I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. Transportation Services. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. 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;} Its best to ride the Kokopelli Trail in the Spring and Fall. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. No stove helped with space and water. 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. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. What about wind breaker? Water is a big challenge on the Kokopelli Trail. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. This is certainly not a trip for. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. You need to be logged in to use these features. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. 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. I found a trickle of cool, clear water at hideout spring (find the cottonwoods!!) Thanks, me too!! There are a ton of options out there. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. 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. You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. 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.. 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. What puffy jacket do you use? Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. 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. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. } Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . 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. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. 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. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. 142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. There are no resupply options along the route. Bikepacking The Kokopelli Trail Treeline Review 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. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. width:100%; Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Its so good youll want to do it again once youve done it. 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! Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. Find Related Places. Top Rated Routes. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. Coconino 250 Guide - Bikepacking - One of Seven Project Lastly, you could use two cars but this option means a lot of driving and extra time. Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. } Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. This section is beautiful though; theres nothing like moving in and out of desert and mountain terrain and skirting along the Estrada Bluffs. width:100%; See a problem? The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. 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. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . Website. Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacking Alliance The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. 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. 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. 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 Kokopelli Trail A Bikepacking Adventure. - Get Terrestrial 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 other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Clinton River Park Trail. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. There are a few bailout options along the way. 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. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. Website Take me there. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Sand, dirt, gravel, slick rock, creek crossings, you name it. But theyre even farther than you think. Moab Bikepacking 101 - Rim Tours } Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? } Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. After a day of waiting for the roads to dry, we bailed to the interstate, which was luckily still nearby. The Kokopelli's Trail (also known as the Kokopelli Trail) is a 142-mile (229 km) multi-use trail (but primarily used by mountain bikes) in Grand County, Utah and Mesa County, Colorado in the western United States. Indian Trails, 28685 Smith Rd, Romulus, MI, Transportation Services We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. Its June. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. width:100%; #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. seeing another biker's footprint along the route where I had to hike-a-bike, going solo this felt like a small bit of camaraderie on the trail and always made me smile! 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. Be sure to stop at, Powered by red Starbursts and Fat Tire Amber Ale, 6 Bikepacking Routes in Southern California | Year-round Fun, 11 of the Most Popular Bikepacking Trails in the US, Colorado Bikepacking Trails A Bikepackers Dreamland, How to Prepare For the C&O Canal and GAP Trail. 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. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. More here. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . 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). 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. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. 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. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. Kokopelli's Trail | Bureau of Land Management YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. I recommend using an Ursack as well, just in case. Read more on the About Me page. 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. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. With that said, you can find food at either end. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. 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. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. } 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. You decide. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. Directions Advertisement. 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. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. 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. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. Bikepacking - One of Seven Project Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. With our tough and long-lasting Kokopelli bikepacking packrafts, you can explore gravel roads and winding rivers on your next bikepacking expedition in the wilderness. How to Take Care of Your Feet on a backpacking trip, How to take care of your backpacking tent, Backpacking Little lakes Valley to Gem Lakes, Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals for 2023, Top 10 Things to Do in Redwood National & State Parks, Climbing Mt Whitney in A Day (Or Two): Hiking the Mt Whitney Trail, Californias Rae Lakes Loop: The Complete Backpacking Guide, How to Make the Most of One Day in Death Valley: A Quick Itinerary, 10 Creative Things to Do in Crescent City, CA. Bikepacking Packrafts | Inflatable Packrafts - KOKOPELLI You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. I'm going to be riding into Moab towards the end of June or early July. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { 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. 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. Top 10 Bikepacking Routes in the US - Mountain bike trails & Mountain The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. KOKOPELLI TRAIL GUIDE - BIKEPACKING - One of Seven Project Kokopelli Trail Planning Aids Tour Divide Planning Aids Bikepacking Survey Results Data Collages Hiking Hiking Guides Pemi Loop Guide Hiking Gear My Proven Triple Crown Hiking Gear List If I Hiked Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Long Trail Again The . Cheers! Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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. Moab Express provides shuttle service from Moab to the start of the Kokopelli Trail at Loma Trailhead. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. We didnt cache any water, either. 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. I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. Rock formations including arches and windows are a highlight of bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. There are very few reliable water options available along the Kokopelli Trail. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. The full list of serves includes: SLC is an international airport so there are a few options.