Katy Trail Forum

Three of us guys in our 70's are planning a ride from Roachport to N. Jeff City. Going out one day and back the next. we will probably stay at a hotel in columbia since it doesnt look like there is much lodging in
roachport. We want private rooms and it looks like all they have are B&B's. Also, can anyone reccomend hotels in N. Jeff City?

B&Bs are private rooms, are they not?

Also, they wouldn't like being called ROACHport :)

The Dormitory at the Schoolhouse B&B in Rocheport offers inexpensive lodging that may meet your needs.

Katy Cottage in Jeff City has 2 bedrooms - one with a queen bed and 1 with 2 twin beds. If that would meet your needs, it's a really nice place with laundry and it's super clean and comfortable.

Planning a trip to Rocheport 1st week of August is the Bridge construction causing any of the trail to be closed?

Planning a trip to Rocheport 1st week of August is the Bridge construction causing any of the trail to be closed?

I am an out-of-stater following the Missouri flooding on the news today, and was just wondering if the locals can provide any reports.

I rode the trail up and back from July 10-19, and it seemed like there were a lot of areas that had been flooded in the past, but were in very good condition then because of the great maintenance. I hope there isn't too much damage now.

I got rained on for most of one day, and started riding at sunrise on the other days to avoid the extreme heat of the afternoons. The Katy Trail was an amazing experience that I hope to relive in a couple years or so.

I hope everyone in Missouri is safe, and that the trail and all the nearby people and businesses are doing ok during the flooding.

Sorry if this is a silly question but what is a repair station in comparison to a Bike shop that does repairs. I am heading out on the trail on a Unicycle and have a weight limit of what I can pack with me for a week and trying to work out how may possible parts and tools to bring. Thanks! Looks like this is an awesome trail to try out

There are locations that have tools available that are hanging from small cables for bikers use...a repair station.

A bike shop.....well, you know. Someone else does the work for you and you pay them.

I tried to post something earlier, but it didn't go through.

Anyway, the repair station is as the other person described. A couple pumps, a work stand of sorts, and some tools. It's out in the open next to *some* of the trailheads.

If you go to the Towns & Services (see link near top of page), you can see where the repair stations are available. If you select the option to see the services as words instead of symbols, and then look for the phrase Repair Station, you'll see where they are available.

Doug was the perfect host. He greeted us with ice cold beers and made us feel at home. There is also a 3 mile round trip hike up to a bluff with the most stunning views of the river valley, so definitely be sure to ask him for the directions to that. Couldn’t recommend the Bluffton Barn more.

Just looking for a place to stay until I can find an apartment in Sedalia. I work at Tyson’s and looking to pay cheaper than a hotel so in order to save money for an apartment.

Great experience at Doug's place. Gave us a bathroom, shower, even a fridge to put our food. Water available which was a life saver. Highly recommend!

Looking for advice. Driving car from Denver and need a place to park car for 8 to ten days. I was think of driving to Kansas City and take the rock trail to clinton to Machens and then ride back to my car in Kansas City Ior Clinton. Where would be the best place to park a car for 8 to ten days Clinton or somewere In Kansas City Thanks

I parked at Clinton Parks & Rec. Just go inside and give them your travel information and when you plan to return.

You can pay to park at Union Station, and take the train to Lee's Summit to catch the Rock Island, then take the train all the way home from Machens and pick up your car.

nearist train staions is in downtown saint louis.

We will be riding the trail west to east next week! Do we go around or through the rockslide?

All ideas are welcome!

Happy Trails!

I am not sure the rock slide is still there, but I am also riding the RIT/KT next week and will let Ray know of any obstructions/detours that we encounter so he can update the website.

Last summer they built a trail bypass through the trees at the base of the rock slide (but still above the creek waterline) so you don't have anything to worry about. The vegetation has grown back so thick that it is hard to see all of the rock slide details as you bike past this area.

I am not sure if the “rock slide” is still there but i ran the Katy about 16 months ago and when i got to the slide it turned out to be a boulder slide! Give time and money i could have been removed but would be a huge job. As i was on foot i very carefully climbed the huge rocks and down the other side. There was fencing on both sides so i had to hike through the woods with lot of brush and steep. That said if its still there no way can you get through it with a bike. There is a posted detour on paved road around it though. As i was accomplishing an FKT any detour was undesirable. Safe travels.

Went through that area the other day and MO State Parks has put in a good temporary solution: they routed the path along the rock slide and the only effort is about a 5-foot grade climb. It's safe and fast.

What is the best way to bicycle and not get killed from West Alton to the trailhead in Machens?

Hwy 94 is pretty wide and little used. I've ridden it a few times and didn't feel unsafe. You can avoid parts of it by turning left onto Saale Road then left again onto Dwiggens Road. That will put you back on Hwy 94 but close to Machens Road. However it's been a few years since I've been on Saale or Dwiggens and they might be rough gravel roads. I don't know.

If you're trying to get to Machens from Illinois (or vice versa) the better route is to take the Grafton Ferry. Take back roads from Machens to Portage Des Sioux and then to the ferry crossing. You don't need 94 at all.

Just learned trail will be closed 7/12 from 7 am to 3 pm to allow construction vehicles to use the trail. I was planning on coming through there on way from McKittrick to Sedalia. It’s going to be very hot. Is there any sort of detour or will I be stuck hanging out and waiting?

I'll be riding through there tomorrow, will make some inquiries and pass on what I find.

There are trees across the trail on both sides.of Steedman. East of Steedman is biggest blockage, but can walk around.

What is the best way to bicycle and not get killed from West Alton to the trailhead in Machens?

What is the best way to bicycle and not get killed from West Alton to the trailhead in Machens?

What is the best way to bicycle and not get killed from West Alton to the trailhead in Machens?

Good to know that the slide is fixed; also read that the trail was going through private property and you had to make a detour and ride the highway for 3 mile to get back on the trail, how true is that???

Just an FYI that this Airbnb has been removed from listings. We had a reservation booked, but the property owner reached out and had to cancel on us. I was informed they would no longer be renting out this apartment for personal reasons.

Is the Rocheport Tunnel open july 2?

Web site says its closed Friday july 1 and Saturday July 2

Web site says its closed Friday july 1 and Saturday July 2

We’re going by there today. Is the detour easy to see?

It’s well marked. Small hill. Short detour

Why was it closed? And how did they bypass it?

Very nice lodgings. Our group stayed in three rooms.
Excellent breakfast. Very peaceful. Also worth noting that a full size grocery store is about one hundred yards away. Easy to stock up on supplies.

Theo’s Midtown. I’ve eaten there twice. Great pizzas and beer. I think they are going on vacation for early July but will be back. Short walk from the Marriott.

Best espresso on the trail. Thank you to the women who work there and were so friendly!

I know this is a log shot but did anybody find a small bag with a cell phone and a debit card at the Hartsburg trail head or somewhere on the trail between Hartsburg and Jeff City? There is a guy staying at the Turner Shelter that is stranded because he lost this bag. He has some food in his panniers and I gave him some cash to eat at the Tebbetts Community center tonight but iit will probably be early next week before he can get his debit card replaced. If by chance someone found it you can take it to him at the shelter or text me at (573) 230-6665 and I’ll get it from you.

We’re going through there later this afternoon. Will look

There are no restaurant options in Rhineland due to the fire at the Corner. Please plan accordingly and carry plenty of water and snacks. There isnt much shade around town either.

Sorry to hear about the fire - thank you AC for sharing the info. I have removed The Corner from Rhineland listings.

This is a real gem on the Katy Trail! John is just a super nice guy, he offered to make us breakfast on Sunday even though they weren't supposed to be open. Breakfast was delicious. The camping was great, we were in a nice mowed field and I set up my hammock on a couple trees. And the ice cream cone was a nice treat! Cannot recommend enough camping here!

Lots of poison hemlock along the trail. Know what it looks like. Don't touch it. Will cause a severe rash.

Are you sure what you saw wasn’t Queen Anne’s Lace?

Pretty sure this is poison hemlock. Blotchy purple stems. Different from Queen Anne's Lace

That would be hemlock.....,,I’ve seen it occasionally on the Katy but see much more of Queen Anne’s Lace.

Between Augusta and Treeloar there is more hemlock than Queen Anne's Lace. The hemlock is much taller. Is there a way to post pictures on this forum? I have picture of both plants from that area.

Another way to tell the difference between Queen Annes lace and Hemlock is the Queen Anns lace (QAL) is an umbral flower arrangement if you look at the flowers and the stalks radiate from the stem from a central point, like an upside-down umbrella, its QAL. All the flower stems on a Hemlock come from different points along the plant stock. it may be harder to tell the difference between wild parsnip and Hemlock except for the purple blotching on the stem.

What's the truth about finding food along the Katy Trail? When I use the Trip Planner on this website I get a long list of grocery stores and restaurants that are "on the trail", a few blocks, or less than a mile off the trail. My wife called a Katy Trail rep today for paper map or guidebook. During course of conversation my wife inquired if the publication included food info. The response was an emphatic "you must bring all your own food". "All food sources require a car to get to - too far off trail for bikes". Now she's watching recently made YouTube vids and seeing cyclists buying gas station garbage food or missing meals when a food truck that was expected at a campground didn't make it because truck broke down. This is soooo different than the long list of restaurants and grocers that the BikeKaty website shows from Pleasant Hill to Washington. Does the website not delete businesses when they close? Is there some other explanation for the discrepancy? Anyone have recent experience with an across the state ride to comment on food availability? We own the equipment to be self sufficient. Simply thought this was going to be a different kind of route and was hoping to travel lighter.

Of course, the truth lies somewhere in between.

Most of the restaurants are small businesses. Very small. Most people want a day or two off every week, so you'll find that many places are closed Monday, and maybe Tuesday. And hours can be relatively short. And sometimes a place that is supposed to be open just isn't, because the owner had some sort of family emergency.

Given the above, I recommend that people call ahead to any restaurant they want to use. Maybe three days before, and then again the night before. That way you know if you can probably expect them to be open or not.

The trail and wine country business is very seasonal as well, so a place that is open every day in summer may drop down to three days a week (or zero) in January.

We found decent food convenient to the trail for every meal except maybe 2. Just be ready to eat whatever is in your bags if your primary plan fails, and restock them when you get a chance.

This happens on the GAP and Erie Canal Trails as well. Part of the adventure.

Also, to help manage your expectations, mid-Missouri isn't gluten-free free-range organically grass-fed sustainable etc country. It's ten dollar steak in a bar and grill that still allows indoor smoking country. We had such a fun time hanging out with the locals.

And the people at Casey's are generally nice and are happy to make you a whole new fresh pizza if you are sweet about it. Consider it a local delicacy.

Bill, Thanks for both of your replies - you zeroed in on a couple of particularly relevant points that I hadn't even asked about. I've been a vegetarian for over four decades & my wife has Celiac's so gluten is medically a serious problem for her.
We are riding Rock Island and Katy this month.
We have managed to eat on many other types of trips, it's just a matter of having a realistic understanding & planning accordingly. On GAP & Erie Canal we didn't have any issues, in fact actually had delightful dinning surprises. We did have backup food with us,,,some never got opened. When we did GDMBR from Canada to Mexico we left each town with two days more food than we estimated for our ride time. But add cook systems on top of that much food and the mountain climbs took a bit longer. We thought we were going to travel light on Katy, use lodgings and restaurants then hop AmTrak back to Leesburg. But the combo of distance between some lodgings & the uncertainty of food means we roll with a Bob trailer behind my bike to carry camp gear & extra food. AmTrak's website indicated I'd have to partially dismantle & box our bikes & the trailer just makes a third thing I'd have to dismantle. Soooo, it looks like we're not only turning this in to another fully self supported, mostly tenting trip but we'll pedal back to start too.
Your input was helpful to our decision to approach this as another bike packing trip rather than a credit card ride.

Sounds like you have the right attitude, equipment, and experience. You'll have a great time.

And we would agree about the food along the GAP and Erie. The Erie in particular had some really good food options.

With your reference to a broken down food truck, I think I'm watching the same YouTubers that you are. They are a load of fun and I'll watch them to the end. But, they could have prepared a little more. And always be on the lookout for raccoons!!! :)

I am someone who generally avoids fried foods and processed meats, but things taste better on the Katy: biscuits and gravy at the Sidetrack Cafe in Windsor, Hash browns at the Miracle Cup in New Franklin, gyro pizza at Theo's Midtown in Jeff City, bbq pork at Holzhauser's in Portland, Philly cheese sandwich at Roadhouse in defiance. I promise you won’t starve (ok, maybe in Treolar on a Tuesday night - thanks Scott for saving me with that pizza!), but it will be a food adventure!

Gary if you've gone from Canada to Mexico the KT is definitely a bike packing (more self supported) ride with fatter food and get it while you can rather than a credit card adventure restaurant ride.

Marthasville is a Dollar General a little ways of the trail wMarthasville is a Dollar General a little ways of the trail well within biking distance and small Grocery store to

DS Douin, are you saying there are trails outside of MO that you can bike and eat good food? Tell me more. What are some of your favorites?

Gary Stumpy,

Erie Canal definitely has easier/tastier food options than the Katy, and just larger towns in general.

GAP has some good places, but overall is just a small bit better than Katy, from what I remember.

I am a native Missourian now residing in Ohio. First two visits went well and as expected. My third visit was disappointing as two individuals entered the shelter at midnight and were neither cyclists or hikers. The male and female wandered upstairs. then left and returned about thirty minutes later. The front door was left wide open and when I got up to close the door the male's attitude became aggressive. Upon daybreak it seemed as though the couple had left via the shelter side door, leaving it open. Shelter key was found laying in front of building in the gravel. Not a pleasant experience nor restful night.

Arrived in Bluffton tired and hungry last week and stopped at Bluffton Barn. Doug prepared two awesome home cooked meals while I was there. I camped in a large grassy field that was a quiet peaceful location. Bluffton Barn’s facilities, shower and loft are a perfect on trail option with rates that are reasonable (cash/check only). Highly recommend staying at Bluffton Barn. I really enjoyed Doug’s personality and humor.

Thanks Paul! And for the mail! You and yours welcome anytime.

Has anyone taken the detour west of Rocheport they describe on the State Park site?

Mark, there's no need to take the detour -- the bridge replacement was completed last month.

The US 40 highway bridge happens to go right over that same spot. MO Dept of Transportation will be replacing that bridge at some point in the near future. Hoping they give us a good, off-road (and short) detour when construction starts.

The State Park site still shows a detour that is described as follows:

M 181.5 to MM 181.8 – Starting June 6, 2022, a 0.3-mile section of trail spanning from the west side of the Highway 40 Salt Creek bridge to the Davisdale Conservation Area

Is this acurate?

Mark, you are correct. It looks like they just started work to replace the Hwy 40 bridge. The good news is that the detour is very short and the traffic will be minimal. This is nothing compared to the big detour (2+ miles on the highway) that was recently resolved.

Here is the press release:
The U.S. Route 40 Bridge over Salt Creek and the Katy Trail will begin on Monday, June 6, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The 80-year-old bridge will be replaced with a smoother and wider bridge meant to improve motorist safety.

The route could be closed for up to six months during construction. A detour will be in place along Route 40 for motorists and along the Katy Trail as well.