Thank you for supporting us! Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. } The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. You and your friends, split the course into 2 to 6 segments. Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. The trail starts in Loma, CO within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, at the Marys Loop Trails. You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. 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. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. I was very happy to have my 27+ tires in the sand and front suspension on the big drops required on some sections of the ATV roads as well as the fast descents that necessitated careful line choices and were still quite rattling on my hardtail. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. 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. This is certainly not a trip for. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. Starting in the east, the route becomes richer and the landscapes more Mars-like with each mile you travel towards the canyon lands of the high Utah desert. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. Looking to start bikepacking? } 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 first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. As such, our editorial team, route creators, and Route Stewards serve as mediators for route improvements and opportunities for connectivity, conservation, and community growth around these routes. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. 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. 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. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . 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. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. 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. It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { The experience was humbling and quite challenging. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. With that said, you can find food at either end. Some of the singletrack is unrideable, too. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. Website. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. 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. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. rocky sections making it particularly challenging. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. 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. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Thanks for your support! As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. 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. 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. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. The Kokopelli's Trail (also known as the Kokopelli Trail) is a 142-mile (229 km) multi-use trail (but primarily used by mountain bikes) in Grand County, Utah and Mesa County, Colorado in the western United States. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. Find Related Places. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. 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 full list of serves includes: SLC is an international airport so there are a few options. Read more on the About Me page. 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). I would have gladly traded out for either of those bikes when it the trail started getting a little chunkier. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. } What puffy jacket do you use? Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . 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. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. 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. 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. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. 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. 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. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). , 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. 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. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. 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. Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. 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. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs world famous Slickrock area. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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. By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. 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. 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). Do you have a zipper or pull over? The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. Three mountain bik. One should consider caching water along the route. 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. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. Help could behours or days away! We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. } In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. 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). Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. 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. In 2017 that changed. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . 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.. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. 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. 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 last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. 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. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. 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). Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. 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 During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. 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! 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. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. 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. width:100%; 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. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. Happy planning! A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. The Kokopelli Trail ends in Moabs Slickrock. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. 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. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. (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?

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