Beginner Backpacking: Dolly Sods Overnighter, Mushrooms, Blueberries, and a View

OVERVIEW

Want to ease into backpacking? Like eating handfuls of blueberries? Are you curious about mushrooms? Well, then this is the trip for you! We will gather together at 10am on Saturday and drive over to the Dolly Sods. (With a lunch stop in Franklin, WV.) When we get to the Sods, we’ll set up camp within 2-3 miles from the car and then day hike another 6-7 miles while picking and eating blueberries and searching for mushrooms.
The Dolly Sods Wilderness Area is a great place to try out backpacking. The area is relatively flat, so you won’t be stressing to climb mountains with a heavy pack… There is some variation, but it is on the order of 50-200 feet at a time. Sergei and I have each picked a few varieties of mushrooms there, and if we find enough, they’re on the menu.
Sunday, we’ll optionally day hike some to see more of the area and/or hunt more berries and boletes (mushrooms). On the way back, we’re likely to hit up a pizza or burger place.
The trip will be pretty easy since we won’t carry the packs far and we’ll just day hike on Saturday and Sunday. Where we camp will be influenced by the group size. For those familiar with the area, I’d like to find a site near Red Creek. We might also try for a tried and true spot a mile from the parking area at Bear Rocks.

Club provides:
-A ride there and back again. (Gas + 30% for drivers)
-Food. (Saturday dinner through Sunday lunch.)
-Gear. (Backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, headlamps, water filter, cooking stuff.)
(As a note, it’ll be cooler at night, so I’d recommend at least a 30 degree bag or some more clothes.)

You provide:
-Money for Food on the way or a packed lunch. (We’ll stop at a Subway in Franklin, WV). Also, $10+ for food on the way since there’s a good chance we’ll eat dinner on the way home.
-Comfortable clothes for hiking. And a jacket. Except the weather to be cool at night. The highs will be in the 70s and the lows in the 40s.
-Shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. Wool socks are a good thing. (I’ve been to Dolly Sods in every season and it is always muddy somewhere we want to go. Always.)
-Rain gear.
-Things to eat on and with. (Bowls, spoons, forks, mugs.)
-Something to hold mushrooms and/or berries (separately).
-Water bottles/containers. (At least enough space for 2 liters.)
-Toiletries (Toothpaste, etc.)

Notes: There is a game on Saturday, so we can’t leave cars at Bonnycastle. We’ll get gear at the Thursday gear room unless you sign up early and grab your own on Tuesday.