2nd trip to WV

to all, my name is Dan. We are going to wagon wheel this weekend and would like to try to ride from there to welch one day, maybe over towards pineville on another. Our last trip was in May and we barely scratched the surface I think. Any suggestions on where to go? Last trip we went to the T past pinnacle camp, went right and looped back to WW, went left through creeks to haul rd, went R to the view I think, turned around from there took haul rd to blue bldg, L to area where they are filling in valley, took a path on left that brought us back to pinnacle creek. We rode alot of other trails, would like to ride some through trails that would take us to a town with fuel then return. The trip to the view and all over in between left us on E by the time we got back. Sorry for such a long post, I just get so excited when I start thinking of ridin up there again. My mind is going in fifteen different directions right now. This will be our second time in WV, any advice, directions or others that may want to join us for an all day/evening ride let me know. We have a group of ten in 4 rzr's and 1 rzr-S.

to the site. It's hard to give directions up there because there are usually many ways to get to the same places and there are so many trails that split off you can't even say something like "take the second right past the big tree near the creek" LOL You are right about not even scratching the surface. I have been riding up there for 8 years and still find new trails all the time. Just keep exploring and pick a direction. You can get fuel at Ashland Resort, Wagon Wheel, Welch, Pineville, Mullins, Bud and several other places. One good thing to keep in mind when riding this area is to carry extra fuel and NEVER pass up a place to fill up unless you know exactly where you are and where you are going. Its a long walk out of the woods.

So it is possible to get to these other towns from WW. On trails in the rzr's, I mean, not in the truck. I know I am setting myself up with a question like that, so I felt the need to clarify a little.

Absolutly, like I said several different ways so you can take one route there and another back, those places and MANY MANY more. You aren't setting yourself up at all, ask all the questions you want.

Thanks for the input, I gotta go for now but I will get back on later :rock on:

if you can make it to the haul road and need gas make a left on the haul road and stay straight passed the blue building it will take you in to Keystone and you can get fuel. i use to do it all the time but its been a few years now.

IT IS ALL TRUE ---- EXPLORE & TRY TO KEEP LANDMARK IN YOUR MIND.

ENJOY THE RIDE & HAVE FUN

Welcome to the site!!!! All what they have said is true and I would suggest meeting up with some members when we ride. I have found that the more I ride with them the more I figure out.

Try to make it to the fall ride! Its a great way to see WV and to meet awesome people in the sport.

TBONE21 wrote:

I have found that the more I ride with them the more I figure out.
.

And if TBone can figure it out anyone can! LOL

always look where you came from and head in that direction and most trails will take you back.

just follow your nose...and your goat...and remember...your not lost till you run out of gas..

Welcome!!

Thanks for all the welcoming advice. Would definately like to do a ride with you all sometime. Will look into the fall ride. Where can I find out details about fall ride?
I have been looking on Google earth 3-d and it has been helpful once I located some landmarks like the view, train trussells, stair steps,etc. We are going to have to hook up with someone that knows that area pretty good to get to some of these other towns. I did see that Keystone is only a stones throw from where we were at the blue bldg, we can find that Im pretty sure. Re-fueling will give us the ability to adventure more from there.
Welch and Pineville look like a long haul has anybody done either of these treks from the wagon wheel?

Welch & Pineville is not that far really from the Wagon Wheel or Ashland.I have been doing those rides for over 8 years along with others on here.There are some on here that can even go to Sophia & Beckley from the Wagon Wheel.I have even talked to guys that go to Gilbert from the Wagon Wheel.Some can even go into Kentucky too.

So you are staying at the Blue Building?
Where I stay is just above you on Micajha Ridge.

Me and my buddy Coop have been to Sophia from there, all the way to Gibert and up to Matwan. You have to be hauling the bacon to get to Matwan and back in one day. It's best to camp on the trail!

Simoniz
We are staying at Black Dog Ranch, the blue bldg was just a reference point.

Our first trip in May, the wife and I got there in the afternoon one day earlier than the rest of the group. We set out alone and found our way to the steps, I had seen them on you tube. From there we saw a sign to mountaintop cabins, so we rode up there met the guy that runs it, he showed us around his place then led us back down to the steps to point us in the direction of the wagon wheel. Got to the steps and met Capt. Jack, he gave us some info and landmarks to look for. Any way we rode on down through wagon wheel to the pinnacle campground, there we met a couple we had previously met at mountain top. We stayed talking to them till almost dark, just enough time by my calculation to get back to black dog by 0-dark-30. Needless to say we had left out in ahurry that afternoon just to scout a little. I had on shorts and t- shirt, boy was it chilliy ridin back, the wife is smart she had on long pants and shirt. Fortunately the couple we met offered my wife an extra long sleeve shirt for the ride back,she quickly accepted. Being the dummy that I am, I quickly refused, "Ill be ok" I said. But my kind new friend insisted that I take his extra shirt, to which I reluctantly agreed. I was sure glad to have met them.

I just realized that I am going on and on. I tell you I could keep on going too,but I won't.

Just wanted to say that we met some really great people, everyone we encountered was ultra freindly and helpful. WV is awesome.

trailmaker wrote:

Simoniz
We are staying at Black Dog Ranch, the blue bldg was just a reference point.

Our first trip in May, the wife and I got there in the afternoon one day earlier than the rest of the group. We set out alone and found our way to the steps, I had seen them on you tube. From there we saw a sign to mountaintop cabins, so we rode up there met the guy that runs it, he showed us around his place then led us back down to the steps to point us in the direction of the wagon wheel. Got to the steps and met Capt. Jack, he gave us some info and landmarks to look for. Any way we rode on down through wagon wheel to the pinnacle campground, there we met a couple we had previously met at mountain top. We stayed talking to them till almost dark, just enough time by my calculation to get back to black dog by 0-dark-30. Needless to say we had left out in ahurry that afternoon just to scout a little. I had on shorts and t- shirt, boy was it chilliy ridin back, the wife is smart she had on long pants and shirt. Fortunately the couple we met offered my wife an extra long sleeve shirt for the ride back,she quickly accepted. Being the dummy that I am, I quickly refused, "Ill be ok" I said. But my kind new friend insisted that I take his extra shirt, to which I reluctantly agreed. I was sure glad to have met them.

I just realized that I am going on and on. I tell you I could keep on going too,but I won't.
Just wanted to say that we met some really great people, everyone we encountered was ultra freindly and helpful. WV is awesome.

Hey thats great! We love to hear it! Were glad to have ya and I am sure you will have a good time on the trail!
I joined this group this spring and I feel like I have met some of the greatest people. These are great people with great times!
Were glad to have you and enjoy your time on the rides!

when r u going back to wva u should try to make the fall ride next time u stay at blackdog maybe i will b at hilltop and we can ride.Hilltop is at the end of the dirt road

Dan , this is definiely a great site to be a part of. There's so many great folks on here that have so much in common. We all love to hook up & ride. There's quite a # of us who have been riding the W/W area for years. There's not many weekends out of the year that somebody in this gang isn't up there. Just post ahead a few weeks before you head back up & I'm sure somebody will be there & be glad to hook up with you & show you around.

This might be a good time to tell Dan about the GPS's you guys use and the maps to load ?

Oh yes that will be a good investment!

Just got back home. The ridin was awesome. We made it to pineville on sat and welch on sunday. Got some tracks stored in gps now. Did a lot of adventuring in between ww and both of these towns. We didnt get back till well after dark either day. Friday night we found some good riding north of hilltop, a steep bush trail that led us by the Ole cemetary. Had a great time and cant wait to get back.

trailmaker wrote:

Just got back home. The ridin was awesome. We made it to pineville on sat and welch on sunday. Got some tracks stored in gps now. Did a lot of adventuring in between ww and both of these towns. We didnt get back till well after dark either day. Friday night we found some good riding north of hilltop, a steep bush trail that led us by the Ole cemetary. Had a great time and cant wait to get back.

but

Did you meet up with anyone from this site.

We did not hook up with anyone from wvsxs this trip. I did not bring my camera this trip because of rain, one in our group did bring camera on sun ride. Will try to post when i get the pics. On sunday evening we were at the view or lookout at haul rd. just as it started pouring, rode back in the rain. Went through the drive thru at mc D's in welch, had to just to say we did it. Came upon Charlie Reed Junct. There are a lot of trails we have not ridden. Un-believable. I am wanting to do a longer multi-day trip. Thinking of staying in whatever town we make it to, then head out even further. eventually rounding back to where we started from. Both times we have been to wv we stayed at black dog and had to return each evening. I just want to start adventuring without regard to returning to the same place that night. Probably stay in towns the first trip like this, then maybe do a primitive camp trip or combination of both.

I got to be the leader this trip, we did about 14 miles fri night, 60+ miles sat, and 80 or so miles on sun.

This pic is from our first trip. I had to chase after him while fumbling to get the camera. He disappeared around the next curve after I took this picture. It is alittle blurry, I was driving while taking this pic