Kokopelli Trail

[IntrepidXJ]

This past weekend I finally got around to completing a trail that has been on my to-do list for quite a while....The Kokopelli Trail. When people hear the name Kokopelli, they usually associate this trail with mountain biking. While it is indeed a popular mountain biking route, this trail follows old four-wheel drive roads for much of the way. There are only a few sections of singletrack that need to be bypassed.

This trip was put together by Jan on ExpeditionUtah a few months ago, and in the end there were five vehicles total that showed up. We all met on Saturday night at El Tapatio in Fruita for dinner and then headed to Loma where a few of the guys setup camp for the night. Being local, I went home and slept in my comfy bed for one more night

Bright and early on Sunday morning we all met up at the Kokopelli trailhead in Loma to get our journey started.

The route started out on a gravel road that follows the interstate and ends at the Mack exit. Once at the Mack exit, we were forced onto the pavement to bypass the first section of singletrack on the trail. We had to hop on the old Highway 6 & 50 and take it for a few miles to Sidewinder Road, which would take us back under the interstate again.

Sidewinder Road took us back to the Rabbit Valley Road which is where we joined back up with the Kokopelli Trail again, and wound our way through Rabbit Valley and the McDonald Creek Cultural Resource Area.

Headed down McDonald Creek

Castle Rocks

Following the Kokopelli into Utah

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Wide open dusty road between Westwater and Cisco Landing. La Sals poking up in the background

After stopping for short lunch at an overlook near the Cisco Landing Road, we made our way over to the crossing at Cisco Wash.

Little used two-track to Cisco Wash

Crossing Cisco Wash

After making it across we made our way over to highway 128 and crossed over into the Dome Plateau area.

Viewpoint Arch

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Headed down to Dewey Bridge

After crossing the Colorado River we followed the Entrada Ranch Road for a bit, and then took a side trip off of the Kokopelli up to Top of the World where we camped for the night.

Our campsite near the top

After a good nights sleep we headed down from Top of the World and made our way over to Rosegarden Hill.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

After making it to the bottom and heading out to Onion Creek Road, Colin had a little issue with a flat tire.

From this point Kevin and Colin went back to town while Greg, Jan and myself finished up the trail through Thompson Canyon, up the La Sal Loop Road and then down the Sand Flats Road to Moab.

Burn area along the La Sal Loop Road

The Kokopelli Trail makes a great two day trip and I'm glad I finally got to run the complete trail from beginning to end in one shot.

 

[Saline]

Nice photos! Randy, I believe I actually spoke to you just briefly as we were making the acent from Rose Garden on Mtn Bikes. I think I was just focusing on riding and didn't see your license plate.

 

[sinuhexavier]

As always, well done.

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

Very very cool...this is a trail on my to do list also! Glad you finally got it off your list and thanks for sharing the pics!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Nice photos! Randy, I believe I actually spoke to you just briefly as we were making the acent from Rose Garden on Mtn Bikes. I think I was just focusing on riding and didn't see your license plate.

Wow, small world Too bad we didn't know it at the time. Were you the one who said Rosegarden Hill was in good shape? Maybe when I am more in shape, I can attempt the Kokopelli on my bike....but I'm not there yet :sombrero:

 

[ddog45]

I was just on La Sal Pass road a few weeks ago and there was to much snow on the west side to make it very far. It must have melted fast. Looks like a fun trail.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I was just on La Sal Pass road a few weeks ago and there was to much snow on the west side to make it very far. It must have melted fast. Looks like a fun trail.

We weren't near La Sal Pass and were lower

 

[mr.trd]

Got anymore pics that show Colin's new rear bumper? Looks really nice, but hard to see.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Got anymore pics that show Colin's new rear bumper? Looks really nice, but hard to see.

yes, I do

i've got higher res versions if you want/need them

 

[mr.trd]

Thanks man, that looks like a really stout and functionable bumper. CBI does some great work. That is why Steve is at the top of my list when it comes to needing anything fabbed on my truck.

 

[jeepmedic46]

Beautiful pics, Thank you for sharing, Looks like everyone had a good time.:smiley_drive:

 

[targa88]

Randy,
Thanks for posting up the pix.
Another one off my "bucket list" too.
Finally managed to pose @ TOTW. Thanks for the spot backing up from the ledge.
Notwithstanding the sidewall puncture - I had a great time.