CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. Click here for more info. 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. Moab Bikepacking 101 - Rim Tours Aid stations rough every 8 miles. Fully packed bikepacking set up for 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. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. Find out what makes bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail unique and why its Oregons best trail for your first overnight mountain biking trip. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). If youre flying from out of town, I recommend you rent a car and spend a day caching water (or pay a guiding company to cache water for you, though I dont know of any that specifically offer that service). Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_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. Kristina Ritchie (@get_terrestrial) Instagram photos and videos, .fca_eoi_form{ margin: auto; } .fca_eoi_form p { width: auto; } #fca_eoi_form_1856 input{ max-width: 9999px; }#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper {display: none !important;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_description_copy_wrapper {display: none !important;}.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-borderless.tooltipster-optin-cat .tooltipster-box .tooltipster-content { color: #fff }.tooltipster-optin-cat.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-top .tooltipster-arrow-border { border-top-color: #d63031 !important }.tooltipster-optin-cat.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-bottom .tooltipster-arrow-border { border-bottom-color: #d63031 !important }.tooltipster-sidetip.tooltipster-borderless.tooltipster-optin-cat .tooltipster-box { background-color: #d63031 !important }.fca_eoi_layout_inputs_wrapper { background-color: unset !important }#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element::-webkit-input-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element::-moz-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element:-ms-input-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_form_input_element:-moz-placeholder {opacity:0.6;color:#595252;}#fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper:hover, #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper input:hover {background-color:#b96701 !important;} . Looking to start bikepacking? It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. 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. 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. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. Kokopelli's Trail - Wikipedia Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. } Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. Cheers! The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. Westwater Ranger Station is a short detour away at the T-junction after the short pavement section through Coal Draw. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell You need to be logged in to use these features. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. Kokopelli Trail (Bikepacking Route + Porcupine Rim) location Utah, USA We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. As you get near the top of the final climb, the number of tourists youll see will make you feel like youre already in Moab. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. Help could behours or days away! Unfortunately, there is no way around it and riders will need to exit out Castle Valley (mile 128) to get to Moab. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. The Kokopelli Trail is a special route, and whether youre looking to tackle it in a single day or spread it out over a long weekend, its definitely one worth adding to the bucket list. It's our goal to supply the best resources, guides, gear lists, data sheets, town lists, and more to help others realize and follow their passion. You need to be logged in to use these features. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. More here. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. , 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%; Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. The experience was humbling and quite challenging. 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. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. 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 from 2-6 days depending on how many miles you want to cover each day. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. From there, youll be closer to the start of the Kokopelli Trail. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Thank you for supporting us! Heres what several members of our four-top riding group had to say: The Kokopelli Trail is a beautiful route winding from Fruita to Moab that combines primitive roads of all varieties with surprisingly technical single track to keep you guessing about what lies around each bend. width:100%; For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. Looking to start bikepacking? Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. No suspension, just a set of 50c tires squeezed on there, and man it was awesome but truth be told I think it would have been even more enjoyable on a hardtail with a front shock at the very least. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. 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. When coming into Moab, you can opt to ride the Porcupine Rim Trail to add a fun but technical singletrack descent into town. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. 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. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. width:100%; Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. The following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. 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. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Fingerless bike gloves. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. You decide. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. 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. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. width:300px; Do you have a zipper or pull over? Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. The desert environment can be unforgiving. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. } 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. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. } Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). 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. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. There are a couple of options for staging and parking; as advised by folks at Over The Edge bike shop, we chose to leave a vehicle in the parking lot behind Suds Brothers Brewery in downtown Fruita. Discover Kokopelli's Trail, which pioneered 'bikepacking' - Magazine This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go.Salt Creek OverlookCastle RockCold SpringPorcupine RimKnowles CanyonBitter CreekMesa CreekCowskin Campground near Cotton CanyonHideout CanyonRock CastleBull DrawNorth Beaver Mesa CampgroundDewey BridgeRabbit Valley. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. Bikepacking - One of Seven Project The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. 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. You and your friends, split the course into 2 to 6 segments. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. The Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. Its June. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. } With that said, you can find food at either end. Directions Advertisement. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? 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. 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. 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. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. One should consider caching water along the route. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Transportation Services. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. No stove helped with space and water. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . Best Trails & Maps near Romulus | TrailLink 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. } In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. The first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Website Take me there. 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. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? Group size must be limited to 12 people or less. To learn more Click Here. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. 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. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. } There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. 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. I rode the latter half on a Monday and Tuesday and I think this really helped with traffic, not sure what this would have looked like on a weekend but I think it's worth it if you can go during the week! I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. 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. @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { Indian Trails, 28685 Smith Rd, Romulus, MI, Transportation Services 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar 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 Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. Passing the torch: A Kokopelli Trail do-over - Rodeo Adventure Labs, LLC r/bikepacking - Kokopelli Trail, the long way into Moab (trip report 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 following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. rocky sections making it particularly challenging. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { MTB Project | Mountain Bike Trail Maps 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. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. width:100%; More here. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. 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. 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.