocky Ridge Trail. That night it poured the rain. I headed south over Breathed Mountain and down into Red Creek Gorge, trying to get up to Lion's Head, but there was too much water coming off the mountain. I camped in the gorge, a few hundred feet up the hill. The next morning Red Creek was in full flood, impassable. I had to turn back north and retrace my steps over Breathed and then turned onto Blackbird Knob Trail. I headed north on Upper Red Creek after fording waist deep Red Creek left fork (it was running slow) but was trapped at the beaver dam area at the north end of Upper Red Creek. I waited there two days for the water to go down before fording it, but then I ran into Red Creek right fork, and while slow it had overspilled its banks and was at least 60 feet wide. I forded it cautiously, and was over halfway across when the water reached its deepest point right at my collarbone. I then spent four hours hiking up Beaver Dam Trail back out to the forest road. Dolly Sods can be very treacherous, even for an experienced hiker like me (I attempted the Appalachian Trail in 2016 and made it 1400 miles from GA to CT before a water borne cryptosporidium forced me off the Trail. Be very, very cautious about camping in Red Creek Gorge if bad weather is on the way. What had been a 2 foot deep ford at Big Stonecoal Trail became an eight foot deep raging river inundating all Creekside camps and rolling rocks the size of couches down the gorge.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks Brian, I have also seen Red Creek Raging before. Thanks for the big writeup.

[@brionbearclaw7476]

@@SchillBrothersOutdoors I just posted a bare bones video of the photos from that trip.

[@_Roasted_Marshmallow]

When they switched the cups all I could think was COVID!! Then you said it 😂😂😂 beautiful trip guys! I’m jealous

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Yep we took a risk doing that! We had decided prior to the trip to ensure human contact was at a minimum leading up to it.

[@Greggsvlog]

“Pocket Bellows” is a camp fire life saver...fits in the palm of your hand!!! Made in the USA also.

[@Alanguz1]

I stayed at that same site on Bear Rocks trail. It’s a great site!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

It’s a popular one for sure!

[@jayward2662]

The first wild bear i saw was coming off the smoke hole side in the summer of 84

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

That’s neat, we’ve never seen any there

[@OutLan]

Come down to Seneca Creek with me next time...you guys will be blown away.

[@alexwbanks70]

Great video! We we're there right about the same time as you guys. I've found a great meal that taste just like a Chili Cheese Burrito from Taco Bell. Chili Mack with a good amount of Nacho Cheese Doritos.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

You know we'll certainly try that!

[@hikingwithbuckley7486]

Super pumped to add this to my list. I've watched a lot of Sods videos and without any obligations to kiss your asses, I think this one is the best and most informative! Well done gents!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@than1967]

Now I know why your theme song sounds familiar! This video and song remind me of Firefly the series!

[@john_kelley]

Great video, guys! This is one of the most dry trips I've seen in Dolly Sods. You guys had great weather! ...... and then it rained.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

It’s dumb that we think Dolly Sods could ever be dry in the spring

[@kdavis4910]

@@SchillBrothersOutdoors it's not dumb to hope and Dolly Sods was beautiful because of all the rain. Man the colors on display take on a dimension only people who are there for big rain storms get to see. I have seen a lot of Dolly Sods videos and this one will always stand out because of those colors. Those views are beautiful and not quite the same when it's been drier out. There are videos where this forest is just another forest and then there's the forest after a giant drink like this one. Very vivid and colorful and the grey and white skies bring the colors of the earth out more.

[@nathanielbenoy3897]

I call the two poles up front “flying squirrel” mode

[@michaelbroyer3918]

loved the video. Your adult beverages was a nice touch. I know the Sods like the back of my hand, Look forward to checking out your Cranberry Wilderness video. You do know that all of your drone video is illegal? Really need to know the rules when backpacking a wilderness area.

[@charliemiller120]

I'm hoping to get to Dolly Sods soon. It seems like there are a lot of shorter trails that are connected. You mentioned some of the trails in the video, but can you list out the full route you took ?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

I will do my best to give you a high level overview (there are great routes listed on the hiking project APP) - Started from Red Creek Trail Head. Took Red Creek Trail to Big Stone Coal to Rocky Ridge to Ravins Ridge to Upper Red Creek to Red Creek and all the way back to Red Creek Trail Head.

[@onthedownhillsideoflife8855]

We were in Elkins the 26th for our granddaughters HS graduation. Unfortunately, we didn't have extra time to hit the trails while we were there this time. That area is absolutely beautiful country!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Yes it is

[@michaelbrohl1625]

Dolly Sods looks great. It's now on my list. How do you like the Banyan Bridge hammock ?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

So far so good! Still getting used to it

[@jasonmears4393]

Great video. Dolly Sods looks beautiful. Im really loving your SBO hats you guys are wearing. Do you guys sell them?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

The one's we're wearing we do not sell. We have a few in our T-spring store though (see description of video for link)

[@TimeOuttotheTrail]

I definitely want to go to here soon. It is only about 3 hours away for us. I am nervous though; I have heard that the trails aren’t always marked. Is it easy to navigate?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

For the most part, it's easy to navigate. I would take a GPS for though, there are a few places where it's confusing

[@jonferguson8374]

what app were you using for your map? i backpack there all the time and use a paper map and would love a gps app.

[@stevennewman7274]

Is there a video on trail happy hour drinks? Corious of what mixes with gatorade.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

No video , I think it was vodka

[@nuur2825]

Heading down there in a few days actually!! Any advice for a beginning backpacker?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

It’s a great place for beginner backpacking. Bring GPS there’s a few confusing spots, have a great time!

[@markcummings6856]

Sweet trip. Excellent video. You both have the exact same pair of socks. And, they’re AT logo?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Correct! Mom got them for us!

[@markcummings6856]

Schill Brothers Outdoors Nice. Remember, the Adirondacks are awaiting you. Or sections of the Long Trail of Vermont. If flying (to Albany, NY airport) could provide shuttle from and to. How about trying a section or two of the Vermont Long Trail? It’s beautiful!

[@150F2011]

Appreciate your efforts to provide a great video. I am hoping to get there in early June next year. do you have any GPS coordinates for the campsites you stayed at? All the extra steps are greatly appreciated.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Scott I don’t think we do sadly. Hope you’ll be able to make it there, there’s lots of great camping all over the place

[@150F2011]

Stay away from the Dobbin trail,I hear

[@150F2011]

I am glad to see brothers enjoying these adventures and creating memories.I have been backpacking for about 6 years.My younger brother is now getting out with me.

[@ozarkoutdoorsman4481]

Andy, you look a little like Elvis with your long sideburns.

[@obidamnkenobi]

would be awesome if you could include a link to a map of your route or something, so we can follow along:D

[@charless.barcus8346]

Never been here. I’m new. Lol. Do you have the trail names from start to finish? Stay safe.

[@colinsellar8409]

Fantastic trip! I'm heading out to DS tomorrow for the first time - appreciate the last minute beta. Loved when you showed where the campsites were on map (wish you had for the last night's by Red Creek!) (I dehydrated a batch of your buffalo chicken and chili mac for the trip. Great videos - but put the ingredient list in the video descriptions!)

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

That’s awesome! Last campsite was at the “forks” tons of camping in that area. Thanks for trying our recipes, hopefully it works out ok for you

[@fredschill1182]

Great drone shots!

[@arcana1973]

Fred Schill yeah, too bad that they’re legally not allowed to launch a drone in wilderness areas. Guess the regulations don’t apply to KZbin creators.

[@Hajmeddig123]

did you stop using the Altaplex yourself? How is it with a pad length wise ?

[@glenndorsey9068]

So I went back to watch your Cranberry Wilderness hike to understand your negative attitude about this unique wilderness area in the Monongahela. It is definitely different than Dolly Sods, but every bit as lovely. You just picked a pretty uninspiring route to get down to the Cranberry River and you missed the Middle Fork of the Williams River which is just beautiful. Yes, it’s marked poorly, there are downed trees on the paths, and there are entire days you can’t see enough sky to send a satellite message-and forget about cell service. Research the area using “Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide” next time and pick a better route and you’ll be more impressed.

[@ghostape6481]

I would like to see a map of this hike

[@BenchPressManiac]

What hiking app is that with all the trails?

[@ScottKent]

So sad LiteAF isn't making the tarps anymore...

[@turtlecrawford6468]

I think I got the very last one

[@deerless2965]

I thought he was going to run them again mid to late summer..... watch for it.

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

At one point I believe Chris said he was gonna do another run (this was before Covid though)

[@zachdurrett1357]

Damn, kinda hogging the camera at the end & poor Andy kept trying to get in the shot😂 All in all looks like you guys had a great trip!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Kevin’s a camera hog!

[@justinadams3255]

At 36:46 of the video. Can you tell me what trail that is that you're on?

[@TNPFan]

Did you need or use a bear bag/canister on this trip? Or, are bears not a concern? Also, what trail app are you using? Great vid!

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

No, just bear bagged. Yes bears are a concern there. We’ve used GAIA and The Hiking Project apps

[@TNPFan]

Cool. Thanks for the quickly reply. I live in NOVA and am adding this to my late autumn trip list. Glad I discovered your channel. You guys are fun, entertaining and a wealth of info!

[@rolytech212]

You didn’t see Lions Head? At least is not shown in the video

[@tammystringer4044]

Drone shots were great. Looked like a fun trip.

[@sherriwright4827]

Please consider helping with a campaign to teach people the proper disposal of tp. The trail heads, camp spots and even right along the trail is not proper back country LNT practice.

[@8470tony]

I’m disappointed to see that those drone shots appear to be taken well within the boundaries of the wilderness. Drones are loud and obnoxious, and don’t have a place there.

[@kimb8348]

Dude! Sunscreen! Long sleeves! You sell hats too don't you? It pains me to watch you fry all the time. 😁 Looks fun though!

[@billybastar4022]

Drone work was very nice. You guys are getting better and better with the shots.

[@nakedwood6154]

Great video as usual guys! Quick 2 questions does dolly sods let you disperse camp? And my wife and I are going to go 4th of July weekend will it be packed with backpackers? Thanks so much in advance

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Yes you are allowed to do dispersed camping, there will be a lot of people there but it will be manageable

[@nakedwood6154]

Thank you!

[@jacobpoucher]

the place will be crawling with people you will likely have to park on the side of the service rd. packed forsure!

[@andrewpaisley]

What app were you using for your map?

[@walk-tall-hikes]

The "Hiking Projects" , it displays nice but I tried the gps record function and it was a fail. It only recorded two spots I was on the trail and not the whole hike like alltrails does. To be fair I only tried it once. But I had alltrails running at the same time and it worked perfectly. I will be trying it again.

[@billybastar4022]

Why didn’t someone stop and get some new sticks?

[@brianphillips3541]

Great drone shots!!!!!

[@alexwbanks70]

What dates were you there?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Week of Memorial day

[@alexwbanks70]

@@SchillBrothersOutdoors You were actually there a week and a half before us. I was thinking your last day was our first. Our first day it was really nice, then after that the rain began. Great times though.

[@michaelcahill6924]

Excellent hike guy's, love the drone shot's.☘️🍀

[@consumedesign]

Drink when you hear "sick".

[@dougcolafella9384]

I love your videos but noisy drones really have no place in the wilderness. Keep up the good work but wish you could leave the drone at home.

[@lylebrooks1308]

First

[@danielluippold6239]

You guys needs to carry bourbon weight! ;) Love your vids

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

Hahaha

[@jjakejones]

Couple of questions - 1. What do your wives do when you are on all these trips? 2. What do you do for a living that gives you so much free time and extra money to pursue this hobby?

[@SchillBrothersOutdoors]

1 - they enjoy the peace and tranquility of us not being around 2 - we’re fortunate to work in an industry that has decent vacation perks

[@johnh_pnw]

You're not Adventure Archives