[RoadDawg]

I just spent the last two weeks riding in the mountains of southern WVa. and southwestern Va. The area of Newhall WVa and points around to War, English, Cucumber and other towns is some great riding. Steep rocky trails... narrow passes, deep wood paths, creek beds, sippi holes and wild life everywhere. Wow what a fun trip. The area is so full of great riding and I never even got to the Hatfield McCoy riding areas. I had my 500 Foreman up to the fenders in water... over the axles in mud and up inclines that I could not walk up. The ITP Mudlites stopped for nothing and a tow rope was used to bring others through in some spots. Again, WOW... Great times. except for the 4 foot long eastern rattlesnake that struck in my direction and lost his head to my Bowie knife. :shocked:I take it kind of personally when something like that tries to bite me.
Seen on the trail;
BIG fresh bear tracks w/ a smaller set (no bear seen but tracks were no more than a few minutes old as it was very hot and the tracks were in a muddy spot where the bear stepped through the dry surface into the deeper mud beneath and the tracks had not dried in the sun yet)...
Panther (crossed the trail about 30 feet in front of me as I rounded a left turn) ...
Turkeys (mostly hens and chicks)...
Deer...
That rattlesnake...
Owl...
One old scraggly mountain man with a beard and raggy clothes (locals said to stay away from him he lives in the deep woods like old school. Looked a bit like Big Foot)
Coyote...

Go there... Do that...

:icon_cool:

 

[dagirl71]

we were down in hatfield this past June a really nice Kentucky man told us about the outlaw trails... can you tell me more details as to where you hit them? I saw some pictures the views look breathtaking! We stayed in Gilbert at Penny's place.

 

[RoadDawg]

we were down in hatfield this past June a really nice Kentucky man told us about the outlaw trails... can you tell me more details as to where you hit them? I saw some pictures the views look breathtaking! We stayed in Gilbert at Penny's place.

They are all around the area and we started our jaunts nearly every day from a field in Newhall WV. On the west side of town there is a large field where we unloaded our quads and locked up the trucks. From there we crossed the rail road tracks and used the coal haul road to get to the trails which crisscross the gravel road nearly every where you look. Stay off of the Rail Road right of ways as they are the only access that is totally taboo and for good reason. Also watch for the coal haulers during the week on the coal roads, THEY have the right of way. Use your common sense and have a great time exploring. We had the luxury of being in the company of some locals who were more than familiar with the trails. That helped a lot but then we also rode several days with out them and had as much fun as any one could hope for. We took our own supplies, lunch etc... and stayed out all day. We also brought out everything we took in so no one would see anything other than our tracks when we were gone. If you can find your way to any one spot on the trails I would recommend highly that you visit a place they call High Rocks. The view from the top is breath taking. Also the view from the deck at Miracle Mountain is quiet nice. As is the sunset from the top of Big Sandy.
There is a little Burger Shack in War WVa. on route 16 that will have you remembering their burgers for a while too. Try to find a local "guide" for the first day or two.

Happy trails,

:icon_cool:

 

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Were going labor day weekend staying at a bar\camp site called riders paradise just rite on the trails its amazing place. Been 3 times

 

[Green]

Wow...I wish I had something like this in my neck of the woods.