Katy Trail Forum

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Mokane Bar and Grill status

Randy from Alton, IL on 08/12/2013 04:19 PM

Is the Mokane Bar and Grill open now? As many have, I had a nice meal there in '08 and am trying to plan for a Labor Day trip...

Billy from Mokane on 08/13/2013 06:47 AM

Just so everyone knows... The Mokane Bar and Grill has been open for business for almost a year now. Think some old postings on here may give the impression that the place is closed. Come see the fine folks in Mokane, we really appreciate folks stopping by.

posted Jul 23 2013 2:47PM - Billy, Mokane

Davidw from Guelph Ontario on 09/25/2013 03:59 PM

Good to know this. Riding Clinton to St Charles Sept 28th to Oct 3 so will definitely stop by.

Pseudio on 02/14/2014 07:00 PM

I just saw it listed for sale on craigslist, 2/14/14. Business must not be very good these days.

Anonymous on 02/14/2014 09:08 PM

For sale doesn't always mean that business is not good. It could be a result of many other factors.

Doug from Bluffton on 02/15/2014 07:30 AM

One of the best times to sell is when business is great.

Pseudio on 02/16/2014 08:20 AM

It is or was a good stop in the desert section of the KT. Hope Billy makes out OK and it opens soon.

Mel from mokane on 04/02/2014 03:31 PM

The bar was put on craigslist as a joke by someone but since I didn't put it on there I cant remove it.....yes the bar is open and no it's not for sale so fee free to stop on by

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Tagged: Mokane

Points of Interest

Abraz from Bridgeton, MO on 04/01/2014 10:26 PM

Can I get some opinions from riders of the Katy as to "can't miss" things along the Katy? I am planning my trip, but I would hate to miss something!

Anonymous on 04/02/2014 08:30 AM

Try the Trip Planner above and click on the Points of Interest for a pretty nice list of points of interest.

MAH from Blue Springs on 04/02/2014 12:22 PM

The MO champion Bur Oak tree between Mcbaine and Huntsdale. It's estimated to be 350+ years old. Amazing tree and to think it was already over 100 years old before we were even the USA. The things this tree must have been silent witness to!

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Feasible Miles

Abraz from Bridgeton, MO on 04/01/2014 10:32 PM

Is 60-100 miles a day a reasonable mileage expectation on the Katy?

Darrell from Jeff City, Mo. on 04/02/2014 03:52 AM

My opinion is, 60 miles is way, way more reasonable than 100. Have done nearly 100 miles, once, wore me out, don't plan to do it again. I would not really want to do 60 a day for very many days, I'm no youngster. But it is reasonable for many I'm sure, it mainly depends on a persons fitness level I suppose.

Anonymous on 04/02/2014 06:26 AM

I've done up to 120 in a day on the KATY...but it can be a LONG DAY...at least for me.

My "normal" trip across (which I "crunch" a little because of limited time in my life to go ride a bike) is:
Day 1. My wife hauls me to Clinton. Clinton to Boonville
Day 2 Boonville to Rhineland (that's a pretty long day)
Day 3 Rhineland to St. Charles
Day 4 St. Charles back to Hermann in the morning/take Amtrak back home to Kansas City in the evening.

You will hear 1000 different opinions about how to plan your trip. What I offered is JUST ONE. It's not the right one - its not a wrong one - its just one that works for me.

That's what I love about the KATY. There are at least a 1000 different options for enjoying it back on your time, your fitness, your interest, your goals.

ENJOY!!

Anonymous on 04/02/2014 06:28 AM

The word should have been BASED on your time...

not "back" on your time. Sorry.

I also forgot to mention how much I agree with the previous post that there is a HUGE, HUGE difference between 60 and a 100... It is a bigger gap on the KATY (in my opinion) than it is on paved roads.

Pseudio on 04/02/2014 12:18 PM

60 to 100 a day is the difference between 3 days and 4 days. 1st time 60 is good taking in the sites. If you road ride, 60 on the KT with the surface is about 80 on a road. Camping, hotel or B&B can change the distance with logistics. Month of the year can change the distance too with weather and if trailheads are open with water. 100+ a day is getting into ultra distances if you have done those before on a trail?

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Camping

Ash from Greenwood mo on 03/19/2014 09:18 AM

Trying to reserve my camping spots in April. But I can't get ahold of Rivers Edge in Portland. Anyone have any ideas?

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 03/19/2014 12:03 PM

They have a long history of being difficult to reach. No online presence. Very underwhelming reviews.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/19/2014 03:41 PM

Ash, I camp about 10 nights a year on the Katy including Rivers Edge and have never made a reservation like I do for B&B's. Most of the time you will be the only one there, especially in April. I've been to Rivers Edge twice in mid-May and they said I was the first camper for the season and had to turn on the hot water heater. I've never been able to get them on a phone. They live in a house right on the trail with a chain link fence just west of the campground.

Ash from Greenwood mo on 03/24/2014 08:29 AM

Thank you for the info.

Nick from kansas city on 03/28/2014 08:44 AM

Ash, Steamboat Junction campground is about 6 miles east of Portland. Stayed there multiple times - my favorite camping spot on the trail. Hot shower, snack bar, and campfire if you want. Also, Grand Bluff trailhead is right around the corner if you want to get a great scenic hike in. They say they don't open till mid April. Phone # is 314-831-4807

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End of May bike part or all of Katy Trail

Shirley from Pittsburg on 03/05/2014 06:38 PM

Myself and some friends are looking at biking the Katy Trail the end of May. Wanted suggestions from others on how to plan, how many miles to ride a day, reservations needed at Bed and Breakfast. We are joy riders and are not in it for the speed but to enjoy ourselves and take the sights in along the way. We have 4 days to do this in. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/05/2014 09:20 PM

Shirley, only you can answer how far to plan to ride in a day. How far does your slowest/weakest rider in you group ride in a day and still enjoy it? Take that number and then look at the Mileage Chart tab above and then figure out your itinerary. Riding the end of May I would definately make reservations at B&Bs especially on weekends or holidays. To do the entire trail in 4 days you will need to average 60 miles a day, a little more than I like to do every day. I have been riding the trail for 5 years, but I am in my early 60's. 60 miles in a day may be fine for your group. If this is your first trip on the trail I would suggest you pick a section of the trail and do something more like 35-45 miles per day and have time to enjoy the sights, towns, and people along the way.

Anonymous on 03/05/2014 10:34 PM

Memorial Day weekend will be very busy on the trail around Boonville - Rocheport area with the Picker's Jamboree. Lots of riders and musicians and drinkers.

For some it is awesome fun. For others, it may just feel a bit like a traffic jam on the KATY.

Personally, I think it is an awesome event, but not everybody might think the same way...and if I was riding through the area, I'd want to know beforehand.

Just a thought.

Will from Columbia, MO on 03/06/2014 07:17 AM

Shirley,
I agree with what MidSouth, replied and suggested. Once you figure out how far you want to ride each day, then I would go to the chart and try to figure out a workable and enjoyable distance to ride per day. And if after you have done that, let us know and we can help you tweak it a bit, because most of us on here have rode every mile of the trail a few times.
Also, where will you be starting and ending? How will you get back to your starting point? That's important to know. And what would you like to do after or during your ride? Go to some Wineries? Hang out in some of the small city's eateries, bars, casinos, shops, etc?
Also, Memorial Day Weekend, will be a busy time to ride, but that might be what you are looking for since you said you are all joy riding? If so, take a look at the events and plan to stay at or near where the happenings are. They could prove to be a lot of fun!
Ok, that's my "Too Sense" (vs .02)!

Maxine's Room's for Rent from Sedalia, mo on 03/09/2014 09:42 AM

I will have rooms to rent all year. My email has changed to slimchigger47@yahoo.com. Maxine's Rooms for Rent. Thanks, enjoy your ride.

Bull from Brookfield on 03/26/2014 05:59 PM

Shirley,

The Memorial Day ride referred to is only between Columbia and Boonville

T Howell III on 03/27/2014 04:33 AM

My good Shirley, Since this will be your first effort, I would have your staff contact a bicycle service with transportation and ride at your leisure, or possibly even a carriage and your staff can worry about transport at each winery or place of interest. Then your length of riding and God forbid perspiration and all other tedious worries will be vanquished. Good day and a fine journey.

Jim from St Thomas on 03/27/2014 06:31 AM

Ok! Who woke up the Troll?

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St Charles Camping

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 03/17/2014 02:50 PM

I'm considering opening a tent camping location near historic St. Charles. This would be on the Katy trail and offer other amenities.

What do you good people think the level of interest would be? There is none there now.

Don from Ellisville, MO on 03/17/2014 02:58 PM

I think the most interest would be from those not from the St. Louis area, because they would be more likely to just start out early from their homes, rather than camp out. Related to this, I have wondered why someone in the town of Machens has not opened a camping spot near the start of the trail?

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/17/2014 03:14 PM

Brian, there have been many posts over the last few years because of the lack of camping options in St. Charles. Many riders start, end, or turn around in St. Charles and would rather not spend the money at a motel or B&B just for a place to sleep for a few hours.

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 03/17/2014 04:18 PM

Don: Yes, I agree, they would be from out of area. It's not going to be "destination camping" but just a site on the trail for bike campers.

MidSouth: Yep, that's why I have considered doing it. I'm concerned about the level of interest / size of camp. It just dawned on me to call other camp grounds on the trail.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/17/2014 05:24 PM

I don't think I would make it very big, I have stayed at most of the campgrounds along the Katy in the last few years and they are never very crowded. So, I don't think it would be much of a money maker, but it is something that is needed at that end of the trail.

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 03/19/2014 12:11 PM

Does anyone think rustic cabins would do better? Say $45-%50 a night with some tent camping also?

I intend to have a store that also serves the area, hot showers, clean restrooms, and laundry.

Also, I'm contemplating doing "elevated camping". Where there is a cement slab with a picnic table and a waterproof deck over it. You camp up on the deck. The lower portion could be screened. The reason is that would give a view of the river, provide a shelter underneath in a storm, and a mosquito free general area.

Also, I may build semi-permanent tents on top of some so people can stay without carrying/setting up a tent. Like a Yurt. With a bed and linen.

Each site will have power.

Any other ideas?

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 03/19/2014 03:43 PM

A mix of rustic cabins and tent camping sounds like a good fit for the St. Charles area.

Pseudio on 03/21/2014 05:38 AM

From the business end and if you could justify the investment, I believe last, there was a posting of a website that had a business tourism study from survey questionnaires of the businesses and people who use the KT.
It showed how many people use it from MO and out of state and how much they spend on lodging, food, entertainment. It could help you in the decision Brian. Maybe someone could identify the link?

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 03/24/2014 12:04 PM

Is this it?

http://mostateparks.com/sites/default/files/Katy_Trail_Economic_Impact_Report_Final.pdf

Don from Ellisville, MO on 03/24/2014 07:26 PM

Brian, I would say that one of the biggest obstacles you would face would be permitting and zoning. In fact, before you go too far, you should talk to both St. Charles City and County to find out where such a business could be located. I don't know what zoning is required for camping. And when you talk about providing some kind of permanent shelter over a picnic table, I bet you are getting into a different zoning (hotels, for example). The authorities could give you a lot of information about zoning that would help you greatly narrow your choices of locations.

Brian Demarest from Saint Peters on 03/24/2014 11:19 PM

Excellent advice Don. Thank you.

I am going to the County tomorrow to discuss just that. The properties I'm looking at are unincorporated and zoned light industrial so I believe the requirements will be minimum compared to the City but I'll have my ducks in a row first.

Pseudio on 03/26/2014 04:32 AM

Brian the name of the report is Katy Trail Economic Impact Final Report done in 2011 and published in 2012. It does talk about camping and the areas of the trail most used by primarily local day riders. Based on this study, camping is not a big business area on the KT. The need for more water stops, food/restaurants and bicycle/maintenance is mentioned. It is in the MO DNR park website on google.

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Great Stay at The Rendleman Home

Mathews from Houston, TX on 03/24/2014 05:27 PM

Located just a few feet from the Katy Trail. Great company, food and entertainment. Very comfortable amenities and excellent price. The pineapple fosters was to die for! The view from the nearby conservation deck is breath taking and well worth the hike. Doug is a host extraordinaire. A must see stop on the trail.

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Tagged: Rhineland

Water Turned On?

MB from Lees Summit on 03/23/2014 07:16 AM

Riding the trail the second weekend of April. Last fall the water was turned off at the trailheads. Does anyone know when they turn it back on?

Darrell from Jeff City, Mo. on 03/23/2014 02:04 PM

The water is usually turned on April 1, you should have no problem getting water at the trail heads that have it. Enjoy your ride!

Pseudio on 03/24/2014 03:56 AM

This was posted in Nov by the man, Ray

Great news from MO DNR's Facebook page:

You spoke and we listened! We received a suggestion from several trail users that we provide portable toilets at a few of the trailheads where the restrooms have been closed for the winter, and we've done just that. Dutzow, Marthasville, N. Jefferson, Boonville, Sedalia, Windsor, and Clinton trailheads now have portable toilets until March 31. Your fellow trail users thank you for your suggestion!
posted Nov 23 2013 3:26PM - Ray (webmaster)

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Bad Grading Job on Trail

Bill from St Charles on 03/21/2014 11:28 AM

Overall the trail is in great shape except for a one mile stretch between the Greens Bottom Station and Jungs Station Rd. Hopefully they are not finished with the grading. The trail is very rough, uneven, and even has large humps. Bikers and runners beware!!

Pseudio on 03/22/2014 11:37 AM

Bill, Is that the long parallel stretch along the highway? But unless they are doing area construction or extreme weather has damaged the trail with wash outs or debris, DNR resources are pretty scarce.

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