kokopelli trail bikepacking

Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. 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. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. 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. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. 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). Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Read these next or checkout the main resource page. Auto Repair. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. Water options while bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail: There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. 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.. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. Happy planning! The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. Westwater Ranger Station is a short detour away at the T-junction after the short pavement section through Coal Draw. 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. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . 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. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. 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. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Kristina Ritchie (@get_terrestrial) Instagram photos and videos, .fca_eoi_form{ margin: auto; } .fca_eoi_form p { width: auto; } #fca_eoi_form_1856 input{ max-width: 9999px; }#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper {display: none !important;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper {display: none !important;}.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-borderless.tooltipster-optin-cat .tooltipster-box .tooltipster-content { color: #fff }.tooltipster-optin-cat.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-top .tooltipster-arrow-border { border-top-color: #d63031 !important }.tooltipster-optin-cat.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-bottom .tooltipster-arrow-border { border-bottom-color: #d63031 !important }.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-borderless.tooltipster-optin-cat .tooltipster-box { background-color: #d63031 !important }.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper { background-color: unset !important }#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element::-webkit-input-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element::-moz-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element:-ms-input-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element:-moz-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper:hover, #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input:hover {background-color:#b96701 !important;} As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. } 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. } The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. This is certainly not a trip for. If youre like me and have a passion for riding your bike, then read on. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. 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. Find out what makes bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail unique and why its Oregons best trail for your first overnight mountain biking trip. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. 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. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. To learn more Click Here. 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. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. There is great camping in this area, too. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. } The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. 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. } The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. width:100%; This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. There are very few reliable water options available along the Kokopelli Trail. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. See a problem? There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. The Kokopelli Trail is not for beginner cyclists. 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. Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Press J to jump to the feed. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. 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. Read more on the About Me page. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! 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. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. 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. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. 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. An epic view point along the Kokopelli Trail. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. Ive made it on the dirt road to Fisher Valley in a Subaru, but a sedan wouldn't make it there. Between the river and the top of ride at 8200ft I quickly realized there were not as many water sources as I had thought there would be, and this was the only time I got a little worried the morning of day 3 with 2000ft of climbing ahead of me and only 2L on me. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. South L, CA. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. There are no resupply options along the route. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { } Group size must be limited to 12 people or less. The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. and filtered from there before the big climbs. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { 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 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. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. width:100%; One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. width:300px; This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make at no additional cost to you. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. Look no further than the new 2023 Trek Farley 5, a sure-footed bike designed with strength and comfort in. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. 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. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail Photos and words by Joel Caldwell The Kokopelli Trail is a beautiful route winding from Fruita, Colorado to Moab, Utah. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. 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. 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. 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. Although the route can be ridden in either direction, but most prefer a southwest flow from Fruita to Moab which enables a legendary finale down Porcupine Rim. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. seeing another biker's footprint along the route where I had to hike-a-bike, going solo this felt like a small bit of camaraderie on the trail and always made me smile! Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. 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 Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. Thanks, me too!! After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. 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. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. 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. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. Looking up from Fischer Valley to the top of the climb next to the la sals, giving myself a goal of making it there in 5 hours, and getting up in 5 hours to look back down at the valley. width:100%; Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. } BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. More here. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. Thanks for your support! Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. 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. 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). If you finished on a weekend you could try and hitch but finding a ride with an open rack and empty seat could prove difficult. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. 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. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. No stove helped with space and water. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah.