Katy Trail Forum

We will be in Jefferson City for a soccer tournament and would like to bring our bikes for an

approx 25 mile round trip out of Jefferson City. Will it be more scenic to go East or West out

of Jeff City on the Katy?

My vote - go west to Hartsburg and back - has a nice overview of the river with a picnic table and benches along the way and of course Dotties in Hartsburg - a must for first timers.

If you are riding on a saturday or sunday Hooibrink's claysville Store is the best food on the trail. Laura makes all their pies and cobblers (others buy theirs at Sams) Mark makes incredible chicken and ham and great brisket or ribs when he gets in the mood. Claysville is just 3 miles east of Hartsburg. To make a reservation look up Mark Hooibrink as the store is not listed.

I agree, this time go west towards Hartsburg. Then, the next time you come (you'll be back, after you've seen how great the Katy

Trail is you'll give up soccer and be addicted to riding the trail) you can go east.

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.