Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. South L, CA. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective, to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. More here. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. 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. 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. We test. From there, youll be closer to the start of the Kokopelli Trail. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual), https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rsz_ce61a8f9-0b12-4e41-b403-e902df8f4593.jpg, http://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1of7-logo-lockup-grey-1132x212-300x56.png, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rsz_untitled_design_87.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AXOK3707.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode the Kokopelli Trail Again, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rsz_untitled_design_81.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-19.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode the Arizona Trail Race Again, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-9.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode The Tour Divide Again. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. Transportation Services. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. 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. Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. 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. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. width:100%; There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. 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). Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. There are a few bailout options along the way. Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. 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. 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. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Auto Repair. Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. At the top, youll get great views of Moab and the surrounding landscape. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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). } Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. 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. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. Help could behours or days away! Indian Trails. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. 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. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. 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. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. width:100%; Website Take me there. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. To learn more Click Here. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. See a problem? But, theres a still 17-mile 4,000-foot descent on dirt roads and singletrack trails between you and the end of the Kokopelli Trail. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. This is certainly not a trip for. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Ive made it on the dirt road to Fisher Valley in a Subaru, but a sedan wouldn't make it there. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. 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. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. 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. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. Traveling through remote canyon country, White Rim Road makes a 100-mile loop through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. The Ogre is one of our favorite bikepacking bikes in our Best Bikepacking Bikes guide, MYOG clone of the Swift Industries Zeitgeist, Our tent set up for bike camping on the Kokopelli Trail, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove, which is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Stoves guide, Toaks 750 mL pot, which is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Cookpot guide. 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. 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. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. } Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. } Bikepacking Alliance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Are you looking for a reliable and efficient fat bike to conquer muddy and snowy terrain? Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. The Kokopelli Trail (AKA Kokopelli's Trail) is a classic bikepacking route connecting the two mountain biking nerve centers of Fruita and Moab (1/3 of the total Grand Loop). 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! There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. 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. Packing: I learned a lot from my first trip last year and made it work without a seat bag which was so nice to have full use of my dropper post on the descents. There are a ton of options out there. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. 150 miles. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! 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. 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. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. 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). 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. 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. Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. As the leading creator and publisher of bikepacking routes, BIKEPACKING.com endeavors to maintain, improve, and advocate for our growing network of bikepacking routes all over the world. The trail starts in Loma, CO within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, at the Marys Loop Trails. There is great camping in this area, too. 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. 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 Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. 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. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. 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. 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. I'm just curious what the best is for bikepacking. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. } Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. We didnt cache any water, either. width:100%; Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. 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). Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. Website. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. 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.
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