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. Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. 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. 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! width:100%; Hi, Im Phil. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. We didnt cache any water, either. Bedrock Cairns, which is the overall winner in our Best Hiking Sandals gear review. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli 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. } Looking to start bikepacking? The Kokopelli Trail is not for beginner cyclists. 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. 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. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. The full list of serves includes: SLC is an international airport so there are a few options. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. 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. There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. Auto Repair. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . 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. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. 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. Cheers! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. 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 . Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. Learn more. The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. From there, youll be closer to the start of 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. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. South L, CA. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. } 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. width:100%; 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. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. The riding is primarily non-technical dirt roads and Jeep double track, but it is about 15% singletrack. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. 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). 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. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. Look no further than the new 2023 Trek Farley 5, a sure-footed bike designed with strength and comfort in. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. 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. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. 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. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. 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. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. The allure of the bigger Grand Loop caught Dye's intrigue. width:100%; Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. 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. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? 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). All rights reserved. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. } 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). This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. Kokopelli Trail Planning Aids Tour Divide Planning Aids Bikepacking Survey Results Data Collages Hiking Hiking Guides Pemi Loop Guide Hiking Gear My Proven Triple Crown Hiking Gear List If I Hiked Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Long Trail Again 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. 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. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. This Kokopelli Trail Guide will give you everything you need to know. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. 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. 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 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. 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. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. 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. Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. } It really is ATV road the entire way between fruita and moab, some sections were very desolate with no trees where I would not have wanted to camp but found great spots both nights that were off the road a bit and felt remote enough for a nice backcountry site. Top Rated Routes. Looking to start bikepacking? If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. One consideration is to bring a, 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. 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. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. What puffy jacket do you use? Order Online. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. 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.. Do you have a zipper or pull over? From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. 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 trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. 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. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. and filtered from there before the big climbs. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! } This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. The Kokopelli Trail is a special route, and whether youre looking to tackle it in a single day or spread it out over a long weekend, its definitely one worth adding to the bucket list. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! From the parking lot for the Marys Loop trail system the Kokopelli winds its way southwest over improved roads, four-wheel-drive roads, pavement, and single-track. 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. 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. 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 can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. 150 miles. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. 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. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. 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. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) 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. Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. Press J to jump to the feed. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, and AZTR again. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. 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 other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. . There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. 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. You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. 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. 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. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. 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. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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 Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. You can access the Colorado River from here, though. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. 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. There are no resupply options along the route. 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. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The La Sal Loop Road is currently undergoing construction this spring/summer/fall, 2017 and portions of it is closed, including a section of it that is used by the Kokopelli Trail. It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. Thank you for supporting us! } A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography.

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