We have a group of 8 riders headed for Hatfield-McCoy November 3rd. Anyone from the area? Looking for some feedback from people that have been there.

 

I was just there last weekend (20-22oct) with some friends. It was the best trails, views, atmosphere, etc that I have experienced and I have been riding for 19 years. We were all grinning from ear to ear the whole time. I would recomend it to anyone with experience. I wouldn't take a first timer there though. Most of the trails are on the side of very steep slopes that would make for a bad day if you were to make a mistake. There are hill climbs from hell there that were a blast. Just when you think you are at the top, think again. Some of them had to be a half mile up. The only thing that would make it better is if some of the trails were one way. A good portion of the trails are exactly one quad wide which is great for riding but bad for meeting someone coming the other way. We met a group of 4x4's and had to hang our quads over the edge (of the mountain) against trees and then lift them back up to the trail after they past by. I am definitely going back.

 

Derrick, thanks for the reply. Wich trail system did you ride and wich do you think was the best?

 

If you are looking for a big loop go to Rock House and ride trails 10 and 12.

Trail 94 is great at Bear Wallow, but start from trail 93. It would be a thrill ride going down 94, There are some ruts right near the top that I got into 2 out of 3 times. No bad ruts just had to stay in them and ride it up.

I think the steepest hill is on trail 98 at the Rev. Comptom Trail. Take it going towards Matewan then take it back down and take trail 10 to Matewan and trail 98 back. Trail 98 has a area going down towards Matewan that is kind of hairy. One wheel right near the edge. I would feel much better going up this than down.

 

I liked Bear Wallow the best because of the hill climbs. All the black trails at Bear Wallow have really good hill climbs on them. Rockhouse was muddier, which is fine with me, but it was a little less challenging. We didn't have time to ride Rev Compton, so I can't comment on that one.

 

I think that is the same weekend that we are going. There is 3 of us from Ohio. Maybe we can hook up. later....

 

coalwwod wva is a much better trail system and it doesnt cost anything to ride or camp and you can ride allnight

 

Do you mean coalwood, wv? Could you give us more details, I always like to hear about new trails.

Thanks.

 

your right i meant coalwood well i just returned from there last weekend and the group i took up had a blast, we rode one trail loop that was 112 miles long from coalwood to the wagon wheel and back and these were not the same trails going and coming they were differant also there are play areas on top of the mountain in coalwood were you might run into a hundred atvers or so ,i loved watching them climb the mountain sides up there but wasnt somthing i would do and im pretty crazy on my atv ,the camping area is in coalwood where they made the movie October sky and is very level and has grass ,also you can drive right up to it with a car if you wish.in finishing of all the places i have rode and there have been a lot this has to be the best for any type riding you like Herman

 

hello again......glad to hear that everyone is enjoying our trails!!! we're very proud of hatfield-mccoy...and it's a great feeling to know that everyone is enjoying what we've done. in regards to riding at coalwood, wv, or anywhere else in wyoming or mcdowell counties, please consider this.......

the hatfield-mccoy trail system is developed entirely on private property, all of which is owned by local coal-mining, timber, and land companies. many of the landowners who participate in hatfield-mccoy own property in several counties, including wyoming and mcdowell in the coalwood area. knowing that, understand that the trail system works because we offer management and law enforcement to the land companies in exchange for permission to use the land for recreation. (it's way more complicated than just that, but that's the basics!!) the permission to use this land is very fragile, however, and the land companies can terminate these agreements if they choose to. if this happens....then hatfield-mccoy is no more, and we've lost one of the best opportunities to ride that any of us have ever seen.

currently......trails are open for public use in logan and mingo counties, near man, wv, logan, wv, and williamson, wv. these trails are signed and mapped, and are accessible from any one of our three official hatfield-mccoy trailheads. anywhere else you ride is simply trespassing, which is illegal, and may jeopardize the future of this project. you see, the same companies that own property in logan and mingo, where we have legal trails, also own property in wyoming and mcdowell. if we cannot control illegal use on their wyoming and mcdowell properties, then they may very well terminate their agreements with us and we'll lose the whole program....in which case we all lose.

please visit our website at www.trailsheaven.com, and please use the true hatfield-mccoy trails responsibly. the permits to use our trails are very inexpensive, and for this small fee you will get signs, maps, managed and groomed trails, rangers on the trails to assist you, safe and secure parking for your vehicle and trailer, and most importantly peace-of-mind in knowing that you are not committing a crime when you ride. as a manager of this fantastic project, and a fellow rider....i ask you to please help us make hatfield-mccoy the success it deserves to be!!!

we are currenty making plans to open trails in wyoming and mcdowell counties in the spring of 2001, so please be patient while we develop this opportunity for you!!!!!!

sincerely,

chris evans
director, field operations
hatfield-mccoy recreation area