Where is Dolly Sods located in West Virginia?
Where is Dolly Sods located in West Virginia?
Monongahela National Forest
The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties, West Virginia.
What is special about Dolly Sods?
Dolly Sods is well known for its open expanses of sphagnum bog, heath shrubs and scattered and stunted red spruce — all creating impressions of areas much farther north. Many plant communities are indeed similar to those of sea-level eastern Canada.
What is the largest national forest in West Virginia?
Within the forest boundaries lie some of the highest mountain peaks in the state, including the highest, Spruce Knob (4,863 ft)….
| Monongahela National Forest | |
|---|---|
| Location | West Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 38°55′45″N 79°50′52″WCoordinates: 38°55′45″N 79°50′52″W |
| Area | 921,150 acres (3,727.8 km2) |
Why is it called Dolly Sods?
In the mid-1800s, the Dalhe family used open grassy fields called “sods” for grazing sheep in this area, which now bears the name Dolly Sods Wilderness. The region, located high on the Allegheny Plateau, is known for its extensive rocky plains, upland bogs, and sweeping vistas.
Can you drive through Dolly Sods?
The main roads for driving in Dolly Sods are Forest Roads 75 and 19. They are rough, unpaved roads, but in normal weather conditions, they don’t require a four-wheel-drive, although a vehicle with high clearance would be ideal. In winter the roads are impassable due to snow.
Can you camp anywhere in Dolly Sods?
The rules state you can camp anywhere in the Dolly Sods Wilderness as long as you are 300 feet off of the forest road. However, you can park just about anywhere along that roadway… hike down in a few hundred feet and set up camp.
Is Dolly Sods a tundra?
When you’re in Dolly Sods Wilderness, you could be fooled into thinking you’re in the Canadian tundra. Winds have smoothed boulders and stunted trees. Open meadows, cascading streams and never-ending vistas define this high-altitude plateau in the Allegheny Mountains.
Are there bears in Dolly Sods?
Visitors to the Dolly Sods area of the Monongahela National Forest have reported seeing many more bears than is common, and several encounters have been tense. However, even tent campers can minimize the chance of a negative bear encounter.
What national forests are in West Virginia?
The George Washington & Jefferson National Forests protect more than 1.8 million acres in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia (WV).
How big is the Mon National forest?
919,000 acres
Today, the Forest includes more than 919,000 acres in 10 counties in the West Virginia highlands. The Monongahela National Forest is considered by The Nature Conservancy to be in an area of global ecological importance.
How long is Canaan Loop Road?
approximately 18 miles
Canaan Loop Road is approximately 18 miles long and good for gravel road biking.
What to do if you see a black bear while camping?
If you encounter a bear on the trail, or in your campsite, stop what you are doing and evaluate the situation. Identify yourself by speaking in a calm, appeasing tone. Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react.
Where is Otter Creek Wilderness in West Virginia?
Otter Creek Wilderness is located on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph Counties, West Virginia. For additional information on this area contact the Cheat Ranger District, PO Box 368, Parsons, West Virginia 26287 at (304) 478-2000.
Where is the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia?
The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada.
What kind of vegetation is in Otter Creek Wilderness?
The Otter Creek Wilderness lies in a bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain. Most of the streams flow north into Otter Creek. Vegetation consists of second-growth timber, rhododendron, and a variety of mosses and lichens.
