Katy Trail Forum

I was low on water during one of the hottest days of the year when I came upon the campground. It was a Thursday (July 22) and the campground was not open, but I decided to see if there was someplace to find water. They have a refrigerator with drinks, snacks, and sandwiches in the shed near the trail. It is on the honor system and was a welcome stop. Bought water and a soda by slipping my money into the slot. I sat and enjoyed the view for a few minutes while hydrating and resting my legs.

I was low on water during one of the hottest days of the year when I came upon the campground. It was a Thursday (July 22) and the campground was not open, but I decided to see if there was someplace to find water. They have a refrigerator with drinks, snacks, and sandwiches in the shed near the trail. It is on the honor system and was a welcome stop. Bought water and a soda by slipping my money into the slot. I sat and enjoyed the view for a few minutes while hydrating and resting my legs.

Where was it?

Where was it?

Yes! Honor system drinks, sandwiches, etc. in a beautiful setting. We came through during the heat wave and the Yohoo's gave us the fuel to go on. Like the Tebbets Shelter Hostel, this rest stop (we didn't experience the camping) expresses the best of the spirit of the Katy Trail.

Yes! Honor system drinks, sandwiches, etc. in a beautiful setting. We came through during the heat wave and the Yohoo's gave us the fuel to go on. Like the Tebbets Shelter Hostel, this rest stop (we didn't experience the camping) expresses the best of the spirit of the Katy Trail.

Must be Steamboat Junction at Bluffton. :)

Must be Steamboat Junction at Bluffton. :)

One of the great pluses of a bike trek is the people you meet, and Maxine and Pete are treasures. They enjoy your company, roll out the hospitality and offer good lodging (we got the twin-bed, 'Cowboy Corral' room), breakfast, and maybe a horse-drawn surrey ride during which the fireflies rise up in the dusk. There are a lot of places you can stay, but this one is priceless.

Visit this beautifully restored architectural gem if you can fit it in (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) This was the region's commercial and social center, the "mall" of the 1890's. Great trail memorabilia, historic books and displays and helpful staff to get the seasoning of the MKT. If you want a souvenir, this (or their website) is the best stop.

Great store and only three blocks from the depot. Good produce, cheeses, meat department, etc. We got fresh rolls, smoked salmon and some good cheeses for a lunch while heading eastbound. Also picked up some produce and ham steaks to turn beans and rice into a special dinner. Important since grocery in Pilot Grove has closed.

On July 4th we road from Sedalia to Booneville.
The trail is 80% up hill. The first 10 miles was pretty easy but the constant up hill is tiring.
We stopped at Pilot Grove and the only thing open was the Caseys not far from the trail head.
At Booneville we stayed at the Hotel Fred, a beautiful hotel, we loved our room and the staff was warm and friendly...the hostess even delivered ice to our room. again though the entire town was closed for the 4th. Our only food option was the casino buffet.
July 5th we road from Booneville to Rocheport. There is a detour to Rocheport that is on a hwy up hill for about a mile. Arriving in Rocheport the town was closed down...nothing open but the Trail Side Cafe. The cafe has a bike shop and food. There are no shuttles from here. after blowing a tire and being delayed by the detour we had to get to Jefferson City in a hurry...the only taxi service couldnt take us until after 5:00pm. The gentlemen at the bike shop contacted a local fellow named Mark Webb and he drove us to Jefferson City (thank you Mark!)
Over all...the ride was pretty nice...the people for the most part were NOT friendly and nothing was open along the trail for food and water.
We checked websites prior to going on the trip and nothing stated that they would be closed for the 4th and 5th. At the Amtrack station the woman keep giving us incorrect information and it was confusing. The train was late coming in and then delayed for 5 hours on the tracks near Sedalia. We made the most of the trip but will not return. Next trip will be Minnesota's Root River trail.

You should try it again. Small towns and holiday usually means things are closed. The owners have lives outside their businesses and they are entitled to this. They are not running their businesses just for the Katy Trail Riders. As for Amtrak, they are now having to share the tracks with freight trains due to the Missouri River flooding and freight trains get priority. This is a questionable year for the trail. You just have to go with the flow and be prepared and flexible. We in Missouri really hope you give the Katy another try. Maybe at another time of the year.

Sorry your Katy trail trip was such a disappointment. I've traveled this entire country in search of the best rail trails and always find myself retuning to the Katy. Not only do I find one of the best trails in the US but the people in MO are always friendly and helpful.

And just FYI, the trail is NOT 80% uphill from Sedalia to Boonville. The trail rises slightly from Clifton City to Pilot Grove but hardly a climb. Katy elevation chart-http://www.bikekatytrail.com/elevations.aspx

Paulie

The Katy has very few uphill areas and they are a very slight incline. In fact, the only "coast-able downhill on the trail is coming into Boonville from Pilot Grove. The Root River Trail is nice, but there are a number of fairly steep hills on that trail, but it is paved, at least the part of it I know of, so be prepared for some climbing if you try that trail. And, many businesses along the Katy Trail in the smaller towns are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Hope you give the Katy another try. Sharon

Ok MPW, hope you enjoy the Root River Trail, but I won't watch for your review. Your second sentence of this review of the Katy Trail was a falsehood, so what are we to make of the rest of it? I think it is too bad you didn't enjoy yourself, most people do. Peace out!

MPW - Thanks for the warning about where your next trip will be.

On my next trip I will be sure to head West. According to this report it must be 80% downhill!

"The trail is 80% up hill..." --MPW, Cedar Rapids, IA
"You should try it again..." -- Pam, Independence

Hmmm... :-)

Pretty funny Brian.

Hmm, I'm surprised at the defensive comments on this page. Although, some comments were helpful and sincere, others seem the opposite. The trip seems to have had it's issues, but the author seems to be simply blogging the results of the trip(helpful or not to other future bikers) And, yes, business owners are entitled to holidays off. Still, you would think it would have been posted somewhere on this site that holidays are not the best time to bike the trail if you are looking to make stops in the small towns. Since it seems nothing was open on July 5th either, I'm not sure the holiday was the issue. In my experience, parts of the trail were not well marked and the detours were not safe. Overall, the trails are beautiful and I enjoy the information shared on this site.

It has been posted many, many times over the years that very little is open on Monday and Tuesday, especially on the western side of the trail. July 4th and 5th just happened to be on Monday and Tuesday this year.

Teri, I believe the aledged defensive comments were justified given the comment by MPW that they felt it was so bad that they would not return. That was an unjustified comment in my opinion and no great loss if they didn't return.

There are many of us that know the ins and outs of the trail because we've ridden it many times for many years. It's "common knowledge" that Mondays and Tuesdays are tough along the trail. I think when people don't know and come here for information they are looking for answers, fair reviews of businesses, and not biased rants and untruths. It doesn't help anyone when a poster starts out with an untruth like, "The trail is 80% uphill." Although it may be true, I seriously doubt that the entire town of Boonville was closed for the 4th of July. I would have thought the DQ, A & W, McDonalds, or the like would have been open. There were no "Closed Tomorrow" signs on the door of A & W the night of the 3rd.

For someone who does not know, it is often very difficult to separate someones opinion from fact. The trail is 80% uphill....that restaurant ruined my entire weekend.....the entire town was closed down....

Those of us who ride the trail often are aware that many businesses are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. And some businesses open at random times and days. Probably one of the coolest places in the world, Jim's in Tebbetts, was sort of like that. If you were there when he was opened, you were in for a real treat. I wish Jim well, I wish he was not retiring.

But it might be helpful if the FAQ section of this forum had a specific question and answer that says many businesses along the trail are closed on Mon. and Tues. If you depend on a business to be open, call and find out what days they are opened and closed. For example last year the bike rental place in Rocheport took their day off in the middle of the week. If you expected to rent a bike from them to ride the trail and were there on the day they were closed (it was Wednes. or Thurs.) you were out of luck.

We have ridden from Boonville to Easley but haven't been back the other direction say Boonville to Clifton City. We are hoping to go in July. Can anyone tell me if the ride is pretty? Are there any shaded areas?

I know the Pilot Grove to Clifton City is a pretty ride. A lot of trees and rocks. Going west it is a coasting ride but when you turn around going east you've got a long incline. Rumor has it the Boonville to Pilot Grove has the steepest or longest incline. Riders have done it but they say it is the most difficult. Going to see for myself in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy and have fun with the adventure.

Look at the elevation chart.....below the mileage chart. The incline...gradual up hill is when you ride west (south west) of Boonville. The coasting ride is into Boonville going east (north east). The trail is generally higher elevation on the western end.

Correction from my earlier post. Going EAST it is coasting, Going WEST you have gradual uphill climb. Sorry.

Hope I am not too late---Boonville to Clifton City and back is my favorite ride on the Katy--I think it is really pretty----more Ozark like than river oriented,deep woods and drop off to beautiful views of Clear Creek. Probably 90% shaded. I like the fact that there is a grade---200+ foot climb from Boonville to Pilot Grove then down about 150(?) to Clifton City---and like someone else mentioned the place you really feel it is climbing from east of Clifton City back to Pilot Grove---also carry your water-- don't think there is water at Cliton City trailhead.

My friend and I are wanting to bike the entire trail but we are not sure how to get back (without riding). We are not going on a day when one of the shuttles listed on the site is scheduled to take people back to clinton. So we are not sure of how to get back? Any advice? Thanks.

A shuttle to the Amtrak station in St. Louis provides the opportunity for a pretty inexpensive ride back to KC for you and for the bike.

If the question is how to get back to Clinton not KC, which Anonymous seemed to think for some reason. Then, you have to call around to the shuttle services as the ones listed on this site don't nearly include all the options that are availiable to you. I think this site will allow you to post your shuttle date, time, etc. if you can and/or want to share the shuttle. This is one way to cut your costs. Amtrack will also get you back to Sedalia from Kirkwood(in St. Louis), which gets you about 40 miles from Clinton.

Amtrak would be best, as prior posters said. I've taken it from Lee's Summit to Kirkwood in STL. Watch for rail closings though. I heard Amtrak was shuttling people via bus last week due to the flood. When are you going? I'm riding STL to Rocheport next week. I heard parts of the trail are closed west of Rocheport.

Take Amtrak back to Sedalia. Ride your bike back to Clinton from there, it will seem like a piece of Cake. People at the Clinton Municipal building across street from Trail head will watch your car for you.

Thanks guys! We are planning on going the last week of August so I'm sure the flooding won't be a problem then. And amtrak will take out bikes back? We can just buy a regular ticket and put our bikes on the train?

I checked Amtrak schedule....you have to check ahead to see if you can get your bike on as only so many are allowed. There is an extra $10 charge per bike. I believe it was a total of $68 for two people and two bikes from Kirkwood to Sedlia. I noticed that due to flooding Amtrak was not running between St Louis and KC this week.

Yes, when Amtrack is not running they send busses. My sister and I experienced this on July 6th. The busses are like Greyhound busses. Our bikes were put in the luggage compartment under the the bus. One on top of the other. We had to take off the front wheels and packs. The bikes got there O.K. but we were pretty worried.

we shuttle from St Charles to Clinton, call me at 636-946-0619 ask for Rhona and I will give you details

If you decide to go with Amtrac, make your reservations now. I made mine a full month in advance and was still unable to get two bike slots, they only have six during the week and only four on weekends. I ended up hiring Jerry with Victory shuttle wich turned out to be a BIG mistake! TOTAL NIGHTMARE! First of all he was over an hour late picking us up, then he didn't have a bicycle carrier on his van and it took him and his assistant 30 minutes to install it then about 20 or so minutes to strap and bungee bikes to it; was $40 higher than his estimated quote for shuttle distance, failed to make it clear up front that he only accepted cash money.(wich I did not have $170 cash on me and to make long story short had to have money wired to us to pay him!)He also was continualy running over rummble strips on both sides of interstate, caused me to curse outloud as he swerved just in the nick of time to avoid rear-ending a MODOT truck even though it had the BIG FLASHING ARROWS on the back signaling you to keep left! And not sure if he forgot deoderant or hygiene just not too important to him. Totaly a bad experince, he is very hard to get a hold of to confirm that he is coming to get you and verifying pick up location; witch learned on ride back he apparently will only answer his phone if feels like it. I will not use him again and would not recomend this shuttle service to anyone. He also runs B&L shuttle service.

Wow thanks you Danny. I will avoid that dude.

Call this guy he was great, I would recommend him to all.
Todd White
Owner KATY Bike Rental and Shuttle
314 578 7300

Alright I have one last question I promise :) The amtrak is 20 miles away from the trail in st. Louis. How did those who take the amtrak get there. I'd really prefer to take the amtrak.
Thanks

Okay never mind I just found this http://www.bikekatytrail.com/kirkwood.aspx

A little off the trail, but worth the detour. I hihgly recommend the food at Jillseys and loding at the Vinchester inn.

Stayed on night at Katy's Little Lodge in Huntsdale. Was very satisfied with Miss Patty's hospitality. The place was clean, she was very friendly, and had us make ourselves at home.(we were the only guests booked that night).We had free use of washer & drier, frige etc. She has a hot tub for relaxing. Was very accomidating with our late check in. She actualy lives accross the street and let us have our privacy. Miss Patty showed up right on time to make our modest breakfast of scrambled eggs, one braut-sized sausage link each, toast and juice, not fancy but good. The rate was very resonable and bed comfy. Although the shower didn't spray water too well and was a little tricky to regulate, but there was plenty of hot water. The decor of the lodge is rustic with an Indian theme wich I felt whent perfect with the area in wich the Katy Trail runs through. I would recomend this lodge and is just about 100 yards off trail.

We are return guests to the Hartsburg Inn and want to share this gem with other cyclists. It is super clean, cool, and so comfortable~it is everything we need when riding the Katy. The price is reasonable and the inn is located right next to the trail. Cath, the owner, is very accommodating and will work with you on any special needs/requests. We will always plan our Katy rides around a stay at the Hartsburg Inn. Enjoy!

After being caught in a rain storm, Lynn was waiting for us with towels ready to welcome us. The room and service was fabulous. Great cooking also. You can't go wrong staying here, we had been riding the trail for 3 days ande were ready for some pampering.