Welcome Mountaineer Trail Riders.

January 17th, 2012
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Mountaineer Trail Riders of all ages!

Southern West Virginia has a new off-road vehicle club and they’re looking for a few good men.  And women.  And children to help fill their ranks!  Mountaineer Trail Riders (MTR) club president Rob Atha, said he had the idea of forming a family-friendly club at Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park for some time. 

The Family That Rides Together…

It’s not unusual to find Rob and wife Amanda tooling around the Burning Rock trails in their Polaris Rzr trailed on their heels by their young daughters in their own ‘mini-me’ Rzr.  Riding together as a family is what the Athas love to do. 

“It’s just good clean fun”, says Rob.  “I see families all over the place at Burning Rock doing the same thing we are”, he said.  “I thought, I wish there was a  club we could join - where we could meet other like-minded folks and have some  group events. So I created one.”

 Mountaineer Trail Riders (MTR) promotes:

  • legal trail riding (Burning Rock is the home base)
  • safety
  • family atmosphere
  • fun events
  • contributions to local charities

Club Events 2012

MTR already has several events at Burning Rock scheduled throughout the year including ’moonshine’ runs (Rob’s humorous variation of a traditional poker run) that will benefit local charities – something the club puts great focus upon.  Giving back to the community, especially kids, is important to club members. 

The biggest event will be Burning Rock’s annual ‘off-road extravaganza’  Thrills in the Hills – now 3 days long (June 15-17, 2012) featuring live music, fireworks, races, obstacles course, mud pit, King of the Rock challenge and much more.

Some of the benefits you’ll get with a MTR membership:

  • Waived event admission fees (in exchange for event assistance)
  • Vendor (sponsor) discounts
  • Annual Burning Rock trail permit (after 1st year; to members in good standing)
  • Club decal
  • T-shirt
  • Access to club events, rides and trips

 Annual membership fees are $30 for adults and $20 for junior members (17 yrs & under).  

For more information or to join go to www.mountaineertrailriders.com or call Rob at (304) 237-4085.

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New Year. New Trails.

December 29th, 2011
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Another new year is right around the corner.  We just love the feeling of a having a fresh new start don’t we?  So with newness on mind, what new trail development lies ahead at Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park in 2012?

Chris mapping new trails with GPS.

Mapping new trails with GPS. Now where's that signal?

Auld Lang Syne.

First, here’s a quick trail review of the past year.  In the spring, 25 new miles of trails were opened in the western section of the park known as the Winding Gulf.  This section has become very popular with riders as it offers a wide variety of terrain, trail conditions and scenic views to enjoy.  Then this past summer, 16 miles of trails in the eastern side of the park were temporarily closed (they will reopen in the future).  Even so, we still close out 2011  in the black! 

Happy New Year?  Pass the Trail Mix.

In 2012, new trail development is being  focused upon in the northern section of the park.   

By February, we anticipate 6 miles of new trails will be completed, tying Coal Camp Getaways cottage and the historic coal-town of Slab Fork into the trail system and also opening up approximtely 20 more miles of trails near town.  

The town welcomes riders and future development plans there include:

  •  restaurant, retail store & museum (housed in the former company store building)
  • additional rental homes (such as Coal Camp Getaways cottage)
  • childrens’ playground area
  • hiking/biking trail
  • other services/amenities for visitors and residents alike.

Continuing north, an additional 40 miles of trails will be opened by May.  These ‘trunk trails’ will serve as base trails for the addition of miles & miles of even more trails in the future.  Topo maps show some very interesting terrain up here folks… it could get quite interestin’!

We’ve just begun to explore the possibilities on our 8,000 acres!  Who knows what we’ll find… what we’ll share with you next.  We’re excited to find out, and know you are too.

Happy New Year everyone.

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Why DO We Ride?

November 29th, 2011
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It’s the holiday season, so I’ve had friends, family and faith on my mind more than normal lately.  Guess that’s why we have holidays, to remind us of the obvious.  So I got to thinking today… what exactly IS it about 4-wheelin that we truly love the most? 

The Challenge.

Ah!  The open trail before us. And what’s that just around the corner? A fallen tree across the trail?  Big ole mud hole that we’ll have to winch out of?  Oh, look at that black bear that just ran across the trail and has the kids all jabbering!  It’s the the thrill of the unexpected ahead of us and knowing we have what it takes to overcome the challenge, whatever it is.

The Comraderie

It’s all about spending time with those we love.  Packing up the kids and having some quality time together as a family is what it’s all about.  The world is a complicated and crazy place these days, and when we’re out on the trails together, we bond as a family in a way few places allow us to do so.  Team work, communication  and plain-old having  fun creates memories we’ll share forever.

The Spiritual Connection?

The Great Outdoors.  Mother Nature.  Some of us crave being outside and never feel more alive than when we’re immersed in it.  The smell of wildflowers, a beautiful sunset and the breeze brushing our cheek just makes us giddy!  This is a sacred place for us, and it renews our soul to drink it all in.  We know all people need nature… some just don’t know it.  We’re the lucky ones.

So what’s your reason?  I’m guessing… it’s probably all three.   It is for me.

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Lights, Camera, (Black Trail) Action!

October 27th, 2011
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Team Video Shoot @ Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park

The fearless Burning Rock video shoot team!

I rode my first black (expert) trails at Burning Rock recently.  And to be 100% honest, I actually rode, not drove.  But even that was still a big step for me & my comfort level… after all I had never even been on an ATV trail until I started working here.   And I stuck to the green and blue trails.

As marketing director, it’s my job to show you just how great our trail system is.  Photos are nice, but it’s video that shows the diversity of terrain that we have here the best.  Video takes you flying onto the trails from the comfort of your own couch, but hopefully also gets you stoked to come out and experience them personally.

So looking to get some new footage, and with professional videographer (Chad)  in tow, I enlisted the help of a group of local riders who proudly call Burning Rock their riding home.   Rob, James, Jason, Carl and Eddie  rolled in on a beautiful sunny day, outfitted in sleek  Polaris Razrs, miked helmets and need I even say it, plenty of male bravado.  They were excited for a day of  tearing it up on some black trails and showing off for the camera.

It Was Then I Tried to Bail.

“I think you guys can handle this okay without me today.  Really, just go tear it up. Chad has it ALL covered he knows what footage I want”, I said.   Dead silence.   “I’ll be here when you get back”, I drawled.  Dead silence.  “Lisa, if you don’t go we don’t go,” Rob said.  Dead silence.  Gulp.  Guess I’m goin’.

Chad outfitted the Razrs with a variety of cameras, shooting forward & backwards, to capture the full trail riding experience.  He also carried a handheld camera that filmed in 3D… he literally crawled into the middle of huge mudholes, creek beds and under rocks to get that coveted ‘in-your-face’ footage.  We giggled like girls all day at his physical antics to get where he needed to be to get that perfect shot.

And Then Things Turned Black.

And I don’t mean the sky.   We were at the top of  Trail # 94.  “We’re going down THERE?”, I barely choked out.  “Ah that’s nothing… wait till we come up it,” James said.  And that’s how I met my first black rated trail.  And I LOVED it.   Chad broke out the trail map.  “Awesome stuff guys… let’s head to Amazon now and get some serious mud footage!”, he crowed. “Riding that trail should require a winch”, said Rob.  Uh oh…

I Had Heard the Stories,  Seen the YouTube Videos.  I Was Still in Awe.

Trail #95 is nicknamed ‘Amazon’ for a very good reason… it’s generally an expedition to get thru it.  Only 1/2 mile long, this black rated trail:

  • twists and turns thru a narrow, watery ravine
  • between trees & over logs
  • over massive roots & rocks
  • and the mud … I have never seen so much in my life.

It had rained just two days prior and the mud holes were brimming.  If I stood up in it I’m sure it would be up to my shoulders!  I can’t believe we are going to drive thru this.  One & 1/2 hours, two winches and a tow later (and covered in mud from head to toe), we found our way out of Amazon with some amazing footage.  It was a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that we all enjoyed… and I can’t wait for another expedition.

Stay tuned for the premier of our new trail video, coming soon!

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Family Roots ATV Tour ‹ Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park

September 7th, 2011
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The Wood's Family Roots Tour 2011 @ Burning Rock

I never thought two of the most interesting people I would meet on an ATV trail this year would be an eight year old and a four year old.  Young Samuel Woods and (younger-yet) cousin Ahmaryah Mosby were part of a family group that happened to be on an ATV tour I took at Burning Rock recently.  Cute kids.  I have a camera.  I’m Burning Rock’s marketing director.  So, I’m snapping pictures of these cuties and chatting with the family. 

 

I learn ‘Grandpa’ Sam Woods II grew up in one of the coal towns literally next door, Slab Fork.  He had moved away years ago, but feeling the nostalgia of his youth he had brought his wife Tammy, their kids and the grandchildren to take them on tour of the Burning Rock property.  He figured that was the easiest way to share his ‘old stomping grounds’ with them. 

 

It was a sunny mega-scorcher of a day.  So hot, I seriously wondered if the kids should be out in it.  Heck, I wondered if I should even be out in it.  Adam the guide was on top of it… he made sure everyone had plenty of water to start and packed along more.   The kids and Grandma rode together in the 4-seater UTV guided by Adam.  A UTV is a great choice for families with younger kids, elders or anyone who just wants to literally ride along, and having a guide also means you get to learn interesting things about the area.  Everyone else climbed on their own ATVs and we headed off in search of family roots and some 4-wheelin fun.

 

Burning Rock’s trails weave among some of the most historic land in southern West Virginia.   Known as the Winding Gulf region this area is named after Winding Gulf Creek, a tributary of the Guyandotte River.  In the early 20th century, it was promoted as the “Billon Dollar Coalfield” and was home to more than 50 coal camps, such as:

  • Coal City
  • Cool Ridge
  • Helen
  • Itmann
  • McAlpin
  • Odd
  • Slab Fork
  • Stotesbury
  • Surveyor
  • Tams

Woods’ hometown of Slab Fork is one of the few surviving today.  Trails connecting the town to Burning Rock’s trail system are currently being built.  Rental properties like Coal Camp Getaways allows overnight visitors to stay in a restored coal camp home (complete with modern amenities) while they explore the region.   

I was honored to be a part of the Sam Woods’ family stroll down memory lane.  As my own Grandma used to say… “You can take the boy outta West Virginia, but you can’t take the West Virginia outta the boy.”  Girl either, for that matter.

 

See more photos of their tour.

 

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Road Trip to Fisher’s ATV World Reunion – Part 2

August 15th, 2011
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Country music under the stars!

Despite the technological struggles we had trying to post our blogs over the weekend, Saturday dawned a beautiful sunny day.  Rider’s were already up and milling about at 8am when we made our way to the Burning Rock booth.

For the next 10 hours, hundreds of curious riders from as far away as Florida stopped by to gather information on Burning Rock.  Yes, they had come here to party with their Fisher’s ATV World Mud Club brethren, but it’s trail riding that’s the true passion.  

The Grass Isn’t Always Greener on the Other Side of the Road.

New England riders from New York, Massachussets and Connecticut outnumbered possibly even the home crowd attendees.  “There’s nowhere to ride in our home state!” we heard them lament time & time again.  “We HAVE to travel out-of-state to find (legal) places to ride.”  To me, this was a reminder of how blessed we are as southern West Virginians to have the miles of trails that we do in our own backyard… and the genuine hospitality of wanting to share it with others.

Weird Uncle Bob and All… Family is Family.

Muddy contests, games and give-a-ways went on all day, but everyone was most stoked about the evening concert by country music stars Darryl Singletary & Lee Brice.  Host Brian Fisher, prior to introducing the singers, asked the audience to please stand up, turn around and look… “this is what it’s all about”, he said.  The thousands of people there (all lined up neatly in rows on ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides and dirtbikes) cheered madly.  “We’re family” is a phrase we had been hearing all weekend long and at that moment, I knew they were.

Our Final Road Trip Highlight?

Anytime you have a group of people united by a common love for their sport, you’re gonna find a kindred family.  It doesn’t matter what you’re riding (altho we did see two guys riding mopeds – yes, mopeds) or if you’re a guy, a girl or a kid.  All that matters is that you ride - and that makes you part of the family.  I know I personally left there with a bigger family than I came in with… and I can’t wait to see them all again.

See photos of the event here.

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Road Trip to Fisher’s ATV World Reunion

August 13th, 2011
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When the Burning Rock team decided to pack up and head to Brian Fisher’s ATV World (Mud Club) event at Rock Run Recreation Park this past Thursday, it was Dyane and I who won the coin toss (shhh we rigged it).  Road trip!! 

It's a Burning Rock road trip!

It's a Burning Rock road trip!

According to our map (if you turn it sideways) we were pointed in the right direction to Patton, PA.  First stop: Muddelty, WV (in keeping with the mud theme).  Another 100 miles later and a power lunch of beef jerkey and pork rinds, we found ourselves on a backroad in some gorgeous PA farm country.

As we rolled into Patton, we saw the Miner’s Rest diner and were so intrigued we had to stop.  It was charming.  Mining memorabilia on the walls with ornate tin ceilings and unique menu items like Hot Coals (jalapeno poppers!). 

First impression of the park: nice place!  Second impression: WINDY!  But, you can always count on gentlemen to lend a helping hand (and hammer) to women in need… especially when their tent is blowing away.  But us Burning Rock gals overcame the obstacle (and lack of hardware stores) to secure the perimeter.

Our Road Trip Highlight -Thursday?

Our show neighbors coming to our aid was sooo appreciated but it was meeting host Brian Fisher!  Okay, we technically have met him several times before already but here’s why:

  • he came & filmed a show at Burning Rock
  • he’s just a super nice guy
  • he loves riding trails in southern West Virginia!

Today (Friday) was opening day.  There was a lot of excitement about Burning Rock, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system and West Virginia in general!  Made us proud to represent.

Our Road Trip Highlight – Friday?

Riding in the first place RAZR (with the final heat tomorrow!) in the mud pit obstacle course race = priceless.  But it was meeting the fine folks with Mud Buddies, a group that organizes ATV/UTV trips for special needs children in southern WV that made our day!

Stay tuned… tomorrow’s another day at the show and another blog post.

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Burning Burgers? Burning Rock!

June 30th, 2011
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It’s almost Fourth of July!  We all know what THAT means.  Fire up the grill!  And when dad burns the burgers,  just choke ‘em down and smile… it’s times like this with friends & family that you’ll remember the most.   That and those ash bombs anyway…   Better yet, tell dad he has kitchen duty off and bring him to Burning Rock for a long weekend of family fun instead!

Happy 4th of July!

Independence Day.  You Are Free to Have Fun:

  • camp out under the stars (or bask in the comfort of a cabin)
  • rent a UTV & discover a scenic family picnic spot
  • race the kids on the 2500 ft. zip line (go at night for an added thrill!)
  • cruise the ATV trails for the biggest mud holes
  • make gooey s’mores
  • catch fireflies (nature’s fireworks!)
  • try other exciting family activities like rafting, horseback riding, catwalk tours & much more.

Okay already Dad… go ahead, grab the charcoal & show us what ya got!

For more information & reservations call 877-573-2001

 

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Thrills In The Hills June 18-19, 2011

June 8th, 2011
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Thrills in the Hills 2011 poster

Thrills in the Hills 2011 poster

It’s a West Virginia Day Weekend Celebration: Racing, Fireworks & More

Is that thunder I hear?   Yep, it’s ‘United Cycle Thunder in the Hills’ actually.  That’s mud-slingin’, fender-bendin’, adrenaline-pumpin’ cross country racing that’s roaring our way!  This is the 7th series round of the the Super National Cross Country Championships (SNCCC), a 14 round off-road race series that stretches through Pennsylvania, Kentucky and (excuse me, the best state) West Virginia.  SNCCC races are open to all riders, from children to adults… oh you know those little kids are gonna be ridiculously cute rippin’ it up out there!

In addition to racing fun on Saturday, here’s a Schedule of Events 2011:

  • Food & other vendors
  • Kids’ Zone
  • Model airplane demonstration
  • Golf swing clinics                                                  Schedule of Events 2011
  •  Guided ATV tours of the park                                    
  • Live music
  • Dual-racing zip line rides (how loud can you & your bff scream, really?)
  • Southern WV Official Hot Dog Eating Contest
  • Fireworks display
  • More!

Attention Permit Holders (and Those with High Testosterone Levels Who Love To Beat Down the Competition Then Rub Their Faces in the Mud, Literally.)

It’s our 1st Annual Tam’s Mountain ATV Poker Run, co-sponsored by Beaver Coal  Company & Pocahontas Coal Company!  Riders search for and collect hidden clues on our 25 new miles of trails (in the Winding Gulf area of the park) with a host of prizes available for the winners.  Losers get… well, nothing… except a good time.  Register in the morning and have the whole day to enjoy the festivities and still have time to ride and collect that winning hand!  Permits are available in the General Store, if you need to get legit.

Pay to Play… or Not.

Admission to the whole weekend shebang is only $15 per person (kids 10 yrs. & under are free).  Poker Run riders pay an additional $5 per person – come on, you’ll definitely have more than $5 of fun out there and you know it!  Last but not least, admission on Saturday (after 6pm & for music/fireworks only) is free of charge.  So… Happy Birthday, West Virginia (June 20th)!

Call 877-683-9240 for more information or to make a reservation (we do have some really great camping & lodging options btw).

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73 Trails and Counting: New Trails Open!

May 23rd, 2011
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Last Wednesday, May 18th, Burning Rock officially opened 25 miles of new trails!  That’s 15 more trails added to the lineup.  These are the first to be developed in the western side of the park, known as the Winding Gulf section.  Riders will get to see some new territory that’s pretty spectacular!

Staff, friends, business leaders and local dignitaries joined us at the park for the ribbon cutting.  Thank you Register-Herald for collecting the photographic evidence!  Technically, the trails had been soft-opened a few weeks prior.  Now it was time to get the word out to everyone.

Ribbon Cutting for New ATV Trails at Burning Rock

Shh, Don’t Tell The News Director

At 3pm, with rain clouds brewing in the distance, it was time to cut the ribbon.  But wait!  No boring old scissors for us, even tho they were giant-size.  We cut the ribbon ‘off-road style’ by driving our ATVs through it!  Nice touch, huh?

Then, while everyone wandered over to the pavilion to enjoy hot drinks and dessert, a few of us snuck away.  We loaded our TV media friends from WOAY and WVNS-59 onto ATVs and we scooted up the mountain.  We didn’t get far before we found a stretch of trail with some really amazing mud holes and… well, you can probably guess how we wrapped up the day!

What You’ll See:

  • New scenic views (can you say panoramic?)
  • 7 Greens (Easy)
  • 7 Blues (Intermediate)
  • 1 Black (Difficult)
  • Varied terrain and cool trail features

Have you ridden the new trails yet?  Tell us about it!

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