Katy Trail Forum

Checking on updates to the trail closure just west of Rocheport. I experienced this last fall on my KT ride. Hoping they have the bridge repair completed?

Repair has been completed.

We are RV'ers with 4 small dogs but wanting to bike the Katy Trail. I was looking at camping in Jefferson City as our base camp and trying to compete the trail in a week. Does anyone have any recommendations on shuttle services. We would probably cycle 40-50 miles a day with 1-2 rest days. Looking at possible starting Labor Day weekend and cycle for 6-7 days. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Love the Fredrick!

Maybe leave the RV in a place that it is easy to Amtrak back to. I'd probably do something like this.

Park RV in/near Sedalia.
Day one - ride to Windsor and back
Day 2 through however many - ride to St Charles. One spouse stays in the hotel or BnB with the bikes and luggage. Other Ubers to the Amtrak station and takes the train back to Sedalia.
Last day - Drive the RV from Sedalia to St Charles.

This way you can use Amtrak without having to worry about putting the bikes on the train, and you also save the quite stout expense of a shuttle.

Oh wait. 4 small dogs. If you want to ride multiple sections of the trail but be back to the RV every night for the dogs, you will need to drive to different base locations and do out and back rides, because the cost of multiple shuttles will really add up. I'd probably do base camp in Sedalia, New Franklin, Jeff City, Hermann, and Defiance.

Looking for thoughts on trail conditions in early to mid May? How soft does it get due to rain? Planning on a quick trip from Clinton to Machens so any thoughts or know detours are appreciated.

There is a thread below regarding the only trail closure that I know of.

When the trail is wet, it gets softer and certainly slows you down. Wider tires are your friend.

Little bits of silt and rock are flung all over you and your bike. It rinses off easily.

The trail doesn't seem to get much slipperier, like mud or grass would.

Rain has a much bigger effect on conditions in the early spring and late fall, when the weather is cooler. In the summer, it can rain an inch and the trail will be back in shape in a couple of hours. I always plan a "weather day" when doing an end-to-end on the Rock Island and Katy.

The best part about bicycling the Katy Trail is staying at places like the Katy Junction in Pilot Grove. Jerry restored my faith in humanity. He shared his love of Pilot Grove and the people that come through it. He has a good sense humor and knows when to give you some privacy. He works hard to take care of your needs. He is a very smart guy doing good in his community, before as a police officer and now as an inn keeper. A place not to miss!

Sue and Dorothy ( Kirland, Washington)

Best place to stay on the KATY. Breakfast is incredible and Ken and Melissa are great hosts. Restaurant across the street. Don’t miss it ??

This is a great place to stay while biking the trail. Can’t say enough about Joette the host. Pizza and supplies are close by. Fresh eggs from the hens next door and apples in season. DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE!!!

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced a portion of the Katy Trail will be closed April 25-27.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted with Lunda Construction Company to replace the I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport, which will require blasting to be done on the bluff alongside the Katy Trail.

Lunda Construction Company will blast April 25 and then remove the rock through April 27. Any other hauling would be completed through the remainder of April when the trail is closed at night. For more information on the bridge project, visit modot.org/RocheportBridge.

No trail detours will be available during this phase of the project because there is no safe way to reroute visitors around the blasting site and too much rock will be laid across the trail. For visitors' safety, please stay out of the work zone and follow all flagging and signage in the area.

For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, or to view the Park and Site Status Map, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. https://www.newstribune.com/news/2022/apr/18/portion-of-katy-trail-closed-due-to-rock-removal/

What mile markers is this referring to?

What mile markers is this referring to?

State Parks' site says
Closed: Katy Trail from mile marker 178.30 to 169.50

The trail will be CLOSED to allow the MoDot contractor to conduct blasting adjacent to the trail from APRIL 25-27. This is a full closure with no recommended detour.

So what do we do? We will be riding through Rocheport on April 26th. Any recommendations on how we continue our trek east?

You could call one of the many shuttle services to transport your group beyond the bridge construction. One option is to take a shuttle to Columbia where you could ride the MKT Nature and Fitness trail down to the Katy Trail. From the intersection of the two trails at Hindman Junction, you could go upriver to check that section out (it is really beautiful) and then backtrack and head east. The trail from Columbia to the Katy is mostly downhill and very nice.

Ride up the hill out of Rocheport on 240 go across I70 take Roby farm road right on County O about 100 yards to Hancock Hill road right back to Trail

Doug, I hear a lot of good things about you and your accommodations. I got out a map and can't follow your instructions. Would you have time to be more precise with the instructions and is the road that you recommend without shoulders and with concerning traffic?

TC, check google maps or give me a call at Bluffton Barn. It's a pretty easy ride other than the hill. Not much traffic after you get past I70.

Highway BB eastward out of Rocheport…240 will take you to the northwest.

Google Maps does not show Hancock Hill Rd going through to the trail, but the satellite view does. Here's a more defined list of Doug's directions.

From Rocheport:
Turn right onto 3rd St
0.2 mi

Continue onto W Hwy Bb
2.0 mi

Continue onto Roby Farm Rd
3.2 mi

Slight right onto State Hwy O
0.2 mi

Slight right onto Hancock Hill Rd
1 mi to the trail

Turn at ole man Wilson's house....

Not sure why directions are so difficult. Facing the south in Rocheport, take a right on 3rd street and head out of town on 240 going the wrong direction. Facing north in Rocheport, take a right on 3rd street and head out of town on W Hwy BB going the right direction.

Google maps is your best bet.

What an Awesome Spot to stay while riding the Katy Trail.Room to stretch out and absolutely everything you need plus great little “extras “
Very relaxing.

We showed up at the Katy Junction B&B doorstep tired and wet. Thankfully, it is right off the trail. We had a phone number from the Katy Trail guidebook yet couldn't quite get through. However, there are several phone numbers on the front door and we connected in no time to Jerry. There was a room available and he immediately made us feel at home. His place is clean, cozy and comfortable. Jerry is an amazing man with a wealth of information at his fingertips. He made us a delicious breakfast in the morning of fruit, coffee, toast with jam and a cheese/ham omlette. We were ready to ride. I highly recommend his place. He goes above and beyond what is expected. Thank you,Jerry.?

The blasting and rock removal occurring 4/25-27 is at MM 176.7

We want to drop our car in St Charles and get somehow back to Clinton to begin our bike trip. Enterprise doesn’t allow one way rentals there and UHaul is $400. Any other ideas? It would be on a Saturday. Also recommendation on where to leave car and where to stay in Clinton?

Call Bike Stop cafe they have shuttle service

I don't know any specifics, but Amtrak goes to Sedalia.

Recommend Country Inn & Suites. Might be able to leave car in their parking garage during your trip. I also recommend the Bike Stop Cafe for transportation needs.

According to st Charles police it’s illegal to park overnight at the trailhead. Recommendation where to park?

Ask your hotel about parking in their lot.

When I rode the trail last May, I stayed a night at the Best Western near the trail in St. Charles. They let me leave my truck there while I was on the trail. for approximately 11 days. I just needed to sign a waiver and leave the truck in a far part of the parking lot. I had a reservation for my return night, but I got in a day or so earlier and canceled the final night's stay. Weekends may be hard to get reservations because of the nearby casino, but middle of the week reservations are easy to make.

Where can I find more info on the Katy Trail Ride in June? (Dates, direction, cost, registration, etc?)

The Katy Trail Ride sponsored by the Missouri DNR is no more. However there are other groups with rides throughout the year. I'm signed up for Big BAM on the Katy in October and with Bubba's Pampered Pedalers in September. There are other rides advertised on this web site and you could google for others.

Noticed when doing a trip planner and adding in historical/places of interest that the River, Rails and Trails Museum and Visitors Center located in Boonville right next to the Depot does not come up on the list. This is an awesome stop on the trail in Boonville with a great museum, water, bathrooms, snacks and cool rest area. Please add to your listing. Thanks

Thank you for pointing that out! I have added the
River, Rails & Trails Museum to the Boonville listings.

From a local news source
"With a 30-acre riverside lake, the new waterfront stretching between the Ameristar casino and the Family Arena would be lined with office space, retail, hotels and residential developments"

If cyclists don't watch this project we could see bad effects on the trail. I mean like having 25 new places where cars turn across your path, for instance. I remember how the new soccer fields in nearby Creve Coeur Park ruined one of the mixed use trails there (IMO). I am guessing cycling is close to the last thing considered in these projects.

A quick google found this: The Katy Trail will be raised to above the 100-year flood elevation, and re-routed along the perimeter of the site, removing vehicular crossings.

Funny I found no such information on my google search. Plans aren't final yet. The developer's website is one page with no information.

https://www.riverpointe-stc.com/faq

What they say now may not be what they do later. We need to watch this.

I stopped using the Katy Trail in St Charles some time ago because of the horrible maintenance of the natural setting.

According to a Facebook post by Eric Lidholm, replacement of the Salt Creek Bridge starts on October 4th with the removal of the old bridge. The new bridge is schedule to open in May 2022. Eric is an engineer on the project and an avid Katy Trail rider.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/499221650808158/?multi_permalinks=960202088043443¬if_id=1632914849423244¬if_t=group_highlights&ref=notif

Good info! Thanks.

Great news!

Any updates concerning the Salt Creek Bridge Replacement? Thanks

Salt Creek Bridge is in place!! Not quite ready to ride on yet but it's getting there ??

Salt Creek Bridge is in place!! Not quite ready to ride on yet but it's getting there ??

Salt Creek Bridge is in place!! Not quite ready to ride on yet but it's getting there!!

I need to send a big shout out for HS Clay House B & B in Augusta...really charming, well maintained old house, well located, Kelly and Ric who run it are amazing breakfast cooks and extremely gracious and friendly hosts, went the extra mile to accomodate us and make us enjoy our stay, and I would absolutely stay there again and recommend it.

Bigger is better, but can I ride a rode bike with 28mm tires on the Katy?

If it is dry. My son rode 32's and was fine on a dry Katy. Absolutely miserable on a wet Rock Island. The Katy is in better shape than the RI but I suspect you'd have trouble if it is really wet.

Bigger is not always better. We’ve ridden the Katy with 28 slicks on the tandem several times. Stay in the track out of the loose chat and you’ll be fine.

I've ridden parts of the Katy on 700x25 road tires and didn't like it. I've ridden the entire Katy 8 times on 700x32 tires and they were adequate.

A couple of years ago did the same thing on 26x2.125 tires with some knobby tread on a tandem and it was OK. Did the GAP and muddy C&O last year on the same bike.

However last October I rode between Clinton and Boonville on 650b x 47 tires and it didn't work out too well even though those tires are pretty fat. The tires were slicks and it was extremely mushy from lots of rain. Lots of slipping and sliding. The next time I'll have some more aggressive tread on that bike.

I agree with Jack and Jerry.

A little more width with a little tread will help you through the possible trail conditions you might encounter. Muddy, rocky, loose, cracked, etc.

Also, if your bike has no suspension, a larger tire will give you a little more cushioning. Sometimes the trail is broken and rutted due to runoff, heavy equipment traffic, rock slides, fallen branches, etc.