Spread across the high desert sagebrush just outside Gunnison, Hartman Rocks is unlike any other Front Range crag. The area features dozens of granite domes in an open, expansive setting giving climbers plenty of options without the crowds. The combination of altitude and aspect makes it one of the best summer and fall climbing destinations in the state, staying cool and climbable when lower elevation crags are baking.

The rock itself is part of what makes Hartman Rocks special. The granite here is studded with quartz crystals a natural feature that provides excellent friction and creative movement, and that beginners tend to find surprisingly approachable. It's also an ideal venue for those looking to learn sport leading, with a range of grades spread across multiple domes that let you progress at your own pace.

Gunnison is worth the drive beyond just the climbing. The town sits at the crossroads of Crested Butte to the north, Lake City to the south, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the west making it an easy base for a longer trip. When you're not on the rock, the area offers world-class mountain biking right alongside the climbing areas and nearby river rafting on the Gunnison.