Our Dolly Sods Mapping Project: Western Edge

See Map Conventions for an explanation of the map features.

Updated October 2004.

It is quite possible to hike the entire western edge of the Dolly Sods area using the following route.

• FR 80
  FR 80 is now a Fish and Wildlife Service road. This road was recently improved (summer 2004). The road begins at the end of Freeland road and rises steadily to the saddle between the peaks of the White Grass and Timberline Ski areas. Once past the saddle north of Cabin Mountain Trail, the road is closed to vehicular traffic by some rather large boulders. At this point the old road leaves the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and enters the Forest Service property.

  The closed FR 80 continues as a jeep trail traveling level to the east of the Timberline Ski area, until it reaches the trail heads of the Blackbird Knob Trail, Breathed Mountain, and Big Stonecoal Run Trails. Breathed Mountain and Big Stonecoal Run trails lead into the Red Creek canyon area. Blackbird Knob Trail continues on the old road leading north. There are two, very large, informational signs at the trailhead.

• Blackbird Knob Trail (No. 511) [4.3 miles]
  Blackbird Knob Trail is covered more fully on in the High Plains. This first section of trail is a highly eroded jeep trail. Shortly, the Blackbird Knob Trail turns off to the right at the sign for the Rocky Ridge Trail.

• Rocky Ridge Trail (No. 524) [3.0 miles]
  The Rocky Ridge Trail runs the entire length of Cabin Mountain from Blackbird Knob Trail to Raven Ridge. The first half is an old jeep road that climbs toward the summit of Harmon Knob and back down to a saddle. The second half is a narrow path with cairns going through low bushes and up, around, and through boulders.

  As you proceed north from Blackbird Knob Trail, Rocky Ridge Trail moves out into the open and passes Harmon Trail (No. 525) which is a boulder strewn path. The jeep road crests Harmon Knob and then continues down to a saddle where Dobbin Grade (No. 526) continues on what appears to be the main path.

  Rocky Ridge Trail turns to the left along a minor jeep road and cuts left off the old jeep road shortly thereafter becoming a narrow path with plentiful cairns. The trail generally remains on the ridge, but moves back and forth from one side of the ridge to the other several times. Remember the cairns may or may not be on the actual trail or where needed for corners or points of confusion. Rocky Ridge Trail continues to the northern edge of the Forest Service property. As of October 2004, continue onto the jeep road on private property to connect with Raven Ridge Trail (No. 521). The Forest Service will be building a extension to Raven Ridge Trail on FS property paralleling the jeep road. This will generally follow the FS pink/red boundary markers along Raven Ridge.

• Northern Cabin Mtn. to Dobbin Grade
  The northern most section of trail loops around Dobbin Slashings (a boggy area) and intersects Dobbin Grade. This is all on private property.

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