Skull Pass

Skull Pass is one of the more challenging trails in Hartman Rocks, and it's also unique because it goes through more of a small forest compared to the rest of the trails in the rec area that go through expansive open sagebrush hills. This one has some foliage and some shade. You have to duck under juniper trees and small aspen trees. It climbs up a slope with some loose rocks and embedded chunks of rock and goes between a rock pinch from boulders lining the trail. It winds around through the rocks and pine trees, then comes up to a more complex rock zone, a big rock slab with several small ledges up and down. It's slabby, and you could most likely tractor up it, but if it was wet or you didn't have a good tire, you could be sliding on it. It goes through more trees with tight, twisty turns, then down moderately steep slab sections. This trail is closed from March 15 - May 15 for sage grouse conservation. An old Skull is hanging on a tree stump when you enter from the north, which is maybe why it's called Skull Pass. It also goes through the historic Aberdeen Quarry, which is private property.