Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! The Local Overnighters Project is a unified effort to document and map one-night bikepacking routes all over the worldby locals, in their own backyards. At the top, youll get great views of Moab and the surrounding landscape. Indian Trails. The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. But it also took some planning so it went off without a hitch. This quick guide to bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail will give you the information and insight you need for a successful trip to one of the most spectacular bike trails out there. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . 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. We were granted access by the weather up and over the La Sals unlike our previous attempt. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. 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. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. There are unmarked turns, and its not always easy to see the brown carsonite trail markers at junctions. 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. The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. and filtered from there before the big climbs. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! There are a few bailout options along the way. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. 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. Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. 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). Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. We have over 300 original and curated bikepacking routes in our global network spanning nearly 50 countries. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. 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. You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Claim this business (734) 326-9801. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. This Kokopelli Trail Guide will give you everything you need to know. 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. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. } Kokopelli's Trail Phone: (435) 259-2100 Email: utmbmail@blm.gov Address: Moab Field Office 82 Dogwood Ave. Moab, UT 84532 Latitude/Longitude: 39.177737, -108.827444 Directions: From Grand Junction, travel west on Interstate 70 about 15 miles. Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. The Ogre is one of our favorite bikepacking bikes in our Best Bikepacking Bikes guide, MYOG clone of the Swift Industries Zeitgeist, Our tent set up for bike camping on the Kokopelli Trail, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove, which is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Stoves guide, Toaks 750 mL pot, which is the overall winner in our Best Backpacking Cookpot guide. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. We test. With that said, you can find food at either end. 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. Technical sections will challenge your mountain biking skills. Transportation Services. The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. This is certainly not a trip for. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. More here. } 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. Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. 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. Youll need to cache water on the Kokopelli. Bedrock Cairns, which is the overall winner in our Best Hiking Sandals gear review. We were caught in a late March snowstorm and spent the day in a cave, watching the snow pile up. Take the Loma exit (exit 15), then travel west on gravel frontage road south of the interstate. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. I would probably avoid doing it on anything skinnier than 2" tires, But some of you gravel grinders are pretty hard core so IDK. A true western adventure with tough climbs and rewarding descents. 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 (254 KM) Days 3-5 % Unpaved 85% % Singletrack 25% % Rideable (time) 99% Total Ascent 15,189' (4,630 M) High Point 8,580' (2,615 M) Difficulty (1-10) 6.5? Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Mile 10.6 Salt Creek NOT suitable for drinking, Mile 48 Westwater Ranger Station Water has been reported to have been shut off (get water from Colorado River), Mile 59.9 Colorado River (strain and filter), Mile 73.6 Colorado River (stain and filter). 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;} On the 142-mile Kokopelli's Trail, a group of bikepackers race against dusk on Porcupine Rim, a. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. The second time was so good that I bikepacked the Kokopelli again. We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. No stove helped with space and water. With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. 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. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. That was my fools attitude in spite of pedaling and adventuring in that corner of Utah for decades. (mens and womens & nobo and sobo available). Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. Kokopelli's Trail - Wikipedia The Kokopelli symbol guides travelers along a trail of ~ 140 miles between Fruita (Loma actually) and Moab. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. Grand Junction also has a regional airport and car rental options for caching water. I did it last fall on a rigid MTB with 29x2.3 tires. 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. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. In 2017 that changed. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. The legendary Kokopelli Trail, 140 miles of desert and mountain riding between Moab and Fruita. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. width:100%; It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. The Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. 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. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. If youre flying from out of town, I recommend you rent a car and spend a day caching water (or pay a guiding company to cache water for you, though I dont know of any that specifically offer that service). 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. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. 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. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. This only adds about 4 miles extra overall to your trip, but youll ride slick rock along the edge of a canyon rim overlooking the Colorado River instead of the less scenic route not along a cliff. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. Find details on their records alongside a few photos taken by Rugile Kaladyte here, Photos by Rugile Kaladyte (@rugilekaladyte). They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. Website Take me there. There are some pretty steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. Cheers! Do your own research, know the route, options, and use proper judgement when out there. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. If you can ride intermediate-level mountain bike terrain, the Kokopelli Trail will be a rewarding experience. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. The Kokopelli Trail is a vintage route ridden and raced long before doing stuff like this was popular. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment.