With a never-ending array of trails and junctions, you can build as long or as a short of a loop as you desire. The one mapped here is a great sampler platter of a little bit of everything that Hartman’s offers: epic views, flowing singletrack, and challenging rock features.

Hartman’s strikes me as an interesting trail system, because some of the flattest, flowiest, easiest trails are actually located in the most remote reaches of the network. In contrast, some of the steepest climbs and most technical descents are located right at the entrance to the network. This unique layout is mandated by the topography. From the trailhead, riders must climb steeply to gain the plateau but once on top, the climbing isn’t nearly as strenuous.

This means that if you just want to session the gnar, you can simply ride short loops near the trailhead, descending technical, fully-committed slickrock slabs (complete with optional ledge drops). Be sure to check out Rattlesnake, Rocky Ridge, and Freefall.

On the other hand, if you’re an XC hammerhead and want to pound out miles and miles, you can quickly pedal deep into the system and access a seemingly-endless network of flowy green and blue trails to log as many miles as you desire!

Thanks to the relatively low elevation (compared to nearby Crested Butte) and the high desert environment, the trails here are dry and rideable most of the year. During the depths of winter they will get snow-covered, but usually they dry out and are rideable again sometime in mid-March. With the shoulder seasons bringing milder temps, it’s best to plan your trek to Hartman Rocks for either the spring or the fall.

Sources: https://gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/explore/towns/hartman-rocks/ https://mtbhome.com/trail-area/gunnison/