Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. 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? Top Rated Routes. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. Website. I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! 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 RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . 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. 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. We test. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. } There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. 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. Crosswinds Marsh | Public Services - Wayne County, Michigan Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacking Alliance As such, our editorial team, route creators, and Route Stewards serve as mediators for route improvements and opportunities for connectivity, conservation, and community growth around these routes. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Discover Kokopelli's Trail, which pioneered 'bikepacking' - Magazine Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. 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. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. All rights reserved. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. Bikepacking - One of Seven Project I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { width:100%; 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. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. 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. Directions Advertisement. 142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management (254 KM) Days 3-5 % Unpaved 85% % Singletrack 25% % Rideable (time) 99% Total Ascent 15,189' (4,630 M) High Point 8,580' (2,615 M) Difficulty (1-10) 6.5? 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. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. 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 Do you have a zipper or pull over? 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. 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. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. The Ogre is one of our favorite bikepacking bikes in our Best Bikepacking Bikes guide, MYOG clone of the Swift Industries Zeitgeist, Our tent set up for bike camping on the Kokopelli Trail, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove, which is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Stoves guide, Toaks 750 mL pot, which is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Cookpot guide. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. 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 starts in Loma, CO within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, at the Marys Loop Trails. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. If you enter this way, and depending on the time of day you may have to pay a $2 entrance fee, or 5$ vehicle fee. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail Photos and words by Joel Caldwell The Kokopelli Trail is a beautiful route winding from Fruita, Colorado to Moab, Utah. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. 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. 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. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. Help could behours or days away! width:100%; KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. 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. } Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). 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. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. } Aid stations rough every 8 miles. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. 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. Full Circle on the Grand Loop: Part II - The First Modern Bikepacking sounds like a great trip! To learn more Click Here. , 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. width:100%; Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Looking Back: The Kokopelli Trail - Cycling West - Cycling Utah Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). 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. More here. Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. 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 is not for beginner cyclists. 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. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. Image via Bureau of Land Management 1.Kokopelli Trail Trail Length: About 150 miles one-way Days to complete: 3-5 Riding : Mostly doubletrack and singletrack 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. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). Bedrock Cairns, which is the overall winner in our Best Hiking Sandals gear review. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. An epic view point along the Kokopelli Trail. It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. More. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. 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. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. The Grand Loop - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. 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 legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. 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. } BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Indian Trails, 28685 Smith Rd, Romulus, MI, Transportation Services One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment.