kokopelli trail bikepacking

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. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. I'm just curious what the best is for bikepacking. 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. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? Fingerless bike gloves. 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. All rights reserved. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. 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. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? 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. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. 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. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. 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. I would probably avoid doing it on anything skinnier than 2" tires, But some of you gravel grinders are pretty hard core so IDK. 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. } NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Planned for 3 nights but the first half went quicker than I expected! Thanks, me too!! You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. 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 is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. To learn more Click Here. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. 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. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. Learn more. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. width:100%; 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. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. What about wind breaker? Traveling through remote canyon country, White Rim Road makes a 100-mile loop through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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. 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. 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? 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. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. 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). Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). Press J to jump to the feed. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). 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). Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. 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. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. width:300px; We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. sounds like a great trip! There are no resupply options along the route. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. , 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. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. 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. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs world famous Slickrock area. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. 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. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. As you get near the top of the final climb, the number of tourists youll see will make you feel like youre already in Moab. New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). Its June. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. South L, CA. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. } 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. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. This is certainly not a trip for. Looking to start bikepacking? The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. More here. 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. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. There is great camping in this area, too. Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. An epic view point along the Kokopelli Trail. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. Transportation Services. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. 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 desert environment can be unforgiving. Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. 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. width:100%; Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. But, theres a still 17-mile 4,000-foot descent on dirt roads and singletrack trails between you and the end of the Kokopelli Trail. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. Three mountain bik. Find Related Places. Image via Bureau of Land Management 1.Kokopelli Trail Trail Length: About 150 miles one-way Days to complete: 3-5 Riding : Mostly doubletrack and singletrack I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. width:100%; The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. 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 believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. } 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. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Happy planning! Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Group size must be limited to 12 people or less. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. 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. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. 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. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. 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. 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. See a problem? Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. } Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from 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 . I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. 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. If youre like me and have a passion for riding your bike, then read on. width:100%; The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. 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. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . The dancing flautist image is now common throughout the southwest, generally embodying carefree and joyous adventure. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. 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. 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. Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. } 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 full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { 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. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. 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. 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. Ive always dropped my bikepacking bags and ridden this section unloaded since its a quick ride along highway 128 to get to either end of the section. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. As soon as you hit the pavement in Moab, youll see Milts Stop N Eat, where you can get a milkshake, fries, and a burger. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! 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. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. 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. width:100%; A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. 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. Read more on the About Me page. 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! Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. Thanks for your support! 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. Cheers! Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. I recommend using an Ursack as well, just in case. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Bedrock Cairns, which is the overall winner in our Best Hiking Sandals gear review. From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. } You decide. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. 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 starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. Westwater Ranger Station is a short detour away at the T-junction after the short pavement section through Coal Draw. Bikepacking Alliance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Are you looking for a reliable and efficient fat bike to conquer muddy and snowy terrain?

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