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As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. If youre like me and have a passion for riding your bike, then read on. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. } The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. All rights reserved. The riding is primarily non-technical dirt roads and Jeep double track, but it is about 15% singletrack. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. This is certainly not a trip for. 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). Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. Revelate Saltyroll on Oveja Negra handlebar harness, food: tortillas, dried fruit, pb packets, tuna packets, summer sausage. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. } The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. } We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. 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. Transportation Services. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. Cant say much for Kokopelli but I just did the White Rim trail (which is quite close by) on my gravel bike. 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. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. The first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. } 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. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. 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. 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. 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. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. 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. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. 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. This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) width:100%; We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Order Online. 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. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! It is a pullover but has a zip on the side and at the front which makes it very easy to pull on and off keeping hats or helmets in place during the transition. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. More here. Read these next or checkout the main resource page. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. There are no resupply options along the route. 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. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. A mix of dirt roads, desert Jeep tracks, and singletrack trails, Good fitness levels and intermediate mountain biking technical abilities required, The route is almost entirely on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land with lots of great camping on public land, Caching water is almost a requirement to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail self-supported, The Kokopelli trail connects singletrack, Jeep roads, and dirt roads following the Colorado River. 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual), https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rsz_ce61a8f9-0b12-4e41-b403-e902df8f4593.jpg, http://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1of7-logo-lockup-grey-1132x212-300x56.png, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rsz_untitled_design_87.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AXOK3707.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode the Kokopelli Trail Again, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rsz_untitled_design_81.jpg, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-19.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode the Arizona Trail Race Again, https://oneofsevenproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-9.jpg, Gear Review - If I Rode The Tour Divide Again. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. 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. Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. 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. 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. 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. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. 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. Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. You risk getting caught in a winter storm if you go early in spring or late in fall. Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. Planned for 3 nights but the first half went quicker than I expected! Directions Advertisement. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. Almost 20,000 feet of climbing. 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. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. 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. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. As soon as you hit the pavement in Moab, youll see Milts Stop N Eat, where you can get a milkshake, fries, and a burger. If it werent for that snowstorm after the first day, we would have found ourselves far out there, fruitlessly attempting to filter water from the silty Colorado River, slowed down immensely by the gravel bike that wasnt enough bike for the terrain. Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. Colorado River is too silty to filter, and some of the only other water sources along the route arent safe to drink due to the waters arsenic levels. 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. If you want to execute a successful trip, it would certainly behoove you to do some checking and planning during the weeks leading up to your trip. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. 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. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. Unfortunately, there is no way around it and riders will need to exit out Castle Valley (mile 128) to get to Moab. 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. We didnt cache any water, either. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! Lael Wilcox, Kaitlyn Boyle, and Kurt Refsnider set off together early Friday morning on the Kokopelli Trail for a self-supported time trial between Loma, Colorado and Moab, Utah. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. 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. One should consider caching water along the route. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. 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 Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. 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. 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! Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. After at least 6 failed attempts in the mid-1990s, Gary became the first to ride the 140-mile-long Kokopelli Trail self-supported in one day. The Kokopelli Trail ends in Moabs Slickrock. Its a high-quality down quilt that has reliably kept me warm for 1000s of trail miles. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). There are a few bailout options along the way. I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!)