Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Find Related Places. Planned for 3 nights but the first half went quicker than I expected! Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Three mountain bik. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. 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. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. Press J to jump to the feed. #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. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! 142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! 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. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. 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. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Thanks for your support! Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps), and all route guidelines were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. Top 10 Bikepacking Routes in the US - Mountain bike trails & Mountain This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. 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 Kokopelli Trail is a 138-mile, multi-use trail that starts in Loma, CO (just a few miles northwest of Fruita) and ends on Sand Flats Road in Moab, UT, where it passes by Porcupine Rim . This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. There are a ton of options out there. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. 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. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? But theyre even farther than you think. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. Water options while bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail: There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail Treeline Review The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. Some of the singletrack is unrideable, too. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? Read these next or checkout the main resource page. The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. Passing the torch: A Kokopelli Trail do-over - Rodeo Adventure Labs, LLC Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Thank you for supporting us! There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. width:100%; We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { 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. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. } 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 has very few water sources along the route. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. 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 final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. 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 Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Website. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. I was thinking about this quite a bit while riding as I saw this question posed a few times elsewhere - I am not a gravel rider so my opinion on whether you can or cannot do it may not be the most educated, but there were long stretches of sand and slickrock and chunky jeep roads that I don't think would be too much fun on a gravel bike. As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. 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. The BLMs webpage for the Westwater Station says explicitly, do not depend upon this water source for your trip's water needs as the system is not always operational.. But maybe you can be the fool who rides it and has a great time despite what other people say? Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. 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. 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. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. 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. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. } I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) I would have gladly traded out for either of those bikes when it the trail started getting a little chunkier. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. 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). Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). You need to be logged in to use these features. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. There are no resupply options along the route. rocky sections making it particularly challenging. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 mile multi use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. Kokopelli Trail, the long way into Moab (trip report & packing list in comments) 1 / 3 73 11 comments Add a Comment halfearup 2 yr. ago Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. MTB Project | Mountain Bike Trail Maps I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness.
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