kokopelli trail bikepacking

From the parking lot for the Marys Loop trail system the Kokopelli winds its way southwest over improved roads, four-wheel-drive roads, pavement, and single-track. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. The Kokopelli Trail ends in the Slickrock area on the east end of Moab, UT. 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. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. 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. What puffy jacket do you use? Celebrate your thru-hiking class with the Class of ___ T-shirt! There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. What about wind breaker? The Kokopelli Trail is a 138-mile, multi-use trail that starts in Loma, CO (just a few miles northwest of Fruita) and ends on Sand Flats Road in Moab, UT, where it passes by Porcupine Rim . 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. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. Kokopelli's Trail - Wikipedia Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. Also only split up in 2-4 segments. 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. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. The Kokopelli Trail starts out on some single track affording beautiful views of the Colorado River. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. The Kokopelli Trail is a popular ride between the Western Slope of Colorado and Moab in Utah. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. 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. 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. 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). Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. An epic view point along the Kokopelli Trail. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. 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. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). It is a pullover but has a zip on the side and at the front which makes it very easy to pull on and off keeping hats or helmets in place during the transition. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. The southern end of Yellow Jacket Canyon crosses Highway 128 and passes Dewey Bridge before the most substantial climbing of the Kokopelli starts. } Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. 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. There are no resupply options along the route. The trail was named in honor of its mythic muse, Kokopelli. (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? } Kokopelli 140 MTB Individual 144 miles, full course, alone! The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. 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. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. Auto Repair. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah. Top 10 Bikepacking Routes in the US - Mountain bike trails & Mountain After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. Find Related Places. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. 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The . The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. 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. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. Hi, Im Phil. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. While riding, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. This trailhead is where the Kokopelli Trail starts and is even a location on Google maps now. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. We create reader-supported, objective, independently-selected gear reviews. Where do you start? The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). } After at least 6 failed attempts in the mid-1990s, Gary became the first to ride the 140-mile-long Kokopelli Trail self-supported in one day. You can access the Colorado River from here, though. There is some concern with possible theft but it worked out fine for me. Ive done this using collapsible water jugs, but it takes time and extra equipment. 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. 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. More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. width:100%; The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. The closest large airport to the Kokopelli Trail is the Salt Lake City International Airport. The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. There are plenty of camping options along the way including the BLM campgrounds listed below; some may require a small fee. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. 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. These bikepacking routes in and loads of others can be found at bikepacking.com.