Harlan, KY Q's

[Hubdeep]

Dan had a great thread going awhile back, but I guess in the transfer to the new site, it was lost. Because you folks have already been there, some advice is needed.

Where did you guys stay?

http://www.blackmountainrentals.com/ or

http://www.harlancountycampground.com/cabins.html

What trails did you run?

http://www.harlancountytrails.com/blackmountain-trails.php

Is this the correct site for the park?

http://www.kyorvpark.com/about-black-mountain.htm

Thanks. :cheers:

[dan58]

We stayed at Black Mountain rentals. They're pretty nice, and it's just a short drive (mine had no issues being on the road) to the trailhead. I'd PM shoope1 on pirate to see if he might have any new info.
We ran every trail except Lion's Den, and that's only because it wasn't on the map. I bought maps early and had them sent via mail. I think they were $5. You now need to get a permit for each vehicle, but they're pretty cheap. The old maps had ATV trails marked on them, but they said they were putting new ones together that would only have the truck trails. Be sure to take advantage of night runs. I hear the mountain has the best "experiences" at night. Too bad we didnt' go at night.

And last, take booze with you. Harlan County is dry.

[Happy Bear]

Too bad we didnt' go at night.
Hey, I was all game, you guys are sissies :flipoff2:

Hub, the Black Mountain Cabins were awesome, Everetts seemed to be the best side of the mountain to be on. There was a small town with a grocery store that you can drive trail rigs to, and like Dan said the cabins were less then a mile from the trail head.(no towing).

[Mighty Mouse]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiafYN60cuk :thumbsup:

[Happy Bear]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiafYN60cuk :thumbsup:
I want to see one called Happick on Cream Puff :thumbsup:

Oh yea, you will love Harlan, the wheeling is bad ass and it makes for an awesome vacation.

[dan58]

Cream Puff is one trail you will not catch me on!

Happy, here is one of your attempts on Tailgate.
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/dan58jeeptj/Harlan%202008/th_MVI_7553.jpg (http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/dan58jeeptj/Harlan%202008/?action=view&current=MVI_7553.flv)


And Little Jagger is money too...
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/dan58jeeptj/Harlan%202008/th_MVI_7583.jpg (http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/dan58jeeptj/Harlan%202008/?action=view&current=MVI_7583.flv)

[breakinshit]

Damn it. Just looked thru the album those pics are in and almost every pic of my rig from that trip has the tires pointing at the sky. LOL

That was a fun trip. Harlan is a blast! Bring goggles and dust masks if you don't have a windshield.

[atjeep]

Damn it. Just looked thru the album those pics are in and almost every pic of my rig from that trip has the tires pointing at the sky. LOL



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIL9AqSajuc

[Numidian]

If you aren't running at least 35's on a TJ, don't bother going. If my 4runner had stayed running, it might not have been so bad, but from what I can remember I spent a lot of time doing bypasses.

[Ripster]

I want to go to Harlan.

[Kack]

When are you thinking about going J? I know some peeps who could guide us down there

[CoveJeepsPA]

Bring goggles and dust masks if you don't have a windshield.

No doubt a necessity!

Harlan is well worth the trip.

[doug38s]

If you aren't running at least 35's on a TJ, don't bother going. If my 4runner had stayed running, it might not have been so bad, but from what I can remember I spent a lot of time doing bypasses.

I didnt think it was that bad at Harlan. Lots of room to spread out and ride but nothing that was terrible. You must just suck at driving:flipoff2:

[Numidian]

I didnt think it was that bad at Harlan. Lots of room to spread out and ride but nothing that was terrible. You must just suck at driving:flipoff2:

115" wheelbase and 35's with a big ass leaf spring hanger out front don't do much for crawling ledges that are undercut by 38's, 40's and bigger...

Were there trails I could run? Yes there were a bunch. And I'll admit I missed a bunch because of my truck quitting on me after it crashed into Dan's jeep. But there were also a lot that just weren't going to happen...

[dan58]

The only truck with 35s I'd take there is Shram's TJ.

The Damnations, Little Jagger, and Can Opener are not for the little tire guys anymore.

[atjeep]

115" wheelbase and 35's with a big ass leaf spring hanger out front don't do much for crawling ledges that are undercut by 38's, 40's and bigger...

Were there trails I could run? Yes there were a bunch. And I'll admit I missed a bunch because of my truck quitting on me after it crashed into Dan's jeep. But there were also a lot that just weren't going to happen...

blah blah blah blah says you suck at driving

and don't touch that blue button :flipoff2:

[Happy Bear]

I want to go to Harlan.
Let's make it happen. I'm planning/hoping to get down there this summer or early fall.

[Ripster]

Let's make it happen. I'm planning/hoping to get down there this summer or early fall.

I concur. We'll talk at the club comp practice day if i don't see you sooner.

[atjeep]

I concur. We'll talk at the club comp practice day if i don't see you sooner.

Game on!

[Hubdeep]

When are you thinking about going J? I know some peeps who could guide us down there

Prolly the first week in April . . .our spring break . . .

[md4wheelin]

The camp ground is nothing more then a small gravel parking lot that is not tent friendly at all, especially in heavy down pours. Some of the trails were really tight. So tight that my full size axles was knocking dirt off the edge of the mountain as we were sliding down the wet trail. This really freaked me out since i hate heights. Though in some cases it was worth the veiw. Also being able to drive any rig (street legal or not) down the road is cool.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mwn4LogSN-8/SnZhHthDK1I/AAAAAAAAS9E/CtZnsOcfLqk/s640/IMG_2476.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mwn4LogSN-8/SnZgqTjhnAI/AAAAAAAAS74/sPaI8TgTkDw/s640/IMG_2470.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HPtd4vySKAE/SnuKZlRY52I/AAAAAAAAAhE/nPslO02Xz0w/s640/P1010196.JPG
http://i548.photobucket.com/albums/ii359/slim6164x4/IMG_2589.jpg

[atjeep]

We drove by/through a group camping near/on one of the trails (I think it was rail bed?) It was more of an open field than a parking lot or organized camp area. It was primitive but it looked better and more tent friendly than the picture md4wheelin posted.
You definitely aren't getting the truck and trailer up there though.

[Happy Bear]

It's worth it to get a cabin if you will be there 3 nights or more I think, the rates were pretty reasonable for how nice they are and how many people they sleep.

[atjeep]

It's worth it to get a cabin if you will be there 3 nights or more I think, the rates were pretty reasonable for how nice they are and how many people they sleep.

And we had plenty of room for tow rigs and trailers.

I agree the cabins are the way to go, but some people actually like camping. Just thought I would throw it out there. :D

[Happy Bear]

And we had plenty of room for tow rigs and trailers.

I agree the cabins are the way to go, but some people actually like camping. Just thought I would throw it out there. :D
Hey man, camping is cool, but when your covered up to your elbows in grease and have ATF in your hair a shower is nice. :thumbsup:

[Hubdeep]

We were definitely looking in to the cabins. Holly found a thread on POR where the Putney campground owner logged in and answered any questions that folks had.

They seem to be a bit more expensive than the Evarts side. Someone even suggested renting a house out there. . . .Seems sketchy, but folks have had good experiences . . .:confused::D

[md4wheelin]

With those camp sites on the mountain you have to be careful because when your out wheeling because the locals will come along and steal stuff. Same with the parking lot camp ground, you need to keep everything locked up including the beer. One bonus with the cabins is that you don't have to worry about people going through your stuff while your out wheeling. Also they forget to mention the camp ground parking lot sits next to the waste treatment plant and has a hershey river flowing from it which makes for a good smell when its hot. Also the town police put road blocks up every day to stop vehicles/ fourwheelers to check for valid license and to make sure you have not been drinking. With the cabins You can avoid messing with the police because they sit right at the trails.

[atjeep]

Also the town police put road blocks up every day to stop vehicles/ fourwheelers to check for valid license and to make sure you have not been drinking. With the cabins You can avoid messing with the police because they sit right at the trails.

We stayed at Black Mountain Cabins, they were not at the trailhead. We had a short drive thru town to get to the trails.

[doug38s]

yeah stay at the cabins. we did. the ones above the gas station.

[Numidian]

We stayed at Black Mountain Cabins, they were not at the trailhead. We had a short drive thru town to get to the trails.

And there were never any road blocks by the police. Hell when Jack towed me back to the cabins threw town and I was turning my engine over with the starter so I could turn (full hydro) the cops just watched us go right by.

[Hubdeep]

yeah stay at the cabins. we did. the ones above the gas station.

That's the Harlan County Campground and RV site? I assume not Black Mtn b/c of Alan's last post . . .

[dan58]

Hub, that is the same place. Stay at the Black Mtn cabins. They are really good. The black mtn cabins are above the gas station.

[atjeep]

That's the Harlan County Campground and RV site? I assume not Black Mtn b/c of Alan's last post . . .

Doug is talking about are the same cabins, Black Mtn Cabins are just up a dirt driveway from a gas station. It is a really short drive thru "town". Honestly the only thing cops care about are drunk drivers. People ride ATVs and trail rigs thru town all day long, and some of the rigs were pretty sketchy. The cops just watch for people being shitheads.

[md4wheelin]

And there were never any road blocks by the police. Hell when Jack towed me back to the cabins threw town and I was turning my engine over with the starter so I could turn (full hydro) the cops just watched us go right by.

Hmmm I was stoped twice from the parking lot camp ground, once in my f350 coming into town during the day and once in the jeep towards evening. it was the locals that gave me the heads up at the snack shack about the police so i was prepared. Also the police go through town checking on things about every two hours all night. I guess they figured you were broke and weren't going to cause any harm:chair:

You figure whats the towns main revenue:
1. Coal
2. tourist four wheeling
3. fining the tourist for breaking the law

[RatLabGuy]

Let's make it happen. I'm planning/hoping to get down there this summer or early fall.

ECORS is planning to have a race there in June... :thumbsup:

[dan58]

Hmmm I was stoped twice from the parking lot camp ground, once in my f350 coming into town during the day and once in the jeep towards evening. it was the locals that gave me the heads up at the snack shack about the police so i was prepared. Also the police go through town checking on things about every two hours all night. I guess they figured you were broke and weren't going to cause any harm:chair:

You figure whats the towns main revenue:
1. Coal
2. tourist four wheeling
3. fining the tourist for breaking the law

Uh...

You had a piss poor experience. We had NOTHING but positives there. You are fine as long as you are driving sober and not being a dumbass. The locals thanked us for coming.

[md4wheelin]

Uh...

You had a piss poor experience. We had NOTHING but positives there. You are fine as long as you are driving sober and not being a dumbass. The locals thanked us for coming.

What the hell are you talking about. I was pointing things out for those who have not been there. It was the damn locals who told us to be careful with the other dumbass locals who live there that steal shit. You are very naive If you think that you can just leave all your shit out and it wont walk off. This is why I pointed out the cabins are the way to go. As for the police I thought it was nice that the local gave me a heads up on what the police do. its nice to know why your getting stopped and to make sure you got all your paper work straight to makes things go smoothly How many of you at big dogs have drank a beer or two for dinner and have headed for a night run. I do believe two beers will put you over the legal limit to drive in some states depending on your size.

Did I have a bad experience the first time out yes, because i was missed informed on how the crap worked down there. Did I have a great time, hell yea since we were down there for filming that one episode of trucks. Now when i go back in august will i have a much better time, yes, because I know what the hell is going on and will be better prepared.

So I'm sorry if me informing people of the bad stuff is pissing you off but maybe it will help other people out as there making plans to go.

OH and yes the locals thanked us for coming down and said we'll see you next year about the same time and asked us if we want to make reservations for next year :flipoff2:

[Happy Bear]

What the hell are you talking about. :flipoff2:
I don't think Dan was trying to be offensive, he was just sayin 'damn it sucks your experience sucked that bad'.

Was the campground you stayed at on the Evearts side of the mountain or Putney?

I drove past a cop parked at the dead end of a 3 way stop and waved, in my tube chassis buggy, no tags, and he waved back. Most likely we were only wearing lap belts so there were not even belts visible to him. We drove to the grocery store(where people were smoking cigarettes inside shopping) that was a few blocks into town in the buggy. For that trip we wore helmets as we were flying solo and I understood the law to be that we were considered ATV's and ATV's are legal on Evart's streets wearing a helmet.