Katy Trail Forum

Does anyone have pictures of the campground? Particularly the cabins? We're thinking of stopping here on our trip next summer.

Stayed in the bunkhouse summer 2007 while backpacking from Herman to Coopers Landing. It provided just the basics bed and air and a very old TV, no bathroom but there are facilities that have bathroom. Was a nice place to stay and get out of the rain

I stayed at the campground and the cabin on an out and back in June 08.Cabin is just as described above. Just a comfortable bed t.v. and air. (T.V. might not work now.) It is nowhere near the size of a motel room, but if you want a comfortable bed, air, and no mosquitos, this is the place. If you camp and remember only one thing to bring, make it insect repellant.

I WAS THERE THE WEEKEND AFTER CHRISTMAS MET THE NEW OWNERS THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE I JUST LOVE THIS PLACE

I WAS THERE THE WEEKEND AFTER CHRISTMAS MET THE NEW OWNERS THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE I JUST LOVE THIS PLACE

Does anyone know whether or not there are ATM machines in Rocheport and Portland. I need to be able to show time/date of passage through those 2 places. I will obviously make a purchase at local businesses if they are open, but need a backup plan in case they don't offer date/time receipts and/or are closed for the day/season. Any help is appreciated. THANKS!

Don't hold me to it, but I doubt you will find ATMs in either place. The closest to Rocheport will probably be Boonville. Portland? hmmmmm, probably either Mokane or Rhineland?

Having ridden through both places several times - that's what I was afraid of.



Thanks for taking the time to respond! I appreciate it.



On to Plan B....

The gas station on Hwy 19 at McKittrick has an ATM.

The Hitching Post in Hartsburg has an ATM

Outstanding accomodations,hospitality and food. Beautiful home and wonderful hostess. Highly recommended

Outstanding accomodations,hospitality and food. Beautiful home and wonderful hostess. Highly recommended

I ride the Katy on my black Electra townie now and then and will continue to do so unless I lose it along Highway 54 like I did my Wenona canoe.

I hear townies are nice bikes for the Katy, Just curious how did you lose a high dollar Wenona canoe?

Our group stayed with Jeanette in July 2008 and very much enjoyed our time with her. The local restaurant was closed for the day when we arrived, so we enjoyed pizza and beer with Jeanette at the local tavern. The Globe is an old hotel and is a work in progress. Jeanette has done a great job with it. The rooms are clean, well decorated, and having a sink in the room was helpful. Breakfast was delightfully substantial.

Our group stayed with Jeanette in July 2008 and very much enjoyed our time with her. The local restaurant was closed for the day when we arrived, so we enjoyed pizza and beer with Jeanette at the local tavern. The Globe is an old hotel and is a work in progress. Jeanette has done a great job with it. The rooms are clean, well decorated, and having a sink in the room was helpful. Breakfast was delightfully substantial.

I rode the Katy Trail in late May 2008 and stayed at the "Globe". The accommodations were very nice. After a long day on the trail I was glad she had a room for me. I don't think I could have biked another mile... The breakfast and the comraderie with the other bikers that were there was also a plus. No complaints here about the "Globe".. Next time I do the trail I will make a point to stay there.



The next day I rode to Marthasville. Evening was rapidly descending all around me and I was just about out of energy. The B & B there right off the trail for some reason wouldn't accomodate any one that night which I was totally unprepared for. I biked to Dutzow and talked to the people at the restaurant right off the trail about any local lodging-my only option appeared to be Washington... By now it was totally dark and there was no way I could bike across that bridge so far and so late. The lady and I think the evening manager at the restaurant was very understanding to my plight and drove me the 10 miles out of her way to Washington to the "Sleep Inn". I was very thankful for her being there when I needed her. If not for her I am not sure what I would have done.. Later on that night, the real owner of that B & B in Marthasville called and left a message on my cell to come back, but I was just fine at the Sleep Inn. The next morning I crossed that bridge at Washington and that is no picnic to cross, but you don't want to dilly dally. My thanks to Jeanette @ the Globe and the lady/manager at that Dutzow restaurant.

I rode the Katy Trail in late May 2008 and stayed at the "Globe". The accommodations were very nice. After a long day on the trail I was glad she had a room for me. I don't think I could have biked another mile... The breakfast and the comraderie with the other bikers that were there was also a plus. No complaints here about the "Globe".. Next time I do the trail I will make a point to stay there.



The next day I rode to Marthasville. Evening was rapidly descending all around me and I was just about out of energy. The B & B there right off the trail for some reason wouldn't accomodate any one that night which I was totally unprepared for. I biked to Dutzow and talked to the people at the restaurant right off the trail about any local lodging-my only option appeared to be Washington... By now it was totally dark and there was no way I could bike across that bridge so far and so late. The lady and I think the evening manager at the restaurant was very understanding to my plight and drove me the 10 miles out of her way to Washington to the "Sleep Inn". I was very thankful for her being there when I needed her. If not for her I am not sure what I would have done.. Later on that night, the real owner of that B & B in Marthasville called and left a message on my cell to come back, but I was just fine at the Sleep Inn. The next morning I crossed that bridge at Washington and that is no picnic to cross, but you don't want to dilly dally. My thanks to Jeanette @ the Globe and the lady/manager at that Dutzow restaurant.

We are planning a May 2nd trip from Hermann to St. Charles. We are newbies at this but feel that this is the best time of year and a realistic distance. We thought the prevailing winds would be west to east and May would be a good choice regarding the temperature. If we stay in Herman and bike to Washington in one day then on to St. Charles on the second day we should not be too tired to "smell the roses". Any comments on our plan?

Thanks, Michael

Michael...that sounds like a good plan. Hermann is a nice start or ending point. It we were to do that trip, I'd make sure to arrange to be shuttled across the bridge in Washington. Although I don't generally scare easily and have riden the old Hermann bridge and the bridge in Jefferson City...I've driven the bridge in Washington and would not attempt it on the bike. I'm guessing that most that post here would agree that the Washington bridge is not to ridden by the average trail rider.

Clinton Cab is available to transport riders from Clinton to anywhere in Missouri. 660-890-2221. We have several vehicles available from the standard Crown Vic up to an Expedition.

Would like to ride from St. Louis to Kansas City, following the trail as long as practical next January. Not worried about cold - but is heavy snow a likely concern? What are the most economical heated lodging options? I've got more time than money.

A few years ago I rode the trail in the late winter and slept in the caves near rochport ,it was warmer in the cave than out side. the trail was wet and your tires sunk in about 1 inch .it made for some very hard riding and i was not in the best shape for riding because i

havent ridden sense fall.I got off the trail after the cave and rode the blacktop to boonville then i turned around it was tough GOOD LUCK.

I hope your not talking about the cave between mcbaine and rocheport.



That cave is PRIVATE PROPERTY. Further, there is a sign there saying not to enter it

because the bats that inhabit it are endangered. Of course the sign also has a sign saying

its private property but as you will notice there is a worn path from the KATY into that

cave.



I ride the KATY a lot and I constantly see people have a complete disregard for people's

property rights. I see boy scout troops letting their kids climb cliffs and run through field

crops.



The entire state is not your play pen and this is exactly the kind of thing that landowners

complain about whenever a new trail is planned.



Please tell me why someone would approach something like that and think to themselves,

"oh well...I'm soooo important I will just do it anyway...forget the bats and the fact that its

not my property."

Very nice people, good rates and incredibly good hot showers!!!

Very nice people, good rates and incredibly good hot showers!!!

This campground and the property it sits on was my childhood home (circa 1967 - 1981) It was a farm at the time (cattle, horses, chickens, 300 acres farmland) I grew up running around this area, back when the Missouri Pacific railroad traveled up and down what is now the Katy Trail. My family sold the farm after my grandparents passed away and we lost contact with it altogether until my sister was looking at a biking magazine and saw a picture of the place in the magazine. Imagine our surprise! The house that sits on the property is actually an old riverboat that was converted to a house around the early 1900's. My great grandfather bought the farm in 1920's or '30s and lived there until my grandpartents both passed away in the early 1980s. The entire area is a wonderful place to hike, camp, hunt, and fish. The Missouri river is just a few hundred yards away from the front door of the house. Over the years, we found dozens and dozens of arrowheads and several indian burial sites. On top of the hill that sits just east of the house is a really old cemetary, with most headstones dating late 1800s. The cemetary was an awfully scary place for me as a child.



I dream of the "farm" often and hope to go back and visit it sometime soon. It is wonderful to know that a place I hold so dear to my heart has turned out to be a place where people can actually visit and go camping. I can't imagine what the campgrounds look like, as they did not exist when I was a child.



Hope you all can enjoy the area as much as I did growing up. If you look around, you might find a few trees with my initials carved into them.

This campground and the property it sits on was my childhood home (circa 1967 - 1981) It was a farm at the time (cattle, horses, chickens, 300 acres farmland) I grew up running around this area, back when the Missouri Pacific railroad traveled up and down what is now the Katy Trail. My family sold the farm after my grandparents passed away and we lost contact with it altogether until my sister was looking at a biking magazine and saw a picture of the place in the magazine. Imagine our surprise! The house that sits on the property is actually an old riverboat that was converted to a house around the early 1900's. My great grandfather bought the farm in 1920's or '30s and lived there until my grandpartents both passed away in the early 1980s. The entire area is a wonderful place to hike, camp, hunt, and fish. The Missouri river is just a few hundred yards away from the front door of the house. Over the years, we found dozens and dozens of arrowheads and several indian burial sites. On top of the hill that sits just east of the house is a really old cemetary, with most headstones dating late 1800s. The cemetary was an awfully scary place for me as a child.



I dream of the "farm" often and hope to go back and visit it sometime soon. It is wonderful to know that a place I hold so dear to my heart has turned out to be a place where people can actually visit and go camping. I can't imagine what the campgrounds look like, as they did not exist when I was a child.



Hope you all can enjoy the area as much as I did growing up. If you look around, you might find a few trees with my initials carved into them.

We've camped at Steamboat Junction and we've stopped several times to enjoy the shade. It is a welcomed stop along the trail and the owners are friendly. Each time we've talked to them over the past few years though, they always mention that business is down and that they are thinking about closing. Last summer the owner expressed concern that no one knew that they were even there. She said that many bikers passed on by and never slowed. If you haven't stayed there, check out the secluded campground and the little cottage (air conditioned) if they fit into your Katy plans in '09.

We've camped at Steamboat Junction and we've stopped several times to enjoy the shade. It is a welcomed stop along the trail and the owners are friendly. Each time we've talked to them over the past few years though, they always mention that business is down and that they are thinking about closing. Last summer the owner expressed concern that no one knew that they were even there. She said that many bikers passed on by and never slowed. If you haven't stayed there, check out the secluded campground and the little cottage (air conditioned) if they fit into your Katy plans in '09.

I just want to wish everyone a very merry X-mas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing everybody on the trail in 09.

Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and everyone else as well. 2009 should be a good year for the Katy Trail, with construction getting under way on the west end and completion of the Machens extension on the east end (we hope!). Maybe a good resolution on the Boonville Bridge issue too.



I've been up late chatting with Santa - hope he brought all of you some good stuff too. Merry Christmas!

Ray..



Your web site is excellent. Thanks for maintaining all the valuable

Katy trail information.

I have seen where some have ridden the trail in one day. What is the current best time for a nonstop ride?

Read last summer that a recent one-day time was under 14-hr, but cannot locate it at the moment. We probably could use a better way to search the Comment Forum for this kind of information.

Try searching "one day ride" or "24 hour ride"....there is a quite lengthy post here about riding the trail in a day titled 24 hour ride or the like.

Yes. The last comment works well, i.e. by doing an Internet search under "Katy Trail one day riders." That time of 13h-40m+ is at URL.. http://www.bikekatytrail.com/one-day.asp.

I am planning on hiking the entire trail, most likely in May or June 2009. Looking for anyone who has recently accomplished this.

There are a couple who have hiked the length of the trail that are frequent posters here.....GC and DougK. Search "hiking" on this site to find some of their threads that may be helpful to you.

Thom,

Let me know what you need to know. DougK and I have both done it, and I am sure there are others, too.

Greg

Thom,

Good luck on your hike. The best advice I can offer is water. I made arrangements at spots between the trailheads to stash gallon jugs of waters in the weeds. There were times when those jugs made the difference between a long hike and a medical emergency on some of those 99-100 degree days with no shade.

I will give you my personal guarantee it will be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll have despite the above advice.



Here are two websites you might find helpful:

http://gregwalk2006.blogspot.com/

http://www.dougknox.blogspot.com/



I have to warn you that mine contains solid advice, philosophy, and whining like a 4 year old.

Thom –



Late April, 2008, I hiked the KATY from Clinton to Machens, plus several side trails along the KATY, including to Columbia and Eagles Nest. The hike took me 10 days. Although there were several days with sporadic rain, only one downpour; overall, the weather was good for hiking. My wife followed the trail by car. Consequently I needed to carry only one day’s supply of water, food, bug spray, minimal first aid items, etc. Without the need to carry supplies for multiple days, I was able to achieve a good pace. Each morning my wife and I would agree to meet at a specific trail head within a two hour range in the afternoon. This permitted us both some flexibility with our time during the day. The nights we alternated between camping and staying in lodging. A long hot shower and good bed were well worth the expense every other night. A month prior to my hike, we used this website to make our preliminary plans and compiled a KATY folder. This site’s comments (especially from Doug and Greg), mileage charts, trail head descriptions, food and lodging recommendations, etc., were extremely helpful. (KUDOS!!! To the administrator and all those who added to this wonderful website – best I’ve seen.) My wife kept the folder in the car and used the information to locate the trail heads, call ahead for room or campsite reservations, select a dinner site, brief me on what to expect along the trail the next day, etc. Do you have any specific questions I might be able to answer? Good luck with your hike.



Enjoy! - MJ

Way to go, MJ

MJ,



We're proud to have you as one of the few, the proud, the Katy thru-hikers!

I had planned to stop in Booneville, but broke down between Beaman and Clifton City and staggered into Pilot Grove. I inquired about a room and was told the B&B was closed. When I asked if there was any other place to stay (I had already been told the Pilot Grove B&B & Flower Shop was out of business) and explained my problem, she said to come on in. The accommodations, breakfast and hospitality couldn't have been better. She saved me from a tight spot.

I had planned to stop in Booneville, but broke down between Beaman and Clifton City and staggered into Pilot Grove. I inquired about a room and was told the B&B was closed. When I asked if there was any other place to stay (I had already been told the Pilot Grove B&B & Flower Shop was out of business) and explained my problem, she said to come on in. The accommodations, breakfast and hospitality couldn't have been better. She saved me from a tight spot.

I have been to Polly's many times while in Missouri and you cannot beat her warm beds, great breakfasts, good conversation....and the best ever homemade coconut cream pie....she bakes them herself in the morning... I go to Missouri just to eat a couple of pieces of these culinary delights!! And I can see her opening her closed B&B doors to the person with car trouble on November 1st, she's just that special of a person.

I have been to Polly's many times while in Missouri and you cannot beat her warm beds, great breakfasts, good conversation....and the best ever homemade coconut cream pie....she bakes them herself in the morning... I go to Missouri just to eat a couple of pieces of these culinary delights!! And I can see her opening her closed B&B doors to the person with car trouble on November 1st, she's just that special of a person.

Katfish Katy's provides public restrooms at their personal expense to users of the Katy Trail. Thank you. Staying at Katy's Little Lodge felt like staying at home. It was also close to the trail.

Hats off to Katfish Katy's. I have had the same positive experiences. Even if I am not tired or thirsty I always try to stop there when I am riding by to spend a few dimes and support this establishment.

Public restrooms.....a cold soda.....a picnic table under a shade tree....friendly folks....its an oasis on a hot day!

Katfish Katy's is indeed a great campsite. I rolled in a half-hour after dark in mid-october and the campsite hosts were still very gracious. They even offered to open the store in case i needed anything. Also got to pitch my camp 15ft. from the river on a small bluff. It was very nice to wake up with the Muddy Mo' peacefully flowing by.

One of the best for food and service.

We wish we could go there every week.

One of the best for food and service.

We wish we could go there every week.

The hotel is easily accessed from the trail. An access road intersects the trail east of Boonville. It's a short ride, less than a mile to the hotel.

The hotel is easily accessed from the trail. An access road intersects the trail east of Boonville. It's a short ride, less than a mile to the hotel.

Sorry, the access road actually intersects the trail west of Boonville. The hotel will e-mail directions if you make reservations.

Sorry, the access road actually intersects the trail west of Boonville. The hotel will e-mail directions if you make reservations.

The road that leads up through the industrial center and to the hotel is between mm 194 and 195, on the east side of the trail. There's a small community service bulletin board where the gravel road heads off. If coming from the west, it will be just after the cattle feed lots. If coming from the Boonville trailhead, it will be shortly past when you go through the metal tunnel (don't know the proper name to call it).

The road that leads up through the industrial center and to the hotel is between mm 194 and 195, on the east side of the trail. There's a small community service bulletin board where the gravel road heads off. If coming from the west, it will be just after the cattle feed lots. If coming from the Boonville trailhead, it will be shortly past when you go through the metal tunnel (don't know the proper name to call it).

One thing about the Comfort Inn. If you ride in from the trail do not look to your left when approaching the lobby. There is a candy/ice cream shop next door and you will undo all the good you achieved by riding all day.

One thing about the Comfort Inn. If you ride in from the trail do not look to your left when approaching the lobby. There is a candy/ice cream shop next door and you will undo all the good you achieved by riding all day.

I rode the trail in late September from St. Cherles to Jeff City and back. I had arranged to stay in Washington at the Brick Inn B&B. That was a great decision. Art and Kathy were wonderful hosts and they provide a shuttle from the trail to their B&B across the river. The shuttle was a Cadillac Eldorado with a bike rack -- a most excellent sag wagon.



I would highly recommend staying with them. Great place and great folks.

I rode the trail in late September from St. Cherles to Jeff City and back. I had arranged to stay in Washington at the Brick Inn B&B. That was a great decision. Art and Kathy were wonderful hosts and they provide a shuttle from the trail to their B&B across the river. The shuttle was a Cadillac Eldorado with a bike rack -- a most excellent sag wagon.



I would highly recommend staying with them. Great place and great folks.

The wines at Blumenhof are some of the best we have had in all of Missouri! There are two options to get there, 1) bike on the main road through town - no shoulder, or 2) take the little gravel side-trail off of the Katy Trail. You will need to walk your bike up the trail, as it is steep and muddy, but not very long. It is just a little east of the deli on the Katy trail.

The Hotel Frederick is lovely. Very lovingly restored, with a friendly staff. The breakfast was o.k. No protein (eggs or sausage), limited to cereal, bagels and oatmeal. Also, the hotel is very HOT. The entire hotel is on one thermostat, so adjusting the room temperature below 80 degrees was not possible. Opening a window created a lot of street noise. Ask for a back room in winter. The windows above the doors also let in all the hall light. It is a nice hotel to look at, but difficult to get a good night's sleep!

The Hotel Bothwell is lovely and the staff is very friendly. The main floor sitting area is beautiful, especially for the holidays. The adjoining Ivory Grill is also great. The pork tenderloin was dynamite. The breakfast at the Bothwell is o.k. - eggs, sausage, bagels, waffles and cereal. They ran out of food by 8:30 am, though. The 5th Street Brewpub had a good, cheap steak, with several good microbrews on tap and in bottle. However, their own beer is terrible. Rancid or something.

You can park your car overnight at the lighted lot of the Clinton Community Center, not even 0.1 mile up the road from the trailhead. Fill out a form at the front desk with your name, date of return, what your car looks like, etc. They are very nice.

You may also want to check out my book Exploring Missouri Wine Country, 3rd Edition. At more than 300 pages, it is the definitive guide to Missouri wine country. Many wineries line the edge of the trail and Hwy 94 and Hwy 100 in the Missouri River valley. This guide will give you some great ideas on places to go, towns to visit, and wineries you don't want to miss. Published by Pebble Publishing. Visit my bookstore in Rocheport, call (573) 698-3903 or go online to http://www.pebblepublishing.com/exploring_missouri_wine_country.htm



See you on the trail!

If it's anything like your Katy Trail Guidebook, it's a must have! We're back again this year with our bikes and will pick up your "Wine" book on the way through Rocheport. We're heading east on the trail to wine country.



Carpe diem!



Rick & Mary

Can you tell meabout the wine varieties? Are they European, Native American or Hybrids? I'll be riding the Katy one of these days.

German settlers were responsible for the start of vineyards in Missouri. The Missouri Wine Country website has some good information about Missouri wine. Click on the "Articles" tab and then "Missouri Wine History" for some good information on the history and location of Missouri wineries.



http://www.missouriwinecountry.com/