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Dolly Sods Weekend Trek |
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Gregory Morris, 8/22/05 4:30:19 pm |
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Just got back from Dolly Sods. 16+ miles, 45+ lb packs, mostly rough/wet terrain. Sore back/shoulders/legs/feet. Had a great time though. Lotsa blueberries. Lotsa butterflies. Lotsa great scenery.
Here is a quick summary of our trip. If you want more details, ask me!
Day 1: Strained up Little Stonecoal Trail. Met a friendly local dog (Isaac named him "Barley") half-way up the trail who became our companion for the rest of the night and half of Day 2. Root/Rock-hopped halfway across Dunkenbarger Trail and camped by the stream. Beautiful night, bright full moon, cool air.
Day 2: Oatmeal and tea for breakfast. Finished mashing through Dunkenbarger Trail to Big Stonecoal. Trekked up a ways and met with one of Isaac's friends. Barley left with a couple of women while we rested. Took Big Stonecoal up to Blackbird Knob Trail. Ran a little short on water, but we made it across the plateau and over the boulderfields back down to the left fork of Red Creek, where we refilled our canteens and rested for a bit. Continued on Blackbird Knob Trail until we hit the junction that takes you down to Red Creek trail. Left our packs for a quick jaunt to the top of blackbird knob, where we stopped for a few pictures, until the swarms of flies chased us back down the hill. Then we hiked down to where the left and right forks of Red Creek join, where we made camp. Great waterfall, great campsite. A little rain, but it held off until after we had the tent and tarp set up, and bellies full of rice and beans.
Day 3: After breakfast (fried potatoes and onions), we packed up and started back down Red Creek Trail. The trail was rough in some spots, and delightfully lazy in others. At the creek crossing, there were some misleading cairns that led us up a steep rhododendron-enclosed trail. Once we made it back to the main trail, it was pretty easy going after that. After Stonecoal Stream hits RedCreek, it is pretty much flat and smooth hiking back to the trailhead. Once we were back at the trailhead, we heaved our gear into the car with a groan/sigh, and went down to the stream for a quick dip/washing-up.
Some cold beer and hot food at the Blackwater Brewery topped off the trip.
I hope to get a few pictures up sometime, but since Isaac carried the cameras (2 of them... crazy isn't it?) it is entirely up to him what gets done with the pics. |
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