As the leading creator and publisher of bikepacking routes, BIKEPACKING.com endeavors to maintain, improve, and advocate for our growing network of bikepacking routes all over the world. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. 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. I recommend using an Ursack as well, just in case. Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. 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 trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. Water options while bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail: There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. Ive used this inflatable pad for several years now. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. Kokopelli Racing LLC put on a mountain bike and running ultra marathon race on the classic Kokopelli Trail. Bikepackers camping along the Kokopelli trail, The singletrack section youll start on is some of the best mountain biking in the country, Descending out of the La Sal Mountain range into Moab is a particularly fun downhill, Many of the dirt roads are impassable after heavy rains. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. } The desert environment can be unforgiving. Moab Motorsports does ask that you let them know youre leaving your car with them ahead of time. 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. 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 bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. Parts of the trail are used by jeeps, ATVs, and motorcycles. This Site and our mobile application contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. A section of the trail, the Kokopelli Singletrack, begins just outside the . 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. Thanks for your support! We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. This is certainly not a trip for. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. 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. In 2017 that changed. Westwater Ranger Station is a short detour away at the T-junction after the short pavement section through Coal Draw. 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. @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. 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. You can also get your bike repaired at Over The Edge in Fruita. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. 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. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { 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. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. 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). I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! The summer months can be extremely hot so plan to tackle it during the shoulder months for a more enjoyable trip. 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. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. When coming into Moab, you can opt to ride the Porcupine Rim Trail to add a fun but technical singletrack descent into town. 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. There was some water new Onion Creek Hideout CG during my attempt the end of April 2016. Looking to start bikepacking? Checkout the Colorado Trail Transportation Guide for train options if you want to fly into Denver and take the train to Grand Junction. Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. One group member attempted to ride the trail on a drop bar gravel bike with 2-inch tires. 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. } The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Top Rated Routes. You decide. Group size must be limited to 12 people or less. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. You dont need any permits to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail. *This video is for the AZTR but the information is universal. I feel comfortable riding easier "blues" on my gravel bike and try to incorporate singletrack into my rides - but I'm just not sure how technical the riding gets on the trail. This ride is definitely not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with experience. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. From there, youll be closer to the start of the Kokopelli Trail. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. Where do you start? YOUR ULTIMATE BIKEPACKING GUIDE TO THE KOKOPELLI. 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 Do you have a zipper or pull over? We test. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. 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. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. width:100%; Looking up from Fischer Valley to the top of the climb next to the la sals, giving myself a goal of making it there in 5 hours, and getting up in 5 hours to look back down at the valley. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. 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! The allure of the bigger Grand Loop caught Dye's intrigue. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. } We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. You could plan to finish on a day a friend was driving back from Moab. 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. 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. You can find the Kokopelli Trail on Ride With GPS. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! 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. Thanks, me too!! From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. Possibly one of the most well-known bikepacking routes in the USA (if not North America), the Kokopelli Trail is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful Colorado and Utah desert on your own two Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. I think 3 riders have done it under 10.5 hours in the past few weeks. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. If you were to start in Moab and ride north, you would begin with a nearly 20-mile, 4,000-foot climb. } Website. Website Take me there. The Kokopelli Trail crosses the Colorado River and ends at Moab's Slickrock area. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now.