Kokopelli in December

[Buttermilk]

Will be on a trip heading east this December and wondering if the Kokopelli is doable. Would either do it in early Dec. or around New Years. I know it depends on the amount of precipitation and how big the winter is...just trying to squeeze in an adventure. Are there any sections that would fill in and be impassable even in a moderate winter? What are the rumors for winter snow in these parts...La Nina, El Nino, or other...Thanks.

[frejwilk]

The whole Kokopelli trail is not worth planning in December. The higher elevation sections between Dewey bridge and Moab are going to be the issue. If the snow is not too deep, the ground will be freezing and melting which creates other issues. It's always 'possible' you could make it across that part in an ideal (early) December, or maybe at specific times of day.  I wouldn't dissuade anyone seeking adventure ... But you should really think about another ride that time of year.

In good years, you might put together a lower elevation route between Loma and Moab (north around Arches NP). Or consider something like White Rim or Lockhart Basin. Both are in the same general area. A White Rim loop from Moab is similar distance to Kokopelli and much more likely to be rideable in December.

FW

[krefs]

If the high stuff is snowy (which it already is), I rode a Koko variant a few years ago that was pretty fun and avoided the La Sals. Head north out of Moab on the highway to the airport, then head northeast through Baby Steps and up to Yellow Cat Flat/Poison Strip (don't drink the water sitting in the old uranium mines). Then turn east on some 2-tracks toward Dome Plateau (Dome Mesa?), head down the east side on some very sandy trails toward Cave Spring (which was dry when I was there), and then continue descending east until you hit the KT at the east end of the Yellowjacket section. With all the sand on Dome Plateau, there'd be a lot of hiking if you rode this in the opposite direction. I did this in ~15.5 hours at a relatively relaxed but steady pace, although I skipped the singletrack in the last 10 miles and just rode the dirt road to Loma.

[Buttermilk]

Thanks for the input. Still hammering out details. I'd hate to let a winter road trip go to waste without a quality ride in new terrain.