Katy Trail Forum

I'll be walking the trail. What is the distance from the trail to Klondike Park? Thanks!

It is just a short (200 yards?) paved path up a STEEP hill to get to the camping area of Klondike. It is further to get to the scenic overlook and other park amenities.

Thanks Dave..very helpful! Now, just wondering if anyone has any favorites or suggestions on tent sites? (I have a choice between 1-3 or 8-10, which look to be right off the trail) Thanks again.

I cannot recall which site is which, but all those are fine. 1-3 may be closest to the showerhouse, while the others are closer to the spur to the Katy (but all are in the same nrighborhood).

Yes, 1-3 are a little closer to the shower house and 8-10 are a little more private. They are all actually pretty close together.

There are B (basic) and P (primative) 1-3 so be sure you are looking at the right one. B are the ones by the showers and Katy trail.

Just wandering what snakes normally do when you bike over them? Normally I try to avoid them but ran over a black snake the other night, I didn't look back to see how he reacted. I know how I reacted :)

Well, don't stick around long enough to see a recation. Like any living thing, when attacked, they will attempt to defend; thus bite you.

If you were walking, jogging or riding a bike slowly, there is a distinct possibility that you would get bit. If the snake has the ability to coil a bit and launch itself, it can travel vry quickly for a few feet. Of course, having a bike tire parked in the middle of it's back will limit that distance a bit (you hope).

Rule of thumb, stay clear. Should you get bitten, relax and call for help. Don't do anything to make your blood flow faster. You'll live through any bite, but you won't be terribly comfortable for a while.

Normally, you'll break its' back; they'll usually manage to crawl off but die later. The chances of getting bitten by a snake as you run over it are pretty small. Unless it's a huge snake, they can *NOT* strike "a few feet".

I've often wondered the same thing!

when walking the trail and you see a snake not far away and not wanting to move, what should you do???? should you throw a rock and hope it moves out of your way??

Just walk around it, and let it be. No need to be poking it or throwing anything at it.

When I was here last week I saw that the place was open at 3pm, not 11am on Tuesday-Thursday. It was on their front door, unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it

Did you get the name of this place?

It's on the front door. In the missing photo.

just passed through Saturday,didnt go to the market but stopped at the bar..Cheese burgers are to die for,best i have ever had.They filled our water bottles for free. will always stop at the bar and grill thanks for the great food and service

also there phone # is 573-676=3119

Definitely a much needed food and water oasis in that part of the trail from Hermann to Jeff City.

I was so happy to see the bar and grill after biking most of the day. Food was good and the owner was friendly

Just went on 5 day ride (END TO END) of KATY with Todd and friends. Todd has his act together. Knows the trail well.

Spaced out the SAG stops very well. Did not have one one bad moment on the trail with Todd.

His rental bikes were FIJI cross-towns which was an excellent choose for this style of riding.

After hours with Todd and crew was just as good.
One would be foolish to use any other bike shop on the KATY trail.

My wife and I were running this morning from the Providence entrance toward Stadium Blvd in Columbia. We both work in law enforcement, so don't take what I'm saying lightly, we know what we're talking about. There was a white male in his 40's with shoulder length brown hair and a brown/gray mustache acting very suspicious. We first noticed him when we saw him staring at a female running with a stroller and two small children. I feel confident that had we not intervened, she and her children would have been his victims. This guy is definitely a predator. Keep your head up and eyes open when you're on the trail. Make sure you have your cell phone and be prepared to report anything or anyone suspicious.

Good Advice and thanks for the heads up Aaron.

On a related note. In the last couple weeks, a killer, who recently killed two women in the KC area and then committed suicide in jail had made a confession to investigators that he had ambushed a woman on the KT and drug her into the woods along the trail where he raped and killed her. To date, there have been no matches made to any missing persons, nor has there been any remains located that would match this confession. But, it does help to highlight that we need to keep our eyes and ears open and look after one another while riding/jogging/walking along the wonderful KT.

PS Aaron- I too work in the "blue industry".

It's important also to know where you are in the event you have trouble and to know who to call.

I carry emergency numbers to call by the county that I'm in. And I most always know how far I am from the next town or landmark.

Aarons suspect was seen on the MKT Spur well inside Columbia and not on the Katy Trail. That's not to say that a similar suspicious person couldn't be seen on the Katy, but the information is a bit missleading.

Update: The police are familiar with this guy and he is a long time resident of the city. That means, he's not going anywhere, so be alert when on the MKT.

has there been any kind of trouble like this closer to the St. Louis, Augusta, Marthasville portion of the trail. Need to hear any suspisious activity as a group of middle aged people are planning on a walk in that area...

Drove up to Hartsburg Friday afternoon and spent the night at the Katyrest Caboose, neat and clean little place for the night. Ate at the Hartsburg Grand, a little pricey but the food is magnificent! In the morning we had our usual great breakfast at Dotty's Cafe. The Big Muddy and The Bistro apparently have closed. The Hichin Post is still open for beer and pizza. Rode to Rocheport Saturday. The winds were fierce and it looked nasty at times but it never rained on us. Spent Saturday night at the Katy Trail Bed & Bikefast. We have stayed here several times and it is always clean and well stocked with snacks and continental breakfast items. Had dinner at the Rocheport General Store. The food is always decent, but the music is always way too loud for a small place, so we never stay long. On Sunday morning we traveled back to Hartsburg. The weather was beautiful and the trail is in great shape. There are lots of geese along the bluffs east of Rocheport for amusement and photo ops. Got back to Hartsburg in time to have a great roast beef dinner at Dotty's before loading up for home.

MidSouth, I know you are an experienced KT rider. I do not live around the KT but when I have only a few days, I do what you have reported and ride this section of the KT (Boonville-Jeff City) since it has the best of everything to offer on the KT. Also when newbies ask which section to try out first I always suggest this section. I will be back in May definitely.

This is also my favorite portion of the trail, but in all honesty, it's the only portion I have done. I really like the area from Rocheport over to Hartsburg, as far as scenery goes, it pleases me the most.

We ate at the Hartsburg Grand when we were out there last October. I loved their food. Home made chicken and mushroom soup. If anyone from the Grand reads this, I will be back out there Memorial Day weekend for Pedaler's Jamboree and would love some of that soup Sunday!

I ride all the sections and usually camp if going alone. When the wife wants a weekend getaway this is the section she loves to do. This will be our third year to ride the Pedaler's Jamboree also.

We will also be there over Memorial Day Weekend. I have never eaten at the Grand, but I saw someone mention that there is outside seating that is pet friendly, and since we will have our little dog with us, I would love to give it a try.

This is a report I emailed to a friend who wants to ride the Katy this year. I am posting it here for those who are lurking, but may want the information themselves.


There is a guidebook available. The author is in the process of revising it for the 10th edition and it would be available in about June. Info on the Katy Trail website. http://www.bikekatytrail.com/default.aspx I used the 9th edition and the website for all planning info, then I called each place at which I planned to stay or eat to make sure it was open and get the hours of operation. I read all the comments below the info on each of these places on the web site to see what the folks thought about them. There was one place that had lots of negative comments, but we were pleasantly surprised when we ate lunch there.

We drove to St. Charles and the Lococo House B&B. Leo and Rhona Lococo have a shuttle service we could use, if we stayed at their B&B. I booked them for the end of the ride and they took us to Clinton the day before we started.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Clinton. About a 1.5 ride to the trailhead. Total miles that day 41.66 to Sedalia and the Hotel Bothwell. We ate lunch at Raymond's in Windsor and had beers and ate dinner at the hotel. Very nice lady running the bar. It rained several hours in the morning, which made the crushed limestone kind of soft, about a gear or 2 lower. The first 2 days are a little hilly, not nearly as much as the GAP, but we had a support wagon on that one.

Next morning, we spent some money at a trail depot in Sedalia, then rode to Boonville's Holiday Inn Express. There was a cutoff a couple miles short of town that we took to the hotel. Total miles 35.89. We took a taxi to town and ate at Glenn's Cafe at the Hotel Frederick, walked to the casino and took their shuttle back to hotel. We stopped in Pilot Grove for lunch at Becky's Burgers and Cones. We stopped mid morning for Ed to make some hot water for

My husband and I are planning a fall trip on/to the Katy trail. In order to minimize logistics, hassle, and plan a toddler-friendly trip, we plan to stay in the same location for three nights and do two days of riding, one to the west and back, one to the east and back. We're considering Rocheport or Augusta as our "home base." We're looking for some nice scenery on the trail surrounding, and a couple dinner options near our lodging. Any other suggestions? We don't plan to go too far during the days- maybe 25 miles round trip. So a concentration of trail favorites is a plus. We're first timers so I'm open to any suggestions and ideas from folks who know the trail and what each area has to offer. Thanks in advance!

I would think Rocheport is your better option. Boonville and the Mo River crossing to the west, pretty stretch along the river to the east. Big Oak Tree to the east. Good dining in Rocheport. Augusta is nice though the scenery and sights in the nearby vicinity don't compare to Rocheport IMO. Haven fun.

I know the trail from Boonville to Mokane. Rocheport east to Huntsdale is the prettiest (IMHO). Lots of caves with cliffs on one side and the MO River on the other side. 12.5 miles west gets you to New Franklin, 12.5 east gets you to Providence. Most food options are in Rocheport with best overnight options. Can't speak to the Augusta option...

I have had the pleasure of riding Clinton-St. Charles on multiple occasions...In my opinion, the prettiest stretch of the KATY is the 25 miles between Rocheport and Hartsburg. That's just my opinion.

Thanks for the opinions! We are definitely leaning towards Rocheport as it is also a much shorter drive. I'm open to any other towns that we might look into, so keep the suggestions coming if you've got 'em!

I like the Rendleman Home at mile mark 111. You could ride west one day and see the river and the bluffs and Standing Rock and then east one day through open farm fields and tree shaded trail sections to Historic Hermann. Lots to see and do there along with restaurants but I would eat at Dougs at least one night of your stay. Both he and his dogs are kid friendly and he can cook. He also can give you lots of info on the area and help set up your rides.

Best areas on the KT are Boonville to Jeff City and Hermann to Defiance by all experienced recommendations. Best food, B&Bs, wineries and scenery by far.

Rocheport, hands down. We raised two sons on the Katy Trail with daytrips starting in Rocheport; cliffs, caves, a railroad tunnel, river views, Burr Oak, etc. etc. I would suggest that on day two you drive the short trip the McBaine Trail Head and ride 10 miles up the MKT Spur to downtown Columbia for pizza(and cold brews) at Flat Branch Brewpub ... and a splash in the city park playground/fountain on your way back.

Well, I've booked our Boxcar at Katy Trail B&B in Rocheport and we are looking forward to it. The fountain in Columbia sure sounds good... but probably not in early October :) -- however our girl never met a playground she didn't like and I like the idea of checking out another area-- so we will check out the spur side trip for sure. Thanks for the idea, Brad!

My wife and I recently spent two nights at the Lindenhoff B andB. Debbie and Bill were gracious hosts. They made useful suggestions about area wineries and restaurants for dinner. Bill provided directions to St. Louis attractions. Our room was comfortable and nicely furnished. Our two breakfasts were delicious and substantial. A bottle of wine was provided each evening, and we enjoyed it on the patio. Soft drinks, cookies, and breads were also available during the afternoon and evening. We would not hesitate to return to the Lindenhoff, and recommend it without reservation.

What a wonderful Katy Trail destination! Elegant, charming ... but biker friendly. A cozy, fun atmosphere paired with a delicious menu offering a variety of appetizers, soup, salads, sandwiches, wraps and full romantic dinners. Friendly staff ... an impressive selection of wines and cold beers ... desserts ... and a pet-friendly front patio seating area will make this a frequent Katy Trail ride destination for my wife (and dachshund) and me all season long.

Is the campground open the first two weeks of October? Also, how convenient is the campground to area restaurants? Thanks.

From the St. Charles County Parks brochure for Klondike Park,-- Six cabins, 41 campsites and shower house open April- November.

Can't help you with available restaurants, maybe a Bing search for Augusta Missouri will get the info you need.

Augusta is 2.5 miles from Klondike on the Katy and has good food options. Remember the trail closes at sunset and October the nights are shorter so you'll want to get to town for food fairly early. I know some people will ride the trail after dark but apart from being illegal I just don't recommend it. Not safe, not fun.

Augusta in October is awesome, the wineries are hopping and the countryside is resplendent.

The Missouri River Bluffs Asociation (MRBA) made up of member merchants in 5 counties (Boone, Cole, Callaway, Moniteau and Osage) have just brought up a new website listing member merchants; many along the MKT Trail. Please access it by entering MoRiverBluffs.org. We think the data contained will help bikers and day trippers.

I forgot to say that membership is $50.00 and with that you get a picture and contact info. We are non-chain stores that are pooling our money to improve business. All business in the 5 counties are listed with minimal data and are not members until they are accepted into the group. Then more info is supplied on the web site. Contact 573-657-9581 for more data or membership.

My Grandfather died from an accident while working on a KATY train near Moberly in the 1930's. Would you have any records and or pictures or written reports of this accident?
His last name is HOLLEY
My mother grew up in New Franklin and Booneville

We are coffee snobs and wanted to know if there are any expresso coffee shops in the Rocheport area.

That's the edge of wine country there.

You might try the Rocheport General Store. They advertise coffee and espresso, as well as wonderful food and live music.

Rocheport General Store
202 Central
Rocheport, MO 65279
(573) 698-2282
www.rocheportgeneralstore.com

Just off the trail near the depot there is a great little coffee place run by coffee snobs in Rocheport. They make each cup by hand with 7 different beans to choose from. Check it out!

Next to the Katy Trail near the Depot enjoy a cup of coffee made to your taste before you mount up and hit the Trail.