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). No stove helped with space and water. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. MTB Project | Mountain Bike Trail Maps Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. 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. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. } 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. There is great camping in this area, too. With that said, you can find food at either end. 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 The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. We test. Help could behours or days away! Do you have a zipper or pull over? The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. 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. 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. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. When coming into Moab, you can opt to ride the Porcupine Rim Trail to add a fun but technical singletrack descent into town. 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 starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. There are a few bailout options along the way. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. What about wind breaker? } Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. 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. Thanks, me too!! Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { 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. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. Website. Press J to jump to the feed. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking 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. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. width:300px; Top Rated Routes. KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube 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 part of the larger Grand Loop. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacker The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. sounds like a great trip! It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . The experience was humbling and quite challenging. After at least 6 failed attempts in the mid-1990s, Gary became the first to ride the 140-mile-long Kokopelli Trail self-supported in one day. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. and filtered from there before the big climbs. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! Cheers! See a problem? We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail Treeline Review Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. 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. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. 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 . Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my 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. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. 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 Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. 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. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. } Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. 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. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. With our tough and long-lasting Kokopelli bikepacking packrafts, you can explore gravel roads and winding rivers on your next bikepacking expedition in the wilderness. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { If you are thinking about bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail this guide will give you the information and insight you need for a successful trip to one of the most spectacular bike trails out there. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. This quick guide to bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail will give you the information and insight you need for a successful trip to one of the most spectacular bike trails out there. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. 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 Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. Its June. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. Kokopelli Trail - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Possibly one of the most well-known bikepacking routes in the USA (if not North America), the Kokopelli Trail is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful Colorado and Utah desert on your own two Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! 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. 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 crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. 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. Water options while bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail: There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. 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. 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. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. } Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. 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. Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! More here. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. One should consider caching water along the route. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. Three mountain bik. You will be looking for East Mill Creek Drive which turns into Sand Flats Rd The Trail: The Kokopelli Trail is part of the Grand loop, a bikepacking route that combines the Kokopelli Trail, Paradox Trail and Tabegauche Trail. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Unfortunately, there is no way around it and riders will need to exit out Castle Valley (mile 128) to get to Moab. 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. 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. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { } There are no resupply options along the route. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. } Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? Continuing on 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. This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. Click here for more info. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River.
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