Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. 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. Website. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. The desert environment can be unforgiving. 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. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Indian Trails. In Moab, a great place to drop a vehicle is the Information Center; make sure to leave your name and contact info at the desk. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . 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. 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. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. 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. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. 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. Continuing 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. Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. Directions Advertisement. Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. 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. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. But maybe you can be the fool who rides it and has a great time despite what other people say? There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. 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. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. 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. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. One group dropped water at Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge, the other group drove the dirt road in an SUV to Fisher Valley and left a cache there. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. 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 Website Take me there. Find Related Places. 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. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . You can rent a full bikepacking setup from Bike Fiend in Moab. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. 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. Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. 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. } You need to be logged in to use these features. 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. 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). Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. 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 crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs world famous Slickrock area. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. 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. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. 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. Auto Repair. 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. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. The OR jacket I purchased because it was a screaming deal mostly and comparable for size/weight of other ultra-light ultra-packable down jackets I saw. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. The first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. When coming into Moab, you can opt to ride the Porcupine Rim Trail to add a fun but technical singletrack descent into town. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. But, theres a still 17-mile 4,000-foot descent on dirt roads and singletrack trails between you and the end of the Kokopelli Trail. 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. ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. , 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. You can access the Colorado River from here, though. } rocky sections making it particularly challenging. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. 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. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. 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. and filtered from there before the big climbs. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. Order Online. Do you have a zipper or pull over? The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. What about wind breaker? The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. 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. 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. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. South L, CA. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. 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. In 2017 that changed. 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. Find out what makes bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail unique and why its Oregons best trail for your first overnight mountain biking trip. On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. But theyre even farther than you think. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. 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. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. I'm just curious what the best is for bikepacking. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual), https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rsz_ce61a8f9-0b12-4e41-b403-e902df8f4593.jpg, http://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1of7-logo-lockup-grey-1132x212-300x56.png, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rsz_untitled_design_87.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AXOK3707.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode the Kokopelli Trail Again, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rsz_untitled_design_81.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-19.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode the Arizona Trail Race Again, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-9.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode The Tour Divide Again. } The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! 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. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. As soon as you hit the pavement in Moab, youll see Milts Stop N Eat, where you can get a milkshake, fries, and a burger. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. Thanks, me too!! Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. 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? Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. 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. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. This only adds about 4 miles extra overall to your trip, but youll ride slick rock along the edge of a canyon rim overlooking the Colorado River instead of the less scenic route not along a cliff. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. I feel comfortable riding easier "blues" on my gravel bike and try to incorporate singletrack into my rides - but I'm just not sure how technical the riding gets on the trail. 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. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. 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. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. 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. } The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective, to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. The following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli, Trip Ideas, Where to Go, Backpacking Trip Guide, Backpacking Trip Ideas, Backpacking Trips, backpacking, backpacking trips, oregon trips, oregon, oregon coast, corvallis to sea, c2c trail, c2c, Backpacking Trip Ideas, Backpacking Trip Guide, Trip Ideas, Where to Go, where to go, Backpacking Trips, backpacking, backpacking trips, colorado, colorado backpacking, brandon lampley, Bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail, Guide to Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage. Thank you for supporting us! This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. 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. width:100%; Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. No stove helped with space and water. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river.
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