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« on: November 06, 2009, 06:54:36 PM » |
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Lets hook up and do this NEW addition to DOLLY SODS, N west section.
Dolly Sods Wilderness Expansion
NOV 27TH-29TH
Size: approx. 7,144 acres
Location: Tucker, Grant Counties
Watershed: Red Creek (Cheat)
USGS Topographic Map: Blackbird Knob,
Blackwater Falls
Elevation Range: 3600 – 4160 ft
Dominant Vegetation: Upland Brush, Maple
The existing Dolly Sods Wilderness would be
expanded by adding approximately 7,144 acres,
protecting most of the upper drainage of main fork
and Left Fork of Red Creek. It is mostly in
southeastern Tucker County, with small portions of
adjacent Grant County. It would include all of
Dolly Sods North, acquired by the Forest Service
in 1993, and all of the Dolly Sods Scenic Area
west of FS Rt. 75 except for the Red Creek
Campground and the area encircled by the Northland Loop Trail. Most of the area is a rolling plateau
3,600 to 4,160 feet above sea level - high altitude country for this part of the east - except at the southern
end, where Red Creek descends into its canyon and the existing wilderness area. The Allegheny Front
drops 2200 feet on the east, just outside the wilderness boundary. Cabin Mountain forms the western rim
of the plateau.
Large expanses of grass, sedges, bogs with Polytrichium moss, and heath barrens with blueberries and
huckleberries occupy portions of the plateau. Red Spruce are reclaiming other portions. The east side of
Raven Ridge supports a maturing forest of Sugar Maple. Stands of American Beech grow elsewhere on
upland portions. Views west from Cabin Mountain across the wild Canaan Valley National Wildlife
Refuge are outstanding as are those to the east. Young spruce, “flagged” by the prevailing winds, grows
between outcroppings of Homewood sandstone on Rocky Knob. Other stretches of Cabin Mountain are
open grassland or covered by stands of Mountain Holly, a small tree. The flora is typical of sea level
plant communities in southeastern Canada.
The Cheat Mountain Salamander, the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel and the Eastern Cougar are
on the federal Endangered Species list. Dolly Sods is a “hot area” for alleged cougar sightings, but no
confirming evidence has turned up. Snowshoe Hares and New England Cottontails, unusual in West
Virginia, are common. Beavers have created “mini lakes” with their ponds. Upper Red Creek and its
tributaries are naturally tea-colored by the many beaver dams and bogs. Downstream from its headwaters
in the Dobbin Slashings Bog, Red Creek runs under slabs of sandstone.
Hikers and horseback riders have outstanding opportunity for “free and unconfined” exploration and
solitude on an extensive network of unsigned trails.
Weather on Dolly Sods can be severe
and changes rapidly. Dense fog banks often form. Snow and sleet can occur at any time of the year.
Hikers and berry pickers often get lost. The hint of danger lends an element of excitement for well-
prepared wilderness travelers.
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