From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . rocky sections making it particularly challenging. Colorado River is too silty to filter, and some of the only other water sources along the route arent safe to drink due to the waters arsenic levels. } Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. Kokopelli Trail, the long way into Moab (trip report & packing list in comments) 1 / 3 73 11 comments Add a Comment halfearup 2 yr. ago Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . Transportation Services. 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar Continuing on through the Marys Loop area, youll leave the river and parallel Mack Ridge before the river returns along with views of the Black Ridge Canyons. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. New Kokopelli Trail FKT - BIKEPACKING.com Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. At the top, youll get great views of Moab and the surrounding landscape. Be sure to stop at, Powered by red Starbursts and Fat Tire Amber Ale, 6 Bikepacking Routes in Southern California | Year-round Fun, 11 of the Most Popular Bikepacking Trails in the US, Colorado Bikepacking Trails A Bikepackers Dreamland, How to Prepare For the C&O Canal and GAP Trail. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. 150 miles. If you want to execute a successful trip, it would certainly behoove you to do some checking and planning during the weeks leading up to your trip. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. What works for me is my Outdoor Research ultralight hoody (don't think they make it anymore, it's half-zip pullover), and a patagonia houdini windbreaker with full zip. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. No suspension, just a set of 50c tires squeezed on there, and man it was awesome but truth be told I think it would have been even more enjoyable on a hardtail with a front shock at the very least. seeing another biker's footprint along the route where I had to hike-a-bike, going solo this felt like a small bit of camaraderie on the trail and always made me smile! *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. There are no resupply options along the route. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. Guided Mountain Biking on Kokopelli Trail | 57hours Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. As you get near the top of the final climb, the number of tourists youll see will make you feel like youre already in Moab. Looking to start bikepacking? Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. } Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist Lachlan Morton, for the rest of us, we can expect to be out from 2-6 days depending on how many miles you want to cover each day. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. In 2017 that changed. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. Knowing what to expect as far as water sources, weather forecast, trail condition, and detours, are going to be key to having the best possible outcome. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. What puffy jacket do you use? Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. This only adds about 4 miles extra overall to your trip, but youll ride slick rock along the edge of a canyon rim overlooking the Colorado River instead of the less scenic route not along a cliff. The houdini is a tiny little windbreaker with DWR that I felt would be enough for the small chance of rain in my forecast and chillier mornings riding. With more than 10,000 feet of total climbing, the highest point on the trail tops out at over 8,000 ft above sea level. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. One group dropped water at Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge, the other group drove the dirt road in an SUV to Fisher Valley and left a cache there. Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share Issue 07 Issue seven is a celebration of courage and discovery of what were capable of when we dont let others expectations define us Issue 06 examined a diverse range of topics, including embracing aloneness, rekindling a sense of adventure, grappling with failure, and many more Kaitlyn Boyle and Kurt Refsnider both set new FKTs (fastest known times) on the 140-mile Kokopelli Trail over the weekend. You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. There are a couple of options for staging and parking; as advised by folks at Over The Edge bike shop, we chose to leave a vehicle in the parking lot behind Suds Brothers Brewery in downtown Fruita. Kokopelli's Trail Phone: (435) 259-2100 Email: utmbmail@blm.gov Address: Moab Field Office 82 Dogwood Ave. Moab, UT 84532 Latitude/Longitude: 39.177737, -108.827444 Directions: From Grand Junction, travel west on Interstate 70 about 15 miles. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. If you want to execute a successful trip, it will certainly behoove you to do some checking and planning during the weeks leading up to your trip. As soon as you hit the pavement in Moab, youll see Milts Stop N Eat, where you can get a milkshake, fries, and a burger. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. width:300px; The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. The BLMs webpage for the Westwater Station says explicitly, do not depend upon this water source for your trip's water needs as the system is not always operational.. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. I'm not a road rider, never will be, thumbed it at every truck that passed but no one picked me up, probably looked too dirty and smelly by this point! The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. , for the rest of us, we can expect to be out from 2-6 days depending on how many miles you want to cover each day. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. I'm on a small bike so not a ton of space in the frame, and I will die before I bike in a backpack, so I was able to put all my water on the frame, clothes and sleep setup on the handlebar, and food in the hip pack. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. The race includes the following categories: Kokopelli 100 Ultra Marathon Individual 104 miles with 11k of climbing, Kokopelli 100 Ultra Marathon Relay same course as the individual but with 2 to 4 people. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. It is a pullover but has a zip on the side and at the front which makes it very easy to pull on and off keeping hats or helmets in place during the transition. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. If youre not from the area and want to see the Rocky Mountains you can fly into Denver International Airport (DIA), and rent a car. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. The Kokopelli Trail is a 138-mile, multi-use trail that starts in Loma, CO (just a few miles northwest of Fruita) and ends on Sand Flats Road in Moab, UT, where it passes by Porcupine Rim . I think with as much sand and slickrock that I encountered my answer to you in short would be, yes, foolish to try this on a gravel bike, coming from a mountainbiker who has no idea what a gravel bike is capable of. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Kokopelli's Trail - Wikipedia #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { You will be looking for East Mill Creek Drive which turns into Sand Flats Rd The Trail: The Kokopelli Trail is part of the Grand loop, a bikepacking route that combines the Kokopelli Trail, Paradox Trail and Tabegauche Trail. The Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. You need to be logged in to use these features. Every time I reach this point of the trail, I wonder if Ive taken a wrong turn, but then I check a map, realize Im on the route and laugh at myself for choosing to do this. If you are thinking about bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail this guide will give you the information and insight you need for a successful trip to one of the most spectacular bike trails out there. A mix of dirt roads, desert Jeep tracks, and singletrack trails, Good fitness levels and intermediate mountain biking technical abilities required, The route is almost entirely on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land with lots of great camping on public land, Caching water is almost a requirement to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail self-supported, The Kokopelli trail connects singletrack, Jeep roads, and dirt roads following the Colorado River. The Kokopelli Trail is a classic bikepacking route that spans 140 miles of rugged jeep roads and singletrack through some of the most captivating terrain in the area. Looking to start bikepacking? In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. } After crossing Salt Creek the trail passes through Rabbit Valley, then grinds through the Yellow Jacket area, tackles Rose Garden Hill, circle around Fisher Valley, and eventually making its way to the La Sal Mountains and Moab. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from, Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist. Knowing what to expect as far as water sources, weather forecast, trail condition, and detours, are going to be key to having the best possible outcome. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. You can access the Colorado River from here, though. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Kokopelli Trail Planning Aids Tour Divide Planning Aids Bikepacking Survey Results Data Collages Hiking Hiking Guides Pemi Loop Guide Hiking Gear My Proven Triple Crown Hiking Gear List If I Hiked Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Long Trail Again There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. Happy planning! Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. Website Take me there. More. If it werent for that snowstorm after the first day, we would have found ourselves far out there, fruitlessly attempting to filter water from the silty Colorado River, slowed down immensely by the gravel bike that wasnt enough bike for the terrain. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. Full Circle on the Grand Loop: Part II - The First Modern Bikepacking Coconino 250 Guide - Bikepacking - One of Seven Project Website. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. If you enter this way, and depending on the time of day you may have to pay a $2 entrance fee, or 5$ vehicle fee. width:100%; 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. Some of the singletrack is unrideable, too. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). } Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist Lachlan Morton, for the rest of us, we can expect to be out for 2-6 days depending on how many miles you want to cover each day. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. BIKEPACKING.com LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube Bikepackers camping along the Kokopelli trail, The singletrack section youll start on is some of the best mountain biking in the country, Descending out of the La Sal Mountain range into Moab is a particularly fun downhill, Many of the dirt roads are impassable after heavy rains. I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell Learn more. Ive always dropped my bikepacking bags and ridden this section unloaded since its a quick ride along highway 128 to get to either end of the section. Hi, Im Phil. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. } Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. Possibly one of the most well-known bikepacking routes in the USA (if not North America), the Kokopelli Trail is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful Colorado and Utah desert on your own two A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. I rode the latter half on a Monday and Tuesday and I think this really helped with traffic, not sure what this would have looked like on a weekend but I think it's worth it if you can go during the week! We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . Indian Trails. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacker There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. Press J to jump to the feed. } Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. There is great camping in this area, too. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. Bikepacking Packrafts | Inflatable Packrafts - KOKOPELLI Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. In Moab, a great place to drop a vehicle is the Information Center; make sure to leave your name and contact info at the desk. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . How to Take Care of Your Feet on a backpacking trip, How to take care of your backpacking tent, Backpacking Little lakes Valley to Gem Lakes, Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals for 2023, Top 10 Things to Do in Redwood National & State Parks, Climbing Mt Whitney in A Day (Or Two): Hiking the Mt Whitney Trail, Californias Rae Lakes Loop: The Complete Backpacking Guide, How to Make the Most of One Day in Death Valley: A Quick Itinerary, 10 Creative Things to Do in Crescent City, CA. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Sand, dirt, gravel, slick rock, creek crossings, you name it. (254 KM) Days 3-5 % Unpaved 85% % Singletrack 25% % Rideable (time) 99% Total Ascent 15,189' (4,630 M) High Point 8,580' (2,615 M) Difficulty (1-10) 6.5? Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. Racing the sunset into Moab on the Porcupine Rim Trail and I didn't see a single person on the descent (probably because I started around 6pm on a Tuesday). @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Find details on the three most recent issues below, join the Bikepacking Collective to get it in the mail (anywhere in the World), or click here to find a collection of selected stories in digital format. Looking Back: The Kokopelli Trail - Cycling West - Cycling Utah That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. The Kokopelli Trail A Bikepacking Adventure. - Get Terrestrial For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience.
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