Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. 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. You can rent a full bikepacking setup from Bike Fiend in Moab. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. Click here for more info. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Auto Repair. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. Its June. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. When coming into Moab, you can opt to ride the Porcupine Rim Trail to add a fun but technical singletrack descent into town. The true scale of this landscape is only appreciated after much concentrated, technical riding on so called dirt roads, long descents and climbs out of the smallest of canyons, and by peering off the edge of the rim into an endless void of night. Skyler Des Roches (OffRoute.ca). Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. 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. I was being silly: the Kokopelli is a tremendously satisfying and fun bikepack, from the mildly technical and impossibly beautiful singletrack out of Fruita, to soaring grinding climbs, red desert canyons, rugged sandstone ridges, to the must-not-skip roaring bucking descent on Porcupine Rim down to Moab. width:100%; #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { You need to be logged in to use these features. 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. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. } The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. 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. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. There will be small sections of optional singletrack along the way, but the jeep roads youll be riding through here are loose and sandy enough that you probably wont want more of a challenge. 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. 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. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? 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. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. Look no further than the new 2023 Trek Farley 5, a sure-footed bike designed with strength and comfort in. I was thinking about this quite a bit while riding as I saw this question posed a few times elsewhere - I am not a gravel rider so my opinion on whether you can or cannot do it may not be the most educated, but there were long stretches of sand and slickrock and chunky jeep roads that I don't think would be too much fun on a gravel bike. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. 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. 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. The . #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. We test. Hot on the heels of Lachlan Mortons record that was just set in May of this year, Kurt set a new mens fastest known time as well, knocking 19 minutes off of Lachlans already impressive ride. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. width:100%; The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { 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. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. , 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. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. Help could behours or days away! A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. 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. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. } #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! The full list of serves includes: SLC is an international airport so there are a few options. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. 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. 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. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. Cheers! You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). Westwater Ranger Station is a short detour away at the T-junction after the short pavement section through Coal Draw. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. sounds like a great trip! Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. } Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. 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. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. 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 Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. 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. Thanks, me too!! Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. You and your friends, split the course into 2 to 6 segments. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. Top Rated Routes. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. 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. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. The allure of the bigger Grand Loop caught Dye's intrigue. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. With 150 miles of gravel hike-and-bike trail, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP Trail) is one of the Easts best pathways, perfect for leisurely bike rides. The OR jacket I purchased because it was a screaming deal mostly and comparable for size/weight of other ultra-light ultra-packable down jackets I saw. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. 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. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? Heres what several members of our four-top riding group had to say: The Kokopelli Trail is a beautiful route winding from Fruita to Moab that combines primitive roads of all varieties with surprisingly technical single track to keep you guessing about what lies around each bend. Terms of Use: As with each bikepacking route guide published on BIKEPACKING.com, should you choose to cycle this route, do so at your own risk. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! 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. 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. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. 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). I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) Three mountain bik. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. Thank you for supporting us! Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. 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. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. 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. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. } The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. 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. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. Although they all had different intentions for their rides, both Kaitlyn and Kurt rode hard and fast to set two new fastest known times on the route. (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? to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. Transportation Services. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. The Xlite is our overall winner in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide, Our loaded bikepacking bike on the Kokopelli Trail, Surly Ogre with 27.5 x 3 tires and wheelset. But theyre even farther than you think. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. We create reader-supported, objective, independently-selected gear reviews. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. } We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. Press J to jump to the feed. ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. One should consider caching water along the route. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. There are a ton of options out there. 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. } For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. 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. 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. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Website Take me there. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. 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). Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. 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 Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley.
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