Dolly Sods, West Virginia- Day One

Drove the (gag) seven+ hours from Philly to the Dolly Sods wilderness in WV (aalmost hea-e-ven...) and found terrain that was only slightly different from the PA mounds we know and love, albeit about 3,000' higher.  Still, there was plenty of hiking and backpacking and snakes and mud for all.  Not too shabby a memorial day weekend, I say.

We did a 24ish mile loop (with additions due to missed turns and campsite searching).  Didn't manage to get on the trail until almost 2pm, but still managed to get in 8 or so miles before camping. 

 

 First day was very pleasant- climbed a gentle grade the whole way, in the shady forest until around 4 or 5 when the sun was actually welcome.  Prettiness abounded, dog bounced, bugs were minimal.  Only sad thing was we never managed to score much of a view, despite going an extra mile or so chasing an un-treed hilltop.  In the end, we managed an overlook of a shallow valley and that was certainly good enough.