Katy Trail Forum

This is an excellent restaurant. We got the buckets of crab and shrimp. They have the main entree along with new potatoes and corn on the cob. This is served along with bread made fresh. All of the food is very good and the prices are reasonable. I would recommend it to anyone.

This is an excellent restaurant. We got the buckets of crab and shrimp. They have the main entree along with new potatoes and corn on the cob. This is served along with bread made fresh. All of the food is very good and the prices are reasonable. I would recommend it to anyone.

Steve - You're making me hungry. What is the name & location of the restaurant?

Steve - You're making me hungry. What is the name & location of the restaurant?

A friend and I made the trek to Rocheport from Columbia yesterday and ate lunch at the Cracked Crab. I would concur with the previous writers that this is a good place to stop. It is right off the trail - you can't miss it. Numerous choices for beer, good seafood choices, and very accommodating for cyclists. The food was great (I had the Crab Louie) and the beer was cold. It was tempting to have a second (and maybe a third?) brew, but with a 92-degree temperature and a 15-mile ride back to Columbia, we overcame the temptation. Prices were reasonable. My friend and I plan on a return trip to the CC very soon.

A friend and I made the trek to Rocheport from Columbia yesterday and ate lunch at the Cracked Crab. I would concur with the previous writers that this is a good place to stop. It is right off the trail - you can't miss it. Numerous choices for beer, good seafood choices, and very accommodating for cyclists. The food was great (I had the Crab Louie) and the beer was cold. It was tempting to have a second (and maybe a third?) brew, but with a 92-degree temperature and a 15-mile ride back to Columbia, we overcame the temptation. Prices were reasonable. My friend and I plan on a return trip to the CC very soon.

Not that great you could tell the bread is frozen par baked bread. The staff leaves something to be desired. The seafood isn't fresh like they portray. At least they have alcohol something postive for so many negatives.

Not that great you could tell the bread is frozen par baked bread. The staff leaves something to be desired. The seafood isn't fresh like they portray. At least they have alcohol something postive for so many negatives.

Sarah must have caught them on a bad day. I was there three times last summer, and each time the service was excellent as was the food. The last time I was there I had the bucket of shrimp, and it was great. No negatives about this place whatsoever. Can't wait for it to open in April so I can go back.

Sarah must have caught them on a bad day. I was there three times last summer, and each time the service was excellent as was the food. The last time I was there I had the bucket of shrimp, and it was great. No negatives about this place whatsoever. Can't wait for it to open in April so I can go back.

been to the CC twice and the food and hospitality were execellent. the smoked brisket melted in my mouth and they don't shurk on portion size.

been to the CC twice and the food and hospitality were execellent. the smoked brisket melted in my mouth and they don't shurk on portion size.

Evidently this is closed now... we attempted to go a couple of weeks ago and it was for sale.. ?

Evidently this is closed now... we attempted to go a couple of weeks ago and it was for sale.. ?

It is hard to make a living on the Trail as the small towns in which many of the businesses are

located don't have enough population to support these businesses. Another reason why it is

important to support the businesses along the trail to keep them open.

It is hard to make a living on the Trail as the small towns in which many of the businesses are

located don't have enough population to support these businesses. Another reason why it is

important to support the businesses along the trail to keep them open.

I WORKED THERE AND IT ISN'T WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE. THE FOOD WASN'T ALL THAT GOOD AND HOW IT WAS COOKED...YUCK. IT DIDN'T LAST THERE OR IN JEFFERSON CITY. A LOT OF LITTLE LIES AND ONE BIG CLOSED DOWN.

I WORKED THERE AND IT ISN'T WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE. THE FOOD WASN'T ALL THAT GOOD AND HOW IT WAS COOKED...YUCK. IT DIDN'T LAST THERE OR IN JEFFERSON CITY. A LOT OF LITTLE LIES AND ONE BIG CLOSED DOWN.

Uhhhhh.......calm DOWN Beavis. The thread was over 4 years old.

Uhhhhh.......calm DOWN Beavis. The thread was over 4 years old.

My wife and I had a wonderful time for our first ride on the Katy. After an early morning drive to Hartsburg we had a wonderful breakfast at Dotty's Cafe before hitting the trail. The weather was great; cool, cloudy, and light winds. Headed West and stopped at Coopers Landing for an ice cream and a look around, we will be camping there on our weeklong trip in June. Didn't see anything happening around Wilton. Lots of folks out enjoying the trail in the Rocheport area. Had the grilled rueben at the Trailside Cafe as we waited for checkin time at the Katy Trail Bed & Bikefast. As we left the Cafe a shower dumped on us and got us soaked before we got checked in, the only rain we got for the weekend, although it looked threatening at times. We wandered around Rocheport for the rest of the afternoon, browsing the various antique shops and galleries. Had the BBQ brisket at the Rocheport General Store and Cafe and listened to the local performing artist for a very relaxing evening. It stormed some more overnight as we slept in a very comfortable bed with our bikes locked up nice and secure in the garage. On the way back to Hartsburg we stopped again at Coopers Landing for a coffee refill. Ended our weekend where we started, at Dotty's Cafe for the pork tenderloin dinner. The trail was great for the most part after the recent rains. A little soft in some areas, but no mud, flooding or ruts. The only trouble spot was just West of Hindeman Junction, about 50 yards of the trail surface is washed away down to the ballast rock and ties. We were able to ride thru it on our mountain bikes, but road bikes would probably have to walk them thru. We saw deer, lots of squirrels and rabbits. Plenty of geese were out walking the trail and all the local dogs we came across were of the friendly sort. We are really looking forward to our June trip from Clinton to St. Charles.

Sounds like you had a great ride. Picked good spots to eat. Dotty's

is a great place.

And a lot of us that live on the trail are glad to hear you got out and enjoyed it!

My favorite section of the trail, and Dotty's is one of my top places to eat on the whole trail! Just be sure you have cash, as they don't take credit/debit cards.

My husband and I are riding the Katy Trail and trying to have our car along just in case we need/want it. Our plan is for him to drive to our next planned stop, leave the car, and get a shuttle back to where he left me & the bikes. We are looking for a shuttle from Klondike Park to McKittrick on Friday morning May 21, and then from the trailhead in St Charles back to Klondike Park on Saturday morning May 22. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I'm planning a hike on the Katy Trail with my 88-year old father (who is in great shape). Has anybody hiked it all and can you advise?

A few of us have. Be sure to map out the stops with water, since not all trailheads have water available. Probably most of what you need to know you will find on this site. Good Luck and have a great walk!

Another thought. The trail itself is fairly easy. The inclines are very small since it is a former railbed. However, to be on the safe side, I would suggest your father get checked out by his doctor. Much of the trail, while not exactly wilderness, can be somewhat remote from medical help if it is needed. Beyond that, you should have a great time.

I rode the trail from Clinton to Sedalia and back yesterday (very spongy from the rain). I ran into 2 guys from Arkansas at the Green Ridge trailhead. One was hiking the entire trail the other was supporting him (had a car and bike). He was taking 2 weeks to hike the trail and was 3 miles out of Sedalia (end of day 2 for him) when I last stopped and talked with him.



I would approach hiking all 225 miles of the trail this way, with a support person and don't skimp on the hiking boots and socks. Unless you like blisters.



PS: Anyone. If you are on the trail in the next 11 days I think the man's name was Terry if I remember right. He should be in the Pilot Grove - Boonville area today (5-3-2010) and heading east along the trail. He has a big walking stick and a grey backpack. If you see him stop and say Hi or at least give him a thumbs up.



thanks

R.A.,

I agree. I did the Clinton to McKittrick section of the trail solo and self-contained and it was a challenge. Oh, and I had the blisters to show for it. From McKittrick to Machens, my wife drove the support truck and that sure made a world of difference. While I was worred that she would be bored while I plodded along my way, she was able to pass the time at wineries and antique shops and had a grand time. I'll keep a look out in my area for the hikers. Good Luck to them.

This place is right on river! I havent camped, but I would! Coopers has the greatest meat sticks like gator, elk,and others! First time I have seen them and cant wait to get back for more!

This place is right on river! I havent camped, but I would! Coopers has the greatest meat sticks like gator, elk,and others! First time I have seen them and cant wait to get back for more!

Oh man the Ostrich is great, good cold beer too!

Oh man the Ostrich is great, good cold beer too!

And the skink is to die for! What a great use of our natural trail resources too.

And the skink is to die for! What a great use of our natural trail resources too.

I NEED SERIOUS ADVICE, FOLKS. How is the Katy Trail looking for a rigorous long-distance trip in Mid-June?



The goal is to do the entire 450 mile KATY (225x2) in 6 nights at a pace of roughly 75-80 miles/day.

Physically and gear-wise, I am in good shape to handle this, but have strong concerns about finding camp sites along the way.



Last year, I did a solo 370 (185x2) mile trip across the dirt-path C&P Canal path in 5 nights, two days of which involved rain and mud. To the good, the Katy is paved in gravel, a bit easier than the conditions of the C&P.



C&P offers free National Park campsites approximately every 5 miles, which is super convenient. In contrast, KATY has fewer camping options, which requires careful planning.



What do you think of this plan - each night stop is a campsite? Is my math OK?



1. Day 1 - St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 to Steedman - Terry's Suds and Grubs / MM 121.4 => 81.9 Miles



2. Day 2 - Terry's Suds + Grubs / MM 121.4 to Boonville - Bobber Rest.+Camp / MM 191.8 => 70.4 Miles



3. Day 3

o Leg 1- Boonville - Bobber Rest.+Camp / MM 191.8 to Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 => 73 Miles

o Leg 2 - (reverse direction) Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 to Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 => 16.8 Miles

o Day 4 Total => 89.8 Miles



4. Day 4 - Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 to Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 => 76.3 Miles



5. Day 5 - Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 to Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 => 61 Miles



6. Day 6 - Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 to St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 => 71.2 Miles



Appreciate any help!

I will be riding it mid-May 6 days west - east. Here all the replies I received. I can let you know after that.

www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=3258¬efmt=1&sortby=0&pg=5

Thanks for the pointer to the comments on your May trip. I wish you a good ride, and look forward to getting practical advice from you - as a trail blazer- afterwards. As I see it, where to camp for the night remains the toughest question.

Thanks for the pointer to the comments on your May trip. I wish you a good ride, and look forward to getting practical advice from you - as a trail blazer- afterwards. As I see it, where to camp for the night remains the toughest question.

If you drop me your email I'll sent you an email after my trip with some details.

Jim - my email: geisel@ameritech.net Daytoncapri

Hubby and I will be doing the DNR end to end Katy Trail ride the 3rd week in June (details at the MO State Park web site). When you have your days set for your ride, post them. We'll give you a shout if our paths cross! Another thing to think of is if you end up riding opposite direction of the DNR ride on the same day, be prepared to have lots of riders coming at you....and unfortunately sometimes, the less seasoned riders can ride 2 or 3 abreast without looking out ahead for riders coming the other way. Just a heads up to be aware.

Have fun on your ride. You get 2 thumbs up from us for doing an out and back end to end ride!

Daytoncapri, I am wondering if you have seen that the Bobber Restrnt & campground in Booneville is a bit of a ride from the trail. Just checking. Have a good ride and enjoy the sights.

MAH - Thanks to you two for asking and the thumbs up, I'd love to bump into you. If all goes according to plan, the bicycling is Monday morning June 6 through Saturday June 11, or thereabouts. Still not confident about the camping situation. Looks like my first night stop - Terry's Suds and grubs has gone out of business, per this message board. THAT thread also contains a worried statement about the availability of H20 along the trail. What to do? Put a 5 gal jug in the bike trailer?

Darrell-Thanks. Anyone know if HWY B in Boonvill has a wide shoulder for a bicycle and tow-behind trailer? Is this a safe route?



I just saw the location of Bobbers Restaurant/campground at I-70 and Hwy B with Google maps. It's 2-3 miles from the traihead. I'd want to avoid heavy vehicular traffic. I picked this location per the MM on the website; had no idea it was this far off the trail.

Revised Trip Plans - comments welcome. Changed the first two stops, otherwise the same.



1. Day 1 - St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 to Portland - Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground/ MM 115.9=> 76.4 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0 miles]



2. Day 2 - Portland - Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground / MM 115.9 to Franklin - Katy Roundhouse/ MM 189 => 73.1 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0 miles]



3. Day 3

o Leg 1- Franklin - Katy Roundhouse / MM 189 to Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 => 75.8 Miles

o Leg 2 - (reverse direction) Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 to Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 => 16.8 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0.9 miles]

o Day 4 Total => 93.5 Miles



4. 8Day 4 - Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 to Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 => 76.3 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0 miles]



5. Day 5 - Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 to Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 => 61 Miles [Trail to Campground = abt 200 feet]



6. Day 6 - Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 to St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 => 71.2 Miles

http://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=2781¬efmt=1&sortby=0&pg=9

Here's a link to a thread from last year re water availability at trailheads. Seems the eastern half of the trail has a few sections where water could be a problem. The western half (except for no water at Clifton city), has water at the trailheads. Definitely no fun to run out of water.

MAH - Thanks for researching and validating the water situation - I will pack a container to carry more water in the trailer. I just researched the climate data for for Missouri in June. Hmm. . . 65 to 85 degrees, with good chance of rain. It could get steamy. OK by me.

Steamy is a definite possibility! Last year in June for the DNR ride there was record heat with the heat index reaching up to 115-116 on the 2nd day of the ride. But then it's Missouri, I've also ridden in June and wore a long sleeved shirt all day.

We've had some strong storms moving across the state lately. Please note the latest trail condition updates from the MO DNR:



4/28/10 -- Due to damage from recent heavy rains, the trail is closed at MM 133.3 (west of Tebbetts) to allow for repairs. Detour signs are in place and should be followed. Trail users should never cross or go around the orange safety fencing.



4/27/10 -- Recent storms have caused several washouts on the trail between MM 68.9 and MM 69.8 (west of Augusta). Trail users should be alert to signage and blocked areas on that section until repairs can be completed.



Trail users should be alert to trees and limbs across and along the trail at MM 112.2 (west of Bluffton). Staff and equipment will be working in that area on clean up.



2/17/10 -- Due to a project on Hwy. 5, the trail is temporarily closed at MM 188.3 (near New Franklin). Detour signs are posted at this location.

We rode our bikes from St.Charles to Jeff.City today we had prefect weather to ride.There is some really bad ruts from Augusta to Portland so watch out you might crash and burn.The snake are also out.Have a good day

I am going to ride the trail in June with my husband and we just wanted to see if there is a radio that you can put on your bike? We both have Ipods and we just wanted something so we can still talk to each other and still have some sound. Another thing we have been riding for about a month now nothing big but like 5 miles m w f and on sat we are going about 10 miles. We are wanting to go the whole trail with about 30 to 40 miles each day. Do you think we will make it? and how long will it take about each day to ride that far? Right now we are riding on a bike trail and we have not been on the katy trail I am hoping it is not going to be a lot harder. Thanks

Radio Shack and others sell radios that can use sun light, hand cranks, and batteries for power. Check the store and online. I have not used such devises but I am shopping myself. I'm also interested in just portable and light weight solar power from REI which could charge my iPhone which has access to NPR stations.



I do think you will make it a complete ride, though I would expect that you would enjoy it even more if you start upping your mileage. You are doing great after just a month, but you can really develop a great deal given your interest and your consistency. By the way, music does facilitate performance, so you can have that going also.



I have ridden the Katy Rides organized by the MO Department of Natural Resources which covers the entire distance in five days, and I can attest to the success and pleasure experienced by riders from 7 to 79 years of age. They come in all shapes and ride every manner of bike. All of us can share our thoughts, so keep asking questions and being excited.

I have a Sony Walkman setup in a handlebar bag with auxiliary speakers run on AA batteries. It works OK up to about 10-12 mph then wind noise starts to overcome it. Have decided the Ipod is a LOT less weight for better sound as someone next to me can't hear the Walkman well anyway. I suspect the wind noise will be the biggest problem for any setup. Having enough power to overcome it would result in too much weight and/or a volume that would intrude on any conversation.

I got a little set of battery powered speakers (made by Coby) off of Amazon. My MP3 player plugs into them (will work with IPod) and they sound pretty good for the size. I put them in my handle bar bag and we listen to them every evening with a beverage. I think they cost about $12.

Hi i rode the trail in march and i lost several things along the way. 1 a purple nike wool skull cap, 2 a yellow hoodie with lumiere printed on it. If anyone has found these things please let me know. I can be contacted at lionhorror@yahoo.com. I will pay for shipping to get both things back. Thanks to all.

We rode the KATY Trail in September of 2009, catching the train in Washington, taking it to Sedalia and we then rode to Clinton to begin

our ride at the western most point of the trail. The night before

catching the train in Washington, we stayed at the BRICK INN B&B.

There were 9 of us ~ Art and Kathy bent over backwards to be sure they

could accommodate all of us. The Brick Inn was a delightful place to

stay with well appointed rooms. Kathy was away for a few days, but

Art was a great host . . . taking us on a "tour of Washington" in his

antique convertible. There is a lovely area to sit and relax in the

back yard with two fun swings hanging from the large trees. Flowers

were in full bloom adding to the enjoyment of relaxing outside at the

Brick Inn. Art fixed us a wonderful breakfast before we headed for

the train in the morning. He could not have been more gracious. We

highly recommend staying at the Brick Inn B&B in Washington:o)

We rode the KATY Trail in September of 2009, catching the train in Washington, taking it to Sedalia and we then rode to Clinton to begin

our ride at the western most point of the trail. The night before

catching the train in Washington, we stayed at the BRICK INN B&B.

There were 9 of us ~ Art and Kathy bent over backwards to be sure they

could accommodate all of us. The Brick Inn was a delightful place to

stay with well appointed rooms. Kathy was away for a few days, but

Art was a great host . . . taking us on a "tour of Washington" in his

antique convertible. There is a lovely area to sit and relax in the

back yard with two fun swings hanging from the large trees. Flowers

were in full bloom adding to the enjoyment of relaxing outside at the

Brick Inn. Art fixed us a wonderful breakfast before we headed for

the train in the morning. He could not have been more gracious. We

highly recommend staying at the Brick Inn B&B in Washington:o)