Katy Trail Forum

we are biking the whole trail clinton to st charles last week of july. we know it will be hot. how much of trail is shaded or where sun is at least partially blocked. thank you. go by bike !!

I don't know about the whole trail as I just rode it yesterday..about 60 miles - both directions to/from Rocheport. Most of it was shady, w/ a wonderful river breeze..so it was delightful.



Have fun on your ride!

SB, I'm assuming you rode East? We rode from Clinton to St. Charles

June 19th and 20th and the stretch between Booneville and Rocheport about did us in. It was in the upper 90s with the heat index over 100 and there was no shade to speak of. When there was a breeze it was coming off the corn fields and it actualy felt hotter with the breeze. After shaded stretch between Rocheport and JC felt like Heaven.

Based on the posting regarding shade around Rocheport,we may add mileage there. Since we're concerned about the heat from direct sun and that's what we want to avoid, if it's more shady coming into Rocheport from Sedalia,we could add miles there making it 50 and not cutting it shorter. What do you all think?

Thanks! Jan

The section from Booneville to Rocheport has rows of trees on both sides so you should be in shade in the morning and evening. High noon will suck in the heat.

There is a lot more shade on the Katy Trail in the AM hours than any other time of the day especially from Rocheport going east. The shadows are just simply longer, do to location of the sun, direction of the trail and the bluffs. This won't work for everyone but I try to ride early and get to my destination before everything gets heated up, 11:AM or so. Or, get close enough that I can lounge in the shade during the hotest part of the day, then finish. This works well on a 40 to 50 mile day running at 10 to 12 mph. Some days in the summer in Missouri there is no getting away from the heat, early or late, unless you stay inside.

Personally, I think it’s more important to plan where you’re going to stop for break and recharge your body. Intake of powerade/gatorade or other sport drinks are essential on a hot day (unless you don’t sweat). Bring extra water along with your favorite sport drinks so you could pour it on your head and body to cool yourself down when needed. Remember, long distance doesn’t usually get you; it’s the heat and the sun that will derail you. Replenish your sweet like “trail mix” along the way. If you feel light headed while riding; stop for break and take your drinks + fiber. Last but not least, please support the locals. Below is the info you ask for. Give credit to MO dept of Natural Resources (DNR).



264.6 to 255.5 Prairie restoration areas that offer very little to no shade.

244.8 to 242 same

255.5 to 229.6 Horses are allowed on this section of the trail; bicyclists yield to horses and hikers.

223 to 210 Area is very cool and almost all shaded.



203.3 to 191.8 Considered by many to be the most strenuous section of the trail due the the increasing incline.

195.3 to 191.8 Enjoy the ride down Lard Hill, the steepest part of the entire trail.

191.8 to 181.5 Trail is open with very limited shade.

181.5 to 178.3 From highway 40 to Rocheport, there is a lot of shade, including the Rocheport tunnel.

178.3 to 169.5 Mostly sunny, except around Huntsdale.

157 Just after Wilton, there are spectacular views of the MO river.

169.5 to 153.6 Lots of shady areas, especially in the Hart Creek and Eagle Bluffs.

153.6 to 143.2 Mostly open with some shady areas.

143.2 to 131.2 Almost no shade. Dramatic bluffs and the state capital can be viewed across the river

125 to 115.9 Trail is shady

114.5 to 112 Bottomland forest.

110.9 View of the MO river resume near Bluffton.

105 to 104.2 Very little to no shade.

103 to 101.5 Same



98.8 to 95.5 Very little to no shade.

93.2 to 89 Outstanding views of MO river and bluffs.

84.6 to 79.5 Very little to no shade.

77.4 to 73.4 same

75.2 Wetland offers a good place to see birds and wildlife

72.3 to 66.3 Land or bluff with very little to no shade.

69.6 View of MO river from the Klondike County Park boat ramp.



66.3 to 60.6 River bluffs, farm landscape and bottomland forest.

60 Limited visibility where the trail crosses HWY 94

48.1 Limited visibility where the trail crosses Pittman Hill Rd

57 to 48 Abundant shade & views of MO river and bluff.

44.2 Limited visibility where the trail crosses Jung Station Rd.

Wow! Thanks Bikerstuff, excellent post.

Very impressive and detailed information! Thanks!

Great hospitality and wonderful food! A welcome rest along the Katy Trail. We slept like babies.

I am going to ride from Merwin to Clinton (Katy Trail)on Highway 18. What condition is the road and is it hilly, rollers,or flat????

Just biked this section over the weekend and the trail had numerous trees down from a storm that pasted through Saturday night. Most of the trees you could either carry your bike around but there were two that you carried your bike sideways through and the other up and way over. Hopefully the DNR will have these cleaned up this week.

One more thing. The trail guide book is right on with Lucy's in McBaine. Friendly help and good food! Wasn't impressed with Cooper's Landing both food and camping.

Came through that area this morning 6/30/09, and most was cleaned up. Still had to lift over the one big tree that was down just west of Rocheport. Talked to a DNR person just east of Rocheport and he was going to take care of that at that time. There was a big difference from yesterday to today. Overall, the trail is in good shape, Hartsburg to New Franklin.

I thought it best to mention a few words of caution for those who have never done a ride on the KATY trail. A week ago 5 of us left Clinton for St. Louis. I unfortunately only made it to Pilot Grove and decided to head home. My first "fall" came in Sedalia. I was too busy looking at the train depot and at the last moment realized that one of the gate posts was in the closed position. I missed the post but lost control of the bike on the gravel surface. I'm not sure why the gate posts are there in the first place, but it would be nice if during normal bike conditions that ALL the gate posts would be in the open position. While riding I noticed that some gate posts were both open, some only one side or the other and a few both were closed? Some of you might say it is my own fault but in my own defense, this was my first ride on the trail and I was too busy looking at the train depot and how cool it looked and not potential trail hazzards! My second fall came in Pilot Grove and that was just bad luck on my part. My front tire got down into deeper gravel on the bed and turned on me and for the second time down I went.

So for those who have never done a ride on KATY, I say best of luck, enjoy the many wonderful sights but be aware of the surface you are riding on and stay alert!!!!

Ironically, the gates are there for your protection...to prevent motor vehicles from driving on the trail. Falling/crashing/etc. seems to happen making a helmet a wise investment.

Thanks Trek...a helmet is a very good investment and I was also wearing bike gloves that I would highly recommend. Had I not been wearing gloves my palms would have been torn up as well.

It's always a good rule to be looking ahead...and not just at the ground right in front of your tire but a good 100 feet in front of you.



As far as the gates go, I've never understood their point. Half the gates a car could easily get through. If a car really wanted on the trail, there's plenty of farm roads (at least where I ride) where that's possible. All I see the gates as is a hindrance, especially the one's that are so tight that only one bicycle can get through safely.

A quick explanation on why the Katy Trail uses squeeze gates. Squeeze gates are located at most road crossings, to remind Katy users that they need to slow down or stop before crossing. At high-speed road crossings (i.e., state highways or other busy paved roads), both arms of the squeeze gate are kept in place, which forces Katy users to come to an almost complete stop. This is really just a reminder that users need to stop to look for oncoming vehicles before crossing. At low-speed crossings (i.e., some county and gravel roads), a squeeze gate may only have one arm. Again, they're just a reminder to slow down and look before crossing. You may notice squeeze gates with both arms intact in some areas that may not seem to need both -- in some trouble spots, we use the gates to prevent ATVs or other motorized vehicles from accessing the trail.

Thank you Dawn for taking the time to explain the rationale behind the gates. I just was too busy looking elsewhere and took a tumble! My next ride on the KATY will be different for sure!!!

Thank you, Dawn.

Quick question about the gates, i'm biking the trail late September...with a dog. He'll be in a carrier behind me of course...question is will the carrier fit through the gates?

Great Point!! If you are too busy looking at the scenery its probaby better to run into a closed

gate than to enter a busy roadway without looking.

Do you know if a baby carriage will fit through those gates?

I wouldn't think a baby carriage would be a problem at any of them, unless it's one of those wide ones for twins/triplets.

So, How much do they pay you to ride in this nearly 100 degree temperature?:) NOT my idea of a GOOD time!



I was called to pick up a rider who didn't make it through the first day because of the heat.



I understand they want to wait til school's out so the kids can ride (many of whom had to be sagged in as well), but I would think mid May or mid October would be MUCH more pleasant.

CJT, Unless you have a really big dog and a really big carrier, you should have no problem. They are not very narrow and the most narrow part is about 4 to 5 feet from the ground. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

The price for the ride was $250. I just finished riding the organized ride with the State Park group. This was one of the best vacations I have ever taken. The people on this ride were fantastic and the support team went out of their way to make sure everyone was taken care of in the heat. I do think yellow paint on the swing arms would be a good idea. It was HOT, but the memories of the ride will be with me for a long time.

Please tell me you are kidding about the yellow paint! Personal responsibility, in words of Martha Stewart, is a "good thing". I'm careful and I have still smacked a nuckle or two on those things, but that was my fault. I'm just sayin', please don't paint my "out there". Glad you enjoyed your trip, it sounds like fun.

It's kind of a dumpy place, but the people are friendly. A large grilled ham & cheese sandwich, huge order of fries, and two draft beers set me back around $8.



Not bad.

It's kind of a dumpy place, but the people are friendly. A large grilled ham & cheese sandwich, huge order of fries, and two draft beers set me back around $8.



Not bad.

All the characters from deliverance came from here... Yep.. It is true

All the characters from deliverance came from here... Yep.. It is true

Two weeks ago I biked from Clinton to Cooper’s Landing over three days. (An old man’s pace)

I knew from the elevation map that it was mostly uphill to Pilot Grove and I was happy to get there and supposedly start down hill to Boonville. The elevation chart says it is 825 feet at Pilot Grove and 615 at Boonville.

As I sat at the trailhead; I start reading the info board about the section of trail from PG to Boonville. It says something to the effect that “many riders consider this portion of the trail to be the most difficult due to the uphill grade” This is no mistake; as my geezer legs can attest.

My guess is that the discrepancy between the elevation chart and the actual trail, is that the Boonville elevation must be recorded at river level and not at the actual trail.

Maybe I stumbled into one of those roadside attractions where the water runs uphill.

too funny! enjoyed reading about your experience. A gal pal and I just rode in the Rocheport area and luckily it was all flat. Thank goodness. Your geezer legs must have survived, though and good for you!

i want to start at the crevecour conector and get on the trail from their and was wondering aproxmitly how far would 35-40 miles get me on the trail

A 35-40 miles one-way trip would put you around Marthasville trail head (TH). If someone is going to pick you up at the other end, then you're in good shape. If you have to turn around and ride back to Crevecour afterward, then you might be pushing your limit. A 70-80 miles trip in one day can be a challenge for even a seasoned rider. There is no water until you hit Dutzow TH, but stores, cold drinks, and eatery are available from Defiance to Marthasville.

What is the price per night?

What is the price per night?

I am planning a trip with my two daughters and would like to know what part of the trail is more kid friendly. By that I mean the occasional swimming pool, playground etc. I plan a mix of camping and hotels and would also like to know what part is more scenic, since i am not sure if we can complete the entire trail.

The larger towns like Clinton, Winston, Sedalia, Boonville, Columbia, Jeff-City, and St Charles have the greatest range of public/motel-pools. Also, many of the villages have nice parks that allow overnight camping. A bed-&-breakfast is a nice treat, too. Past posts indicate the Boonville-to-Jeff-City route to be the most scenic because of the combined high bluffs and Mighty-MO River. But, that preference can depend on the riders themselves. Some riders enjoy the wild flowers/plants, birds, and wildlife more. :)



The question of riding the trail with kids comes up a lot. Successful KT rides with kids are posted and reported in several places, sometimes on personal websites, but they are not always easy to find. You might check the ride/run/hike reports on the homepage of this website. Good luck.

this hotel is fine - great staff, historic building, clean rooms, and very close to the trail.

HOWEVER, if you are staying on a sunday, the town is DESERTED, everything is closed, and it

feels a little like the setting for a horror movie. i resorted to eating fast food for both lunch

and dinner because nothing was open, and hung out in my room for the entire afternoon and

evening because, again, nothing was open and it was also 100 degrees. the hotel is FINE, but

i don't recommend an extended stay in sedalia. maybe i missed something, though...

this hotel is fine - great staff, historic building, clean rooms, and very close to the trail.

HOWEVER, if you are staying on a sunday, the town is DESERTED, everything is closed, and it

feels a little like the setting for a horror movie. i resorted to eating fast food for both lunch

and dinner because nothing was open, and hung out in my room for the entire afternoon and

evening because, again, nothing was open and it was also 100 degrees. the hotel is FINE, but

i don't recommend an extended stay in sedalia. maybe i missed something, though...

I forgot small towns are like that--I went to college in Kirksville. Good to note for my

future rides.

I forgot small towns are like that--I went to college in Kirksville. Good to note for my

future rides.

I enjoyed my stay at the house of Dolores and Vergil. After riding from Clinton however it was also necessary, and Dolores’s assistance was immeasurably beneficial. Dolores dutifully picked me at the trailhead exactly on time, which was quite late in the day. She then drove me to her private home, for that is where you sleep and receive your meal; their place in town is not available. I was able to cover 70 miles the next day, and I doubt it would have been possible without Dolores’s assistance in other matters and particularly the bed and breakfast.

I enjoyed my stay at the house of Dolores and Vergil. After riding from Clinton however it was also necessary, and Dolores’s assistance was immeasurably beneficial. Dolores dutifully picked me at the trailhead exactly on time, which was quite late in the day. She then drove me to her private home, for that is where you sleep and receive your meal; their place in town is not available. I was able to cover 70 miles the next day, and I doubt it would have been possible without Dolores’s assistance in other matters and particularly the bed and breakfast.

Just returned home from a wonderful stay at Amber House Bed & Breakfast. The accomodations were beautiful, comfortable, and spotless. The grounds were lovely and well kept. Owners Mary & Steve know exactly how to makes their guests welcome by going the extra mile in all the little details. It was a perfect stay. We are a middle aged couple who like to be pampered. And that's just what we got. The price was reasonable as well when compared to other B & B's in the area. We would definately stay here again.

Just returned home from a wonderful stay at Amber House Bed & Breakfast. The accomodations were beautiful, comfortable, and spotless. The grounds were lovely and well kept. Owners Mary & Steve know exactly how to makes their guests welcome by going the extra mile in all the little details. It was a perfect stay. We are a middle aged couple who like to be pampered. And that's just what we got. The price was reasonable as well when compared to other B & B's in the area. We would definately stay here again.

Can't believe I didn't mention breakfast after the lovely ones we had. Excellent! We also enjoyed fresh baked cookies, beverages, candies and nuts. Did I mention we felt very pampered?

Can't believe I didn't mention breakfast after the lovely ones we had. Excellent! We also enjoyed fresh baked cookies, beverages, candies and nuts. Did I mention we felt very pampered?

Can someone give me a time estimate on riding from Columbia to Boonville via the Katy Trail? After spending the night in Columbia, I plan to ride to Boonville and my wife will drive and pick me up there as we continue west. I'm a better than average rider but will be on a road bike with 700X23C tires, and I have a feeling I won't be able to do 25 mph on the Katy surface. I planned to do this last year but got washed out by an absolute deluge that didn't stop until we were in Kansas City.

Looking on the milage chart its close to 20 from Boonville to Huntsdale....add on the 9 miles for the MKT spur to Columbia and you're looking at approx. 30 miles...depending on where your start and end points are in each town. Our option to ride similar tires is the Santana with 700 x 28's on it. We can clip along with the rear axle loaded at 18 to 20 with relative ease. You could probably beat that without the loaded panniers.

I would count on going slower than that on the MKT portion. The trail is in decent shape

but certainly rougher and looser than the KATY. Also there will be more traffic and people

will probably be frightened of speeds as high as those.



I tend to ride about 16 mph on that section of trail which is probably too fast for

conditions in all honesty. Definitely slow down to about 12 or so and be sure to announce

your presence when overtaking pedestrians and other bicyclists.



"On your left" seems to be the accepted phrase in Columbia.



Enjoy your visit.

Thanks for the information.



I rode the MKT to Katy and back a few years ago on a trail bike and know you can't exactly speed along getting to the Katy, so I'm going to allow a couple hours and just take it easy.

We rode the MKT from Columbia to the Katy and back last Saturday. The downhill trip averaged 12.5 mph, while the return (uphill) trip averaged 11 mph. Personally, I like to take a break every hour or so. My guess for your trip would be about 3 to 4 hours depending on how fast you pedal and how many breaks you take.

GREAT PLACE TO STAY!!!!!!!!! very, VERY nice and also bike friendly!!!

GREAT PLACE TO STAY!!!!!!!!! very, VERY nice and also bike friendly!!!

this is a GREAT place to stay. house rooms look very elegant. i stayed in the dorms which

were modern, immaculate, and GREAT for a biker who needed to do bfast at 5am and get on

the road. this is a FUN, historic place to stay.

this is a GREAT place to stay. house rooms look very elegant. i stayed in the dorms which

were modern, immaculate, and GREAT for a biker who needed to do bfast at 5am and get on

the road. this is a FUN, historic place to stay.