Guided Hike will introduce visitors to Hartman Rocks' natural and recreational treasures

Outdoor enthusiasts will gather at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area this Saturday for a guided hike showcasing the region’s unique geology, wildlife habitat, and extensive trail network.

The event, organized by the San Juan Mountains Association, is geared for residents and visitors eager to learn more about one of Gunnison County’s most popular outdoor destinations replete with miles of trails for a variety of users. The guided hike will cover two or three miles of trails, winding through granite outcrops, sagebrush-covered hills, and scenic overlooks offering sweeping views of the Gunnison Valley.

Hikers will be led by Melanie Hardin, Visitor Information Specialist with the association. Information about the area’s geological history, native plants, and ongoing efforts to balance outdoor recreation with conservation will be provided. The hike will last two to three hours.

"I do want the visitors to take away the ecological connectivity of the area and how the geology and ecology all connect to create the landscape we will be walking through.

"This will be much more of a conversation than me with a script. " I want people to remember all of their senses as we walk, and to try to remember what it is like at the beginning of our hike and at the top of our hike at Bambi Trail," said Hardin. The hike has a 430" elevation gain.

Located just south of Gunnison, Hartman Rocks Recreation Area encompasses thousands of acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The area is known for its extensive network of trails that attract hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and rock climbers year-round. Hartman Rocks has 45 miles of singletrack trail, 45 miles of roads, 50 designated dispersed campsites, and countless climbing crags.

Hartman Rocks is home to the Gunnison sage-grouse, a species listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There are about 3,500 of these grouse located in seven separate populations in southwest Colorado and southeast Utah.

The area is also home to a very rare plant, the skiff milkvetch, which is found nowhere else in the world.

The hike will meet on Saturday, June 13 at 9:00 am at the Bambi Trailhead parking area, Gold Basin Road, about three miles past the main entrance to the base area. The hike is free, and a $10 donation is appreciated. Registration is required; visit: www.sjma.org