Looking Back: The Kokopelli Trail - Cycling West - Cycling Utah (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. To learn more Click Here. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . 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. 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). Stepping away from the 9-5 lifestyle, discover the benefits of scaring yourself, and connect with nature to find meaning in everyday life. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. } Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. 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. In 2017 that changed. Order Online. 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. 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. The following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. 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. There are a few bailout options along the way. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. 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. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. The Kokopelli Trail is a classic bikepacking route that spans 140 miles of rugged jeep roads and singletrack through some of the most captivating terrain in the area. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. 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. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. 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. Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. } Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. More here. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. How to Get Lost in the Utah Desert? Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. 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. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. 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. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. 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. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. 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. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. Help could behours or days away! So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. 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. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. 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. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. I feel comfortable riding easier "blues" on my gravel bike and try to incorporate singletrack into my rides - but I'm just not sure how technical the riding gets on the trail. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { width:100%; On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Three mountain bik. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. I think with as much sand and slickrock that I encountered my answer to you in short would be, yes, foolish to try this on a gravel bike, coming from a mountainbiker who has no idea what a gravel bike is capable of. All rights reserved. It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. 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. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. 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. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. There is great camping in this area, too. The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { No stove helped with space and water. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. Find Related Places. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. 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. See a problem? Learn more. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. Traveling through remote canyon country, White Rim Road makes a 100-mile loop through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. I rode the latter half on a Monday and Tuesday and I think this really helped with traffic, not sure what this would have looked like on a weekend but I think it's worth it if you can go during the week! Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. You need to be logged in to use these features. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. Kokopelli Trail - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro The dancing flautist image is now common throughout the southwest, generally embodying carefree and joyous adventure. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. KOKOPELLI TRAIL GUIDE - BIKEPACKING - One of Seven Project Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. South L, CA. To facilitate these efforts, we rely on our Bikepacking Collective and the greater bikepacking community to call attention to critical issues and opportunities that are discovered while riding these routes. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. 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. } width:100%; With that said, you can find food at either end. . Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. 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. Its June. 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. Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli, Trip Ideas, Where to Go, Backpacking Trip Guide, Backpacking Trip Ideas, Backpacking Trips, backpacking, backpacking trips, oregon trips, oregon, oregon coast, corvallis to sea, c2c trail, c2c, Backpacking Trip Ideas, Backpacking Trip Guide, Trip Ideas, Where to Go, where to go, Backpacking Trips, backpacking, backpacking trips, colorado, colorado backpacking, brandon lampley, Bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail, Guide to Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage. } 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. 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. Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. 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. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. 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. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. Ive made it on the dirt road to Fisher Valley in a Subaru, but a sedan wouldn't make it there. 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. 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. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. 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. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. The desert environment can be unforgiving. 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. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { 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. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. 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! Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. width:100%; Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. 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. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. Find out what makes bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail unique and why its Oregons best trail for your first overnight mountain biking trip. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! 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. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? This only adds about 4 miles extra overall to your trip, but youll ride slick rock along the edge of a canyon rim overlooking the Colorado River instead of the less scenic route not along a cliff. 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). This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. It's our goal to supply the best resources, guides, gear lists, data sheets, town lists, and more to help others realize and follow their passion. Best Trails & Maps near Romulus | TrailLink Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. 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. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . Kokopelli Trail Bikepacking Route - BIKEPACKING.com From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. 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. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. The Kokopelli Trail is a 138-mile, multi-use trail that starts in Loma, CO (just a few miles northwest of Fruita) and ends on Sand Flats Road in Moab, UT, where it passes by Porcupine Rim . From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. You need to be logged in to use these features. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road.