Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. 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. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. The Kokopelli Trail is not for beginner cyclists. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. What about wind breaker? 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. 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. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. Help could behours or days away! You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. Three mountain bik. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. 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). The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { 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.. More. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. 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. 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. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. Its June. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. 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.
Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell There is great camping in this area, too. Happy planning! 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. 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. 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. 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. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. 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. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from, Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist. To learn more Click Here. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 150 miles. 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). Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. } The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. With that said, you can find food at either end. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. 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. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. This is certainly not a trip for. Do you have a zipper or pull over? Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. 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. More here. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. 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 links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make at no additional cost to you. 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. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar.
} This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! 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 Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. Cheers! Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. The allure of the bigger Grand Loop caught Dye's intrigue. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible .
Discover Kokopelli's Trail, which pioneered 'bikepacking' - Magazine I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. There will be small sections of optional singletrack along the way, but the jeep roads youll be riding through here are loose and sandy enough that you probably wont want more of a challenge. I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. } There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. 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. 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). The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. I was being silly: the Kokopelli is a tremendously satisfying and fun bikepack, from the mildly technical and impossibly beautiful singletrack out of Fruita, to soaring grinding climbs, red desert canyons, rugged sandstone ridges, to the must-not-skip roaring bucking descent on Porcupine Rim down to Moab. 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. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. width:100%; A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. You need to be logged in to use these features. But theyre even farther than you think. I was very happy to have my 27+ tires in the sand and front suspension on the big drops required on some sections of the ATV roads as well as the fast descents that necessitated careful line choices and were still quite rattling on my hardtail. 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.
New Kokopelli Trail FKT - BIKEPACKING.com The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. 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! 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. You can access the Colorado River from here, though.
142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. } Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. 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. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? 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. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. We create reader-supported, objective, independently-selected gear reviews. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. 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. There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. What puffy jacket do you use? Website Take me there. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. The . Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. 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. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. seeing another biker's footprint along the route where I had to hike-a-bike, going solo this felt like a small bit of camaraderie on the trail and always made me smile!
Moab Bikepacking 101 - Rim Tours At the top, youll get great views of Moab and the surrounding landscape. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive.