Dolly Sods Wilderness

Kent Mason, Photographer / Conservationist

The Dolly Sods Wilderness, one of the largest Wilderness in the East, has an elevation range of 2,500 to 4,770 feet. It sits in the center of the Allegheny mountains in an area having the highest average elevation of the entire range. This rocky, rugged Allegheny plateau, often referred to as the WV highlands, has wet, cool to cold weather and contains plant life and wildlife more typical of Canada. Distinctive features include wind swept vistas, stunted "flagged" trees, wind and water carved rocks, heath barrens, bogs and wetlands, boulder strewn meadows, thick Red Spruce forest with moss and lichen covered ground as well as mixed wet forests at lower elevations. It is a popular hiking and backpacking area. This collection of images provide a visual tour of this Wilderness.