Setting up caches on Kokopelli Trail

[PeteStaehling]

I want to do the KT in late April or early May and plan to place caches using a 2wd car.  My hope is to have some flexibility in trip duration I am thinking 5 days, but want to be able to adjust depending on how I feel.

I have done some riding in the Moab area including Jackass Pass, the Portal Trail. and others, but it has been 20+ years ago.  I have only done a little desert MTB riding, but have done a little desert backpacking and have done a lot of long distance road bike touring, including a couple coast to coast rides.  So I am open to suggested reading or specific suggestions.

I have the Alex Hearn book "The Kokopelli Trail Mountain Bike Guide" (free pdf version).  Is the info in it still pretty up to date?

Which cache locations would you advise using?  How much time will it take to set the caches?  Can it easily be done in a day or will I need more time.

I am not experienced at setting caches in desert terrain.  Any tips on packaging, hiding, and so on?

[woody]

Below Miles are off of MTB project
Not sure what you are stashing, water? Food?

Rabbit valley, ~ 20 miles, easy access right off I-70
Westwater, ~ 40 miles, paved road easy access (maybe stash under railroad bridge)
Not sure if water works at westwater, you could look into that.
Cisco Pump House Rd & Koko ~ 54 miles, easy access
Dewey Bridge ~ 74 miles, easy access or back around 64 miles where you cross 128
Might be better there a lot less people
Filter water just before 94.6 miles in creek (if it's running)
La Sal mtn loop rd ~ 115.7 miles, paved road, easy access or anywhere from there to Upper Porcupine TH 123.9 mile, 99% paved and good gravel section around TR.
I've  done it the way the GPS track has it taking Sand Flats rd. That being said, lots of people take the upper porcupine singletrack down to 128 then into town. Not sure I'd do it with a loaded bike, but I'm old...
Lots of driving, but could hit most of them in a day and with 2WD vehicle. Not sure you would need to hit all of the above just giving you some thoughts.

I did a trip last year in Cedar Mesa area and I stashed some water (2 gallons) buried in sand and something got in there and ripped them open. Maybe a coyote, not sure.


MTB Project Kokopelli
https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/221567

[PeteStaehling]

Not sure what you are stashing, water? Food?

Maybe both, but water obviously is more of an issue given how heavy it is and how much one needs to ride.  Ideally I'd like to carry as little weight as I can safely get by with, but I am not sure how much sense it makes to count on food surviving in a cache.  If I feel confident of food surviving, I'll probably have at least one food cache.

I've  done it the way the GPS track has it taking Sand Flats rd. That being said, lots of people take the upper porcupine singletrack down to 128 then into town. Not sure I'd do it with a loaded bike, but I'm old...

Yeah, I rode both way back when and remember the single track down to 128 as being challenging on an unladen bike.  Granted it was a rigid bike, but still...  Also I was 20+ years younger then (now 65), so I'll probably choose Sand Flats Rd.

Lots of driving, but could hit most of them in a day and with 2WD vehicle. Not sure you would need to hit all of the above just giving you some thoughts.

Ah, good.  If any intermittent creeks have water at the time I go hopefully I can verify that just before the start and minimize the number of caches.  Is someone in Fruita likely to be a good reliable source for that info. 

I did a trip last year in Cedar Mesa area and I stashed some water (2 gallons) buried in sand and something got in there and ripped them open. Maybe a coyote, not sure.

Yeah, wasn't sure about what sort of animals might get into the caches there.  I was thinking food was more likely to be a problem for critter issues, but I guess in the desert even more than elsewhere water is life.  I do recall that on a canoe trip in Everglades NP, we had to keep fresh water secure from the raccoons, so I shouldn't be surprised that critters might get into cached water.

[Enjoying the View]

Not Cache related as I have not relied on that in the past.  But, as a heads up, you will need to find a way to account for some construction work on LaSal Loop Road.  As a section is closed to all traffic at all times (Including Bikes) until May 1st I think.  It has a very major impact on the route going into Moab.  Assuming restrictions are followed.

http://copmoba.com/page.cfm?&pageid=21087&articleid=21934

I know of a few people who have chosen to adjust plans to the fall.

I did just re-read your post.  In  theory as long as you plan your trip after May 1st you should be able to still do the ride.  Just might have a few delays.