Short 10 mile walk
- + Hello - I am planning to walk (no more than 10 miles) this weekend along the Katy Trail with my dog. I am coming in from Clayton and am looking for a stretch that is shaded with trees (scenic if poss...
Discussion started 04/04/2012 10:49 AM by Ani - 5 replies (last reply by Ani at 04/06/2012 09:43 PM)Ani from Clayton, MO on 04/04/2012 10:49 AM
Hello - I am planning to walk (no more than 10 miles) this weekend along the Katy Trail with my dog. I am coming in from Clayton and am looking for a stretch that is shaded with trees (scenic if possible) and minimal inhabitation by people. Any suggestions on which part of the trail I should consider? Thanks.
Ray (webmaster) on 04/04/2012 11:25 AM
My suggestion is to get on the trail at MO Research park and head toward Weldon Spring. It's almost entirely tree-covered and surrounded by forest. This section has a "remote" feel even though you'll see other people around on a weekend.
Click on Weldon Spring in the map at the top of this page, then click on the MO Research Park listing for directions. There's a nice scenic 3/4 mile trail to get to the Katy, then turn right when you hit the Katy to head toward the Weldon Spring trailhead, which is 4.5 miles away. Round trip, somewhere between 10-11 miles.
Happy trails.
Glowing on 04/04/2012 08:20 PM
You may need dosimetry and an alarm when your radiation gets too high.
bristol1031 from Paris, IL on 04/06/2012 08:00 PM
Bring a super-sized can of bug spray. It's been a very warm and damp spring and flocks of bird-sized mosquitoes will eat you alive!
Doug from Bluffton on 04/06/2012 08:34 PM
Walk from Bluffton to Portland and back. About 11 miles total. I just came in from mowing and then standing around a bonfire. No bugs out yet.
Ani on 04/06/2012 09:43 PM
Thanks much everyone. Very helpful. I did the trail from MO Research Park to Weldon Spring....it was perfect!! My lab was in 7th heaven and I was happy to see him to happy.
Swimming spot
- + are there any along the trail
Discussion started 03/30/2012 08:17 AM by dan - 2 replies (last reply by Big Swimmin' Hole at 04/04/2012 08:25 PM)dan from chicago on 03/30/2012 08:17 AM
are there any along the trail
Anon on 03/31/2012 11:22 AM
Mostly hotels, motels, and well-equipped parks. Anything else outdoors (creeks, marshes, ponds etc) is dangerous.
Big Swimmin' Hole on 04/04/2012 08:25 PM
Yea its called the Missouri River but you need a life donut just in case.
Mountain Lion Sighting
- + While riding between Rocheport & Hartsburg on 4/3/12 we stopped at the Eagle Bluffs Overlook. Sue, being in better shape than I, had enough energy to climb the steps to the overlook. As she neared th...
Discussion started 04/04/2012 07:41 AM by Tom - 3 replies (last reply by BikerBoy at 04/04/2012 04:33 PM)Tom from Baton Rouge on 04/04/2012 07:41 AM
While riding between Rocheport & Hartsburg on 4/3/12 we stopped at the Eagle Bluffs Overlook. Sue, being in better shape than I, had enough energy to climb the steps to the overlook. As she neared the top she clearly saw a large wildcat loping towards her. She calmly but quickly retreated back to the trail. I originally suspected she saw a bobcat. Once we arrived at our destination we looked at several pictures and videos of both bobcats & mountain lions, and she is absolutely sure it was a mountain lion. They are beautiful animals, and have just as much (or more) right to be there. I would suggest that anyone traveling off the beaten path on foot make lots of noise so as not to surprise one of these beautiful but potentially dangerous fellow creatures.
SalsaBoy from Farmington, AR on 04/04/2012 11:55 AM
Here in Arkansas, in spite of numerous sightings, pictures of paw prints, etc., the "Official" Ark Game and Fish Commission's position on mountain lions is that they don't exist in the wild unless they were a pet that was released into that enviroment. Whether or not that is true, I don't know. I think they take that position because they don't have any money allocated to "manage" them, so they choose to not manage them. I suspect the situation in Missouri is similar.
Trek on 04/04/2012 02:34 PM
Until just the last few years or so, the Missouri Department of Conservation held a similar position on mountain lions. I think their reasoning was without substantial proof of their existance it was prudent to just deny that one was seen. They've made several people look like fools who claimed that they saw a big cat.
There was a good article in a very recent Missouri Conservationist magazine about mountain lions in the state. So now, we've acknowledged that they exist and are most often males that are extending their territory from western states.
If you see one, it's best to not run and start their chase instinct. Dog like to do the same, but often times we like to ride fast or run to get away. Raise your arms to make yourself look bigger, do not make eye contact and make noise.
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 04/04/2012 04:33 PM
The other thing to be careful about is carrying a backpack. Out West, where the attacks are more frequent, they warn that backpacks appear to the mountain lions to be children = easy prey.
tires
- + We are wanting to ride from Clinto to Machens next spring / summer. I do see an occasional road bike on the trail and would like to know what tires that are being used. We would prefer to use road bik...
Discussion started 03/31/2012 09:22 AM by RC - 6 replies (last reply by anonymous at 04/03/2012 11:08 PM)RC from Calrk Mo on 03/31/2012 09:22 AM
We are wanting to ride from Clinto to Machens next spring / summer. I do see an occasional road bike on the trail and would like to know what tires that are being used. We would prefer to use road bikes as we have JUNK mountain bikes
Trek on 03/31/2012 12:47 PM
We've ride both hybrid half bikes and a tandem road bike on the Katy. The tandem has 700 28's on in it. Most of the miles on the Katy were on Bontrager hard case. We've recently switched to Continental Ultra Gatorskins of the same size.
Gene from Indiana on 03/31/2012 10:47 PM
Have ridden several times with 700C X 23 and 25s hard case tires. Seems to do all right. Would like 28s but my Trek won't allow the tire clearance. Decreased pressure to 100 lbs instead of 120. Bring your road bikes to the trail and ride a short distance.
dave from lowry city,mo. 64763 on 04/01/2012 09:04 PM
i have 700cx38 and also used 70cx35 both work great
Newbie from Farmington, AR on 04/01/2012 09:44 PM
You can ride anything you want to, and they will work with/without flats, vibration, wrecks, instability, etc. But why you would do a through trip on road bike tires? Sounds like a good time to buy a hybrid bike to me. I ride 700c x 38's. I also have a 26" tire mountain bike with 1.5" wide semi-slick tires and a drop bar handlbar. Both are great for the Katy. You don't need anything fanc--just a sound tuned up bike that has good rubber and fits you good enough to spend 6-7 hours a day on it.
Trek on 04/01/2012 10:55 PM
I'd do a through trip on the tandem with road bike tires for lower rolling resistance and increased speed. It's much more efficient than huge 30 plus width tires. It will be a much better trip on a decent road bike than on a junk mountain bike.
Anonymous on 04/03/2012 11:08 PM
I agree with the comment about a good bike and skinny tires than a junk bike on wider tires. Much better in my experience. I have ridden both the Bontrager Hard Case and Continential Ultra Gator Skins on the KATY with excellent results. I prefer the 28s on the KATY. After several 100 miles on the KATY I think that width is the best compromise. That's my 2 cents. Whatever you choose...ENJOY!
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tires
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- + I agree with the comment about a good bike and skinny tires than a junk bike on wider tires. Much better in my experience. I have ridden both the Bontrager Hard Case and Continential Ultra Gator Ski...
Discussion started 04/02/2012 02:10 PM - 0 repliesAnonymous on 04/02/2012 02:10 PM
I agree with the comment about a good bike and skinny tires than a junk bike on wider tires. Much better in my experience. I have ridden both the Bontrager Hard Case and Continential Ultra Gator Skins on the KATY with excellent results. I prefer the 28s on the KATY. After several 100 miles on the KATY I think that width is the best compromise. That's my 2 cents. Whatever you choose...ENJOY!
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Sedalia
- + Does anyone know when the showers and bathrooms open at the State fair campgrounds?
Discussion started 03/27/2012 05:48 PM by Allen - 2 replies (last reply by Allen at 04/02/2012 08:42 AM)Allen from Shawnee, KS on 03/27/2012 05:48 PM
Does anyone know when the showers and bathrooms open at the State fair campgrounds?
Darrell from Jeff City, MO. on 03/28/2012 08:14 PM
Allen, you can call them at 660-827-8104.
Allen on 04/02/2012 08:42 AM
Thanks Darrel
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Katy Roundhouse in New Franklin
- + Does anyone know if this campsite is dog-friendly?? It seems that not too many along the route are. It's really too bad...
Discussion started 03/30/2012 10:09 PM by anon - 2 replies (last reply by Doug at 03/31/2012 02:24 PM)anon from kc on 03/30/2012 10:09 PM
Does anyone know if this campsite is dog-friendly?? It seems that not too many along the route are. It's really too bad...
BIker on 03/31/2012 07:48 AM
My thoughts too....no dogs on A BIKE PATH is a shame......I love hearing your dog bark at me in the campground, and I really love stepping in his feces. I wish I could bring my 3 dogs with me on a bike ride too.........NOT. Maybe they have their reasons for not being "Dog friendly".
Doug from Bluffton on 03/31/2012 02:24 PM
Dogs are welcome with campers at my house. It's the owner that doesn't have their dog be quiet or pick up after them that isn't welcome here. I mean, the dog doesn't know from,,,, well, the dog doesn't know.
Camping in Dutzow?
- + Is there any camping in Dutzow? Obviously, it's not one of the listed services, but was wondering if anyone knows of any option that might not be listed. I know Marthasville has camping, but for var...
Discussion started 03/26/2012 05:12 PM by CueBallSTL - 4 replies (last reply by Jim at 03/30/2012 04:48 PM)CueBallSTL on 03/26/2012 05:12 PM
Is there any camping in Dutzow? Obviously, it's not one of the listed services, but was wondering if anyone knows of any option that might not be listed. I know Marthasville has camping, but for various reasons, that location doesn't work for us.
Anonymous on 03/27/2012 09:00 AM
Nothing advertized or talked about there. The church or city park there might allow something.
Kevin from Jeff City on 03/30/2012 01:00 PM
Marthasville is nearby...lots of camping there.
Anonymous on 03/30/2012 01:07 PM
Good idea. Even though Marthasville has camping and that location won't work for you for various reason, know that there are lots of places to camp there.
Jim from St. Thomas on 03/30/2012 04:48 PM
If you're not planning on having a fire I don't know that you would have a problem if you pitched a tent at the trailhead. Another option would be to call the deli and see if you could pay to camp behind their place.
Machens Overnight Parking?
- + Can you park overnight at the trail head in Machens? If so is it a safe place to leave your bike for 5 to 6 days or so?
Discussion started 03/29/2012 02:12 PM by Brian Prater - 4 replies (last reply by Anonymous at 03/30/2012 01:31 PM)Brian Prater from Findlay, OH on 03/29/2012 02:12 PM
Can you park overnight at the trail head in Machens? If so is it a safe place to leave your bike for 5 to 6 days or so?
JMiller from Hazelwood, MO on 03/29/2012 10:32 PM
There isn't an official parking lot at Machens, but there is one at Black Walnut which is only a few miles from Machens. It is located in a rural area. I'm not aware of any problems.
stevek from saint louis, MO on 03/30/2012 12:19 AM
Brian, what I do is call the St. Charles Police Dept. at (636)949-3300 and request that they give you permission to leave your car in Frontier Park's parking lot(there are signs up for no overnight parking allowed). They ask for license number, contact info, etc., but there is no charge. I always tell them I am leaving it right behind the the Country Inn & Suites hotel, so they have an approximate location. That will put you on the trail at Mile Marker(MM) 40 instead of Black Walnut(MM30), but I think it is a little better option.
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 03/30/2012 09:41 AM
Machens is a very remote area. On the one hand, I would not want to leave my car in an unlit area. But on the other hand, a burglar would have to be really desperate to go that far out of his way looking for valuables!
Anonymous on 03/30/2012 01:31 PM
Out of practicality, overnight parking at Machens or Black Walnut might work if your vehicle is a junker. Black Walnut has a real road going by it; Machens does not. Both are remote, but not so remote that party-folks, pranksters, and vandals do not know about them. It’s somewhat risky.
Most bicyclists ride to Machens and back from St Charles. Yet, one might find dependable parking in West Alton or Port de Sioux if one really wants to start from that end of the trail??
364 bridge to downtown st louis
- + I'm looking for a safe route to ride into downtown st louis from the 364 bridge, i see that olive blvd gets me there has anyone rode into downtown? please let me know my trip is coming up. I'm goin to...
Discussion started 03/26/2012 09:36 PM by W Steinhauer - 3 replies (last reply by JMiller at 03/29/2012 10:37 PM)W Steinhauer from Oak Brook Il on 03/26/2012 09:36 PM
I'm looking for a safe route to ride into downtown st louis from the 364 bridge, i see that olive blvd gets me there has anyone rode into downtown? please let me know my trip is coming up. I'm goin to new franklin and back with my gf we r so excited thank u!
Ray (webmaster) on 03/26/2012 09:49 PM
Don't know if you've seen this yet, but from the home page look for the link "How to get to Downtown St Louis and Mississippi River from the Katy Trail by bike" (next to the tiny picture of the Arch). This page lists a few different options. The information was assembled a few years ago, but is still accurate as far as I know. Any new suggestions are always welcome.
Good luck, and happy trails!
joed from webster groves mo on 03/27/2012 08:36 PM
you can take 364 across into creve coeur park.
After you leave the trail you can take Dorsett Rd and stay on this until midland. this takes you to the loop. Take Delmar to DeBaliviere to Lindell and Lindell will take you downtown safely.
JMiller from Hazelwood, MO on 03/29/2012 10:37 PM
Check out the Bike St. Louis website, bikestlouis.org. Also, all Metro buses and trains allow bikes.
- + My last question I made an error. I want to leave my car not my bike-sorry=;)
Discussion started 03/29/2012 02:14 PM by Brian Prater - 0 repliesBrian Prater from Findlay, OH on 03/29/2012 02:14 PM
My last question I made an error. I want to leave my car not my bike-sorry=;)
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Katy Trail Bed & Breakfast open for spring!
- + Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest in Rocheport is ready for your spring Katy Trail adventure! We've spent the long (never-ending?) spring renovating and gearing up our place like never before to be a great ho...
Discussion started 03/27/2012 09:36 AM by Tawnee Dufur - 4 replies (last reply by Tawnee Dufur, Owner Katy Trail B&B at 03/29/2012 12:22 PM)Tawnee Dufur from Rocheport on 03/27/2012 09:36 AM
Katy Trail Bed & Bikefest in Rocheport is ready for your spring Katy Trail adventure! We've spent the long (never-ending?) spring renovating and gearing up our place like never before to be a great home away from home for bikers riding the trail. We've got some great group lodging for groups of couples too. Our prices are the most affordable in town. Check us out at mile marker 178.5, right on the Katy Trail in Rocheport! We're one block from the Trailside Cafe Bike rental, and only a short walk to the Rocheport General Store - which has live music every weekend! www.katytrailbb.com
Pam O from Independence on 03/27/2012 07:11 PM
I urge everyone to spend some time at this establishment. Very inexpensive and enjoyed the accommodations last year. We liked it so much that Tawnee, we are pedaling and extra 13 miles on the second day of our Katy Trail trip just to stay with you and to top that, we are staying with you twice this year. See ya then.
Anonymous on 03/27/2012 07:56 PM
What's so good about it that you urge everyone to spend time there other than its inexpensive?
Pam O from Independence on 03/28/2012 10:25 PM
Clean,cozy,washer/dryer,nice breakfast accommodations(muffins,cereal etc),good beds, table/chairs to sit outside in the evening. Great place for large groups and families. Trail-side diner just down the trail(great burgers). Very quiet!! The owner doesn't hover over you as in other B&B. Just a nice change.
Tawnee Dufur, Owner Katy Trail B&B from Rocheport on 03/29/2012 12:22 PM
Wow, thank you so much for your wonderful comments! We sure do appreciate our guests and hope they do return year after year. We like to keep our rates significantly lower so that more diverse groups of people can come and enjoy this lovely stretch of the Katy Trail State Park and our great town of Rocheport! Brett and I want to keep our place simple and well kept and comfortable for our guests. Thank you Pam!