Also only split up in 2-4 segments. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. Help could behours or days away! The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. The Kokopelli Trail begins with ~15 miles of singletrack above the Colorado River before a few dozen miles of 44 tracks, gravel roads, and two-tracks through badlands and over ledgey mesas before crossing the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge. width:100%; 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. South L, CA. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. 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. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. } You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. 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 Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Unfortunately, there is no way around it and riders will need to exit out Castle Valley (mile 128) to get to Moab. I recommend using an Ursack as well, just in case. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. The dancing flautist image is now common throughout the southwest, generally embodying carefree and joyous adventure. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Kokopelli's Trail Phone: (435) 259-2100 Email: utmbmail@blm.gov Address: Moab Field Office 82 Dogwood Ave. Moab, UT 84532 Latitude/Longitude: 39.177737, -108.827444 Directions: From Grand Junction, travel west on Interstate 70 about 15 miles. You need to be logged in to use these features. What puffy jacket do you use? Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. } 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. The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. 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). Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. Auto Repair. and filtered from there before the big climbs. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { I would have gladly traded out for either of those bikes when it the trail started getting a little chunkier. 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! Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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 Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. 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. Cheers! This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. You can rent a full bikepacking setup from Bike Fiend in Moab. An epic view point along the Kokopelli Trail. 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. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. 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. With that said, you can find food at either end. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { 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. This Kokopelli Trail Guide will give you everything you need to know. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. 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. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Press J to jump to the feed. Three mountain bik. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. 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. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. Fingerless bike gloves. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. 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. 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. The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. The lack of suspension limited my speed on rough downhill, meant a good deal of discomfort on washboard and rocky sections, and my gravel bikes drop bars just weren't very forgiving on my shoulders as it was a bit of an aggressive riding position. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. Read these next or checkout the main resource page. We test. The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. 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. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. One should consider caching water along the route. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. 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 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. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. , 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. The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. 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). Read more on the About Me page. All rights reserved. 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. There are no resupply options along the route. Website. 150 miles. Stepping away from the 9-5 lifestyle, discover the benefits of scaring yourself, and connect with nature to find meaning in everyday life. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. Learn more. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. 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. Happy planning! We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. The experience was humbling and quite challenging. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. width:100%; width:100%; A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { 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. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. 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. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! The desert environment can be unforgiving. . There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. 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. 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. 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). One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com.