On my most recent Kokopelli bikepacking trip, my group drove from Denver in two vehicles. I dont recommend riding Porcupine Rim without a full-suspension bike. Although this trail has been completed in less than 11 hours and 14 minutes by pro cyclist Lachlan Morton, for the rest of us, we can expect to be out for 2-6 days depending on how many miles you want to cover each day. Simply clicking on the links below with our affiliates supports the Project. width:100%; Enlightened Equipment Torrid puffy jacket. But, theres a still 17-mile 4,000-foot descent on dirt roads and singletrack trails between you and the end of the Kokopelli Trail. I'm just curious what the best is for bikepacking. The trail ends in the Sand Flats section which takes you from Porcupine Rim to Slickrock. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. Transportation Services. Stretches can be particularly sandy, but never for too long at a time (and there's no need for a fat bike). Most of your riding will be on dirt and paved roads, with some singletrack thrown in for good measure. See our gear review of the Best Lightweight Rain Jackets for other recommendations. There is amazing camping here, awesome slick rock riding, and stunning Colorado Plateau rock formations. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. Moraine Full Meal Deal 12.5 mi 20.1 km . 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 White Rim Trail is one of the most iconic long-distance mountain bikepacking rides in the West. The desert environment can be unforgiving. The dancing flautist image is now common throughout the southwest, generally embodying carefree and joyous adventure. More. We didnt cache any water, either. Two long climbs topping out at 8400 will test your fitness and the final descent along Porcupine Rim will blow your mind. sounds like a great trip! Find out what makes bikepacking the Lower Deschutes River Trail unique and why its Oregons best trail for your first overnight mountain biking trip. If you're interested in a dedicated sleeping bag instead of a quilt, see our Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags guide. Water can be found at miles 48, 70, 83, and 126. The closes airports to fly into would beMoab (CNY) itself, but the cost would be extremely high. 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. This page is divide up in simple sections to give you information in easily digestible bites. Copyright 2023 Treeline Review LLC. Kurts finish time was 10 hours and 56 minutes. This epic bikepacking adventure promises an incredible final descent as you wearily make your way into Moab. Many of the BLM campgrounds lining the trail do not have water, or if they do its not potable. The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. I have bikepacked the Kokopelli on a fat bike with 5-inch tires and a plus bike with 3-inch tires. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { The Koko box is checked and we've got our sights on searching for what is next. 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. Click here to login, or start an account if youre not yet a member of the Bikepacking Collective. A mix of dirt roads, desert Jeep tracks, and singletrack trails, Good fitness levels and intermediate mountain biking technical abilities required, The route is almost entirely on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land with lots of great camping on public land, Caching water is almost a requirement to bikepack the Kokopelli Trail self-supported, The Kokopelli trail connects singletrack, Jeep roads, and dirt roads following the Colorado River. I have attempted the Kokpelli 3 times and completed it twice. Indian Trails. Kokopelli 140 MTB Relay A choice your own adventure. It is possible to leave a vehicle at the Loma trailhead, but may be a little more risky. Experience a multitude of terrains and landscapes on a trail that links two of the most coveted mountain biking areas in the country. Starts at the Westwater Airstrip. Part of the magnificent 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. New for 2023 Cleaned up the sheets and adjusted the colors for better viewing. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Topeak multitool with tubeless repair kit, Kokopelli Trail info from the Bureau of Land Management. } 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. Heres a link to the Kokopelli Trail GPX track Ive used every time. 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. Timing bikepacking the Kokopelli trail with the weather can be a challenge. Non-stop vistas of far away mountains and canyons might lure one into a sort of topographic pomposity. Location: The Kokopelli Trail starts near Loma, Colorado which is about 15 miles from Grand Junction. 7 Things to Do in Californias Alabama Hills: Movie Road, Hiking, Stargazing & More! Follow Leave No Trace Ethics, including camping and pooping far from water. Kokopelli Trail; Best of Moab Mnt. We inspire and inform through original bikepacking routes, stories, and coverage of the gear, news, and events that make our community thrive. Packing: I learned a lot from my first trip last year and made it work without a seat bag which was so nice to have full use of my dropper post on the descents. So, long story short yes I bet you could absolutely do it, but no I probably wouldn't recommend it. 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. Bikepacking is exciting and rewarding form of off-pavement, adventure bike touring. Camping along the Kokopelli is easy to find. Classics have a way of seeming passalmost a clichand you might therefore be tempted to skip it. On the DiscoverMoab.com website there is a list of companies offering shuttle service to Grand Junction. Repair Shops & Related Services NEC. #fca_eoi_form_1856 .fca_eoi_layout_15.fca_eoi_layout_widget div.fca_eoi_layout_email_field_wrapper { 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. You carry all your gear on the bike, from food/water . From Westwater, youll ride more desert Jeep roads through a vast desert expanse with red rock formations in the distance. The first time I attempted the trail in a group, we werent fully prepared and bailed. The Kokopelli Trail starts outside Fruita, Colorado, on some of the best singletrack in the Mountain West. I'm on a small bike so not a ton of space in the frame, and I will die before I bike in a backpack, so I was able to put all my water on the frame, clothes and sleep setup on the handlebar, and food in the hip pack. Auto Repair. 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. This Kokopelli Trail Guide was put together for people like you, in hopes it would make taking that first step of planning easier and get you on the trail faster. Bikepack it, chase the FKT, ride it with vehicle support - experience it however you like. The Kokopelli Trail is part of the larger Grand Loop. The trail was created by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA) in cooperation with the Bureau of . Order Online. Get on the trail with detailed maps shared by riders like you. This incredibly scenic trail takes you along the Colorado Plateau and through colorful stretches of Utah as well as in and out of valleys. 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. Since it was first designed the Porcupine Rim Trail has been built which means you have the option of making it 150+ miles. The . If youre like me and have a passion for riding your bike, then read on. 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. 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. 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. 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 width:100%; You and your friends, split the course into 2 to 6 segments. 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. 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 142-mile multi-use trail stretches from Loma, Colorado all the way to Moab, UT. We recognize Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of this land. Do you have a zipper or pull over? 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. There are very few reliable water options available along the Kokopelli Trail.