The 2012 Original Growler will start at 7am sharp, Memorial Day weekend in Gunnison, Colorado with twin shotgun blasts. As per tradition, we will be flip-flopping the direction of travel on the course. Every trail is a completely different trail when ridden the other way!

The well-marked, counterclockwise course of around 30 miles contains loads of classic and challenging Gunnison singletrack – trails like Skull Pass, Top of the World, Rattlesnake, Ridge Trail and Joshos. You won’t be bored!

The lap climbs around 4,000 vertical feet (but never more than a few hundred in one shot.) Most of the course takes place on your BLM public lands.

NEW FOR 2012

The HALF GROWLER, one lap of around 32 miles of trailriding bliss, will take place as a stand-alone race on Saturday May 26th. The Half Growler is an old-school Colorado cross-country race. The winning time is expected to be just under 3 hours. While its called a race, this is also an exceptional course to ride for fun at any pace.

The marquee, then, the FULL GROWLER and its two laps and 64 miles of singletrack heavy fun, will stand on its own the next day, Sunday May 27th. Brian Smith blistered this puppy last year in a record 5:08:55. Heard on the street: “But the Full Growler is only 64 miles. I’ve done a bunch of hundies, how hard can it be?” Give it a try and find out, just bring your A-game (Hint: It's not that hard for good riders.)

Once again, it’s called a race but plenty of riders take their time (maybe even take some pictures) and smell the sweet sage and enjoy the challenging and ever-changing nature of the Hartman Rock’s area and trails.