Over 600 miles of ‘trail heaven’ is located in southern West Virginia. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails include 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.

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 days prior to our visit) and jerked, "ohh’d and ahh’d", 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, there’s 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 from one of the most exciting adventures ever.

Known as one of the premier UTV, ATV and dirt bike racing events across the country, National Trailfest offers four days of stunt shows, entertainment, track racing and fireworks.

Need to Know Before You Go

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 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 area dealers.

General Rules

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.