Katy Trail Forum

We have a group of friends with which we take a bike trip once a year. It's our turn to pick a trail, and we'd like to try Katy. None of us have been on any part of Katy Trail, and we would appreciate some input from any of you who know the trail. There will be 12 adults (ranging from avid bikers to once-a-year-peddlers) and 7 children (ranging from 7-20 years old). We usually ride a few hours, find a place to eat, and then return. On some trips we have shuttled our vehicles down the trail, but with so many that gets to be a hassle.

We're looking for a beautiful section of trail with a good place to eat after a few hours ride. Since we're from Illinois, the Eastern end would be preferable. Most likely, we will do something in St. Louis as well. Looking forward to hearing from anyone with ideas.

Thank you,

Patty

I think the Rocheport area is the most scenic. I live in St Louis and while I think the east end is OK (and more interesting than the far west end), I still find the bluffs and river views of the central portion to be the best part of the trail. I've eaten at the trailside restaurant in Rocheport and one of the downtown restaurants and found the food to be good and reasonably priced.

I totally agree with Brad, Rocheport is far and away the best area. I suggest you start in Rocheport and ride east. There are good places to eat in Rocheport and Hartsburg as well. Just a warning, the trail is HOT and HUMID in the summer. I would go April/May or late Sept/Oct.

Thank you for the replies. I guess we'll be sweating this one; as you might imagine, setting a date for six families is tough. We'll be going in MID JULY. How's that for timing? Is the trail better shaded in some areas than others? What about the Rocheport area?

It's shady right around Rocheport, but for most of the trail it's shady, then wide open, then shady, and so on.

Take lots of gatorade and water, and make sure you drink plenty and OFTEN !!

Rocheport is easy to get to right on Hwy-70. A 20-mile SE ride from there to McBaine and back might suit you all. Great food in Rocheport, too. One cafe next to the trail, two more downtown (two blocks away). One of them serves gormet lunch food, reasonably. If you want swank, the Les DeBourgeois restaurant on the hill between Rocheport and Hwy-70 can be accessed from the road or trail. Enjoy.

Have a trip planned beginning in May. Want suggestions on the best way to get from St. Charles to Lambert and then to the Amtrak station downtown for the return trip to KC. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Don't recall specific website, but search "st. charles transit". They have a commuter bus service that makes about 5 stops in St. Charles, one of which is the Ameristar Casino and ends at one of the Metrolink stops. Metrolink will take you straigth to downtown and drop you at the new transportation center where buses, Metrolink, Amtrak are all together (it was under construction last Sept when we biked the Katy, but I believe it is complete now. In any case, the temporary Amtrak station was a 500 foot walk from the Metro center). The St. Charles buses are COMMUTER buses, so there are about 5 departures that leave St. Charles very early in the morning Mon-Friday only, with returnS in the late afternoon, so it is not an all-day service.)

SHOULD BE A SHUTTLE FROM THE CASINO TO THE HOTELS AROUND LAMBERT. CATCH METRO LINK FROM LAMBERT TO DOWNTOWN.

Hi everyone:



My husband and I are planning a quick bike/camp trip from Rhineland to St Charles in May. We won't be staying at any inns along the route but would like to stop in at some of the wineries. Where do people store their gear while at restaurants and wineries? Being from Chicago I get nervous about leaving it on my bike.



Thanks everyone.

Gabes....the odds are probably in your favor that nothing will happen to your stuff but it always pays to be cautious. We've been on several trails as well as the Katy and have never had a problem. We've traveled with a trailer and/or with panniers and no one has bothered our stuff....yet. We each ride with handlebar bags that we take with us when the bikes are left alone and locked. And the gps, etc. always goes in the bags with us. I figure if someone is so inclined to steal from me they can have a pair of dirty shorts and a shirt or two and I'll be happy to keep what really counts.

Gabes,



I usually left my backpack outside of the door if I was just ducking into a Casey’s, etc. Most restaurants along the trail are great about leaving your pack near the register where they can keep an eye on it for you while you eat. Pay attention to your surroundings and use your best judgment. You can always pull a DougK and stash everything in the weeds when no one is watching.

Thanks!

I have ridden the entire length of the trail 6 times on different bikes. I take camera wallet ect. with me in a fanny pack I leave the bike sometimes locked sometime not depends on where I am. I never have had any problems. I don,t worry to much about clothes camping gear stuff like that.

Hey Everyone!



I'm planning a trip for myself from April 8-11 or 12th from Sedalia to Hermann. If anyone

would like to join, I would be delighted.



Email me at baker.0195@gmail.com if interested.

Anything fun going on for St Pattys Day near Augusta? or not to far in either direction?

can anyone tell me when the shower house at Klondike is going to open this year? Online lists April 1st, weather permitiing, however I read a new alert that winterization lasts from November til March 1st... I am wanting to head out there this week, but am unsure if I should because of possibly not having water...thanks!

can anyone tell me when the shower house at Klondike is going to open this year? Online lists April 1st, weather permitiing, however I read a new alert that winterization lasts from November til March 1st... I am wanting to head out there this week, but am unsure if I should because of possibly not having water...thanks!

From the Kansas City Star article online

Extending Katy Trail into area is chugging along
By BILL GRAHAM

Surveys, assessments and agreements remain to be done to get Missouri’s Katy Trail linked with the Kansas City area’s trails, officials say.

The 225-mile hiking and bicycling trail already stretches from St. Charles to Clinton, mostly on abandoned rail bed. But the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which operates the trail, and Kansas City officials want to bring it into the area.

That possibility opened in 2007 when the state received a $180 million settlement from AmerenUE over the 2005 collapse of the utility’s Taum Sauk reservoir in eastern Missouri. That settlement also gave the state the right to use 46 miles of abandoned Rock Island Railroad right of way controlled by the utility from Windsor to Pleasant Hill as a Katy Trail route, and it provided $18 million to pay for the costs.

Also, area communities are working through the Mid-America Regional Council to use 22 separate miles of the Rock Island line from Pleasant Hill to the Leeds Industrial District as access to the Blue River and then downtown. The Union Pacific Railroad owns that right of way.

For the state’s trail to Pleasant Hill, park officials are still trying to assess what engineering and construction problems they face, said spokeswoman Sue Holst.

“Engineers are compiling a survey of the trail route and the natural and cultural resources,” Holst said. “We also had to determine where the actual property boundaries are.”

That survey is expected to be delivered to state park managers by March 31, she said.

“Once we can get that information, we can start designing the trail,”....

see rest of article online

Thanks for the update Ray, I look forward to the day I can ride my bike from KC to STL.



Paulie

I'm considering a ride with 3 teens the week of March 22. I'm an innkeeper and would like to stay at B&B's. I've found one in Herman. Is the trail paved and are we heading up hill if we start in Herman?

Herman is not actually on the trail. It's across the river from McKittrick. You have to ride the highway shoulder until you get to the bridge. There is a dedicated bike lane on the bridge but you ride on the streets when you are in Herman. Pretty low traffic for the most part in Herman though.

Yeah - what Jim said plus once you are on the trail it is fairly flat in that area and the trail is not paved but rather is crushed limestone. I would suggest you go to the FAQ in the menu bar above. It is a good place to start for answers to the most common questions new visitors to the trail have.



Hope the weather cooperates for your trip - temps have been in the 30-50 range lately.

Anyone know if any of the recent rains have affected the trail between Rocheport and Jeff City? Thinking about driving down there this weekend if it's not too soggy.

Thanks!

Was there two years ago and place was closed while backpacking from Herman to Columbia. Camping didn't look all that safe and the people a the post office were hesistant to even give us some ater. Had to walk on into Mokane which was four miles but turned out to be great,

Was there two years ago and place was closed while backpacking from Herman to Columbia. Camping didn't look all that safe and the people a the post office were hesistant to even give us some ater. Had to walk on into Mokane which was four miles but turned out to be great,

I agree that camping there is shaky and I've camped in some shaky places! I'm not sure what to say about the Post Office because they refilled 4 water bottles for me.

I agree that camping there is shaky and I've camped in some shaky places! I'm not sure what to say about the Post Office because they refilled 4 water bottles for me.

My family plans (kids 6 and 1) to bike a portion of the trail coming from Kansas City. We're thinking about staying in Boonville because of the lodging options (Holiday Inn Express)in particular but I'm unsure about the ride on the trail in Boonville...Does anyone know about the this portion of the trail? I'm also wondering about the best time of year to go. Any suggestions about traveling with small kids?

There is not much to entertain kids either direction from Boonville. If you stay at the Holiday Inn, riding the trail from there eastward toward the trailhead is a rather long downhill.....Lard Hill. It's a nice downhill ride...but you have to ride up it to get back to Holiday Inn. You might consider driving to Rocheport to get on the trail.... more neat things to see from the tunnel east to the petroglyphs.

Does anyone know if there's a trail connecting the N. Jefferson trailhead to Osage Beach?

No trail. Hiway 54 to the lake? I wouldn't advise it.

I ride a recumbent with a BOB trailer -- neither of which seems to be welcome on AMTRAK. My desired plan: Ride from Sedalia to Washington and catch the train (without equipment)back to Sedalia. This would necessitate leaving bike and trailer somewhere in Washington, to be picked up later in the day when I drive back eastward. Perhaps the B&B in Washington could do this for me....but I have seen no such comments, questions or information regarding this plan. Any advice? BTW, this site, bikekatytrail is WONDERFUL!!

Go for it! I'd certainly ask the B&B that I was looking to stay at if they would let me leave some gear there for the day....if they wouldn't I'd check into staying at a different place. I've left my vehicle over nite in a motel parking lot while riding an out and back several times and no one has ever hesitated to tell me that it was okay to do so. All they usually ask is that I move it out of the way for the new paying customers.

The trail is for horseback riding as well, isn't it?

According to the website FAQ:



Are horses allowed on the Katy Trail?



Yes, horseback riding is allowed between Calhoun and the Sedalia Fairgrounds trailhead, a total distance of approximately 25 miles. Trailhead parking lots along the equestrian section of the Katy Trail are designed to accommodate horse trailer parking.

YOU CAN BED YOU AND YOUR HORSE DOWN AT CRUCE'S CABOOSES. HAVE A MEAL AROUND THE CAMPFIRE AND HEAD OUT THE NEXT MORNING.

The site says no overnight parking at the St Charles trailhead - is this true? We planned to park there for a week. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

The site says no overnight parking at the St Charles trailhead - is this true? We planned to park there for a week. Any other suggestions? Thanks!

You may want to check this old thread and/or check with the St Charles Police Department, their non-emergency number is 636-949-3300 to help get an answer to your question.



http://www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=53&full=&ascdesc=&pg=

You may want to check this old thread and/or check with the St Charles Police Department, their non-emergency number is 636-949-3300 to help get an answer to your question.



http://www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=53&full=&ascdesc=&pg=

Park up the hill at the bass-pro parking lot. There's also a commuter park and ride near the trail.

Park up the hill at the bass-pro parking lot. There's also a commuter park and ride near the trail.

Rode Defiance to Dutzow and back today. Trail was in good shape, and DNR trucks were out sprucing it up a bit. Still a few washout spots, and some loose gravel fill, but nothing to worry about. The wind was fierce. Talk about brutal. ;>p

If you're passing through Sedalia I'd like to throw out two recommendations. First, the Sedalia House Bed and Breakfast is a delightful place to hang your hat overnight. The hosts are charming, facility is clean and accomodating, and breakfast is delicious. Second, check out the new Napolis Italian Restaurant (formerly Red Apple). The food is very good and prices are reasonable. While there I even caught some live music.

Does anyone have some advice on completing the entire trail? Is the Machens path opened yet? Do I need to talk to park services to let them know I will be riding through out the night? Thanks!

If you call them they will just tell you NOT to do it.



I doubt that you get caught and if you do they will just ask you to leave the trail.

It would be nice if there was a taxi or car service or even someone honest who has a pick up truck, who give a biker and and bike a ride just over the bridge into Washington from the crossroads that are located just North of that narrow bridge that leads into town.

I have stood in a safe area where vehicles can pull over with my thumb out and hitched a ride either way over that bridge, and took my chances on who gave me a ride. I did want a ride with any criminal types or people who had other problems and I did not have any problems hitchhiking there with the police. If I would have solicited a ride from a criminal type mabie it would be a different story.

For those bikers on the Katy Trail needing a ride across the bridge at Washington you have several options: the newest one is Revolution Cycles, the new bike shop in town. Joe has a bike carrier for 4 bikes and can be reached at 636 390-9999. The other options are Millennium Taxi, 636 239-0009 or YO Taxi, 636 271-1305. Also, several of the B&B will pick you up if you are staying with them. All of them will get you Washington safely. If anyone has question about Washington call me at the Washington Tourism Office at 636 239-2715, ext 102.

LOVE your photos!!!!

Two of us stayed there in June 2008. The store was closed. I think it was a Sunday or Monday night but we had eaten at a town before getting there so we were o.k. It's best to have a little emergency food. Four others were staying there and they were hiking across the US to Oregon. It rained that night so we were glad we were there. I read a book and it was clean.

Two of us stayed there in June 2008. The store was closed. I think it was a Sunday or Monday night but we had eaten at a town before getting there so we were o.k. It's best to have a little emergency food. Four others were staying there and they were hiking across the US to Oregon. It rained that night so we were glad we were there. I read a book and it was clean.

Thats good as they do not allow reading dirty books in Tebbetts.

Thats good as they do not allow reading dirty books in Tebbetts.

I see a lot of comments about camping along the trail. My question - how best to secure a tent and a sleeping to my bike? I have a rack on the back. Should I get a front rack and move my pannier/pack to the front, and then secure the tent and sleeping back to the back rack? Any other suggestions?

If money is no object, then a Bob Gear Yak Trailer is another option. It is a one wheeled trailer, carries up to 70 lbs. by itself. They can cost anywhere from $280 on up depending on what type of accesories you get.



"KoolMule" is another one wheeled trailer that was suggested on here previously.

Hey Top Shelf....there are many ways to go. If you're going to travel in warm weather, consider ditching the sleeping bag and take a thermarest pad to sleep on instead. To check out how tourist travel, their gear, etc., check out crazyguyonabike.com. There are forums, reviews, classifieds, and many, many tour journals with loads of pictures. It's a great resource to see whats going on in the bike travel world.

Distributing the weight between a front rack and a rear is a good option, particularly if you're going to carry more than 20 lbs. As mentioned above, a trailer is a good alternative. In addition to the BOB, Nashbar has their own branded trailer that runs about $150. They also have a low-rider front rack for less than $20.

I am sorry to be disagreeable but I dislike one wheel trailers. The "Bob" can sway side to

side at high speeds and become very unstable at low speeds unless everything is packed

just so.



I much prefer a two wheeled trailer like the Burley Flatbed or Nomad.



FWIW,



I ride about 5,000 miles per year and about half of that is pulling a trailer. I have pulled a

bob, burley's and a bikes at work trailer with 300# loads quite often.



The only downside to the burleys is that you have an extra tire that could go flat but thats

a non issue for me.



IF you get the flatbed you can put a 10 dollar rubbermaid tub on it and have a nice

container for all of your stuff.



Everyone is different though and many people LOVE the Bob. I dont know if those people

have ever used another trailer or not but they still love it.

Robert raises a very appropriate point. BoB's give the impression that one just hooks it up

and goes...not the way to go. The owners manual is great...no one follows it though. The

maximum IS 70# but I wouldn't go there. Once at 50 or so pounds BoB's tend to "push &

steer" you and if you haven't really practiced handling those nuances its a whole new

world. That same Rubbermaid tube goes on a BoB well enough as well. I've had my BoB

since '93 and it does work for me, but I would agree with Robert that its not the magic

panacea trailer. Can't go wrong with a Burly flat bed. The orginal idea for the BoB was

basically beach riding in CA. with ones picnic supplies, even surf boards. It works well for

single track riding with intent for camping. Regards....Mark

My bike can't hold saddlebags, so I used a backpack for my first trip camping. Big mistake. Once the weather got warm I couldn't keep cool with my back covered. I have a rack that clamps on to my seat post that holds 25 lbs. For future rides if I'll take less gear. A previous poster had a good idea for the summer, don't take your sleeping bag.

My husband and I had quite possibly the best fried chicken I have ever eaten, besides my mom's of course. The people were wonderful as was the food. I will spread the word far and near about your great food and atmosphere. Thanks for being in Claysville!!!

The Gathering Place is currently open. It was closed two years ago, but the ownership has changed hands and it is open! Visit www.gatheringplacebedandbreakfast.com for more information.

The Gathering Place is currently open. It was closed two years ago, but the ownership has changed hands and it is open! Visit www.gatheringplacebedandbreakfast.com for more information.

My sisters and I have recently returned from our first adventure riding the Katy Trail from St. Charles to Clinton. What fun!! We planned our trip based on comments and suggestions found on bikekatytrail.com which we found very helpful. Our only disappointment was our stay at the Acorn B&B. One of the first things I did after arriving home was to check their web-site to see how in the world we were so deceived. For those of you considering this place allow me to translate: The photo of the inn shows a nice brick home with a cute sign out front. You aren't staying there. You are staying in the "lower level" of their home.....AKA their BASEMENT. It looks, smells, and feels like a basement. I have no idea where the "flagstone terraces" are that other folks had their breakfast served on. We had ours in their CARPORT. The carport was so rickety that I had a hard time finding a structure stable enough to lock up our bikes. The Acorn advertises their "natural bath products." These consisted of a container of Softsoap brand hand wash in the bathroom, and a container of Wal-Mart body wash in the tub. How natural. (continued)

My sisters and I have recently returned from our first adventure riding the Katy Trail from St. Charles to Clinton. What fun!! We planned our trip based on comments and suggestions found on bikekatytrail.com which we found very helpful. Our only disappointment was our stay at the Acorn B&B. One of the first things I did after arriving home was to check their web-site to see how in the world we were so deceived. For those of you considering this place allow me to translate: The photo of the inn shows a nice brick home with a cute sign out front. You aren't staying there. You are staying in the "lower level" of their home.....AKA their BASEMENT. It looks, smells, and feels like a basement. I have no idea where the "flagstone terraces" are that other folks had their breakfast served on. We had ours in their CARPORT. The carport was so rickety that I had a hard time finding a structure stable enough to lock up our bikes. The Acorn advertises their "natural bath products." These consisted of a container of Softsoap brand hand wash in the bathroom, and a container of Wal-Mart body wash in the tub. How natural. (continued)

Acorn B&B has been sold and is now a private residence. It is no longer a lodging place.

Acorn B&B has been sold and is now a private residence. It is no longer a lodging place.

I was hoping to stay here on my Katy trail trip this summer. Does anyone know if this place

is open anymore, and what the quality of the campgrounds are like?



Thanks!

I was hoping to stay here on my Katy trail trip this summer. Does anyone know if this place

is open anymore, and what the quality of the campgrounds are like?



Thanks!

Its not really a campground last I was there ('02), but more about asking the previous owner

if one could camp on the lawn. Give it a try and ask the waitstaff/owners. The grass was soft,

and the previous owner even got my brothers and I up and opened up the grill and cooked us

breakfast...awesome memory...hope yours is as good. I always try to "buy local" when asking

for anything. The bar in Steedman (formerly known as the S.O.B. for Steedmans Only Bar) was

at then end of the day for us and we "carbed up" on beer and burgers purchased and it just

got better from there. Regards....Mark

Its not really a campground last I was there ('02), but more about asking the previous owner

if one could camp on the lawn. Give it a try and ask the waitstaff/owners. The grass was soft,

and the previous owner even got my brothers and I up and opened up the grill and cooked us

breakfast...awesome memory...hope yours is as good. I always try to "buy local" when asking

for anything. The bar in Steedman (formerly known as the S.O.B. for Steedmans Only Bar) was

at then end of the day for us and we "carbed up" on beer and burgers purchased and it just

got better from there. Regards....Mark

I drive by this place all the time and its always packed. I stoped and had to try it. the omlets from them is to die for and the lunch is grate also. I had to eat their 2x in one day. thanks for the good food.

I drive by this place all the time and its always packed. I stoped and had to try it. the omlets from them is to die for and the lunch is grate also. I had to eat their 2x in one day. thanks for the good food.

I've been checking out the campgrounds on the east end of the trail that take travel trailers that doesn't cost me a fortune and the only one I found was the Sundermeier in St. Charles and that cost $50. to $55. a night. The next one is in Augusta and they don't take campers. Anyone know of any campgrounds near the trail on the east end?

I believe that Babler State Park in St. Louis County allows trailer or RV camping. It is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, who would have more info. However, from there, you still would have about a 10 mile commute to the nearest Katy TrailHead. It is still about $20 for a camping spot with an electric hookup.



I have also seen an occasional RV at the Matson Trailhead. It is a very large parking area, and it has maybe a half a dozen vehicles on a busy weekend. Camping is not allowed at Trailheads, but as long as you don't do something to draw attention to yourself, I doubt anyone would bother you there.

Under the "Kirkwood Station to Katy Trail Directions" the Route 5 suggestion provides a route from Grant's Trail to Katy Trail. I am having difficulty understanding. Is that out of date? It looks like it separates from GT too soon, am I wrong? Does anyone have a good suggestion for a route from Grant's Trail to Katy (via the Page Extension)? Vice-versa (Katy to Grant's) would be fine, too.



Thanks in advance.

The “Route 5” suggestion is dated to 2004. Grants Trail has since been extended to the North to the Holmes Ave /Hwy 44 area in south Kirkwood.



The Route 5 suggestion should (or could) be modified to stay on Grants Trail to Holmes and follow it to the North to East Adams.



I have not attempted this myself, but it would seem okay to try to this early (ie. 6 a.m) on a weekend morning, other times you are going to have to deal with some significant traffic.

My son drove me to this monster today 11-06-08.I am 59 yrs old ,live on a farm on chariton river north of novinger and never have i ever saw a tree in missouri of this size .We measured six feet from the ground across our best guess and she was at least 8 feet across! I WILL RETURN! with camera and love for the sight of this majestic wonder!

i miss stopping by this majestic tree... you have to admit... she has earned way more than just respect....

i know this has been answered numerous times. i also know where the mcbaine trailhead is. so the question is, where is the tree at mcbaine. thanx in advance.

Traveling east from Huntsdale towards McBaine....approx. 8 tenths of a mile east of Huntsdale, the Katy crosses a blacktop highway. Looking south down the highway, you can see the tree standing right next to the road a quarter to a half mile from the trail. We've all been told this before....but you can't miss it. As a side note: The Katy Trail Guidebook directions are to continue an extra 1.3 miles to McBaine and then backtrack 1.7 miles to the tree....or just turn south at the highway and ride a half mile.