kokopelli trail bikepacking

Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. 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. But theyre even farther than you think. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacker I recommend using an Ursack as well, just in case. Read these next or checkout the main resource page. At the top, youll get great views of Moab and the surrounding landscape. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. You can access the Colorado River from here, though. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? 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. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. 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. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. 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. Discover Kokopelli's Trail, which pioneered 'bikepacking' - Magazine Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. No stove helped with space and water. Its June. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . Bikepacking Packrafts | Inflatable Packrafts - KOKOPELLI 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. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. 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. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. Read more on the About Me page. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . 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. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. width:100%; You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. If youre like me and have a passion for riding your bike, then read on. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. 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. 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. width:100%; We test. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . Some of the singletrack is unrideable, too. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. Press J to jump to the feed. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. 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%; The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. 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. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Directions Advertisement. The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. 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. } These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. Happy planning! CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. Help could behours or days away! 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 the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. Auto Repair. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. 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. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. 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). 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. 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. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. 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. Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. The Kokopelli Trail ends in Moabs Slickrock. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. 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. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. What puffy jacket do you use? Looking Back: The Kokopelli Trail - Cycling West - Cycling Utah The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. 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. South L, CA. KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. (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? Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacking Alliance Ive made it on the dirt road to Fisher Valley in a Subaru, but a sedan wouldn't make it there. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. 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. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. 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. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. The . 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 Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. Best Trails & Maps near Romulus | TrailLink With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. 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. Find Related Places. 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. 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 . The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. We didnt cache any water, either. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . 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. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. There are plenty of primitive and a few developed options for camping or one can usually sleep along the trail side but please use LNT practices when doing so. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. 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. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. You and your friends, split the course into 2 to 6 segments. 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. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! 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. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. Traveling through remote canyon country, White Rim Road makes a 100-mile loop through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park.