hitting the trails in logan
ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles
logan, west virginia
Over 600 miles of trails located in southern West Virginia. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails includes seven individual trail systems including Rockhouse, Bearwallow, Buffalo Mountain, Indian Ridge, Pinnacle Creek, Pocahontas, and Little Coal River.
it all started quite innocently enough. our group was in downtown logan, west virginia. on asphalt with commercial buildings on either side. none of these so-called winding, wilderness trails could be seen anywhere. i felt fairly confident, i must say.
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it was just a smokescreen. once helmeted, seat-belt buckled and loaded, our
driver (a deputy sheriff who seemed official with badge and uniform and whose appearance totally squashed my fears) followed single-file (we were second in a line of four doorless atvs) obediently
and deliberately, first turning right, then navigating through the last
city street which appeared to only be the width of our atv. it was becoming clearer
now. we were heading out and up.
i decided it was white knuckle time, holding on while glancing at the city to my right growing smaller and smaller in the distant valley below. the journalist in me starting posing questions to the driver. my husband who joined me in the back seat glared at me as if to say, "shut up and let the man drive." he was right, and so i did.
for the next hour, we twisted and turned, splashed (it had snowed for days prior to our visit) and jerked, "ohhed and ahhed", hollered and screamed - all in a good way. as i tried to scrape the splattered mud from my glasses, i realized that a muddy sleeve would not do the trick, so i gave in to mud in places where no mud had ever been. i reminded myself that women pay big money for facials such as the one i was receiving. midway through the GREEN trail (the easiest - are you kidding?), we reached the summit and disembarked; we took a gander at what we had become. nine muddy bodies covered from head to toe, with only the whites of our eyes and teeth seeing the light of the mountaintop. it was primo!
i decided it was white knuckle time, holding on while glancing at the city to my right growing smaller and smaller in the distant valley below. the journalist in me starting posing questions to the driver. my husband who joined me in the back seat glared at me as if to say, "shut up and let the man drive." he was right, and so i did.
for the next hour, we twisted and turned, splashed (it had snowed for days prior to our visit) and jerked, "ohhed and ahhed", hollered and screamed - all in a good way. as i tried to scrape the splattered mud from my glasses, i realized that a muddy sleeve would not do the trick, so i gave in to mud in places where no mud had ever been. i reminded myself that women pay big money for facials such as the one i was receiving. midway through the GREEN trail (the easiest - are you kidding?), we reached the summit and disembarked; we took a gander at what we had become. nine muddy bodies covered from head to toe, with only the whites of our eyes and teeth seeing the light of the mountaintop. it was primo!
at the top or mid-way through the adventure, you'll find a gift shop and restrooms (these, you don't pass up), but all you really want to do is get strapped back in and head off - or up - or back. other mud worshippers or fear junkies passed us on mountain bikes and atvs; we waved and displayed our best "we're muddy,too" face. finally, our drivers (local law enforcement for this quirky pack of journalists) loaded us back into our muddy caravans, and then questioned, "should we take the next level course?" heck, yeah, we got this!
so back to logan, and this time, we're taking the BLUE trail. it was another hour of sheer success; however, this time, i met the bumps and ledges with a sense of conquest. i was my own super hero - helmet and all (mud)! although there are three more intense levels to be explored, i felt i had reached the mountaintop (so to speak) and had conquered the GREEN and BLUE. i would leave it at that. it was time for this superhero to take her super-muddy rear home.
so back to logan, and this time, we're taking the BLUE trail. it was another hour of sheer success; however, this time, i met the bumps and ledges with a sense of conquest. i was my own super hero - helmet and all (mud)! although there are three more intense levels to be explored, i felt i had reached the mountaintop (so to speak) and had conquered the GREEN and BLUE. i would leave it at that. it was time for this superhero to take her super-muddy rear home.
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Hatfield-McCoy National Trailfest Gilbert, WV known as one of the premier UTV, ATV and dirtbike racing events across the country, trailfest offers four days of stunt shows, entertainment, track racing and fireworks. event packages are now available.
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Trail Systems
Bearwallow Trail System
trailhead: 247 bearwallow dr., ethel, west virginia
community connector: logan, west virginia
noted for its more difficult rated trails. located near the historic site of the battle of blair mountain.
trailhead: 247 bearwallow dr., ethel, west virginia
community connector: logan, west virginia
noted for its more difficult rated trails. located near the historic site of the battle of blair mountain.
Buffalo Mountain Trail System
trailhead: 34 oakwood heights road, williamson, west virginia
community connector: williamson, west virginia
noted for location near hatfield-mccoy feud and matewan massacre
trailhead: 34 oakwood heights road, williamson, west virginia
community connector: williamson, west virginia
noted for location near hatfield-mccoy feud and matewan massacre
Indian Ridge Trail System
trailhead: ashland, west virginia
community connector: ashland and northfork and keystone, west virginia
noted for being 1/3 of the largest continuous areas of the HMT network
trailhead: ashland, west virginia
community connector: ashland and northfork and keystone, west virginia
noted for being 1/3 of the largest continuous areas of the HMT network
Little Coal River Trail System
trailhead: 28 big pinnacle branch road, julian, west virginia
community connector: none
noted for its scenery, wildlife and easier overall trails
trailhead: 28 big pinnacle branch road, julian, west virginia
community connector: none
noted for its scenery, wildlife and easier overall trails
Pinnacle Creek Trail System
trailhead: 2733 pinnacle road, pineville, west virginia
community connector: pineville, west virginia
noted for continuous area of the HMT network; scenery and proximity to twin falls state park
trailhead: 2733 pinnacle road, pineville, west virginia
community connector: pineville, west virginia
noted for continuous area of the HMT network; scenery and proximity to twin falls state park
Pocahontas Trail System
trailhead: 174 simmons avenue, bramwell, west virginia
community connector: bramwell, west virginia
noted for continuous area of the HMT network
trailhead: 174 simmons avenue, bramwell, west virginia
community connector: bramwell, west virginia
noted for continuous area of the HMT network
Rockhouse Trail System
trailhead: 83 rockhouse creek road, man, west virginia
community connector: man and gilbert, west virginia
noted for being the largest single trail system and its wide variety of all types of trail riding
trailhead: 83 rockhouse creek road, man, west virginia
community connector: man and gilbert, west virginia
noted for being the largest single trail system and its wide variety of all types of trail riding
Ivy Branch Trail System
trailhead: 4260 julian road, julian, west virginia
community connector: none
noted for being open to full sized ORVs including jeeps, 4x4 trucks, hummers, buggies, etc. plus more difficult rated trails
trailhead: 4260 julian road, julian, west virginia
community connector: none
noted for being open to full sized ORVs including jeeps, 4x4 trucks, hummers, buggies, etc. plus more difficult rated trails
what you need to know
1. Trail Permit
each person, including passengers, is required to purchase a permit (covers all 600 miles of trails). permits must be displayed on helmets. west virginia residents: $26.50; non-residents: $50. permits can be purchased online, at the charleston visitor's center, or at other retail locations. 2. Gear for the Trail always wear a helmet and protective eyewear. over the ankle footwear (boots) and gloves are recommended. other recommendations: water-resistant pants, light coat, earplugs, snacks. many bring a change of clothing. 3. Reserve your ATV check ahead and reserve your atv or mountain bikes with these area dealers or rental centers. general rules
to see the complete list, click here.
1. all passengers must be over 8 years.
2. adult supervision required for those under 16. 3. no alcoholic beverages may be carried or consumed. 4. obey all signs, gates, barriers. 5. stay on marked trails 6. valid driver's license required to operate an ORV. |
here's to the fun times
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