A Dolly Sods North -- Blackwater Companion

The Blackwater-Canaan Valley-Dolly Sods region was covered in old-growth forest as recently as the early 1880s. Then logging and mining removed the ancient trees in just a few decades. Since the end of the logging era, forests and other plant communities have slowly returned. Variation in elevation, geology and soil types has contributed to the generation of a wide variety of habitats and ecosystems. Now this fascinating area is crossed by numerous trails providing access to historical sites, geological wonders, forests, bogs and heath barrens. This guide offers a starting point for the exploration of the captivating places in this region and includes descriptions of about forty miles of trails.