This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. , 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. They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. 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. Continuing on 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. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The race includes the following categories: Kokopelli 100 Ultra Marathon Individual 104 miles with 11k of climbing, Kokopelli 100 Ultra Marathon Relay same course as the individual but with 2 to 4 people. Most bikers ride the Kokopelli Trail soutbound. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. Traveling through remote canyon country, White Rim Road makes a 100-mile loop through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? But theyre even farther than you think. I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. 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. See a problem? 142 Miles From Monday - Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail 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! We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. As mentioned above it does allow one to sight see along the way. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. rocky sections making it particularly challenging. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Click here for more info. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. ONE SHOULD ASSUME ALL WATER SOURCES TO BE DRY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. 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). More. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. 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. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. width:100%; Thanks for your support! Our inflatable packrafts are lightweight, durable, and very easy to transport. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. Press J to jump to the feed. Learn more. width:100%; Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. Three mountain bik. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. 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. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! The dancing flautist image is now common throughout the southwest, generally embodying carefree and joyous adventure. } The Kokopelli Trail A Bikepacking Adventure. - Get Terrestrial This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. Looking to start bikepacking? Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. The Kokopelli Trail is not for beginner cyclists. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. Group size must be limited to 12 people or less. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. 150 miles. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. Our first time bikepacking the Kokopelli trail was a humbling failure, but also an appreciative win.This short bikepacking documentary shows the metaphorical. 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 ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from, Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist. The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. 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. The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. 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. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews. 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. Cheers! Coconino 250 Guide - Bikepacking - One of Seven Project You may try and see if one would drop you back off in Fruita. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. The following page is broken down into sections highlighting The Project's main categories. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. Over the Edge bike shop suggests people park behind Suds Brothers Brewery at 127 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521. 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. From there, the trail traverses through the Cottonwood Canyon, Beaver Mesa, and all La Sal Loop sections leading up to your final stretch. The Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. Fully packed bikepacking set up for the Kokopelli Trail. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. Happy planning! Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. 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. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! 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. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. } One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. Stepping away from the 9-5 lifestyle, discover the benefits of scaring yourself, and connect with nature to find meaning in everyday life. The trail presses on through Fish Ford and the ride becomes more arduous as you climb away from the Colorado River. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Look no further than the new 2023 Trek Farley 5, a sure-footed bike designed with strength and comfort in. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { 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. For other backpacking tents we recommend, see our Best Backpacking Tents guide. Bikepacking - One of Seven Project But maybe you can be the fool who rides it and has a great time despite what other people say? Planned for 3 nights but the first half went quicker than I expected! Also only split up in 2-4 segments. In 2017 that changed. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, and AZTR again. 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. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. To learn more Click Here. 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. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. Kokopelli Trail Bikepacking Route - BIKEPACKING.com I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. The first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. 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. Kokopelli Trail - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. 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. On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop.