H/M trails Trip in May

[War Pig]

Some friends and I will be heading down to play on the H/M trails in May. We will be down there the 18th through the 21st. We will be staying in the Gilbert area. None of us have been down there before, and I was wondering if anyone has some trail suggestions and helpful tips. If anyone is going to be down there during these dates maybe we could meet up for a ride too. Thanks in advance for the advice.

[DJ750]

If you are going to be riding all the days you have listed maybe you would like to haul your quads to the Rev. Compton trail head and ride Buffalo Mtn.

And welcome to Quad Crew!!!

[2tv]

Since you plan on a several day stay and on making the Gilbert area your home base, I'd suggest hauling to the Pinnacle Creek system first.  That will give you a gentle introduction into all of the fun that you are going to have as the Pinnacle Creek trails are not as challenging on average compared to some of the other systems (yet they are still fun and scenic).

Then on day two try out the Buffalo Mountain system (you can haul to the Rev. Compton trailhead).  There are 3 towns you can ride into off of that system with Williamson being the largest.

On day three (since you would probably be tired of hauling your equipment by this point), just ride your ATVs to the Rockhouse system (directly accessible from the towns of Gilbert and Man).

Be sure to reference the Hatfield McCoy website and print out copies of the trail system maps just prior to your trip and check in at the trailhead office since they will have up to the minute status of the trails (it's not uncommon to have a trail or two closed due to maintenance or land owner use...

[trainfixerjer]

My wife and I will be there from may 16th to the 23rd.  We are staying at twin hollow cabins and look forward to riding alot of trails.  This will be our first trip down to HM.  I will be riding an 02 sportsman 500 and the wife will be riding an 06 sp 500. I have a winch on the 02 and was wondering how often a winch is needed on the easy to slightly difficult trails?  What are some good places to eat? Thanks.  Warpig pm me and maybe we can ride one day.

[Prairie Pounder]

One of the neat things about HM is not having to trailer your quads, unless you want to, while staying in the ATV friendly towns. But, especially since it's your first trip, I would still trailer to another trail system on a three day trip. Trailer either on your first day or last day to reduce the load/unload days. Buffalo Mountain would be my pick too. Very scenic trails. A couple good climbs. An old mine entrance. Underground fires (smoke). Lots of history in Matewan. Once in Matewan, you can ride your quad over the river into Kentucky to fuel up. Good food can be found in Matewan and in Williamson. You can also fuel up in Williamson. Depending on where you unload your quads, you may have a hard time seeing both towns in one day. You can also ride to Delbarton. There is not much there. Used to be a really really good place to eat there. Coffee-N-Conversation, last time we were there was closed. Too bad. Those gals had a super nice place in a not so super location.

Unless you are used to mountainous terrain and very experienced, I would also recommend staying off the black rated trails. Particularly on Rockhouse, Buffalo Mountain and Bearwallow. A trail is given a "black" rating because of one spot that can bite you or because the entire trail is very challenging. BW had a trail for a while that was nick-named The Trail Of Tears. Ewww, yeah... Don't worry, the green and blue rated trails won't seem like pony rides at the fair. Without knowing what state you are from, it's possible the drive over to Buffalo Mountain from Gilbert will be a treat all in itself.

You are in for a good time. If you have more questions, fire away. And please be sure to let us know how it turns out for! 

[trainfixerjer]

Wow , the closer it gets the more excite the wife and I get.  We will be taking two cameras so we should have a few pictures. Hope the weather is ok when we get there.  I can smell the Smores and hobo pies now .   LOL.   Just changed the oil on both machines and changed spark plugs and greased all the fittings.  Got two new tires for the 02 sportsman.  Is it may yet? lol

[War Pig]

Im with you trainfixerjer. I keep watching you tube videos of H/M trails. Getting my quad all set up too. A rear rack, nerf bars, and a skid plate. We will Def. have to hook up down there. I will PM you as it gets closer.

[ATV1AB]

Since our trip is a lil' more than a month away (sigh!) I thought it might be wise to ask about eating out options in Gilbert/Logan/Matewan.  My last go-round was solo and therfore drive-thru's in Man were the option. Also what are the black/red black? or most treacherous trails #'s for rh/bm/bw, I do know that these things change ...so any thought would be appreciated.  Thanx!!

[2tv]

I tried Rockhouse trail 94 once and that was enough for me.  I was leading a small group and made it to the top, but the rider behind me did not make it.  As the quad started it's downhill roll, it nearly took out the number 3 person in line.  After getting that quad back on it's feet we winched the rest of the group over the bad area (which is near the T94 / T93 junction - see pictures below).  The trail wasn't really difficult until you got to that one spot.  I've never seen T95 and T96 but if they are anything like T94 they are best treated with respect.

Trail 28 can be very difficult depending on the condition it is in at the time (it has a very steep section on it).  Of the black trails, T29 and T26 are my favorites (challenging but not too extreme to where it just isn't fun any more)...

[War Pig]

So sport quads need to stay off the red/black trails then huh?
I can see by the photos I am not getting through that trail with my setup 

[Mr.Ed]

AH the good old days I remember traveling that trail a time or two, but no more.

War Pig & ATV1AB hope you guys have a great time. Looking forward to another H/M trip myself one of these days.

[2tv]

War Pig, as a Sport Quad rider you may especially like Little Coal River (if it's not too muddy), Pinnacle Creek and Buffalo Mountain.  I think they have the most mileage of sport quad friendly trails.  You will have fun on all of the trail systems, but I'd suggest making a point to visit those three on your trip.  I don't own a sport quad now (but probably will again in the future) however I've torn up some H/M ground with my formerly owned V-Force and Raptor.

You definitely want to stay away from the red-black trails, and probably the blacks as well (they tend to be exceptionally rocky in addition to steep and rutted).  The green trails are better suited to sport quads (generally wider / smoother) and some of the blues are fun too (they will have steeper sections on them but generally more rock too)...

[War Pig]

Thanks for the heads up and the advice 2tv. It is much appreciated.

[2tv]

Those photos were taken 3 1/2 years ago (Quadcrew Fall Ride 2006).  H/M trails can drastically change even after one hard rain, especially the black trails.  Even an old picture (until newer pictures are available) of a bad spot help to inform the uninformed of what to expect and realize they may be getting in over their head.  If nothing else that might prevent one from ruining their experience by ending up with a busted up machine (or worse, such as spending their stay in a hospital instead of on the trails).

So if you think those trail conditions depicted in those photos look bad, imagine the conditions being worse than that.  It is particularly important for first time visitors to start out easy, especially if they aren't used to terrain like the WV mountains provide.  Start out with the green trails first, then if you want more of a challenge, try out some blues.  The black trails can be dangerous if one isn't careful or lacks the experience to handle themselves or their machines in conditions like that and generally when an accident happens given the hilly terrain, it can mean serious damage by the time an out of control machine comes to a stop.  Then there's the red/black trails, the worst of the worst!

[polarislover]

Note of interest. . .in the 10 year history of H-M, three deaths have occured. Two on the Rockhouse system, AND all three accidents occured on "GREEN" trails. Be VERY careful, stay focused and alert, and never let your guard down just because you think you are on an "easy" trail.