kokopelli trail bikepacking

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. Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. More here. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. This was Kaitlyns first ultra since a devastating car accident that had her questioning her ability to ride or walk again, but after a long and inspiring recovery, she managed to best Rebecca Ruschs 2013 record by 25 minutes. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. width:100%; 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. By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. In Moab, a great place to drop a vehicle is the Information Center; make sure to leave your name and contact info at the desk. 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. Ive always dropped my bikepacking bags and ridden this section unloaded since its a quick ride along highway 128 to get to either end of the section. Sand, dirt, gravel, slick rock, creek crossings, you name it. 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. 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 The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. To learn more Click Here. 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. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. Stepping away from the 9-5 lifestyle, discover the benefits of scaring yourself, and connect with nature to find meaning in everyday life. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. The Kokopelli Trail ends in Moabs Slickrock. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this 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. What puffy jacket do you use? The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. width:100%; Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . One group dropped water at Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge, the other group drove the dirt road in an SUV to Fisher Valley and left a cache there. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. 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. More here. The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, and AZTR again. 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. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. What works for me is my Outdoor Research ultralight hoody (don't think they make it anymore, it's half-zip pullover), and a patagonia houdini windbreaker with full zip. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. 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. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. } The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs world famous Slickrock area. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. @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. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. sounds like a great trip! #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { Looking to start bikepacking? 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.. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. 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. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. Between the river and the top of ride at 8200ft I quickly realized there were not as many water sources as I had thought there would be, and this was the only time I got a little worried the morning of day 3 with 2000ft of climbing ahead of me and only 2L on me. This is certainly not a trip for. The true scale of this landscape is only appreciated after much concentrated, technical riding on so called dirt roads, long descents and climbs out of the smallest of canyons, and by peering off the edge of the rim into an endless void of night. Skyler Des Roches (OffRoute.ca). This Site and our mobile application contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. We test. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Racing the sunset into Moab on the Porcupine Rim Trail and I didn't see a single person on the descent (probably because I started around 6pm on a Tuesday). 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. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. Bikepacking has taken the mountain bike world by storm, with the upper echelon of bikepackers continuing to shatter time barriers and pioneer incredible . 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. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. } 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. Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. } The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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 starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. The desert environment can be unforgiving. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. } See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. 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 crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. 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. We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. } Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. We didnt cache any water, either. Tired of seeing ads on every web page you visit? The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. 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. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Auto Repair. The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . } There is some water along the route, but not enough to forego caching water unless you can carry enough water for 2 days. 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 old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. 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. You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. One section requires a rider to lift your bike over car-sized boulders. There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moabs Slickrock area. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. 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. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make at no additional cost to you. All rights reserved. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . Specialized Tactic bike helmet. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. width:300px; On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. , 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 Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. 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. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. 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. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { 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?

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kokopelli trail bikepacking