Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. 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. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. 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. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. 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. 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. sounds like a great trip! I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacking Alliance Click here for more info. 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. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. What puffy jacket do you use? Hot on the heels of Lachlan Mortons record that was just set in May of this year, Kurt set a new mens fastest known time as well, knocking 19 minutes off of Lachlans already impressive ride. Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. You decide. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. 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 . You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. I was thinking about this quite a bit while riding as I saw this question posed a few times elsewhere - I am not a gravel rider so my opinion on whether you can or cannot do it may not be the most educated, but there were long stretches of sand and slickrock and chunky jeep roads that I don't think would be too much fun on a gravel bike. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. 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. , 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. 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. One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You need to be logged in to use these features. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. 142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. The Kokopelli Trail A Bikepacking Adventure. - Get Terrestrial It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. It really is ATV road the entire way between fruita and moab, some sections were very desolate with no trees where I would not have wanted to camp but found great spots both nights that were off the road a bit and felt remote enough for a nice backcountry site. The riding is primarily non-technical dirt roads and Jeep double track, but it is about 15% singletrack. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and 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. } Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. width:100%; As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. width:100%; YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. 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. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. I would have gladly traded out for either of those bikes when it the trail started getting a little chunkier. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). 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. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Moab Bikepacking 101 - Rim Tours The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. 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. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. Bikepacking - One of Seven Project 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. Website Take me there. } NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. 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. As the leading creator and publisher of bikepacking routes, BIKEPACKING.com endeavors to maintain, improve, and advocate for our growing network of bikepacking routes all over the world. 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! 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.. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail Treeline Review 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. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. The Kokopelli's Trail (also known as the Kokopelli Trail) is a 142-mile (229 km) multi-use trail (but primarily used by mountain bikes) in Grand County, Utah and Mesa County, Colorado in the western United States. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. There are no resupply options along the route. I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. 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 Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. There are a ton of options out there. Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Top Rated Routes. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. 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.