Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { Fingerless bike gloves. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. Planned for 3 nights but the first half went quicker than I expected! Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. } Water: I stashed in Rabbit Valley and filtered from the Colorado (tasted only sliiightly of mud) which really was fine and clear after wrapping a bandanna around the intake. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. 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. Ultimate Arizona Trail Bikepacking Planning Guide, Gear Review If I Rode the Arizona Trail Race Again, Gear Review If I Rode the Colorado Trail Race Again, Gear Review If I Rode the Kokopelli Trail Again, Gear Review If I Rode The Tour Divide Again, Gear Review If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again, Gear Review If I Hiked The Long Trail Again, Gear Review If I Hiked the Pacific Crest Trail Again, Gear Review If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail Again, Gear Review If I Hiked the Colorado Trail Again. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. Highlights Marys Loop Trail System, Rabbit Valley, Yellow Jacket area (Dome Plateau) Roberts Bottom and Rose Garden Hill in Cottonwood Canyon, Blue Chief Mesa, views of the Fisher and Castle Valleys, and Manti-La Sal NF. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. Indian Trails. Image via Bureau of Land Management 1.Kokopelli Trail Trail Length: About 150 miles one-way Days to complete: 3-5 Riding : Mostly doubletrack and singletrack The Kokopelli Trail begins with ~15 miles of singletrack above the Colorado River before a few dozen miles of 44 tracks, gravel roads, and two-tracks through badlands and over ledgey mesas before crossing the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. 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 (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) After a climb to the infamous Castle Valley Road to the summit, youll be graced with an amazing descent with stunning views of Castle Valley as you make your way into Moab. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. 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. CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. This was Kaitlyns first ultra since a devastating car accident that had her questioning her ability to ride or walk again, but after a long and inspiring recovery, she managed to best Rebecca Ruschs 2013 record by 25 minutes. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. width:100%; From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. 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. This Kokopelli Trail Guide was put together for people like you, in hopes it would make taking that first step of planning easier and get you on the trail faster. You and your friends, split the course into 2 to 6 segments. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). No stove helped with space and water. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The La Sal Loop Road is currently undergoing construction this spring/summer/fall, 2017 and portions of it is closed, including a section of it that is used by the Kokopelli Trail. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. } It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. If you have a vital issue or opportunity regarding this route that pertains to one of the subjects below, please let us know: **Advocacy opportunities may include bringing awareness to a new trail project, conservation initiative, access potential, or local effort that we might help with or bring awareness to via our broad-reaching platform. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. } There are a few bailout options along the way. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. You decide. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. 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. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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. 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. After at least 6 failed attempts in the mid-1990s, Gary became the first to ride the 140-mile-long Kokopelli Trail self-supported in one day. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. 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 has very few water sources along the route. 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. } Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. 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.. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. Website. 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. Its a good idea to do some research (I read current trip reports) or make a few calls to check the flow of streams and rivers to be sure you know how much water to carry at each point you fill up. Lael Wilcox, Kaitlyn Boyle, and Kurt Refsnider set off together early Friday morning on the Kokopelli Trail for a self-supported time trial between Loma, Colorado and Moab, Utah. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. I went out to Fruita a few weeks ago with my mtb and car camped in Rabbit Valley and was really wishing i had brought my gravel bike to cruise around there (other than the deep sand pockets lol). After riding through the Kokopelli Loops trail network, youll get a taste of your first hike-a-bike down to Salt Creek (which isnt safe to drink). The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Its a good idea to do some research (I read current trip reports) or make a few calls to check the flow of streams and rivers to be sure you know how much water to carry at each point you fill up. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). We didnt cache any water, either. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. 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 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. Mile 10.6 Salt Creek NOT suitable for drinking, Mile 48 Westwater Ranger Station Water has been reported to have been shut off (get water from Colorado River), Mile 59.9 Colorado River (strain and filter), Mile 73.6 Colorado River (stain and filter). Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. 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. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. One consideration is to bring a, 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. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. } Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. } 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. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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 Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. Continuing 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. Help could behours or days away! Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. 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. This quick guide to bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail will give you the information and insight you need for a successful trip to one of the most spectacular bike trails out there. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. There are no resupply options along the route. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. Read more on the About Me page. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. 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. . In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. Group size must be limited to 12 people or less. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. Directions Advertisement. But theyre even farther than you think. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Auto Repair. One should consider caching water along the route. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. 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. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. width:100%; Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. The following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. With our tough and long-lasting Kokopelli bikepacking packrafts, you can explore gravel roads and winding rivers on your next bikepacking expedition in the wilderness. 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. 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! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. After a hot, exposed climb to Top of the World road, youll descend Rose Garden Hill and wonder how anyone could drive a Jeep over that. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. Water options while bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail: There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. The lack of suspension limited my speed on rough downhill, meant a good deal of discomfort on washboard and rocky sections, and my gravel bikes drop bars just weren't very forgiving on my shoulders as it was a bit of an aggressive riding position. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. There are plenty of primitive and a few developed options for camping or one can usually sleep along the trail side but please use LNT practices when doing so. 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. More. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go.Salt Creek OverlookCastle RockCold SpringPorcupine RimKnowles CanyonBitter CreekMesa CreekCowskin Campground near Cotton CanyonHideout CanyonRock CastleBull DrawNorth Beaver Mesa CampgroundDewey BridgeRabbit Valley. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) width:100%; If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. We test. Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! 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. The Kokopelli Trail is a special route, and whether youre looking to tackle it in a single day or spread it out over a long weekend, its definitely one worth adding to the bucket list. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. This Site and our mobile application contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. Bedrock Cairns, which is the overall winner in our Best Hiking Sandals gear review. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! If youre flying from out of town, I recommend you rent a car and spend a day caching water (or pay a guiding company to cache water for you, though I dont know of any that specifically offer that service). 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. 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. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. The experience was humbling and quite challenging. Three mountain bik. } Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. What about wind breaker? A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . } You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. } Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this!
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