kokopelli trail bikepacking

Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. I rode the Kokopelli Trail as my first multi-day bikepacking trip. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. The Kokopelli Trail is a difficult bikepacking trail. 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. Dirt roads, paved roads, and singletrack with some technical areas. South L, CA. 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. That first ride took him 23 hours, and soon after, he rode the trail in the opposite direction in just 17 hours. Hot on the heels of Lachlan Mortons record that was just set in May of this year, Kurt set a new mens fastest known time as well, knocking 19 minutes off of Lachlans already impressive ride. Where do you start? Highlights Marys Loop Trail System, Rabbit Valley, Yellow Jacket area (Dome Plateau) Roberts Bottom and Rose Garden Hill in Cottonwood Canyon, Blue Chief Mesa, views of the Fisher and Castle Valleys, and Manti-La Sal NF. Go out with a spirit of excitement and return with a sense of accomplishment. The experience was humbling and quite challenging. It's our goal to supply the best resources, guides, gear lists, data sheets, town lists, and more to help others realize and follow their passion. Then youll be in Fisher Valley, where Ive always cached water by the road. You might be able to get water from a spigot here, but dont count on it. I'm just curious what the best is for bikepacking. Starting with the Ruby Canyon Section, youll continue on through Rabbit Valley, Westwater, Fish Ford, and Yellow Jacket Canyon sections. Fruita and Moab are full-service towns with grocery stores, restaurants, and cafes. 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). @media screen and ( max-width: 100% ) { *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The La Sal Loop Road is currently undergoing construction this spring/summer/fall, 2017 and portions of it is closed, including a section of it that is used by the Kokopelli Trail. . The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. The dancing flautist image is now common throughout the southwest, generally embodying carefree and joyous adventure. This requires a 9 mile pavement ride to the Kokepellis Trailhead, but offers a safe parking solution. 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.. We used collapsible water jugs like these so we can strap them to our bikes and easily carry them out, too. To schedule an appointment for your school or for more information, please call Crosswinds Marsh at: (734) 654-1220. Explore the best rated trails in Romulus, MI. The Bikepacking Journal is our biannual printed publication. Youll have to carry everything you need for the entirety of the trail. Bike Inn; Needles 2 Moab Canyonlands; Bears Ears Mnt. The ride is not for the novice rider, the climbs and technical sections alone make it more for those with a bit more experience. Would it be foolish to try to ride the Kokopelli Trail on a gravel bike? KOKOPELLI TRAIL 2021 (Documentary) | Our First Time Bikepacking - YouTube The Kokopelli Trail is relatively well marked, but you still need strong navigation abilities. To learn more Click Here. Stretching along public lands, Kokopelli's Trail is an epic journey on the Colorado Plateau. For more recommendations of puffy jackets, see our Best Down Jackets or Best Synthetic Jacket guides. After the first 20 miles of singletrack, youll ride about 30 miles of dirt roads through Rabbit Valley, Castle Rocks, and Coal Draw. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. The other two in the party were on a hardtail and a rigid fatbike. Did you happen to see any of the folks attempting to set the FKT for it out there? The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. The full list of serves includes: SLC is an international airport so there are a few options. The Kokopelli Trail is a 142-mile desert bikepacking route linking the mountain biking epicenters of Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. NO PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ARE ALLOWED IN CROSSWINDS MARSH. The Kokopelli Trail is a good first test. This works only if you dont have any issues and show up on time. 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. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Xmas Valley Epic 17.5 mi 28.2 km 2,685' Up 818.24 m Up 2,704' Down 824.08 m Down. 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. There are several hike-a-bike sections of this trail. Ride, Eat, Sleep, Repeat Arizona Trail Race. On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. 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. The Kokopelli has very few water sources along the route. Youll cross highway 128 and then ride through Yellow Jacket Canyon, a highlight of the Kokopelli. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. One consideration is to bring a portable water filter and tank up from the Colorado River whenever possible. You can rent a full bikepacking setup from Bike Fiend in Moab. 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. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Kokepellis Trail is part of the Grand Loop, a much larger bikepacking routethat utilizes Kokopellis Trail system, The Paradox Trail, and Tabegauche Trail. You can get to Rabbit Valley and Dewey Bridge with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the Tour Divide, CTR, and AZTR again. We completed the Kokopelli trail in three challenging, rewarding days of bike riding. The Jeep trail and dirt roads can sometimes be very sandy, challenging, and slow-going. I think the Gaia GPS app is the most useful for backcountry navigation. Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. The first 15 miles of the Kokopelli are technical singletrack. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. For Issue 08, we invited several contributors to return and pick up where earlier trips and ideas left off and also feature a handful of first-timers whose perspectives weve long been eager to share Issue 07 Issue seven is a celebration of courage and discovery of what were capable of when we dont let others expectations define us Issue 06 examined a diverse range of topics, including embracing aloneness, rekindling a sense of adventure, grappling with failure, and many more Kaitlyn Boyle and Kurt Refsnider both set new FKTs (fastest known times) on the 140-mile Kokopelli Trail over the weekend. Claim this business (734) 326-9801. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. 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 . Find Related Places. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. In total you will ride for 142 miles and there are a few bailout options along the way should you need to. Click here for more info. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. Aid stations rough every 8 miles. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. 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. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. 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. 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. Bikepacking on the Kokopelli Trail - Joel Caldwell Checkout all our available products in our store,and thanks for the support! I hope you have fun out there in a few weeks! #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget { 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. Kokopelli 140 MTB Two-day Stage Event (Individual) The 144 miles spilt into two days of racing, instead of one. Moab has a small regional airport you can fly to from either Salt Lake City or Denver. But maybe you can be the fool who rides it and has a great time despite what other people say? In 2017 that changed. Ive always dropped my bikepacking bags and ridden this section unloaded since its a quick ride along highway 128 to get to either end of the section. The route is an epic medley of singletrack, doubletrack, sand and tarmac technical climbs, rugged descents, and graded terrain. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. With our tough and long-lasting Kokopelli bikepacking packrafts, you can explore gravel roads and winding rivers on your next bikepacking expedition in the wilderness. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added. Once youre in the La Sals, youll probably find a stream or two to collect water from. Best Trails & Maps near Romulus | TrailLink Kokopelli Trail Bikepacking Route - BIKEPACKING.com More here. The Kokopelli Trail is a 143-mile desert bikepacking route that connects Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. 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. As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. 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. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. The Kokopelli Trail spreads from Loma, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, over 142 exciting miles! Its reliable, keeps me warm, and Thermarests lifetime warranty is no joke. Another option is to have friends deliver water to you along the route or stash some yourself beforehand wherever possible. Thanks, me too!! I recommend riding the Western Rim Trail, a 6-mile trail parallel to the official Kokopelli route near Fruita. 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. For some time now the Kokopelli was without an official race on the calendar. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_submit_button_wrapper { This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. Riding the trail on a fat bike, I hardly noticed the extensive sections of sandy desert Jeep roads. 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. Water: I stashed in Rabbit Valley and filtered from the Colorado (tasted only sliiightly of mud) which really was fine and clear after wrapping a bandanna around the intake. Moab Brewery is the only brewery in the town of Moab. Looking to start bikepacking? Unless youre camping in the La Sals, you likely wont encounter bears on the Kokopelli Trail. This route follows singletrack trails, Jeep roads, and dirt roads, mainly on BLM land. 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). Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Over 143 miles, you climb about 14,000 feet/4,144 meters and descend about the same. I am a bikepacking addict who also happens to be an above knee amputee. You need to be logged in to use these features. Find an extra-long weekend and do this ride. Joe Cruz (Pedaling in Place), Kokopelli taught me the length of a desert mile. sounds like a great trip! Kokopelli Trail - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro 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 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. We cover other lighting options in our Best Headlamps guide. From here, the climb into the La Sal Mountains starts in earnest. The desert views youll experience along the route are to notch. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { 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. But, store your food off the ground to prevent rodents from getting into it. Website. Learn more. There are a ton of options out there. The trail runs through Mesa County, Colorado, and Grand County in Utah. Sawyer Squeeze, which is the overall winner in our Best Water Filters and Purifiers guide. 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. Bike 3-Day; Bears Ears Backcntry 4-Day; Grand Staircase-Escalante; Moab Bikepacking 101; Vehicle Support Services; . This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. I love having a one-bike-fits-all quiver. 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. Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. Some of the singletrack is unrideable, too. 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. 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. Route notes: the giant tarmac descent from fischer overlook and giant tarmac climb up to the porcupine rim trail suuuucked. Despite reports you can leave a car at the Moab Information Center, you CAN NOT. The Kokopelli Trail is one of the most coveted bikepacking routes out there, and for good reason. Kokopelli Trail - Bikepacker The road is scheduled to open on weekends after May 27th. 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. There are long stretches of challenging desert riding, and those new to the sport will find it very challenging. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! Looking to start bikepacking? If youre like me and have a passion for riding your bike, then read on. We are proud to be independent and reader-supported. Doesnt this sound like a better way to end a trip as a descent? } More technical singletrack sections are on the descent into Moab and scattered throughout the route. There are many steep, exposed climbs throughout the route. The Grand Loop - Backcountry MTB // Industry Nine - Pivot Pro

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