Hartman Rocks

Hartman Rocks is a trail system offering 40+ miles of dirt road and trail access just outside the city limits of Gunnison. The system reminds me a lot of Dupont State Forest, minus the trees, in that the trails are mostly flowing, well marked, and loads of options requiring multiple stops to pull out the map. I'm sure a local could string the trails together better than I did, but its fairly simple to look at the topography on the map and pick a good route. Tech sections on the trails I rode were short, and would be doable with practice and knowing the lines. I did stay off the double black diamond trails, so I can't speak to how much tech is actually available for more advanced riders.

I parked at what I assume was the main parking area about 3 mile outside of Gunnison, which you can see in the background. The ride starts with a climb up onto the plateau from where the scenery and country side opens up. I rode Jack's Trail up to the top, easy climbing, smooth surface, with switchbacks to lessen the grade.

Once on top of the plateau this is what you see. Miles of open country and sagebrush. The scenery isn't as monotonous as it seems from this picture as you have views of the surrounding mountains, and the trails wind in and out of gulches, ravines, and rocky knobs. The trails on the plateau are shared with motor cycles who created the trail system. This leads to smooth berms and whoops that make for extremely fun riding. The aptly named Luge Trail, which I did not photograph, is the perfectly encapsulates this type of riding.

From the Luge Trail I turned up and ascended the first part of Josie's Trail which has a few good rock features before dropping into a ravine for about a mile. The descent is not technical, but is loose and off camber at times.

More rocks on Josie's Trail

From Josie's I climbed back up to the ridge on Buddy Bear Trail, no photos, which gently ascends for a little over a mile to the intersection of Sea of Sage, Broken Shovel, and Rocky Ridge. Sea of Sage continues the gentle ascent and is aptly named as the sage and rolling nature of the surrounding land resemble ocean swells. Sea of Sage joins with Lost Dog and Broken Shovel to form Evan's Loop, a 2.5 mile easy beginner type loops with no obstacles.

View of the surrounding mountains from the start of Broken Shovel

From Broken shovel I jumped on Skyline trail which would be the connector for the western and eastern portion of my ride. Skyline ascends to a small rocky outcrop with a little bit of tech and descends both directions from this outcrop. Skyline rides very well both directions making it a good link trail.

From skyline I rode out Back In and Outback Trails, with outback being the most technical trail of the day. Above is a section of Outback as it becomes more rocky.

Outback trail feeds into Enchanted Forest which is in the heavily wooded ravine to the left. This is the only time you'll be in tree cover the entire ride as the trail descends through a hidden Aspen grove with neat rock features. Sadly my pictures from within the ravine did not turn out too well. From Enchanted forest I turned left and rode out Dave and Moe's trail followed by a 1.5 mile climb on a dirt road back to the intersection with Skyline to Broken Shovel to complete Evan's Loop and out Rocky Ridge Trail. Rocky Ridge starts with a climb and is very technical in spots...

Almost to the summit on Rocky Ridge looking back along the trail as it climbs

...before it smooths out for the descent to Beck's Trail which begins at the rocks in the center foreground.

Sweeping turn on Rocky Ridge descent.

Approaching Beck's Trail, and the final quick descent back to the car. Word of note here: I took Notch Trail over the last lip of rocks and followed a no name trail back to the car. A better option would've been a descent of Jack's Trail or Collarbone.