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. 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. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . We test. 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! 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. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. 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). It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. width:300px; Aid stations rough every 8 miles. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. 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. 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 crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. South L, CA. } Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist Lachlan Morton, for the rest of us, we can expect to be out from 2-6 days depending on how many miles you want to cover each day. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. } There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. 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. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. 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. 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. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. 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 good first test. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. 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. 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. You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. Learn more. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). With that said, you can find food at either end. width:100%; (254 KM) Days 3-5 % Unpaved 85% % Singletrack 25% % Rideable (time) 99% Total Ascent 15,189' (4,630 M) High Point 8,580' (2,615 M) Difficulty (1-10) 6.5? Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. 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). 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. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. 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? The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. 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. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share Issue 07 Issue seven is a celebration of courage and discovery of what were capable of when we dont let others expectations define us Issue 06 examined a diverse range of topics, including embracing aloneness, rekindling a sense of adventure, grappling with failure, and many more Kaitlyn Boyle and Kurt Refsnider both set new FKTs (fastest known times) on the 140-mile Kokopelli Trail over the weekend. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, and AZTR again. 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. But theyre even farther than you think. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. } The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. Auto Repair. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. 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. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. There are a ton of options out there. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. 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. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . 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. From there, youll be closer to the start of the Kokopelli Trail. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. 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. 150 miles. The trail starts in Loma, CO within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, at the Marys Loop Trails. Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. Hi, Im Phil. 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. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. Read more on the About Me page. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. Order Online. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. 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. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. } Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. 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. Top Rated Routes. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. 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;} Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { The experience was humbling and quite challenging. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. Happy planning! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. The . Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. width:100%; You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. 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. Sand, dirt, gravel, slick rock, creek crossings, you name it. The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. Fingerless bike gloves. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. 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. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. 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. 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. 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. This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) Read these next or checkout the main resource page. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. I recommend using an Ursack as well, just in case. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. 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 We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. When coming into Moab, you can opt to ride the Porcupine Rim Trail to add a fun but technical singletrack descent into town. 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. 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.
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