Katy Trail Forum

I think it will be awhile before we can ride between Rocheport and New Franklin. If you go to the link below to a FB page (This Town we call Boonville) and look at some photos posted by Danny Green on July 10 - you will see why. The damage to the Trail is significant - a bridge was completely washed off of its moorings. It will be an expensive repair.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1212281372149238/

However, it appears that hi way 40 between Boonville and Rocheport has re-opened.

Sharon

Where's that bridge? I don't remember riding on anything like that anywhere between Boonville and Rocheport.

You know, I thought the same thing...

Sharon

You can see that bridge on google maps satellite images where the trail goes under 40 east of Boonville. (How it was before the flood)

I bet I could ride that. :^D

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rw9uk7U9nJE_jbTVJ1l0VRvz-c1rb_Is/view?usp=sharing

Oh, RP, I see it now.

And Michael, I had the same thought! Ride that washed out boardwalk, or ride the highway? I'll do the boardwalk!

Looks like there are couple of road routes around this, either Highway 40 or Country Road 448. From Strava Heat map looks like more folks ride the HY 40 route... maybe there's a good shoulder? Anyone with first hand experience going around?

I've got a trip on the books from Lee's Summit to St. Charles, if I can work out any route detours.

I know that Country Road 448 is extremely rough -- large gravel and washouts. It is a country farm road. It would be my last choice.

Highway 40 is a bit scary, but it is short compared to the county road alternatives.435,442,467.448. Affectionately referred to as
"The Long and Gravel Road" by the very tough local gravel grinders. Steep hills,wash outs, abundant dust, large rocks, tractors,log skidders, combines, grain trucks, dogs, and the dreaded pick up truck. I prefer highway 40 but try to ride it mid day for light traffic.

DNR posted today an announcement about how to donate to the Foundation to help rebuild the trail.

Severe flooding at Katy Trail State Park has led to numerous trail closures within the park and the cancellation of the 2019 Katy Trail Ride.

Nearly 100 miles of trail are underwater, and it may take several weeks for the water to recede in some parts of the trail. Based on the damage caused by the comparable flood of 1993, Missouri State Parks staff expects to find scour holes, washouts, bridge damage, downed trees, debris, silt accumulation and inconsistent trail surfacing.

You can help rebuild the trail and accelerate the restoration process by making a donation below to the Missouri State Parks Foundation. Everyone who donates $100 or more will receive a T-shirt commemorating their role in rebuilding this Missouri treasure. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.


https://mostateparks.com/page/82026/katy-trail-flood-donations?fbclid=IwAR06UsTTAuXqnIerlBSoHeGqQu6YOfkdRsB71QV5tsrzBAhjMMjvws17TpQ

Sharon

Sharon, thanks for passing along the link. I donated because this trail means a lot to me and my family.

Bikerboy - I feel the same way.

Sharon

I donated part of the refund from the Katy Trail Ride being cancelled. I'm looking forward to doing the Katy Trail Ride in 2020 and hope that they can get the trail in good shape by then.

Thanks for the link, Sharon. I just donated & hope all of you folks who are able will, too! I haven't ridden the Katy for several years, but would really like to someday soon. So sad that the flooding was so severe.

We just viewed the damage at the former salt creek bridge under the highway 40 bridge west of Rocheport. Very sad. Flood waters are gushing through again. A huge repair will be required. Please donate

Is there safe parking close to the trail head in St. Charles. I would like to leave my car somewhere safe for a couple days while I ride the trail.

There are two good-sized lots at St. Charles where you can park. Look for the Lewis & Clark Boathouse (also labeled as Frontier Park). Since you will be leaving your car overnight, the police strongly suggest that you remove all valuables, especially those in plain sight. Also, put your phone number on a piece of paper in your dashboard in case the police need to get hold of you. The good news is that the flood waters are completely off of the parking lots so you will have plenty of room. The lots do fill up on weekends with tourists, so keep that in mind.

Question for those of you who have been riding the trail on the east end. I’m sure this year’s abundance of frogs and toads on the trail is primarily a result of the high waters, but I was hoping for confirmation of that from folks who have been on the trail in previous summers. I bought a bike in March and have about 450 Katy miles on it. At least 350 of those miles took place while dodging the hopping amphibians. It’s not something I’ve enjoyed at all so, if water levels stay “normal” next spring will the population of frogs and toads on the trail be less? I’ve spent most of my trail time between Augusta and a few miles west of Treloar. Thanks!

I think probably more wet conditions and timing of your ride than high water.

I've noticed here at home in years past when it seemed ideal conditions thousands of small toads. At work several years ago the parking lot seemed to be alive as if the whole surface was moving with tiny toads.

We've experienced several times the similar toad phenomenon as well as baby skinks taking over the trail. Mid section of the Katy though, and not an eastern end thing.

years ago during some flooding along the missouri river there was a huge frog hatch too. So I doubt this will occur on a regular basis.

You waited for the flood waters to recede

And the DNR crews to repair the damage

The weather finally cooperates

And the heat index falls below triple digits

You think it is perfect day for a leisurely ride

Little do you know

They are waiting for you

The Revenge of the Killer Toads

Coming to a trail near you

Sounds like a hit!

Not long ago we had Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. And there is Ozark on Netflix.

Revenge of The Killer Toads only seems fitting.

My dad rode from Weldon Spring almost to McKittrick (actually to Case) on July 8th. So that should be open.

Does anyone know about flooding or blocks between Rocheport and McKittrick?

For context, I'm planning on riding Lee's Summit to St Charles in August. I think I can get around the flooding between New Franklin and Rocheport, but otherwise I'm checking to see if I have anything to worry about. I called the park office and said I should be good from Clinton to Booneville unless we get some tremendous rains between now and then.

We just got back from Windsor and we saw Kim's cabins for the first time. Wow, what an addition to Windsor, and the Katy Trail. Right on the trail and look like just what is needed all along the trail. Go Kim!

We just got back from Windsor and we saw Kim's cabins for the first time. Wow, what an addition to Windsor, and the Katy Trail. Right on the trail and look like just what is needed all along the trail. Go Kim!

Thanks big mike! Folks are loving the quiet setting of Kim's Cabins and that they're right on the trail a block from the Windsor trailhead. Being at the crossroads of the Katy and Rock Island is exciting and Windsor can now sleep over 75 folks! Love to show off the cabins if anyone's in the area.

Thanks big mike! Folks are loving the quiet setting of Kim's Cabins and that they're right on the trail a block from the Windsor trailhead. Being at the crossroads of the Katy and Rock Island is exciting and Windsor can now sleep over 75 folks! Love to show off the cabins if anyone's in the area.

Hi, everyone. It seems that many people are seeking information, and that many people have information. It also seems like there's not a good matchup between the two.

Locals are a great source of information. You guys get out and ride sections of the trail on a weekly or even daily basis. You know the trail like the back of your hand.

Without you, the trail would die, because you are THE ONLY up to date source of info! THANK YOU!!!

To those of us who don't know the trail well, we generally think of the trail in terms of the little yellow dots with blue text on the map up above.

So for non-locals, something like the following is really helpful, just as an fictitious example:
Sedalia to Pilot Grove is basically fully rideable.
Bridge washout near Pilot Grove has been repaired, but I had to lift my bike over a four foot plastic fence.
A large tree is down approximately 2 miles west of Pilot Grove, but we were able to easily walk through.
Very close to Pilot Grove, there was a 300 foot section of silt that was dry enough to ride on, but it might turn to mud in a hurry if it rains. There’s an obvious ridearound on a local road, though.

But something like this doesn’t mean a lot to us:
Rode from the old Kiwani’s boat ramp at the Clear Creek Bend to the closed Taylor’s Bait Shop. The parking lot of the bait shop flooded, but the store didn't. We made it, but it was a little dicey. Some gravel and some mud. Watch out where the highway crosses.

We just don’t even know where those places are, or what dicey means to you, or how strong of a rider you are, or what highway, or why a flooded parking lot is significant. Because we only know the little yellow dots and the blue text.

So maybe as you awesome, helpful locals get out and ride, you could make a post with the name of the little yellow dot you started at, and the little dot you rode to, and describe what you saw in a way that makes sense to us poor out-of-towners who don’t get to live next to the greatest bike trail in the world.

The locals are really what makes the trail great. There are plenty of 200 mile gravel roads we could ride on. They just don’t have the amazing support that the Katy does! Our favorite parts of the trail were the beautiful, peaceful scenery, and the great locals we met in the little towns along the way.

Thanks for your help as we all try to figure out our plans!!!

Has any one been on the section leaving from Jefferson City then on to Portland and from Portland to Mckendrick?

Well said Bill, most eloquently stated. We really do appreciate the updates from those of you lucky enough to be around the Trail (lucky unless you got flooded).
I also wish that out-of-towners would stop asking the same questions which have already been asked a hundred times: "can we cycle the whole trail?", and "will it be ok by X date?". The answer seems to be come back loud and clear: "We just don't know; watch this space; stay positive".
And a very big thanks to all those working to get the Trail back in shape.
We have booked 26 September to 1 October 2019 (definitely 2019 - I love the thread of reincarnated posts from 2013) and come hell or high water will be cycling somewhere on the KATY.

Good on ya both, Bill and Michael. I've had similar thoughts. All of the repetition in questions when people won't read the forum is crazy. And the ramble that often doesn't really clarify where a problem is just doesn't help sometimes.

Perhaps Ray could help with a page to report trail conditions/closures. A form perhaps that allowed the same format of report each time. Tic boxes to select specific locations and conditions encountered that would generate reports in chronological order could be of benefit.

Thanks for the input - you guys are offering some great ideas!

Especially this year, there's a real need for making the most current trail condition info readily available and easy to digest. I've been struggling with how to effectively do this beyond the forum posts, and the ideas above provide a good framework.

I'm thinking of a page where you would enter:
- the date
- Point A
- Point B
- a scale where you could assess that section from 1 (impassible) to 5 (perfect condition)
- a free-form text box to add details

Then there would be a reporting page where you could see all the trail condition entries, with the ability to filter and sort by date and/or location.

It would still take a little effort to digest the info, due to overlapping entries - for example, rider #1 reports on Augusta-Jeff City on Monday, and Rider 2 reports on Portland - Hartsburg on Wednesday. But still, it would be way more organized and understandable than trying to sort through the text of all the forum entries.

I'll work on this over the next few days, and hopefully have a handy trail conditions reporting tool within a week or so.

Thanks for the input, and happy trails!

That would be fantastic Ray.

Is there anyway that locations could be pinpointed on a map to readily see where the issues are?

Again, thank you again for all that you do for the Katy community. This website is top notch and all that you do is very appreciated.

Ray, that sounds like it would be super helpful. Thanks for the work you do for us.

Yes, Ray - that information would be super helpful.

I recently printed maps of the Katy and highlighted the sections that the Missouri State Parks Website said were closed. Then I scoured this site for any information related to those closed areas and marked those up on the same map. I then utilized Google Maps to research highway detours, even went as far as going to street level view to understand what the highway would look like for riding. All of this took about 2 hours to put together. My Clinton to Machens trip is scheduled for the end of August. From what I've learned, my trip is a go. We have a car that will be traveling with our group, so we'll just have them pick us up if we get into a detour situation that we don't feel comfortable with. Sounds like there will be some rough sections, but there are many sections that are still rideable - and as other posters mentioned, those stores/restaurants could use our business. I'd like to continue to update my maps as we get closer to the date, so any organized way that there is to be able to share information would be super helpful.

And thank you to everyone who has posted information on here related to the trail conditions. It's been super helpful.

I like the map idea. MODOT does it with road conditions, but still has problems with keeping it updated. For instance, HWY94 shows flooded between our house and Wainwright yet the water finally went down a few days ago. Then there is the problem of inaccurate input especially with multiple people providing the information. If those problems could be overcome, the map would be an excellent source for a quick trip planning tool.

Best campgrounds we have found on all of the trail. Super clean and quiet. Very good prices and very convenient to the trail and town. The owner was very nice and helpful. Let's you lock your bikes in the building there.

Whut is the usual amount of time needed to get the trail repaired from flood damage? I positively have GOT to ride the trail this autumn from Clinton to St. Charles. It is on my bucket list to actually ride even to Machens, but don't know if that will EVER be possible, due to trail conditions

I don't think anyone knows how long these repairs will take, and the last major flood like this was from before the Katy trail was a bike trail so no past history to draw on. Truly, unprecedented. However, there is already large parts open to ride. I expect you will be able to ride most by fall with just a few detours, but that is just an uneducated guess. Worth every penny you paid for it.

According to a Missouri State Parks spokesperson quoted in a KRCG-TV report on Thursday, it could take a year for them to repair all the trail and bridge damage. They cannot even see how much damage there is yet.

Based on pictures I have seen, the damage to the Train between Rocheport and New Franklin is extensive and I wouldn't count on it being repaired by this fall. The good news is that it appears the Highway 40 is open again between Rocheport and Boonville so there is an alternate route (not the most pleasant ride, but doable) - unless the water comes up again, which it might.

I expect there will also be major damage to the Trail on both sides of Jefferson City - again - I wouldn't count on it being open by fall. Most of the trail east of Jefferson City follows Highway 94 which should be open - and, again, unpleasant but possible.

I wouldn't count on being able to ride completely on the trail from St. Charles to Clinton by fall. Stay flexible - maybe catch the train in Hermann and hop off in Jeff City - if the Trail west of Jeff City is open - or ride to Sedalia and backtrack.

No way to know at this point.

Sharon

Grateful for everyone's input, and hoping it continues as the repair process progresses. Mebbe I buy a drone and have it piloted up n down the trail weekly to monitor the situation.??

It sounds like our trip planned in October to go from Clinton to St. Charles should be a no go. I don't really want to do work arounds and not enjoy the actual trail itself. The trail condition doesn't sound like it's going to be corrected by October. I think I have until mid Aug to cancel the trip and get a full refund. Comments?

If it were me, I would come and make it work. October is usually a gorgeous time to bike on the Trail. It has been a hard year for businesses along the trail - I would want to come and support them to help ensure they will be there next year when you can come back and ride the whole thing ...or the next year. If you have to shuttle around some places, then do that. Spend an extra day in Windsor and ride out and back on the Rock Island Trail - or ride to Pleasant Hill and stay there and ride back the next day. Come and enjoy the bike ride and the trails and if you don't get the whole thing in, well, that is a good reason to come back again!

Sharon

If there is really a need for a drone to check on the trail my son in law has one and can do it. Let us know if its necessary. there may be some cost for doing this

I see where McKittrick is ok for riding east, l am wanting to ride from Portland going east to McKittrick!

Hi "Big Mike"! No question in my mind how beneficial it would be to have the trail investigated by drone! How can we make that happen?

KATY is closed at the ROCHEPORT tunnel for west bound rides. Trail conditions from ROCHEPORT to McBaine are good. Katfish Katies at Huntsdale remains closed, but the actual building did not flood and they are cleaning up the parking lot.

Trail repairs to the south/east to at least Coopers Landing have been done, but I have not ridden it yet.

DOES ANYONE HAVE UPDATES ON SECTIONS TO THE EAST TO ST. CHARLES??????????? What is good and what is not.

I rode south on the KATY today from McBaine to Easley, a 7 mile stretch. The first 6 miles south of McBaine was in good shape, much of it appeared as though it had not been underwater. A section immediately south of McBaine had been flooded, but repairs were made. It had a few bumps and a little excess gravel, but nothing bad. The conditions deteriorate at the bridge over Little Bonne Femme creek
(At boat henge just north of coopers Landing. Trail surface turns to a scraped dried mud surface with a couple of short stretches of 4-6 inches of sand along the section in front of Coopers Landing. The final mile south to Easley had for a time been used as a replacement for the county road along the trail side. Most of it had patches of road gravel but was very bumpy with constant potholes and a short section with sand about 4-6 inches deep. Upon reaching Easley the trail surface is partially scraped dried mud, very rutted and nothing I wanted to ride. I don't think the state park folks have done any work in that area.

Further south/east of Easley I have no information to share, but may try to dry down to Wilton and see how far I can ride north and south from there.

I benefited from watching this forum as I planned my trip, so I thought I’d share some trail info. I just finished riding from St. Charles to Jefferson City. The trail is in good shape between St. Charles and Hermann, with a couple easy detours for bridge closures.

The trail is closed at two points just west of the Portland trailhead, no detours posted. At the first closure I hopped on 94, which runs nearby. Giant hills, but a pretty view from the top. The second closure is at a section where 94 is also closed and, according to a couple in an SUV, the water gets to be knee high on the highway. I didn’t see that water. I rode, going west, past the barricade on 94 on dry road until gravel road 464. If you follow 464 for a 1/2 mile or so it intersects with the Katy and it’s open all the way to Jeff City from there. There’s one washout near Wainright at MM 137, but you can just walk around it.

The pedestrian/bike access over the bridge into Jeff City is under water and doesn’t look like it will be accessible for quite some time. I was lucky that someone at the trailhead offered me a ride into the city because none of the taxi companies would take a bike and I couldn’t find a hotel shuttle who would pick me up.

The trail is rideable but really rough between Portland and Mokane.

Planning a trip from Clinton to Machens. I'm taking the train from Kirkwood to Sedalia, but not sure how to get from Sedalia to Clinton. Any ideas? Maybe an Uber?

A couple of years back we took a local bike shuttle from Sedalia to Clinton
Very nice man
But make sure you tell any of them all the gear you have
He was not prepared for our tow trailer
Sorry I can’t remember his name but am sure someone will offer a suggestion
Be safe have fun and pls report back on trail conditions

If you can extend your trip by one day just ride to Clinton. The morning train gets in early enough to get to Clinton before dark.

The Inn is no longer an operating B&B. It closed in May 2018.

I rode the KATY Trail this morning from McKittrick (mm101) to Marthasville (mm76). This section of the trail is dry, debris has been removed and the surface is what you would typically find. There is a small detour of approximately 300 feet by Case (mm97) that is easily bypassed by taking the road just to the north of the trail.

7/13/19-
Chesterfield levee entry point (Boone Bridge) to Hermann- no flooding.
- 1 detour around a washed out bridge west of Augusta.
- Another washed out bridge at Case, no detour, but you can hop off your bike and detour around the bridge on a side road. It does say "trail closed" but it is very manageable.