Once you arrive in Moab, there are countless mountain bike trails to explore. Bikepacking Alliance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Are you looking for a reliable and efficient fat bike to conquer muddy and snowy terrain? I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. We look forward to sharing the natural splendor of Crosswinds through our interpretive programming, activities and future exhibits. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. Like any adventure, the Kokopelli Trail is not a trail to trifle which. 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. I personally cached water at Rabbit Valley, Colorado River/Dewey Bridge and at the bathrooms at the Fisher Valley Overlook. } 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. At times the Kokopelli Trail can serve up demanding single track and steep climbs, makingit a trail not to be underestimated. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles west of Grand Junction. What about wind breaker? Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed. Bikers most commonly ride the Kokopelli Trail southbound, starting at the Loma Trailhead and finishing in Moab. The Bike Fiend or Chili Pepper Bike Shop are options for getting your bike repaired in Moab. From the Loma exit (exit 15) off of I70 you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. Bikepacking is one of The Project's main focuses. Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. You might also be able to get water from a spigot at Westwater Ranger Station, but this source is not always operational. 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. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, in western Colorado and Moab, Utah. The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. During my thru-bike I left my car at the Loma trailhead parking lot for Marys Loop Trails. 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. Thanks for your support! Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { Gear lists from the AZT, TD and CTR; Pros & Cons; Things Id do different; and Tips. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Petzl Bindi, which is a favorite of other Treeline Review writers and featured in our Backpacking Guide to the South Dakota Centennial Trail. 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). It follows the Colorado River, and youll regularly get views of the river as it winds through the landscape below. Be sure to stop at Milts as you enter town for a milkshake. We only want the same thing as youthe best gear at the best price. Start at our worldwide routes map to dig into our detailed guides with GPS maps and inspiring photography. 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. Or toss some spare change inthe PayPal tip jar. I recommend caching water at Rabbit Valley trailhead, near Dewey Bridge by the road along Highway 128, and Fisher Valley. Looking to start bikepacking? Youll know youve completed the Kokopelli Trail when you hit the pavement; then, its time to celebrate. There is great camping in this area, too. Expect the route to take the average person 3-5 days, with many strenuous sections. Website Take me there. These are primitive campsites so dont expect much as far as amenities go. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. It connects some of the best singletrack around in Fruita and Moab with 100 miles of ATV roads. The Kokopelli is world-class bikepacking. If you are thinking about bikepacking the Kokopelli Trail this guide will give you the information and insight you need for a successful trip to one of the most spectacular bike trails out there. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. Find Related Places. 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 . On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. } Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. 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). 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. Over the next 50 miles, youll do a lot of climbing, but the next ten miles will be the steepest. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. 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 You can rent a full bikepacking setup from Bike Fiend in Moab. At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Kokopelli Trail - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro 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. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. 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. You can camp almost everywhere along the route, too. Thank you for supporting us! 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. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. From the Loma exit (exit 15) you travel west on the gravel road to the trailhead on the left. Auto Repair. Nowhere else can you find scenery quite like this! Dont drink from Salt Creek or Onion Creek for this reason. The Rando is a favorite in our Touring Bike Gear List. Another option is to check Craigslists ride share page for various cities where you think someone might be travel to or from Moab. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. You can access the Colorado River from here, though. Use the Brave browser for an entirely ad free web experience. 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. Read these next or checkout the main resource page. Elevation gain: 13,595 feet/ 4,144 meters, Elevation loss: 14,058 feet/ 4,285 meters. There are some steep climbs on this trail with the payoff being some exhilarating descents. I have experienced extremely high winds and snowstorms in the high desert regions of Colorado and Utah, and this tent always holds up well. There is one option for airlines and two car rental: GJT is the closest airport that has a reasonable cost and minimal logistics . Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. It's a marin pine mountain 2 but I don't think they make the purple anymore sadly. 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. By entering your email address, you agree to receive our weekly newsletter in accordance with our Privacy Policy. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. There are also ways to filter silty water using alum. This variation would add approximately 14 miles to your trip. More flag On Ute Land Distance 158 Mi. See a problem? The old railroad follows beautiful waterways, weaving around Allegheny mountains and hills. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! You should be in excellent physical shape and have previous bikepacking experience to attempt a self-supported bikepacking trip on this route. Kokopelli 100 MTB Relay Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. Each issue features a collection of inspiring writing and beautiful photography. If you finished on a weekend you could try and hitch but finding a ride with an open rack and empty seat could prove difficult. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. For more recommendations, see our Best Mountain Bike Gloves guide. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . I was being silly: the Kokopelli is a tremendously satisfying and fun bikepack, from the mildly technical and impossibly beautiful singletrack out of Fruita, to soaring grinding climbs, red desert canyons, rugged sandstone ridges, to the must-not-skip roaring bucking descent on Porcupine Rim down to Moab. RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult. There are a few bailout options along the way. Bedrock Cairns, which is the overall winner in our Best Hiking Sandals gear review. Although they all had different intentions for their rides, both Kaitlyn and Kurt rode hard and fast to set two new fastest known times on the route. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. All rights reserved. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. Get your FREE backpacking checklist PDF here! Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. The trail is signposted with blue and white logo stickers as well as brown arrow signs along the way. The other person in our group did not bring a storm-worthy shelter. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. Patagonia Womens Nylon Capri Pants cut into shorts (discontinued). Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a small percentage of any purchase you make at no additional cost to you. The Kokopelli Trail is divided into nine sections, each with its own unique terrain and scenery. With that said, you can find food at either end. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. Kaitlyns finish time was 13 hours and 7 minutes, the new womens FKT. Food resupply on the Kokopelli doesnt exist. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_name_field_wrapper { The trail is posted with the flat brown flexible fiberglass posts and marked with blue and white Kokopelli stickers. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! With more than 61 trails covering 486 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. More here. I brought an Ultimate Direction Ultra Rain Jacket for this trip. The Kokopelli Trail is not for beginner cyclists. The weather can be unpredictable, regularly swinging from blazingly hot to frost-and-ice-all-over-your-tent cold. This is certainly not a trip for bringing your dog or someone just starting out with biking. 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 Xlite is our overall winner in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide, Our loaded bikepacking bike on the Kokopelli Trail, Surly Ogre with 27.5 x 3 tires and wheelset. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. I used a Tarptent Aeon Li tent for the Kokopelli Trail. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. Ive used the National Geographic Maps Moab North and Colorado National Monument for paper maps. } This is the way to enter Moab! Joel Caldwell (joelcaldwell.com) 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.. Kokopelli 100 MTB Individual Same as the 140 but doesnt include the first 40 miles. width:300px; The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. The 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. Kokopelli Trail, the long way into Moab (trip report & packing list in comments) 1 / 3 73 11 comments Add a Comment halfearup 2 yr. ago Finished this classic route in 3 full days, 2 nights out on the trail, 10-12 hours riding per day. Also, the Hot Tomato in Fruita has some of the best pizza Ive ever eaten, and they have great beers on tap. width:100%; I used a Thermarest Neoair Xlite for this trail. More here. There are not too many reliable water sources on this trail so its important to plan accordingly. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. 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. 7 Incredible Bikepacking Trips in the US to Have on Your Radar A few miles after Rabbit Valley it is highly recommended to take the scenic off-route detour on the Western Rim trail. 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. Be sure to stop at, Powered by red Starbursts and Fat Tire Amber Ale, 6 Bikepacking Routes in Southern California | Year-round Fun, 11 of the Most Popular Bikepacking Trails in the US, Colorado Bikepacking Trails A Bikepackers Dreamland, How to Prepare For the C&O Canal and GAP Trail. 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. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. This Kokopelli Trail Guidebook from Bikerpelli is also helpful for planning your trip. The next closest would be Grand Junction or Salt Lake City (SLC). It will take about half a day to cache water and drive back to either end of the Kokopelli. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? 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.