My opinion of the Hatfield McCoy Ride.

Why do you think they call it Hatfield & Mccoy for, just like back in the day with all the fuedin was going on between them it has just been continued with the trail system, campground and town of Gilbert. Sometimes you just can't change history.

hillbillyrzrs wrote:

Why do you think they call it Hatfield & Mccoy for, just like back in the day with all the fuedin was going on between them it has just been continued with the trail system, campground and town of Gilbert. Sometimes you just can't change history.

Man you are not kidding.....

but you say he watched it like a hawk , you would have been very happy had some one been trying to steal one of your machines then rolled it down the drive ( if they had got that far ) and then went thru town and got stopped and your machine was returned to you ! I think the story would have been , great job twin hollow and gilbert ! but it wasnt and now people are upset and trying to point fingers ! just my two cents worth ! I know I am a new guy here and I had a great time and look forward to doing it again !

PORKCHOP wrote:

but you say he watched it like a hawk , you would have been very happy had some one been trying to steal one of your machines then rolled it down the drive ( if they had got that far ) and then went thru town and got stopped and your machine was returned to you ! I think the story would have been , great job twin hollow and gilbert ! but it wasnt and now people are upset and trying to point fingers ! just my two cents worth ! I know I am a new guy here and I had a great time and look forward to doing it again !

Your are right Chop. We had an unfortunate situation on the ride that did not help things. That combined with Wayne not being the friendliest guy just made him look bad. It is not like he is unfriendly either. It was just the situation.

We knew what he was like before we entered his campground. That alone tells you about his personality. So we were looking for it the whole time we were there.

I would tell anyone that he has a fantastic campground and that the trails are great...... but follow all rules and you will be okay.

PORKCHOP wrote:

but you say he watched it like a hawk , you would have been very happy had some one been trying to steal one of your machines then rolled it down the drive ( if they had got that far ) and then went thru town and got stopped and your machine was returned to you ! I think the story would have been , great job twin hollow and gilbert ! but it wasnt and now people are upset and trying to point fingers ! just my two cents worth ! I know I am a new guy here and I had a great time and look forward to doing it again !

Your right PORKCHOP. There is always different ways to look at every situation. Speaking for myself only. I have to admit it. I am spoiled when it comes to trail riding. I am fortunate to live in a state where their are trails in almost everyone's back yard. I live here in WV and that was my first time riding the Hatfield/McCoy trails. The reason i have never been on them was for the very issues we faced while we were there. A good part of what i enjoy about trail riding in addition to the fun of the machine, is being able to "Get away from it all". And that includes the rules we have to live with on a daily basis. A true sense of freedom is a real breath of fresh air to me while i am out in the woods riding. Permits, Rules, and being shook down for compliance by Rangers definitely take away from that sense of freedom.

With that being said. That is not my top priority when i go on our group rides. The ride itself comes secondary to me to getting to visit with my forum friends i only see a few times a year. We have never had a situation on a group ride before were some of our members felt they wanted to go home because of the atmosphere, or had to go because they had the wrong equipment. Our rides are far and few between, and i don't want to see a repeat of that situation. That was the main reason for me saying i did not want to return there.

It is just a matter of what your used to, and our group just is not used to that kind of scrutiny compared to where we have had rides in the past. The Hatfield/McCoy are nice trails. Twin Hollow is a nice Campground. IMO they just are not a good fit for our group.

THANKS GUYS AND GIRLS , NOW LETS RIDE !

PORKCHOP wrote:

THANKS GUYS AND GIRLS , NOW LETS RIDE !

Now that sounds like a great idea. It was really nice to meet so many new members on the past ride. I hope to see everyone on the next one. It was a great time regardless.

I was very happy the group was coming to my back yard for a ride and wanted everyone to have the best time, knowing how far some of you traveled. Yea we broke the rules a little but if you have seen Trail Fest each year when the place is a mad house for 3 - 4 days and "nights", it should not have been a big deal. I apologized to all. If any come back to the area please let Clark and I know and we will be happy to take a ride.

highlander wrote:

He needs to learn some people skills and quit worring about about a parking pass in your windshied when you are packing up to leave. I will not stay anywhere where the owners watch you and walk around in the dark trying to catch people and then call and report you to someone. I too was not welcomed in a frienldy manor or said have a nice stay. Just my 2 cents I guess I am biased because I live and ride at brimestone and know the people that owns trailend and when they welcome you they mean it and when the sign says receration and fun that is what you have. Hated that I did not make the Saturday ride but enough was enough. I feel everyone involved from Gilbert to HAtfield to twin Hollow is trying to do damage control.

I agree with you. Missed you and Tim & Tim. Hope that don't happen again. If it makes you feel better, Barney the ranger did not stop any other riders coming up the trail from town. Only our group leaving the campground.

Wasnt there but sounds like yall had an interesting turn of events. I agree with Ronnie, the big boys have rules and regs and honestly if youre that big, you have to have them. you cant operate on that scale and not have them. as someone who oversees an ATV park, i can relate.

Honestly, nothing against HM or any other major system, but instances like this are exactly why I stick to my home trails...outlaw trails. we definately dont have all the amenities that the larger systems to, but sometimes that can be a blessing in disguise.

i know HM, royal blue, brimstone, etc are really nice, ive seen the videos. and i do hope to ride them. but ill never be one to stick solely to the larger, organized trail systems. i just ride the way i like to ride without having to look over my shoulder. i personally enjoy the woods in large part due to the absense of rules.

Well said BCO. I wasnt on the ride. From my past experience with H&M Rockhouse trail system i wont be back to Gilbert. The trails where in bad need of work nothing but puddle jumping. $100 for u and a passenger and sxs where banned from the most challenging trails while atvs a dirt bikes payed $50 and could ride all the trails. I call it a tourist trap!

camostiles wrote:

Well said BCO. I wasnt on the ride. From my past experience with H&M Rockhouse trail system i wont be back to Gilbert. The trails where in bad need of work nothing but puddle jumping. $100 for u and a passenger and sxs where banned from the most challenging trails while atvs a dirt bikes payed $50 and could ride all the trails. I call it a tourist trap!

In all fairness to H/M they have opened most all trails to SxS's now.

and they did check people comin from town !!! they were checking everybody . I sat there with them for about 30 mins before we left because he was asking about how my daughter was doing and I watched him !

camostiles wrote:

Well said BCO. I wasnt on the ride. From my past experience with H&M Rockhouse trail system i wont be back to Gilbert. The trails where in bad need of work nothing but puddle jumping. $100 for u and a passenger and sxs where banned from the most challenging trails while atvs a dirt bikes payed $50 and could ride all the trails. I call it a tourist trap!

Great point and why I'll never go back to anything around H/M including the Wagon-Wheel..
50ft, mud hole,50ft, mud hole, 50 ft, mud hole.........ect.....

mud wins over dust.

but some people dont like to get a little dirty.

A couple of us stayed up at Twin Hollow back about a month ago. From the sound of things, we had about the same experience. Plus, I would never pull a big Toy Hauler up that road ever again. Road was terrible shape!!

highlander wrote:

He needs to learn some people skills and quit worring about about a parking pass in your windshied when you are packing up to leave. I will not stay anywhere where the owners watch you and walk around in the dark trying to catch people and then call and report you to someone. I too was not welcomed in a frienldy manor or said have a nice stay. Just my 2 cents I guess I am biased because I live and ride at brimestone and know the people that owns trailend and when they welcome you they mean it and when the sign says receration and fun that is what you have. Hated that I did not make the Saturday ride but enough was enough. I feel everyone involved from Gilbert to HAtfield to twin Hollow is trying to do damage control.

Please do not judge the whole town of Gilbert by your experience! My husband and I have been providing lodging to riders of the trail since 2002. We were in business before any of the current lodging establishments. We are known for our hospitality. I know that it is hard to forget a bad experience, but quite honestly, this is one of very few, bad comments that I have ever heard about Gilbert.

If you ever want to ride the Rockhouse Trail again, whether you have a big or small group, check out Browning Fork Trailhouse. We rent five places that can be rented together for large groups or separately for small groups. We guarantee you that you won't be disappointed!

Browning Fork Trailhouse wrote:

highlander wrote:

He needs to learn some people skills and quit worring about about a parking pass in your windshied when you are packing up to leave. I will not stay anywhere where the owners watch you and walk around in the dark trying to catch people and then call and report you to someone. I too was not welcomed in a frienldy manor or said have a nice stay. Just my 2 cents I guess I am biased because I live and ride at brimestone and know the people that owns trailend and when they welcome you they mean it and when the sign says receration and fun that is what you have. Hated that I did not make the Saturday ride but enough was enough. I feel everyone involved from Gilbert to HAtfield to twin Hollow is trying to do damage control.

Please do not judge the whole town of Gilbert by your experience! My husband and I have been providing lodging to riders of the trail since 2002. We were in business before any of the current lodging establishments. We are known for our hospitality. I know that it is hard to forget a bad experience, but quite honestly, this is one of very few, bad comments that I have ever heard about Gilbert.

If you ever want to ride the Rockhouse Trail again, whether you have a big or small group, check out Browning Fork Trailhouse. We rent five places that can be rented together for large groups or separately for small groups. We guarantee you that you won't be disappointed!

Thank you for the offer.

Browning Fork Trailhouse wrote:

highlander wrote:

He needs to learn some people skills and quit worring about about a parking pass in your windshied when you are packing up to leave. I will not stay anywhere where the owners watch you and walk around in the dark trying to catch people and then call and report you to someone. I too was not welcomed in a frienldy manor or said have a nice stay. Just my 2 cents I guess I am biased because I live and ride at brimestone and know the people that owns trailend and when they welcome you they mean it and when the sign says receration and fun that is what you have. Hated that I did not make the Saturday ride but enough was enough. I feel everyone involved from Gilbert to HAtfield to twin Hollow is trying to do damage control.

Please do not judge the whole town of Gilbert by your experience! My husband and I have been providing lodging to riders of the trail since 2002. We were in business before any of the current lodging establishments. We are known for our hospitality. I know that it is hard to forget a bad experience, but quite honestly, this is one of very few, bad comments that I have ever heard about Gilbert.

If you ever want to ride the Rockhouse Trail again, whether you have a big or small group, check out Browning Fork Trailhouse. We rent five places that can be rented together for large groups or separately for small groups. We guarantee you that you won't be disappointed!

I have stayed here with Lisa and Marty. Great folks and great place to stay. Not to mention, they have their own trail head.

PWM wrote:

I have stayed here with Lisa and Marty. Great folks and great place to stay. Not to mention, they have their own trail head.

Same here, If I'm staying in Gilbert then the reservations will be made with Lisa and Marty, they make you feel welcome.

Thanks, guys! We appreciate your good words!

Browning Fork Trailhouse wrote:

Thanks, guys! We appreciate your good words!

Thanks for the invite and welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

Where would you go with a toy hauler, please dont say twin hollows