Getting There and Getting Around:  The main entrance to Hartman Rocks is reached by going west out of Gunnison on Hwy 50 to the turnoff for Cty Rd. 38 just before the Twin Bridges. Turn south and follow this road for about 2.5 miles where you'll find an entrance through the wooden fence to the parking area. A restroom and picnic area are available here. The bulletin board will have maps and information on the area. You can park here and ride up to the west or continue driving up the main road to get up onto BLM land. The map will give you an idea of the main roads and trails in the area. There are dozens of miles of each to offer opportunities to a variety of uses and skill levels. Please stay on the existing roads & trails to avoid further impacts to soils, vegetation and wildlife.

Getting Along With Other Visitors: With so many visitors and so many different uses going on in this area everyone needs to exercise a lot of consideration and patience to avoid conflicts. Everyone has an equal right to be out here but everyone also has an equal responsibility to get along with other visitors. Here are some tips to help you:

• Watch your speed. Faster users like motorcycles overtake slower ones and can startle others causing accidents. Be especially careful on the crest of hills and on blind curves.
• Keep your noise down. Many people come here to experience the peace and quiet of the outdoors. Loud noises from music, engines or shouting cuts down on the enjoyment of others. It also scares away wildlife. Sudden or loud noises frighten horses and could cause them to throw their riders.
• Shooters must make sure that they are firing in a direction that will not endanger others. We plan to develop 2 safe shooting areas in the western portion of the area in 2006 or 2007.
• Pick up your trash and leave no evidence of your visit. Trash and other messes caused by people will always make the next person's visit less enjoyable.
• Talk with other visitors. Get to know them and try to understand their use. They may not know how their actions are interfering with your enjoyment of the area. Find a diplomatic way to tell them and offer suggestions on how you can work out the problem.
• Do not trespass on adjacent private land.
• Keep pets under control so they don't bother other users or wildlife.

Taking Care of the Area: As more people use Hartman Rocks we have the potential to seriously impact the area's resources. A rare plant, the Skiff Milkvetch, lives here and nowhere else in the world. Riparian areas are important for wildlife (especially nesting birds). The area is critical winter range for deer and elk. Archeological sites up to 5000 years old are easily impacted by careless use. Declining Gunnison Sage Grouse use some portions of this area. Soils are easily eroded. We need to find a way to enjoy this area without threatening its other inhabitants and values. Here are some tips:

• Stay on designated roads and trails. Do not create new paths. Avoid using trails and roads when they are wet or muddy.
• Minimize the noise you make to avoid disturbing wildlife - you might actually see some.
• Leave no trace of your visit. Pick up the trash that others have left if you can. Join us for the annual Earth Day Cleanup in this area.
• If you use the area in the winter do not stress wildlife by chasing them. You could cut down on their chances for survival.
• If you find a closed gate on public land close it behind you. It will help ensure proper livestock management in the area.

These are simple suggestions that shouldn't diminish your ability to enjoy the area but they will help protect the natural values here. The Hartman Rocks Planning Group, made up of the City, County, BLM, user groups, adjacent landowners and other interested citizens invites you to join us in making sure that this is a special place to visit for many generations to come.

Created by the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado
Point of Contact: Jim Lovelace

Last modified: January 6, 2011