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Frontside Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.4 (68)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. …Gunnison
  5. Hartman Rocks
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“A great tour of the Hartman Rocks area; challenge, flow, and exposure in a beautiful setting. ”

Leslie Kehmeier
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Map Key

12.4

Miles

19.9

KM

90%

Singletrack

8,300' 2,530 m

High

7,697' 2,346 m

Low

1,541' 470 m

Up

1,543' 470 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps · Views

All trails and roads south of the Powerlines road at Hartman Rocks are closed until May 15th to protect Sage-grouse lekking.

Overview

This ride is a great way to sample the best aspects of Hartman Rocks. You'll get plenty of challenge, flow, and exposure in a beautiful setting.

Need to Know

Although there are many intersecting trails and roads at Hartman Rocks, the network is very well signed.

The trail system is hugely popular with the local Gunnison community so be aware of other trail users, especially on the front side near the main parking area.

Description

From the parking area and trailhead start on Lower Jack's, a rolling climb up through the front side of Hartman Rocks. Stay right at the top on Road 3505 to access Tailpipe.

Stay right on Tailpipe, a quick and fun intermediate trail. It drops down through a switchback to the south before heading north again towards The Ridge. For a short bit, the trail contours along the hillside and passes through a rocky section with a few pion-junipers before a climb back up to the mesa. Tailpipe crosses Road 3515 twice before it transitions to The Ridge.

The Ridge offers up a more challenging and technical ride than many of the other trails at Hartman Rocks. Start with a short climb with several challenging moves through slickrock and other various rock features to the top of an exposed ridge. For a second you might not feel like you're in the high desert with the fantastic views of Gunnison and the lush green golf course below. The trail undulates along the ridge and then eventually turns towards the interior. Once you wrap back around to the south and through a technical rock drop corralled by big granite boulders, the route gets smoother as you descend down through some fun whoop-de-dos and flowy fast turns to Top of the World.

Top of the World has a few tougher drop downs on some slickrock. It starts out fairly flat with a mild rocky short climb to the top. Stop for a picture and then prepare for a nice fun descent with a few surprise rocky sections. At the end, stay left at Road 3435a and then left again at Alonzo's.

Alonzo's is a straightforward rocky traverse back towards the south. There's a short climb to start and then the trail runs fairly level to the end.

Make a quick left on Road 3510 and then a quick right to continue the ride on Behind the Rocks, a trail that provides mix of slickrock and singletrack that runs along one of the many rock outcroppings in the area.

From the end of Behind the Rocks bear right on Road 3505d to Road 3535 and then stay right onto Rocky Ridge.

Start a gradual climb here, followed by a fun downhill. There are a few short harder sections to negotiate at the start of the descent before the trail mellows out and picks up speed.

Stay left at the end and then bear right on Broken Shovel, an easier, slightly uphill connection to Road 3570. Turn left here and ride east towards a major intersection of roads and trails to access Rattlesnake. Along the way, you'll pass the intersection for Sea of Sage.

Turn left again on Rattlesnake, a local's favorite that features lots of play, challenge, and scenic views. The far north end provides some stiff technical moves.

At the end, roll out to Road 3535 north towards Beck's. Drop in right and enjoy a fast descent with a couple of rocky challenges. The bottom part of the trail finishes quickly to Road 3525. Continue straight from here to The Notch which will take you back to the front side of Hartman Rocks and the finale of the ride.

Pedal up toward the granite ridge and then grind up and over through a notch of slickrock and boulders. Negotiate a few tight technical moves and then descend quickly, staying left at the intersection with Backbone, to the top of Lower Jack's.

From here enjoy the play downhill back to the main parking area and the beginning of the ride.

Contacts

Local Club: Gunnison Trails

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Gunnison Field Office

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier with improvements by WR C
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 68 votes

#1

in Hartman Rocks

#203

Overall
  4.4 from 68 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
1%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Hartman Rocks

#64

in Colorado

#203

Overall
97 Views Last Month
38,976 Since Aug 17, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

The Ridge trail has plenty of exposure, overlooking the Tomichi Creek valley.
May 19, 2015 near Gunnison, CO
Another fun feature on Rattlesnake at Hartman Rocks.
Jul 23, 2016 near Gunnison, CO
Navigating a boulder section on The Ridge trail.
May 19, 2015 near Gunnison, CO
The backside of The Ridge trail descends through a series of fun and fast turns.
May 19, 2015 near Gunnison, CO
Tailpipe is a great way to start off a ride at Hartman Rocks; great views and lots of fun and flow.
May 19, 2015 near Gunnison, CO
Railing berms on Collarbone Alley trail.
May 19, 2015 near Gunnison, CO

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Jul 22, 2024
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Jun 10, 2024
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Nov 22, 2022
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May 10, 2022
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Oct 16, 2021
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