Gunnison Growler
Technical desert singletrack MTB race at Hartman Rocks outside Gunnison, CO. Classic 32-mile and Pup 20-mile options at high altitude with serious exposure.
The vibe
Technical desert singletrack throwdown
Hartman Rocks is one of Colorado’s best-kept mountain biking secrets — a labyrinth of technical desert singletrack outside Gunnison that rewards riders who can read terrain. The Gunnison Growler takes full advantage, sending racers through the most demanding lines the area has to offer on a Classic 32-mile course or a Pup 20-mile option for those testing their Hartman Rocks legs for the first time.
At roughly 7,700 feet of elevation, Gunnison is no joke in late May. The altitude will catch you if you’re coming from lower elevation without acclimatization time. Plan to spend a day in town beforehand — it also gives you a chance to pre-ride sections of the course and figure out which tire pressure suits the chunky granite and packed dirt conditions. Technical skills matter more than fitness on this terrain.
Gunnison itself is a genuinely good cycling town with proper gear shops and a handful of good bars and restaurants worth hitting post-race. The drive in from Denver is long (about 3.5 hours via US-50 through the canyon), but the high desert scenery is half the reward. Come for the race, stay for the trails.