Kokopelli Classic Loops

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Loma, CO, US

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Grand Valley Trails Alliance

United on Trails

32 km

508 m

This is a tour of the classic loops in the Kokopelli Trail system.

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The Kokopelli Trail system is a pioneering set of stacked loops along the edge of the Colorado river. This is desert riding with stunning views of the mighty river below. There are endless experiences to enjoy on the trails based near the little town of Loma (and usually atributed to Fruita, CO), but to get the the full experience, riders should be prepared to ride technical step-up and drop-off rock moves of varying sizes. You won't want your full DH bike, but a trail bike will be your friend. And don't forget water and nutrition.

**This is the desert. It can take a lot out of you on a ride. Be prepared.**

Although the Kokopelli trails can be enjoyed almost any day of the year, the prime time to ride is spring and fall. And it can get busy. It is not uncommon to find all the parking lots full and overflowing most weekends in October. But it is worth it and this expansive trail system seems to swallow up people. If you ride in the winter, expect to find snow and ice on some spots of the trails, dry dirt in other areas, and a mix everywhere else. Summer will bring temperatures into the 100s at noon, and thunderstorms can explode over the landscape during the monsoons. But if you are prepared, this is an excellent place to ride.

The primary parking area and trailhead is located just off of I-70 at the **Loma exit**. Head **South** and follow the signs to the short dirt road that takes you to the large, gravel, BLM parking lot, Kiosk, and pit toilets. Park here on busy days and ride up the gravel road that climbs the short and steep hill to the South to get to the **@poi[Rustler's Loop](1524122)** trailhead, or if it isn't a busy day, drive over the hill and park at one of the three pullouts you will find on the other side. The last one is directly at the **@poi[Rustler's Loop](1524122)** trailhead and makes things pretty easy, but only has enough room for 5-6 vehicles.

Start the route by a fun loop around **@poi[Rustler's Loop](1524122)**. Go through the gate, making sure to close it behind you, and go **LEFT** at the fork that comes almost immediately. **@poi[Rustler's Loop](1524122)** is strongly suggested as a **CLOCKWISE** loop, mostly because of the traffic it sees. Ridden **CLOCKWISE** also gives you the benefit of a fun descent back to the trailhead at the end of the loop. It can be ridden the opposite direction, but that is best done when the chance of running into riders going the suggested direction is very low (eg. at night, in January, during a blizzard, or all three). @slice[After the fork](d,120.84,347.9) you will quickly be faced with a double-track, frequently loose, and moderately steep climb up to the top of the bluff you will be riding on. Don't worry. This short section is not at all indicative of the rest of the ride. But it will quickly get your heartrate and breathing up!

At the top, take a hard **LEFT** and follow the dirt trail that quickly becomes singletrack. Along most of **@slice[Rustler's Loop](d,67.84,5669.1)** are informational and interpretive signs that provide a nice education on the basics of mountain biking, the fragile landscape, plant and animal life, and more. They are worth stopping and reading if you are new to riding in the Grand Valley. You will likely learn something and it can certainly enhance the experience. However, stopping repeatedly will impact your time, if that is important to you. You might consider a slow lap reading the signs and practiciing the moves and then a second lap to test your skills and fitness. And despite the idea that this is a beginner trail, it is a Grand Valley beginner trail and there will be moves and sections that will test rider that consider themselves intermediates from other locations. **@slice[Rustler's Loop](d,67.84,5669.1)** will give riders a good introduction to the fun, challenges and views available on the complete loop. Please make sure to ride at your ability, enjoy the views, and help protect our fragile trails and landscape by staying on the trail, not altering the trail so you can ride a section, be friendly with other riders you may encounter. There are several areas where riders get off the trail to take pictures of the river below. Please be careful to not further expand these areas and watch your step. It is a long fall to the bottom for a selfie.

After dropping down the fast and fun last section of **@slice[Rustler's Loop](d,67.84,5669.1)**, return through the gate to the gravel road you came in on and ride **NORTH** (**LEFT**) back up the road a few hundred yards to the **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** trailhead that starts on the **LEFT** side of the road. **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** also starts with a steep climb, but unlike **Rustler's Loop** this climb sees traffic up and down hill. Although the guiding rule of trail use is that uphill traffic has priority over downhill traffic, this ripping descent at the end of **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** is hard to pass up and riders might not always follow the uphill rule. But there is room for riders to pass since **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** is a demand double-track. You will ride **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** up to the **@poi[Horsethief Bench](1524121)** trailhead and return to it to get to **@slice[Steve's Loop](d,18592.08,25070.14)** and then return to your car so keep in mind that you will be the downhill rider later. Despite the name, this route does not actually ride **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** trail as a loop, but instead rides the trail as an out-and-back.

**@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5855.23,8075.5)** trail has a series of step up moves as you climb the first hill that will give you a chance to practice some of the skills you warmed up on **@slice[Rustler's Loop](d,67.84,5669.1)** trail. This series of steps are in a relatively safe environment and are perfect for sessioning if you don't get a move the first time. Once you are up the majority of the climb, the trail will turn to primarily dirt and the old double-track will be clearly defined. Remember there is two-way traffic so keep your eyes open and stay to the right. But look left, because the views are beautiful. You get a great view of **@slice[Rustler's Loop](d,67.84,5669.1)** trail from above. After about two miles, you will come to the **@poi[Horsethief Bench](1524121)** trailhead through a cattleguard and descending quickly to the left.

The start of **Horsethief Bench** trail is a *VERY* technical descent that requires expert skill and should be carefully considered before attempting. The **@poi[Horsethief Bench](1524121)** has claimed it's share of broken collarbones, limbs, bruises, and blood. But it is rideable downhill and is one of the top testpieces in the region. Whether it can be ridden by you is a question only you can answer. If it can be ridden uphill is up for debate.

Once safely down the **@poi[Horsethief Bench](1524121)** (most people carry their bikes), the real fun begins. Like **Rustler's Loop**, **Horsethief Bench** trail is ridden **CLOCKWISE** except for the rare day when you are the only one in the trail system and you aren't going to run into anyone riding it the proper direction. Take a **LEFT** at the Y and enjoy the fast, flow that starts almost immediately. There are a whole variety of features and challenges to enjoy in the first quarter of a mile of trail including swooping downhills, stinger climbs, and a short and mildly (or majorly) intimidating descent on a slab of slickrock. At the slab, trust your traction (it is approaching infinite on sandstone), shift your weight back, and be very gentle with your front brake. In start contrast from the slickrock, the next short section is a series of turns in often loose sand once again reminding us that variety is indeed the spice of life.

At many points on **@slice[Horsethief Bench](d,8237.04,14398.3)** trail you will cross large slabs of slickrock. Look forward on the trail and make sure you are taking the right line. Please don't braid the trail as a result of you not following the correct line.

The trail follows the contour of the Colorado River below until it reaches a point where the trail turns sharply right around a point of land and descends a series of rock step-down moves to the bottom of Dead Cow Gulch. These moves are not as hard as the **@slice[Horsethief Bench](d,8237.04,14398.3)**, but it is an advanced section of trail. Descend with caution. Ride it if you can. The last part involves a long, narrow rock slab that is off-camber and sloped. It is very challenging and crashes here come with consequence. But once you ride it, few challenges will fill you with the same sense of accomplishment.

Continue up the gully climbing the elevation you just lost and scramble up the waist-high ledge to continue on. Be thankful that the dead and rotting cow is no longer at the bottom of the gully. It wasn't pleasant.

This secion of trail can be sandy as it winds its way up a fun, dry (usually), arroyo. If you are riding fast, be aware that some of the corners can be pretty loose. Some more climbing and descending will loop you back eventually to the bottom of the **@slice[Horsethief Bench](d,8237.04,14398.3)**. Pick up your bike and make the short hike-a-bike section back up to **Mary's Loop** trail. If you are lucky, some expert will give you a little demonstration on how to ride the **@poi[Horsethief Bench](1524121)**.

At the top, ride through the cattle guard and back on to **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5981.57,8186.91)** trail taking a **LEFT** turn. This next section of **Mary's Loop** trail allows you to experience the real character of the trail

**@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5981.57,8186.91)** continues along the rim of the Colorado River. The double track has a variety of fun features and then pinches down to a singletrack trail at the new rollover cattleguard and gate. After going through the fence, **@slice[Mary's Loop](d,5981.57,8186.91)** trail becomes a nice singletrack that winds its way through boulder, step up and step down challenges. At one point, the trail goes around a boulder strewn corner with a signifcant dropoff to the South. Please be careful at this section. One wrong move can result in a big fall and the potential for a significant injury. It is **ok** to walk through this little section.

The last section of **Mary's Loop** trail before you get to the **@slice[Steve's Loop](d,19883.08,23720.9)** trailhead traverses along a steep slope through a variety of rock features. This section is a fun challenge that rewards riders who ride with confidence and momentum.

The start of **@slice[Steve's Loop](d,19883.08,23720.9)** trail drops significantly to a lower bench of the canyon. This descent is technical and involves several moves that will challenge even the most aggressive, skilled riders. **Proceed with caution**. After you reach the lower bench, the trail traverses on a fun singletrack that contours around a beautiful set of canyons with a mix of sandstone and dirt tread and a variety of features. Don't forget to stop and take some photos while riding. This trail favors riding non-stop, but the views are beautiful.

The final section of **@slice[Steve's Loop](d,19883.08,23720.9)** trail is a steep climb out to rejoin **Mary's Loop** trail. Although it is possible to ride this climb clean, there are a couple significant rock bands that cut through the climb that require a significant step-up move right when your legs and lungs are screaming. If you are lacking in both top fitness and skill, break up the climb into a few sections with stops and rests and a look around at the view. Once back at the intersection of **Mary's Loop** trail, turn **RIGHT**. The first little section is a double track that rolls fast until you get back to the start of **Steve's Loop** trail where you will retrace your ride back along the edge, through the fun rock sections, over the cattle guard, past the **@poi[Horsethief Bench](1524121)** trailhead, and eventually down the last descent to the gravel road and your car.

When planning a trip to the Kokopelli Trail System, please consider with information, gear, food, and drink from these fine, local resources:

* [Over the Edge Sports](http://otesports.com/locations/fruita/)
* [The Hot Tomato Cafe](http://hottomatocafe.com/)
* [Aspen Street Coffee](https://www.facebook.com/AspenStreetCoffee) (directly across the street from OTE)
* [The Copper Club Brewing Company](http://www.copperclubbrew.com/)

# Accomodations

Looking for a place to stay? There are several options. One of the best is to rent a local home through [Fruita Crash Pad](http://www.fruitacrashpad.com/). This is especially good if you have a group of friends all riding and staying together.

If you are looking to camp, there are paid sites at three different areas:
* 18 Road Campground - Desert camping right at the 18 Road trails. It gets very busy and full starting most Thursdays in the spring and fall.
* Highline State Park - Camping under big cottonwood trees at the edge of a nice reservoir. Located North of the Loma exit (same as the Kokopelli Trails), it takes some driving to get to trails, but when it is hot out, this is a great option.
* Fruita State Park - There is a state park campground right on the Colorado river in Fruita. It fills quickly, and requires some driving to the trailheads, but is a pretty nice base of operations.
# Important Reminders

A visit and ride at the Kokopelli Trail System is best enjoyed when you are properly prepared. A well tuned bike, proper clothing, enough water, tasty nutrition, and some friends all make a good trip great. Knowing what trails to ride and what to expect is also really important. Consider checking out the PDF maps and information at [COPMOBA](http://copmoba.org) and if you like the trails you find in the Grand Valley, please consider becoming a member of this important trail building and maintenance organization or make a [donation](http://copmoba.org/page.cfm?pageid=15888) in support of their efforts..

Kokopelli Classic Loops

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