Dolly Sods Loop-de-Loop

Here's a quick, bare bones itinerary for those people who are pressed for time-

Red Creek (514) to Big Stonecoal (513) to Harman (511) to Rocky Ridge (524) to Raven Ridge (521) to Dobbin Grade (526) to Upper Red Creek (509) to Blackbird Knob to Red Creek (514) to trailhead. approx 30 miles, ~3 day trip. Map here.

Now that we've got that out of the way, we can talk about how sweet this loop and the area are. Dolly Sods has been written up multiple times in multiple places-magazines, guidebooks, etc; and all for good reason. It's one of the best places to backpack on the Southern East Coast, let alone the Mid-Atlantic area. It's unique ecosystem and geography make the entire wilderness feel more like Maine than anything else. North Sods boasts tannin-impregnated streams, snowshoe hares, bogs, heathlands and pine forests.

While Southern Sods lacks the highland feel of it's elevated counterpart, it more than makes up for it with an abundance of swimming holes and established-but-still-rough campsites along Red Creek. This loop allows hikers to experience most of the challenges and joys of hiking in the wilderness area.

It starts out low, following the red creek trail past several campsites and across a few small streams. The Big Stonecoal trail junction is on the opposite side of the river, so a crossing is necessary here. Get ready to wade or attempt a dry crossing (don't hold out for the second option). Once on Big Stonecoal, follow a winding trail to the base of a challenging climb; here is where you have to pay the piper, but the cost of admission is worth the show.

Once you get past the main climb of the trip, you follow Big Stonecoal past a waterfall and then past a series of open clearings bordered with meandering streams.  Eventually, the route connects with the Harman trail which takes you to Rocky Ridge. At this point, you walk over heath-highlands, pass near bogs, over streams, meadows, high-elevation pine forests and pass some seriously interesting backcountry campsites.

Upper Big Stonecoal, Raven and Rocky Ridge trails are the highlight of the trip. All good things must come to an end, however, and you take a few connection trails to get back to the Red Creek Trail and down to another crossing and the parking lot.

PROTIPS:

1. Dolly Sods is fairly isolated from civilization, the trails are largely unmarked and the weather is infamously fickle. Maps and compasses are a must, as are flashlights, itineraries and general preparedness.

2. The high elevation means that precipitation comes often, most commonly in the form of rain and snow, and the bogs soak it up. It's wet here and the snow buildup is often a few feet more in North Sods than in the Red Creek Basin. Bring extra socks and make sure the things that need to stay dry, stay dry. As a side effect of this, it can be challenging to start and maintain fires.

3. No cell service- let people know where you're going.

4. Stream crossings-this is generally easy in the warmer months, but can be difficult in winter. Rock-hopping on ice covered boulders with a full pack is difficult, so prepare to get your feet wet.



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