Find our Kokopelli Trail route guide here. All rights reserved. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. 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. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. I used a Cedar Ridge Outdoors Leconte 20* quilt. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. If youre not from the area and want to see the Rocky Mountains you can fly into Denver International Airport (DIA), and rent a car. Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! We didnt cache any water, either. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. 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. 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. The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. I love the Bar M Trails just outside town for their flowy singletrack trail goodness. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. 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. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. 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. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. From the trailhead at Loma, after a quick gravel traverse, the route starts with 10+ miles of mesa singletrack overlooking the Colorado River. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. Indian Trails. From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. Looking to start bikepacking? Do you have a zipper or pull over? The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. Lack of clean water will be one of your biggest hurdles. The desert environment can be unforgiving. The experience was humbling and quite challenging. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. See a problem? Some of the singletrack is unrideable, too. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. 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. Read these next or checkout the main resource page. You decide. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. 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. Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. . There are no resupply options along the route. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. 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. Top Rated Routes. It combines a variety of primitive roads with surprisingly technical single track that kept us guessing around each bend. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. 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.. } 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. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. 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. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Order Online. Bikepacking with dogsIs this a good idea? There is a reliable stream in Castle Valley, just before the road climbs into the La Sals. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. CNY is closest airport but also the most expensive and with the most limited options. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. BIKEPACKING.com is dedicated to exploration by bicycle. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. Thank you for supporting us! See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. The following year I returned to the Kokopelli Trail more prepared. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. The Kokopelli Trail is even marked on these maps. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { 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. 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. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. Read more on the About Me page. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. 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. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. Ive even seen some water flowing in the fall around here. 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. Water at BLM ranger station at mile 48 is not fit to drink, filter from river. Highlights Marys Loop Trail System, Rabbit Valley, Yellow Jacket area (Dome Plateau) Roberts Bottom and Rose Garden Hill in Cottonwood Canyon, Blue Chief Mesa, views of the Fisher and Castle Valleys, and Manti-La Sal NF. 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). The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. 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. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. Water: I stashed in Rabbit Valley and filtered from the Colorado (tasted only sliiightly of mud) which really was fine and clear after wrapping a bandanna around the intake. There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. There are very few reliable water options available along the Kokopelli Trail. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. There are plenty of primitive and a few developed options for camping or one can usually sleep along the trail side but please use LNT practices when doing so. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. The final climb will be on a paved road, but by this point, youll probably be ready for easier riding. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! 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. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { } 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 other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. 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. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. 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. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. What about wind breaker? For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. 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;} I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 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). 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. The lack of suspension limited my speed on rough downhill, meant a good deal of discomfort on washboard and rocky sections, and my gravel bikes drop bars just weren't very forgiving on my shoulders as it was a bit of an aggressive riding position. Click here for more info. *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Thanks for your support! Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find.