On Hatfield McCoy Trails’ updated trail maps, the Pocahontas / Indian Ridge connector (Trail 15) as well as several Indian Ridge trails have been closed for an upcoming surface mining operation. While this is disappointing news to riders, the most important thing to know is that there is STILL plenty of riding available, and there are still ways to get around the closed-off area!
We suggested a detour through Maybeury earlier in the year when news of the closure was just coming out, however that detour will NOT work and should not be attempted. Now that we have a better understanding of where the mining will take place we can suggest the following two detours to get from Pocahontas to Indian Ridge:
- THE EASY WAY: Ride to the end of Pocahontas 12 and take a right at the fork onto the old Trail 15 (Windmill Gap Road). Ride for about 3 miles to Windmill Gap and then take a left onto County Route 13 (paved road). Drop down the mountain to Ashland where you can get on the “East Indian Ridge” trails, or continue riding the paved road toward Northfork to reach “West Indian Ridge” trails and the Pinnacle Creek connector.
- THE HARD WAY: Ride to the end of Pocahontas 12 and take a right at the fork onto the old Trail 15 (Windmill Gap Road). Ride for about 3 miles to Windmill Gap and then continue straight past Wrong Turn Pizza onto Prosperity Road (please note & obey signs regarding ATV restrictions as this is a residential area). Take Prosperity Road for 1.7 miles and then take a left towards Hill Top Escape at the water tank. Before you get to Hill Top Escape you can take a left and connect onto Indian Ridge 93 (this is a BLACK DIAMOND trail so only experienced riders should attempt this trail!)
(mobile viewers – CLICK HERE to view map)
Hatfield-McCoy Trails tells us the closure is only TEMPORARY… and we are told a new trail is under construction to complete the connection between the Pocahontas and Indian Ridge systems. It could be months or years before the closed trails are back open, so we recommend keeping these two alternate routes in mind if you plan on coming to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.