Poking In
Chris Shontz sent me a note about your plans to visit
Dolly Sods in October and asked a few questions. He suggested I take a look at this thread too. I scanned the ten pages and saw my name mentioned a couple times with regard to GWNF, and thanks for that.
I'm going to blast some info here but seriously, it's just a suggestion and answering to some questions Chris has. Please don't take it that I need to see it happen this way or anything like that - just trying to help.
With regard to
Dolly Sods, I have a fair number of trips under my belt out there and live a little ways from there. It would be ideal for the weekend most recently mentioned. Here is some info. I have sent GPS coordinates to Chris Shontz so the sweet spots don't get scooped by outsiders (which I guess I more or less am...)
If your group is mainly an outdoors type group that is
not looking for extreme wheeling you will be rewarded with a wonderful experience in the Dolly Sods area. That weekend should be incredible for the foliage, which peaks around that time.
There are a couple spots that I have personally camped nearby that would suit your group. The only warning is that both spots are primitive and do not have any services. You would need to bring water and all that. You would however be rewarded with wonderful solitude.
Town is nearby and there are good restaurants (though not cheap...) and stores with plenty of stuff in
Davis (gpscoord).
Thomas (gpscoord) is coming back alive and there's a funky store that serves decent food and some "antique" stores that are interesting.
I have provided several waypoints below. You might want to load them into a GPS Map program like MapSource (or use Topozone.com) to get them all collected together so you can see the layout.
Three of the camping spots I marked and used are on the
Canaan Loop road
(past
Blackwater Falls go straight from gpscoord; the loop road exits to pavement again at gpscoord).
Here are the waypoints. Again, both "wide spots" on the side of the road where camping is allowed:
gpscoords
One of these above I have used and one I simply marked as a candidate. You would have to stop at the marked spot and walk off the trail a little bit to see the spot because it was a little set back from the road.
Another, which involves fording a stream is located near the base of
Mozark Mountain here:
gpscoord
The ford can be done by stockers and unless the water is really high, should not cause anyone any problems.
This one is by far the most scenic but could be a bit crowded for much more than 6 or 7 vehicles/tents. Also, I have only ever seen it empty once in February in the four or five times I have been out there.
Here is another spot that WOULD accommodate your entire group with plenty of room for vehicles and tents off Route 219 at 717 and FR18:
gpscoord
(Movie)
It's a large clearing on a knoll and has a large field that can be reached on foot for anyone who wants to get away from the group.
This is near
Olson Tower (gpscoord) which is a great place to go at sunset to see the whole area.
There are dozens of landmarks out there - I like
Big Run Scenic Overlook that is on FR18 somewhere near here (it has a sign so you won't miss it):
gpscoords
Check my trip reports for pictures and some ideas what it's like.
July 2004
October 2004
February 2005
July 2006
That weekend is the one after I go away with my wife for my anniversary but I might be able to go out there if you're interested in having me along?
Basically I could see something like the following based on times I have been there:
10/13 Set Camp
Check out Olson Tower at dusk
Hit town for items forgotten, dinner
10/14 Day two
Early departure
Wheel FR18 past Big Run Scenic Outlook and a cool wheeling spot I know
Continue through Douglas to Canaan Loop
Run Canaan Loop and break somewhere along it for lunch
Go up to Dolly Sods for dusk at Bear Rocks
Come back to Davis/Thomas/Camp for dinner
hit camp
10/15 Day Three
Early Departure
AM Hike Canyon Rim Trail (option)
Go to Blackwater Falls (option)
PM Go up to Dolly Sods for dusk at Bear Rocks
Come back to Davis/Thomas/camp for dinner
Wheel
10/16 Day Four
strike camp
... unless you're a muggle. 
