Katy Trail Forum

We are considering a family Memorial Day weekend ride and will be driving to Missouri from the east. We will be riding two full days (maybe 2.5 days) and would like to make a good decision about where to start. We could start in St. Charles, of course, but we have flexibility and can just as easily keep driving west if there is a better section (within reason: we wouldn't want to drive more than an extra hour or so west). Any recommendations?

That depends on what you want to do or see (besides ride your bike), and how far you want to go. If you want to go about 100 miles and don't care about wineries or the like, I would start at Treloar to Boonville. It is a very scenic section, parking is good, and there are towns to get supplies.

you may want to check with the dnr. possibly trail closures due to flooding. anywhich way, have fun, be safe.

I agree that the ride from Marthasville/Treloar to Boonsville is quiet, not very populated with other bicyclists and you ride through wooded area, farmland and the bluffs adjacent to the Missouri River.



St Charles to Marthasville is well used by those out for a day ride and is often congested.

I would start at Booneville and head East. If you go west much farther than that you will be climbing for a while. From Booneville on it is pretty flat and scenic if you like riding along the river.

i am biking the trail from the st. charles area and would like to know where to find parks along the trail. i have two small children that would like a playground. thanks

Hartsburg has a Volenteer Park, near the caboose, that has swings, etc for children. The American Legion/Lion Park on the South side of town (Bush Landing) has swings etc for larger groups. We would welcome you to town if you make it this far. Nancy Grant, Mayor

The nicest part I have seen is the western part of trail where it intersects with the Mo River.There are bluffs and caves and Lewis & Clark historical markers. Rocheport trail head is right off I-70.Good place to start.

My sister and I stayed at the Eastlake Inn, Kirkwood in late April 09 and had a great time there. Lori Murray, the owner, was kind enough to receive and store our bikes for us (we flew in from the East Coast) and was a great hostess for our one-night stay. The Eastlake Inn is clean, well kept, and most importantly less than a mile from the Kirkwood AMTRAK station. This is an ideal place to start a Katy Trail ride. After a hearty breakfast we pedaled the short distance to the station and caught the 9:00am train to Sedalia. We arrived in Sedalia shortly after noon and were easily able to travel to the end of the trail at Clinton and then back to Windsor before nightfall. We would recommend this route to anyone. If you do intend to take this route, make sure you make train reservations well in advance for both you and your bike (yes your bike needs a reservation too, because AMTRAK lets you put it on the train unboxed.

Good food, great service. You can pick up some basic supplies also

Good food, great service. You can pick up some basic supplies also

Does anyone know how long it will be until the flooded areas on the trail will be ready?

Trail is open at the 151 mile marker, a little rough where water washed across trail but not even muddy.

Looks like it's back to normal - the DNR's trail conditions message is back to "No trail closures to report."



As others have indicated, it may be soft in places for a while.

I rode last week and all 4 of the closures mentioned earlier on the DNR site were open. There were some rough & rutty spots, but no detours were required. There was lots of stagnant, standing water at the edge of the trail in many locations -- and pew, did it stink!



I stopped & talked to a DNR maintenance guy who was filling in some spots -- he was friendly dude who was very appreciative when I complimented him & his crew on getting the trail back in shape so quickly.

I am planning a bike trip up from Clinton with my family to overnight on a Friday night in the next few weeks (weather permitting). Will the campground be open? Is there a place to check in. I think we will roll in mid afternoon on Friday.

Thanks,

Jim

I am planning a bike trip up from Clinton with my family to overnight on a Friday night in the next few weeks (weather permitting). Will the campground be open? Is there a place to check in. I think we will roll in mid afternoon on Friday.

Thanks,

Jim

When we biked the trail last Sept. we were going to stop at the Fairgrounds to camp, but we never found the exit place. We finally decided that we must have missed it. It has to be before the bridge that goes over the highway, so if you get that far and haven't seen it, turn around and go back a little ways. I think it's kind of hidden by shrubs and trees. We would have been more diligent in trying to find it if it had been later, but it was only noon, so we figured we could go farther.

When we biked the trail last Sept. we were going to stop at the Fairgrounds to camp, but we never found the exit place. We finally decided that we must have missed it. It has to be before the bridge that goes over the highway, so if you get that far and haven't seen it, turn around and go back a little ways. I think it's kind of hidden by shrubs and trees. We would have been more diligent in trying to find it if it had been later, but it was only noon, so we figured we could go farther.

Yes, the camp ground will be open. It is best to call ahead, they will be glad to give you all the information you need.



You have to ride a short distance on Clarendon Rd.to the campground, not a major deal, but use caution, it can be a bit busy. Check out the map on the Sedalia Fairgrounds trailhead page.



Enjoy your trip!

Yes, the camp ground will be open. It is best to call ahead, they will be glad to give you all the information you need.



You have to ride a short distance on Clarendon Rd.to the campground, not a major deal, but use caution, it can be a bit busy. Check out the map on the Sedalia Fairgrounds trailhead page.



Enjoy your trip!

Ditto to what Darrell said. I camped at the fairgrounds last Monday night and it worked out well. There were probably 50-100 spots (I'm not good at estimates :-), but only 3 RVs and 3 tents, counting my tent. I called ahead to the # on this website and a very helpful lady explained the whole process to me. The shower house was open and, although it was showing its age & didn't appear to have daily housekeeping, I had a nice hot shower (suggestion: bring flip-flops). There is supposed to be a nighttime security person who collects the fees, but he never stopped by.

Ditto to what Darrell said. I camped at the fairgrounds last Monday night and it worked out well. There were probably 50-100 spots (I'm not good at estimates :-), but only 3 RVs and 3 tents, counting my tent. I called ahead to the # on this website and a very helpful lady explained the whole process to me. The shower house was open and, although it was showing its age & didn't appear to have daily housekeeping, I had a nice hot shower (suggestion: bring flip-flops). There is supposed to be a nighttime security person who collects the fees, but he never stopped by.

What are the options on catching a train from somewhere in St Louis or Washington, etc. toward somewhere in the west, say Sedalia? Does AMTRAC have a program that allows you to travel with your bike from one city to the next? Price? I want to take my son with me to a point about three days ride (40-60 miles/day) away and do the B&B overnights on the way back to St Charles.

Yes they do. I would call them directly for price and other information. Be sure when you book you tell them how many bikes you are bringing and get confirmation that they have a rack reserved for you.

Look on http://www.amtrak.com. Basically, there is one morning and one evening train in each direction. There is a $10 additional fee per bike. It's best to buy tickets in advance, though if a seat is available you can purchase a ticket from the conductor.

You can find some additional Amtrak info on this page: Riding the Train Along the Katy Trail.

Unless something has changed since last September when my wife and

rode the Katy and utilized Amtrak several times, there are no

"racks". Be sure and reserve well ahead of time, as they allow only

four bikes on each train. They simply stick them at the end of the

car in the last seat or the area for extra luggage. I found the

conductors very friendly and accommodating. Cost for each bike is

$10, regardless of how far you ride the train. You add the bike

reservation to your on-line train ticket purchase by clicking the

"view upgrade options".

My wife and I took the train from St. Charles(Kirkwood station) to Sedalia. I think it was $10 to add the bikes. Very easy to take the bikes on and the conductors were great. I would do it again.



Mike T.

We live out west, so we picked up the train in Washington and rode to Jeff City. Spent the

night in Rhineland then on back to Washington. The Dutzow Deli was a great way to finish

our ride. Only problem is the bridge in Washington. My husband rode across and brought

the car back to Dutzow, but admitted it was a stupid idea. I think next time we would park

in Dutzow and take a cab to the train station across the bridge--then you could finish at

your car. I understand there is a bike shop in town now that gives rides.

My brother and I checked out the East to West train for this May but Amtrak would not accommodate our bike trailers as we are camping the trail. Very disappointed in their response even from supervisors.

My husband and I are riding the trail next month from Clinton to St Charles on a tandem. We are taking the Amtrax train back to Kansas City from St Louis and we are having a terrible time trying to figure out how to get our tandem back. When we went to book our reservation, the Amtrax supervisor told us that we cannot transport our tandem on the train, only regular bikes. At this point we are going to have to ship our bike via Amtrax freight back to Seattle. Has anyone tried to bring a tandem on the train? Are the conductors a little more lenient?

Kristin,



You can skip the train and just rent a pick-up for your trip back to Kansas city. You might even get there faster than the train (and w/ your tandem

I've read the comments about Klondike Park and would like some clarification about where to access it from the trail and how difficult the hill is. We may be renting a cabin there but our trip itinerary requires a pretty long ride the day we will be arriving and we're a little worried about what we'll be facing when we're tired at the end of the day. Not to mention we'll have two pre-teen kids with us as well.



The description on this web site says "Look for the Klondike sign at mile 64.1 by the cement silos, or by the boat ramp around mile 63." Does that mean riding on Hwy 94 to get to the park? The map of the park (see below) shows a separate access directly to Katy Trail but that might be a hiking trail (?). If it's the bike access up to the park, exactly how long and steep is it and is it something we'd need to walk our bikes up if necessary? Thanks in advance. Here are the maps of the park:





http://parks.sccmo.org/parks/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=25



or go to this link and click on "Map of Park" http://parks.sccmo.org/parks/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7

The direct access is paved, it is at MM 64.1, it is steep, though not very long maybe 500' feet. The other access around MM 63 is flatter, though much longer. Neither require you to get out on 94. The cabins are nearest MM64.1, but not sure about check in procedures there as you(or someone) may have to go to the conference center for check in.

FYI, I believe these cabins are "camper cabins", which at a minimum you need to have your own sleeping bag.

FYI, I believe these cabins are "camper cabins", which at a minimum you need to have your own sleeping bag.

Great choice, Klondike Park is beautiful and your party will love it.



The main entrance to the park is located off MO-94, and the park is on top of the hill. The boat ramp is at the bottom of the hill right next to MO-94 away from the main entrance. You can access to the park and the boat ramp directly from Katy Trail because the trail runs right into it. If you are heading from west to east (from Clinton to St. Charles), you will run into the park access on your left. It's right on the trail and is a black, paved, and stiff driveway with a "Klondike Park" sign posted right on the trail. (If you hit the boat ramp on your right from the trail then you have gone too far). It takes about 2 minutes to walk your bike up the park. Good luck if you want to ride up.

You must call and rent cabins ($65 per day) in advance because they won't take your reservation onsite. Cabin is listed as sleeping up to 8 persons with grill, benches and cover. No water/stove in cabin. Primitive campsite (w/ grill) and basic campsite (w/ grill, benches + cover) are $7 and $10 per day respectively. They can be reserved or you can pay as fist come first server basis if available. Self-service Envelopes & instruction are posted next to the main office outside. I believe kitchen & shower rooms are located somewhere in the park also. I wouldn't try to get to the park from MO-94 on my bike.

Two questions--How tough is the incline/where exactly is it?

And what is the deal on the right-hand cut-off to Boonville which cuts out some of the uphill terrain. Is that cutoff clearly marked??

Search "elevation" on this site to view an elevation chart. It's old rail bed....it's not a tough incline or the train couldn't have made it back in the day. However, basically there is an incline to Pilot Grove and downhill to Boonville.



A cut off to Boonville which cuts out uphill terrain??? That would be news to me.

Leon,



Just ride the trail and enjoy.. You won't even know you are on an incline the whole trail..

From Clifton City to Pilot Grove, there is a gradual constant incline that many people would

consider challenging. If you're riding w/ younger children, be prepared to rest along the

way. From Pilot Grove to Boonville, there is a gradual constant decline that is a welcome

relief!

I may be wrong but it seemed uphill both ways!

My daughter biked from Clinton to N. Jefferson last Sept. We rode hybrid bikes with a trailer pulled behind. We had WAY too much stuff with us and so this part of the ride was somewhat difficult. Next time we are taking only one trailer, so we can switch off, and we will have only the bare necessities. We rode from Windsor to Boonville that day, so that may have had something to do with it. I think it would have been much easier without trailers. Also, the Boonville "cutoff" is very well marked - you can't miss it - it goes to the right of the casino and up over a bridge.

My daughter and I biked from Clinton to N. Jefferson last Sept. We rode hybrid bikes with a trailer pulled behind. We had WAY too much stuff with us and so this part of the ride was somewhat difficult. Next time we are taking only one trailer, so we can switch off, and we will have only the bare necessities. We rode from Windsor to Boonville that day, so that may have had something to do with it. I think it would have been much easier without trailers. Also, the Boonville "cutoff" is very well marked - you can't miss it - it goes to the right of the casino and up over a bridge.

I'm not sure if we'll stop through Tebbetts next time. The whole town was closed down when we got there. The shelter was terrible. The heater was broken, there were dead and live flies everywhere...we were just waiting for the sun to rise so that we could get out of there. Jim was so kind. He opened up his shop for us (even though he's closed on Mondays) and made us a burger. He then played jokes on us and got us to sing karaoke with him. It was the highlight of the night.

You probably caught the shelter after it sat idle and unused all winter. Nonetheless, it could use some upkeep and repairs, hopefully soon.

I stopped by the shelter today since I eat at some of the cafes near the trail when I'm in that area. The gormet dinner in downtown Rocheport was fabulous!



Anyway,the shelter could in fact use more cleaning. The coffee pots and microwave were dirty. The dead flys were there as mentioned. However, the furnace worked fine. It has to be turned on at the thermostat, then turned off again there when leaving. The fridge was clean. The toilet paper supply was more than ample. The hot water was great!



Also, somebody has worked on the shelter this past year. The plastic shower stalls looked almost new, with curtains. A roll of linoleum there appears ready to be laid on the floor. Many of the light bulbs throughout the shelter have been replaced, some with the energy-saving screw-in fluorescent ones. Additionally, the downstairs now has a large coffee table to compliment the big thick floor rugs there.



I'll stay there again this summer. :)

I give the shelter 5 stars on its worse day. You have to look at it for what it is, it should never be comapired to a motel or B&B. A few years back, I was trying to make it back to St Charles from a round trip to Sedalia. I got caught in an late afternoon storm and had to spend the night in a tolit. By morning, it was in the low 30's, miserable. A few hours later, I got to the shelter and after a hot shower and hot food, I felt 100% better. An hour latter, I was on the trail again.



Sitting on the upper deck on a summer evening after a long day on the trail, with a cup of coffee, or beer, or cigar, or Snicker Bar, is heard to beat!

How can anyone complain about a shelter that costs only $5 a night, yet provides showers, bike repair facilities, microwave, fridge, and a warm place to sleep? If you want better accomodations, shell out the money for a B&B.