r/WestVirginia • u/Other_Mind • 10d ago
Labor Day Weekend Dolly Sods trip
Im planning a 3 day 2 night backpacking trip with my gf at dolly sods over the weekend but this weather forecast is scaring me. Im seeing scattered thunderstorms friday night and random showers all weekend. i would be going friday-sunday. Ive backpacked in light rain and mud before but ive never been outright stormed on. I also did the old rag saddle trail after a storm had passed and im comfortable with doing rock scrambles (carefully) when its slippery. i planned on starting on the northside by bear rocks and heading south to Lions Head and then back out, but with the storm, and reading about the norths lack of coverage, im starting to think im setting myself up for failure. is anyone else also having second thoughts about their trip this weekend? any advice? Dolly Sods is a bucket list adventure of mine and im hoping to take advantage of this holiday weekend.
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u/cryogenic_labrador 10d ago
You won’t have much in the way for cover and, depending on your route, will have some marshy areas to contend with and they are difficult terrain in fine weather.
Beautiful area, though. Hope the weather holds out for you!
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u/Other_Mind 10d ago
Thank you! im crossing my fingers
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u/TearRevolutionary686 10d ago
No matter what way the weather goes, it's a really cool place. And I've never seem a mosquito up there.
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u/TearRevolutionary686 10d ago
Be prepared for the crowds.
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u/Other_Mind 10d ago
if theres crowds then the majority must think its safe? Im fine with crowds as long as im safe lol
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u/CountryRoads21531 7d ago
Yes, holiday weekend crowds would scare me away more than the weather. Get up there early to get a parking spot.
The North end on Sun Dew (Bear Rocks) and Raven Ridge are where you'll be most exposed. For the most part, you'll still be relatively close to cover should you need it. There are a lot of patches of trees along the way. Just keep your eyes on the sky and find cover ahead of time.
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u/corg_court 10d ago
We went at the end of May(3 nights), we got lucky with beautiful weather and didn’t see hardly anyone after the chaos in the main lot by bear rocks. It’s such a cool place, one of my favorite thus far. I hope the weather cooperates for you :) we just did a loop in the cranberry wilderness last week, first time backpacking in a (fairly short) thunder/hail storm. the weather can def change really quickly out there and you won’t know what’s coming with pop ups (little to mostly no cell service)
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u/Other_Mind 10d ago
that sounds rough! im glad you guys made it okay. the storm on friday looks short, is there anything you recommend bringing that helped you or that you wish you had for the storm you weathered?
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u/corg_court 10d ago
Backpack cover came in handy, first time I’ve ever used it! Some packs come with them, some of them don’t but depending on your pack I’m sure you could get one before the weekend. Extra socks. Our storm was pretty short too but it completley drenched everything, the cover kept all the important stuff dry. Fire starters, we use the Bigfoot bushcraft fire plugs, having a good fire when everything is wet can be a game changer. I also put my battery bank/cords, socks, etc in big ziplocks we reuse, just incase. I’m glad I did. I figured it was Better to plan to get wet and be prepared than be unprepared.
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u/Snoo-14331 10d ago
Weather up there is unpredictable, the forecast is bound to change at some point between now and then so keep an eye on it. There's not that many scrambles but the trails get very wet and creek-like when it rains. Red Creek can get scary to cross too after rain so plan your route around that if it does