ATV Mudslinger

udslingerMVirginia’s andWest Virginia’scomplete ATV guide

Complimentary copyFall 2012

INSIDE:

• TRAIL MAPS• EMERGENCY NUMBERS• UPCOMING EVENTS• TRAIL RULES• HATFIELD-McCOY TRAILS KEEPS GROWING

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“The Little Fellow’s Bank”

Northfork Phone 304-862-2511Welch Phone 304-436-2171War Phone 304-875-2251Bradshaw Phone 304-967-3221Ieager, WV Phone 304-938-5322Sophia, WV Phone 304-683-9538

“Locall trailss leadd too locall banks” “Locall trailss leadd too locall banks”“Local trails lead to local banks”


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Spotlight• Hatfield-McCoy keeps

growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

• Emergency numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,9

• Summary of West VirginiaATV laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

• Upcoming events . . . . 16

Trail rules• Hatfield-McCoy . . . . . 32• Burning Rock . . . . . . . 34

MapsHatfield-McCoy systems

• Bearwallow . . . . . . . . 24• Buffalo Mountain . . . . 25• Indian Ridge . . . . . . . . 26• Pinnacle Creek. . . . . . 27• Little Coal River. . . . . 28• Pocahontas Trail . . . . . 29• Rockhouse . . . . . . . . . 30

Burning Rock. . . . . . . . 31

Fall

2 0 1 2Publisher:Darryl Hudson

Editor:Samantha Perry

Graphic Design and Layout:Andy Patton

Contributor:Charles Owens

PhotographyHatfield-McCoy Trails

Advertising Director:Terri Hale

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Mudslinger magazine is a publication of the Bluefield DailyTelegraph, located at 928 BluefieldAve., Bluefield WV

To reach Mudslinger magazine:Office: (304) 327-2811, 1-800-763-2459Fax: (304) 327-6179E-mail: [email protected] sales, Bluefield: (304) 327-2816

Letters should be sent toMudslinger magazine, c/o BluefieldDaily Telegraph, P.O. Box 1599,Bluefield, WV, 24701. Letters mayalso be sent by e-mail.

Reproduction or use of editorial orgraphic content in any mannerwithout written permission isstrictly prohibited. Copyright 2012by Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Allrights reserved. Bluefield DailyTelegraph is a subsidiary ofCommunity Newspaper HoldingsIncorporated.

Cover photo:An ATV rider grinds through mud onthe Hatfield-McCoy Trail system.

Plans are moving forward for a series of new trails extending theHatfield-McCoy system’s reach into Mercer County.

Inside this issue

7 trail systems long,5 southern W.Va. counties...

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Hatfield-McCoy

By Charles Owens

Hatfield-McCoykeepsgrowingkeepsgrowing

7 trail systems long,5 southern W.Va. counties...


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New ATVtrails willsoon bring riders off-roadthrills in SouthwestVirginia

BRAMWELL — The off-road adventure continuesacross the rugged moun-tains of southern West

Virginia. And soon the fun will beexpanding to neighboringSouthwest Virginia.

Now seven trail systems long infive southern West Virginia coun-ties, the Hatfield-McCoy systemcontinues to grow. The newestaddition, the Pocahontas Trail sys-tem, opened this past summer inMercer County, and is the firsttrail segment available for travelersfrom the Interstate 77 and 81 cor-ridors.

A new trail, the proposed seven-county Spearhead Trail, is nowunder development in neighboringSouthwest Virginia. The Virginia-side trail system will connect withthe existing Hatfield-McCoyTrails near Bramwell in MercerCounty.

“They should have a very goodsystem in Virginia,” Hatfield-McCoy Authority ExecutiveDirector Jeff Lusk said. “They areusing our model and building it.The Spearhead Trail system will

be a very nice compliment to ourtrail system. We envision a daywhen riders will come and ridebetween the two systems. Thoseguys are taking their time andmodeling their system after uswith regards to safety and lawenforcement. I feel like since it is agovernment entity doing it, it willbe on par with ours when it opens.We’ve worked with them andwe’ve shared everything we have.We want to build a region for thistype of activity. Our vision is to tryto build a tri-state region whereyou have Kentucky and SouthwestVirginia. We are excited aboutVirginia getting online and gettingtheir system up and running.”

In the meantime, business isbooming on the Hatfield-McCoyTrails.

“Our permit sales for this yearare up 10.8 percent,” Lusk said.“So we are having a great year onpermit sales. We are up 10 percentover this time last year. But ourbiggest barrier to growing our per-mits is bed capacity. We just don’thave enough capacity to accom-modate the number of people who

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want to come in. It’s just a matter of getting thoseentrepreneurs excited about coming here.”

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail system was createdby the West Virginia Legislature more than adecade ago to generate economic developmentand tourism in southern West Virginia. The trailsystem now extends more than 600 miles throughfive counties. The seven existing Hatfield-McCoyTrails are the Pocahontas, Rockhouse, BuffaloMountain, Bearwallow, Indian Ridge, Little Coaland Pinnacle Creek systems. The various trailsrange from the easiest to most difficult.

Tazewell County officials hope to begin con-struction soon on the first phase of the newSpearhead Trail system in Southwest Virginia,according to Tazewell County Administrator JimSpencer.

The Virginia General Assembly created theSouthwest Virginia Regional RecreationAuthority in 2009 for the purpose of overseeingthe development and management of the seven-county Spearhead Trail system. The project isintended to create a new economic developmentand tourism engine for Southwest Virginiathrough the development of new trails for ATVriders, bikers, hikers, horseback riders, naturalistsand others.

“We’ve got 53 miles of trails mapped,” Spencersaid. “We’ve got $100,000 in grant money to startbuilding trails. And we are waiting on agreementswith two land owners so we can start building the

trails.”On the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system, Lusk said

officials are now gearing up for the annualHatfield-McCoy National Trailfest. This year’scelebration will be held Oct. 4 through 8 inGilbert.

Lusk said the National Trailfest gathering isconsidered the premier ATV, UTV and dirt biketrail-riding event of the year.

The National Trailfest will include the FishersATV World Zone; a mud run for cash and prizes;live music; factory demonstration rides; drawingsfor cash and prizes; a poker run and dice run forcash; an ATV, UTV and dirt bike costume parade;nightly drag racing and mud pit events; a youthmotor track; a “Dirt Trax TV’s Pimp my Ride”contest; film crews with Fishers ATV World andDirt Trax; fireworks; a casino night and live auc-tion; catered meals on Friday and Saturday; andother activities.

“We’ve already booked out all of our campingfor Trailfest,” Lusk said. “This year I think isgoing to be a banner year for us at Trailfest. Wehave some additional camping this year that wehaven’t had in year’s past. I think that’s going tohelp a lot. That’s one of the biggest problems I’verun into at Trailfest is we just don’t have enoughplaces for (visitors) to stay.”

To register for this year’s trailfest, riders can call1-800-592-2217 or email [email protected]


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Emergency numbers• MercerPrinceton Community Hospital –Princeton, W.Va., 304-327-1100 or911Bluefield Regional Medical Center– Bluefield, W.Va., 304-487-7000or 911

• McDowellWelch Community Hospital –Welch, W.Va., 304-436-8655 or911

• BooneBoone Memorial Hospital –Madison, W.Va., 304-369-1230 or911

• LoganLogan Regional Medical Center –Logan, W.Va., 304-831-1101 or911

• MingoWilliamson Memorial Hospital –Williamson, W.Va., 304-235-2500or 911

For emergencies requiring firedepartments, ambulances or lawenforcement in Mercer, McDowelland Logan counties, dial 911.

Mercer CountyMercer County 911For emergencies, dial 911Regular business, 304-425-8911

West Virginia State Police detach-ment – Princeton, 304-425-2102Mercer County Sheriff’sDepartment, 304-487-8396Bluefield Police Department, 304-327-6101Princeton Police Department, 304-487-5001

Princeton Community Hospital,304-487-7000Bluefield Regional Medical Center,304-327-1100Bluewell Family Clinic,304-589-4377*Mercer County Health Department,304-324-8851*Bluestone Health Center – LakeShawnee, 304-431-5499*

Bluefield Rescue & AmbulanceService, 304-327-7171Bluefield, W.Va., Rescue Squad –Route 52, 304-589-6300Princeton Rescue Squad –Athens, 304-384-9499Princeton Rescue Squad –Princeton, 304-425-3914

Bluewell Volunteer FireDepartment, 304-589-5212*Bluestone Valley Volunteer FireDepartment – Spanishburg, 304-487-6766*Bramwell Volunteer FireDepartment, 304-248-7161*Bramwell Police, 304-248-7033*Matoaka Police, 304-467-1194*

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Emergency numbersMatoaka Volunteer FireDepartment, 304-467-8385*Montcalm Volunteer FireDepartment, 304-589-6922**Not staffed 24 hours. If noanswer, call 304-425-8911

McDowell CountyMcDowell County 911For emergencies, dial 911Regular business, 304-436-4106

W.Va. State Police – Welch, 304-436-2102McDowell County Sheriff 304-436-8523*Welch City Police, 304-436-3112*Iaegar Town Police, 304-938-5171*War Town Police, 304-875-2213*Northfork Town Police,304-862-3414* Keystone Town Police,304-862-2239*

Welch Community Hospital,304-436-8461McDowell County HealthDepartment, 304-448-2174*Tug River Clinic – Gary,304-448-2102*

McDowell County AmbulanceService, 304-436-3875Welch Volunteer Fire Department,304-436-2111*Iaegar Volunteer Fire Department,304-938-5600*Gary Fire Department,

304-448-2209*Northfork Fire Department,304-862-3661*Keystone Fire Department,304-862-3226*

*Phone not staffed 24 hours. If noanswer, call 304-436-4106

Logan CountyLogan Emergency DispatchFor emergencies dial 911Regular business, 304-752-7662

W.Va. State Police – Logan, 304-792-7200Logan County Sheriff, 304-792-8590*City of Logan Police, 304-752-6535*Town of Chapmanville Police, 304-855-4582*Town of Man Police, 304-583-9631*Town of Mitchell Heights Police,304-752-3244*Town of West Logan Police, 304-752-3244*

Logan County Health Department,304-792-8630*Logan General Hospital, 304-792-1101

*Phone not staffed 24 hours. If noanswer, call 304-752-7662


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A SUMMARY OF WEST VIRGINIA ATV LAWS

This page is not meant to be a detailed explanation of state ATVlaws, but to provide an overview of what West Virginia’s ATV lawsentail.

ROADS AND HIGHWAYSNo ATV may be operated in this state:• On any interstate highway except by public safety personnel

responding to emergencies.• On any road or highway with a center line or more than two lanes

except for the purpose of crossing the road, street, or highway, if:- The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees

to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstructionprevents a quick and safe crossing.

- The vehicle is brought to a complete stop before crossing theshoulder or main traveled way of the highway.

- The operator yields his or her right-of-way to all oncoming traf-fic that constitutes an immediate potential hazard.

- Both the headlight and taillight are illuminated when the cross-ing is made if the vehicle is so equipped.• An all-terrain vehicle may, for the sole purpose of getting from

one trail, field or area of operation to another, be operated upon theshoulder of any road, street or highway as long as the crossing ismade at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to the direction ofthe highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick andsafe crossing.

PASSENGERSNo ATV may be operated in this state:• With more than one passenger unless more passengers are

allowed under manufacturers’ recommendations.• With a passenger under the age of 18, unless the operator has at a

minimum a level 2 intermediate driver’s license or its equivalent or is18 years of age or older.

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LIVE MUSIC POOL TABLES R ELAXING ATMOSPH ER E

FULL MENU FOUR TELEVISIONS D R INK SPECIALS

Coal H eritage R oadBluefield,W V


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September• 28-29: The Kiwanis Club annual Applebutter Festival, Chapmanville Municipal Building• 29: Princeton AutumnFest, Princeton• 29 Second Annual Big Coal River Heritage Day, Saturday, at John Slack Park in Racine.

There will be old-fashion family fun, including music, crafts, history and culture and other day-long activities. For more information, call 304-296-5348.

October• 4-8: 12th annual Hatfield-McCoy National TrailFest, Gilbert, hosted at the Harless

Community Center facilities• 5-6: Southern W.Va. Italian-American Festival, Bluefield City Auditorium, Bluefield• 5-7: October Sky/Rocket Boys Fall Festival, Beckley• 5-31: Psycho Circus, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Gary Bowling’s House of Art• 6: Southern Thunder, Princeton• 6: Bramwell Oktoberfest, Bramwell• 6: Beckley’s Annual Chili Night block party, Beckley• 12-14: 30th Annual Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree, Twin Falls Resort State Park

near Mullens• 12-14: Mercer County Heritage Festival, Glenwood 4-H Camp• 13: Lyrick Talent Quest at the Mountaineer Hotel, Williamson• 18: Shriner’s Oyster Dinner, Brushfork Armory, Bluefield• 18: Tug Valley Arts Council presents ‘The Seldom Scene’ bluegrass band, Williamson• 20: Hatfield McCoy Bus Tour, Williamson• 20: Bridge Day, New River Gorge, Fayette County• 20: Bramwell Ghost Tours, Bramwell• 26-27: Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Women’s Expo, Brushfork Armory,

Bluefield

November• 1: Shriner’s Circus, Brushfork Armory, Bluefield• 3: Country Craft Guild Show, Chuck Mathena Center, Princeton• 10: Mercer County Humane Society’s Fur Ball, East River Arts, Bluefield• 10-11: NRHS Train Show, Bluefield City Auditorium Stadium Drive, Bluefield• 26: Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade, Princeton• November 22-December 31: “Holiday of Lights” Display, Bluefield City Park, Bluefield

December• 1: Sixth Annual Down Home Christmas, Saturday in downtown Madison. The event is

sponsored by Rev-Up Madison and it celebrates the Christmas season with plenty of activitiesfor kids of all ages. There will be sleigh rides, a parade, caroling, and breakfast with Santa.For more information, call 304-369-0426.

• 1: Bluefield, Va., Christmas Parade• 8: Bluefield, W.Va., Chirstmas Parade• 8: Bramwell Christmas Homes Tour

On the calendar...

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111 Locations Too Servee You! 111 Locationss 11 Locations

Too Servee You!To Serve You!• Bluefield, VA

• Bluefield, WV

• Princeton, WV -

2 Locations

• Richlands, VA

• Pounding Mill, VA

• Bluefield, VA

• Bluefield, WV

• Princeton, WV -

2 Locations

• Richlands, VA

• Pounding Mill, VA

• Grundy, VA

• Tazewell, VA

• Lebanon, VA

• Marion, VA

• Hinton, WV

• Grundy, VA

• Tazewell, VA

• Lebanon, VA

• Marion, VA

• Hinton, WV

Carr Wash Car Wash

Tenant Available

3621 Coal Heritage Rd., Bluewell, WV

automatic (touchfree & soft touch)self serve bays

2 automatic (touchfree & soft touch) 2 5 self serve bays 5

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Hatfield-McCoyT r a i l r u l e s

Obey all user rules

All trail users must have a valid Hatfield-McCoyTrail Permit. The user permit is to be affixed to theleft side of user's helmet below the goggle line atall times. Users who wish to transfer permit toanother helmet may do so in person at ouradministrative office Rt. 10 South, Rich CreekRoad, Lyburn WV, 25632.

• Everyone must wear a DOT, SNELL or otherapproved helmet and protective eyegear.

• No passengers on any ATV unless the ATV ismanufactured for the driver and a passenger.

• No alcoholic beverages may be consumed orcarried.

• No firearms.• Obey all signs, gates, and barriers.• Stay on marked trails.• Only enter and exit the trail systems at a trail-

head, community or other approved connectors.• Do not enter a "no trail," "no entry" or gated

area.• Drive or ride at a speed reasonable for condi-

tions.• No person shall drive an ATV/UTV unless that

person meets the minimum age recommendationspecified by the ATV/UTV manufacturer for theATV/UTV that is being driven.

• Stop when signaled by a ranger.• Carry photo identification at all times.• Adult supervision is required for those under

age 18.• Do not litter.• No fires.• No camping on the trails.• Trail system is open from sunrise to sunset.

SPECIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FORSIDE-BY-SIDE UTILITY TYPE VEHICLE (UTV)

• Side-by-side utility type vehicles operatedupon the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System shall besubject to all of the safety rules and regulations ofthe Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Authorityand shall also be subject to the following safetyrules specifically applying to side-by-side utilityvehicles:

• Follow all rules and regulations identified inUTV owner’s manual and rules and regulationslisted below.

• Utility Type Vehicles can only be operated on

designated trails.• Easiest Trails (Green) - Approved• More Difficult Trails (Blue) - Approved• Most Difficult Trails (Black) - Designated trails

only (See Trail Map)• Extreme Difficult Trails (Red Black) - Not

approved• Signage and Maps- Every intersection will be

labeled with a sticker approving or disapprovingeach trail. This sign will have a UTV with a linethrough it and state NO SIDE-BY-SIDE/UTVsALLOWED. Violators subject to $100.00 fine andimpoundment of machine.

Machine Requirements1. Machines may not be self-constructed or

substantially modified from manufacturer’s speci-fications in the sole opinion of the executive direc-tor or designee.

2. Units must be equipped with a steeringwheel from the manufacturer.

3. Units must be equipped with ROPS (Roll-Over Protection System) from the manufacturer.

4. Machines must be equipped with manufac-turer seat belts and must be in good workingorder.

5. Low pressure tires required – Max 20PSIat manufacturer’s recommended inflation.

Side by Side (UTV) Specific Rules1. The number of passengers carried on a

side-by-side - utility type vehicle shall be limitedby the number of manufacturer installed seatbelts.

2. All participants must abide by all of themanufacturer’s requirements regarding the ageand size of operators and passengers.

3. The driver and passengers of a side byside - utility type vehicle must:

• Wear seat belts at all times;• Keep their hands, arms, feet, head and legs

inside the vehicle at all times during operation;• Wear a DOT or Snell approved helmet;• Wear eye protection at all times; and• Obey all rules and regulations.

4. Any operator of a side by side – utilitytype vehicle must possess a valid owner’s manu-al for the machine being operated and must beproduced upon the request of any Hatfield-McCoy Law Enforcement Officer or any otherLaw Enforcement Agency.

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Burning RockT r a i l r u l e s

RULES & REGULATIONS:

Each Guest Must:• Wear a DPT or DOT/snell helmet at all times.• Always carry a valid BROAP Permit and photo ID.• Enter/exit at BROAP trailhead only.• Meet the minimum driving age recommended by the ATVmanufacture.• Have a properly functioning muffler with USFS approvedspark arrestor.• Stop when signaled by BROAP personnel.• Provide adult supervision for children under 16.• Drive or ride at reasonable speeds for conditions.

PROHIBITED on BROAP Property:

• ATVs, Side by sides, or go carts over 64 inches wide.• Go Carts with more than 500 CC engine size, withou.t

full-body restraint harness, or an altered roll cage.• Alcoholic beverages carried or consumed on trails.• Passengers on ATV/Motorcycles not factory manufac-

tured to carry additional riders.• Weapons, firearms, hunting, or littering on BROAP

premises.• Entering a No Trail/No Entry or gated area.

Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park is open 365 days ayear, sunrise to sunset.

Outdoor Adventure Park

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