kokopelli trail bikepacking
Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. A mix of dirt roads, desert Jeep tracks, and singletrack trails, Good fitness levels and intermediate mountain biking technical abilities required, The route is almost entirely on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land with lots of great camping on public land, Caching water is almost a requirement to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail self-supported, The Kokopelli trail connects singletrack, Jeep roads, and dirt roads following the Colorado River. The following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. width:100%; Order Online. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. 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. Fingerless bike gloves. I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Read these next or checkout the main resource page. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Kokopelli's Trail - Wikipedia Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! Kokopelli Trail Bikepacking Route - BIKEPACKING.com With that said, you can find food at either end. After a hot, exposed climb to Top of the World road, youll descend Rose Garden Hill and wonder how anyone could drive a Jeep over that. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. } I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. Do you have a zipper or pull over? From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. width:100%; } 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. It would also add another 1000 jolts to your wrists and spine, as this trail is very bumpy. 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. 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. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! 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. Best Trails & Maps near Romulus | TrailLink UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. 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. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. } Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. 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. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. 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. 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. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. We test. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. 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. 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). Every time I reach this point of the trail, I wonder if Ive taken a wrong turn, but then I check a map, realize Im on the route and laugh at myself for choosing to do this. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. Where do you start? 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. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. width:100%; 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. 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. 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. 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. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. } However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. 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. 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 Ive always dropped my bikepacking bags and ridden this section unloaded since its a quick ride along highway 128 to get to either end of the section. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. 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. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. } It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. New Kokopelli Trail FKT - BIKEPACKING.com You can access the Colorado River from here, though. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. The houdini is a tiny little windbreaker with DWR that I felt would be enough for the small chance of rain in my forecast and chillier mornings riding. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. The desert environment can be unforgiving. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. The first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. 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. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). 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. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . Thanks, me too!! The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. See a problem? *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. The allure of the bigger Grand Loop caught Dye's intrigue. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. 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. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. 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 should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { KOKOPELLI TRAIL GUIDE - BIKEPACKING - One of Seven Project Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. You can rent a full bikepacking setup from Bike Fiend in Moab. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. r/bikepacking - Kokopelli Trail, the long way into Moab (trip report 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. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. South L, CA. No stove helped with space and water. From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. rocky sections making it particularly challenging. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. If you want to execute a successful trip, it would certainly behoove you to do some checking and planning during the weeks leading up to your trip. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. 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. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. 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. } Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. Passing the torch: A Kokopelli Trail do-over - Rodeo Adventure Labs, LLC We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. In 2017 that changed. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. I would probably avoid doing it on anything skinnier than 2" tires, But some of you gravel grinders are pretty hard core so IDK. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. } Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. 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. 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. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. The riding is primarily non-technical dirt roads and Jeep double track, but it is about 15% singletrack.