There are very few reliable water options available along the Kokopelli Trail. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. The full list includes: DIA is the largest of the options but is also the furthest away. In terms of ride-a-bility the Kokopelli offers plenty of it and very little HAB. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. Bikepacking Packrafts | Inflatable Packrafts - KOKOPELLI We met at the Loma Trailhead and split the caching duties between cars. width:100%; Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. If youve learned a few things or have been entertained, consider becoming a Patreon member. Looking to start 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. width:100%; Read these next or checkout the main resource page. Website Take me there. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be usedas a point of inspirationin conjunction with your own due-diligence. It's my one and only and it's so fun everywhere I take it. Website. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. 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. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar 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. More here. 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. A huge to congrats to Lael, Kaitlyn, and Kurt for getting out there and making it happen. There are no resupply options along the route. Find a detailed guide on the route below including parking, resupply and how to plan the perfect trip. 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). Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! The last time I was there, I was told that the pipes were contaminated with E. Coli. I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. As you get near the top of the final climb, the number of tourists youll see will make you feel like youre already in Moab. (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? Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. This bucket-list bikepacking trip is an adventure of the soul and a test of your commitment. As the snow melted, those clay-heavy dirt roads became unrideable. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. I'm just curious what the best is for bikepacking. A big storm can leave you stranded on unrideable dirt roads of sticky, peanut butter mud that will stop your wheels from turning. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. But theyre even farther than you think. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. 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. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. The White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. See REIs Food Storage story or REIs Bear Canister story for more information on Bears and food storage. Guided Mountain Biking on Kokopelli Trail | 57hours 28685 Smith Rd Romulus MI 48174 (734) 326-9801. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. The route is popular as a 2- to 3-night bikepacking trip, a 3- to 4-day vehicle-supported trip, and as a . Its a condensed version of my bigger bikepacking guides, which include the Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacking Alliance Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. They did say you can leave your car at Moab Motorsports located at25 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. With hubs at the airport, United and Southwest will have the most flight options. 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. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli 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 Trail is relatively well marked, but a mountain biker still needs strong navigation abilities. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. } Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. Learn more. Know your body and how much water you require and plan carefully. But maybe you can be the fool who rides it and has a great time despite what other people say? The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. We then met in Moab, loaded into one vehicle, and drove back to the Loma Trailhead. Help could behours or days away! Shopping with our affiliates helps fund the development of content like this. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. This is certainly not a trip for. 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. Kokopelli Trail Planning Aids Tour Divide Planning Aids Bikepacking Survey Results Data Collages Hiking Hiking Guides Pemi Loop Guide Hiking Gear My Proven Triple Crown Hiking Gear List If I Hiked Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Appalachian Trail Again Gear Review - If I Hiked The Long Trail Again There are a couple of options for staging and parking; as advised by folks at Over The Edge bike shop, we chose to leave a vehicle in the parking lot behind Suds Brothers Brewery in downtown Fruita. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. 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. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. However, Kokopelli's Native American origin has other meanings such as a fertility deity, and among Hopi, a humped-up . @media screen and ( max-width: 300px ) { Most rideable parts require at most intermediate-level mountain biking abilities. The Kokopelli Trail is an 136.4 milemulti use recreational trail that goes from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. The Kokopelli Trail is a special route, and whether youre looking to tackle it in a single day or spread it out over a long weekend, its definitely one worth adding to the bucket list. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. width:100%; You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. 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. More here. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. Fisher Creek was flowing at mile 107.4 as well. The Grand Loop - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro The best time to thru-bike the trail is from March/April to the end of October. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. UPDATE (November, 2017): Apparently work is still going on and way behind as of 11/18/2017. 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. I create technical resources, reviews, inspirational videos, how-to guides and more. Starting in the east, the route becomes richer and the landscapes more Mars-like with each mile you travel towards the canyon lands of the high Utah desert. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. } Stepping away from the 9-5 lifestyle, discover the benefits of scaring yourself, and connect with nature to find meaning in everyday life. We cached water at a few road crossings, brought bikes with high-volume tires, and generally respected the challenges of the trail more. 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. 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 Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. South L, CA. to support us + get The Bikepacking Journal. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. Returning on 3-inch tires, I had a much more difficult time on those sandy sections. Specialized Tactic bike helmet. Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. 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. The Loma Trailhead is west of Fruita, Colorado, along Interstate I-70. The OR jacket I purchased because it was a screaming deal mostly and comparable for size/weight of other ultra-light ultra-packable down jackets I saw. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH.