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. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. } There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. This Site and our mobile application contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. 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. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . What about wind breaker? They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. Indian Trails, 28685 Smith Rd, Romulus, MI, Transportation Services You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. 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! Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. Find Related Places. I'm on a small bike so not a ton of space in the frame, and I will die before I bike in a backpack, so I was able to put all my water on the frame, clothes and sleep setup on the handlebar, and food in the hip pack. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. } Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. 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. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Bikepacking - One of Seven Project 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. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. width:100%; Discover Kokopelli's Trail, which pioneered 'bikepacking' - Magazine The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. 150 miles. This Kokopelli Trail Guide was put together for people like you, in hopes it would make taking that first step of planning easier and get you on the trail faster. More here. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { 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. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. 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. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. 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. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. Top 10 Bikepacking Routes in the US - Mountain bike trails & Mountain The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. 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. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. With that said, you can find food at either end. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. But theyre even farther than you think. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. 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. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. There are a few bailout options along the way. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. 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. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. Thanks for your support! #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. Do you have a zipper or pull over? Starting in the east, the route becomes richer and the landscapes more Mars-like with each mile you travel towards the canyon lands of the high Utah desert. Order Online. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. 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. width:100%; Learn more. 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. The riding is primarily non-technical dirt roads and Jeep double track, but it is about 15% singletrack. Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. 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. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. 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. 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. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. } 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. 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. Transportation Services. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. Water options while bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail: There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. If you want to execute a successful trip, it will certainly behoove you to do some checking and planning during the weeks leading up to your trip. No stove helped with space and water. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. 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. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. At the top, youll get great views of Moab and the surrounding landscape. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. Read more on the About Me page. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. This is certainly not a trip for. Guided Mountain Biking on Kokopelli Trail | 57hours Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. Looking Back: The Kokopelli Trail - Cycling West - Cycling Utah 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). When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. One consideration is to bring a, If you want to execute a successful trip, it will certainly behoove you to do some checking and planning during the weeks leading up to your trip. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management Press J to jump to the feed. 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. 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. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell 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 following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. The Kokopelli Trail (AKA Kokopelli's Trail) is a classic bikepacking route connecting the two mountain biking nerve centers of Fruita and Moab (1/3 of the total Grand Loop). After crossing Salt Creek the trail passes through Rabbit Valley, then grinds through the Yellow Jacket area, tackles Rose Garden Hill, circle around Fisher Valley, and eventually making its way to the La Sal Mountains and Moab. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported.
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