Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. 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. We didnt cache any water, either. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. Fingerless bike gloves. 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. } Help could behours or days away! I would probably avoid doing it on anything skinnier than 2" tires, But some of you gravel grinders are pretty hard core so IDK. Find Related Places. Bikepacking Packrafts | Inflatable Packrafts - KOKOPELLI Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. Planned for 3 nights but the first half went quicker than I expected! 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). 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. One should consider caching water along the route. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. Happy planning! The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. The Kokopelli Trail is not for beginner cyclists. Cheers! 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. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. } Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. sounds like a great trip! Crosswinds Marsh | Public Services - Wayne County, Michigan The Grand Loop - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro Do you have a zipper or pull over? Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. width:100%; 142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. width:100%; Read these next or checkout the main resource page. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. 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. Kokopelli's Trail - Wikipedia #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { If you have a vital issue or opportunity regarding this route that pertains to one of the subjects below, please let us know: **Advocacy opportunities may include bringing awareness to a new trail project, conservation initiative, access potential, or local effort that we might help with or bring awareness to via our broad-reaching platform. Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. 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. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. 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. 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. Read more on the About Me page. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. Toward the end of the day I would start feeling like my bones were being rattled, but it was definitely doable. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. 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. After riding through the Kokopelli Loops trail network, youll get a taste of your first hike-a-bike down to Salt Creek (which isnt safe to drink). Indian Trails, 28685 Smith Rd, Romulus, MI, Transportation Services Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. 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. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Helmet guide. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. 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. Sand, dirt, gravel, slick rock, creek crossings, you name it. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. More here. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. 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. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. To facilitate these efforts, we rely on our Bikepacking Collective and the greater bikepacking community to call attention to critical issues and opportunities that are discovered while riding these routes. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. 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. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. Discover Kokopelli's Trail, which pioneered 'bikepacking' - Magazine Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacker Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. 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. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Order Online. } 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. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. 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. } 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar 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. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management Top Rated Routes. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. 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. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. Kokopelli Trail Bikepacking Route - BIKEPACKING.com Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. The desert environment can be unforgiving. There are very few reliable water options available along the Kokopelli Trail. 150 miles. Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. If youre not from the area and want to see the Rocky Mountains you can fly into Denver International Airport (DIA), and rent a car. Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. Ive made it on the dirt road to Fisher Valley in a Subaru, but a sedan wouldn't make it there. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, and AZTR again. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. 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. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. Our Best Mountain Bike Lights guide also covers other mountain bike-specific lights. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. } From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. 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! You decide. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. 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. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. 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). } 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. 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 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. Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail Treeline Review New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. Auto Repair. 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. Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. How to Get Lost in the Utah Desert? Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail width:100%; A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) 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. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. I would have gladly traded out for either of those bikes when it the trail started getting a little chunkier. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. Stepping away from the 9-5 lifestyle, discover the benefits of scaring yourself, and connect with nature to find meaning in everyday life. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. 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. This is certainly not a trip for. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. BIKEPACKING.com LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individual riders cycling or following this route. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. Ultimate Arizona Trail Bikepacking Planning Guide, Gear Review If I Rode the Arizona Trail Race Again, Gear Review If I Rode the Colorado Trail Race Again, Gear Review If I Rode the Kokopelli Trail Again, Gear Review If I Rode The Tour Divide Again, Gear Review If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again, Gear Review If I Hiked The Long Trail Again, Gear Review If I Hiked the Pacific Crest Trail Again, Gear Review If I hiked the Continental Divide Trail Again, Gear Review If I Hiked the Colorado Trail Again. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. } We test. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. width:100%; We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. Hi, Im Phil. Looking to start bikepacking? One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. 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. Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. 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. Looking to start bikepacking? KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. 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