Katy Trail Forum

We want to ride from Clinton back to St. Charles and are thinking of train to Sedalia, shuttle to Clinton and biking back. What are peoples experiences about parking cars and getting to the morning train to go West. I saw the post about Yellow Cab but will they take bikes? Logistics is the issue.

Thanks! We can hardly wait!

The civic center across the street from the Clinton trailhead is an excellent place to park your car. Let them know your plans and they will watch your car. I would ride to St. Charles, go back up the trail 34 miles to Dutzow and catch the train to Sedalia from there. Less hassle than carting bikes to the station in St Louis. Get off in Sedalia and ride into Clinton. When you make your train reservations be sure you tell them you are also bringing a bike.

I think Jan was hoping to go the other way: Park in St. Chas, take the train to Sedalia, shuttle to Clinton and ride back to St. Chas.



I'd also be interested in the logistics.

I am planning a group to ride from Clinton to St. Charles as well. We are leaving September 19. Let me know if your dates are the same and we can share the cost. I have 3 riders and gear. thanks

we are located in St Charles (3 blocks from trail) we can help you with shuttling to train to go to Sedalia ---- and there is a service in Sedalia to shuttle you to Clinton (Davidison -----660-596-1426 ----- I think the fee is 30.00) ----- call me at 636-946-0619

Jim's was a life saver! We came through in June of 2008 and the trail was flooded in places and mud everywhere else! Jim gave us food and a ride to our car. We are already planning on finishing the trail this spring!

Jim's was a life saver! We came through in June of 2008 and the trail was flooded in places and mud everywhere else! Jim gave us food and a ride to our car. We are already planning on finishing the trail this spring!

i have family buried in the ebenezer church cemetery in the davis-dale conservation area and it is so overgrown with tall trees and tall weeds that i could not get to the cemetery,i find it appauling that families that have family members buried in cemeteries in the davis-dale conservation area cannot have access to the cemeteries.i am mad that i am not allowed to visit my family who are buried in the ebenezer church cemetery.the conservation agents or the forestry service is not doing their jobs by keeping these cemeteries accessible to us.i want something done post haste!!!!!!!!

carla jean page

re:snell family buried in the ebenezer church cemetery

davis-dale conservation area

That is unfortunate. I'm curious to know why the rant here though? I don't think the average Katy rider is responsible in any fashion for this? If you would like something done "post haste" what are you doing wasting time posting on this forum, when you could have been contacting someone who can fix your problem?

If it means that much to you get out And take your weedeater and get to work. Don't blame it on people that DON'T have family there. Hey Ray, how about you just delete this thread?

Try again during the winter when there are no bugs and the grass/plants are much easier to trudge through. It sounds like it's been awhile since you've last been there so waiting a few months shouldn't be a problem.

There is an area off Katy trail in the davis dale conservation area I like to visit and it seems they mow it once every few months, maybe if you let them know they could send the mower out to where your family is buried.

Sorry to hear about that. But as others have indicated, you're barking up the wrong tree - Davisdale is managed by the Mo Department of Conservation. They're not affiliated with the Katy Trail (that's the Dept of Natural Resources) and they will never see your message here. Try http://www.mdc.mo.gov/ - good luck.

My first thought is if you are that bent out of shape about the cemetary, stop wasting your time making a fuss out of the issue, (in the wrong place no less), and actually DO something. What about personal responsibility for tending your families graves? Like Doug said, get out a weedeater and go to town.

I live relatively close to the Katy Trail at St. Charles, and though I've been on it a number of times I've never gone too far. I'm wondering if it's possible to commute to work if I leave from St. Charles to the Mid Rivers Mall Drive area; as in how close is the trail to the area around the mall/how far will I have to travel from the trail? Trying to be Greener! Thanks!

Riding from the Mid Rivers Mall area to the Katy trail is easier than riding from the Katy Trail to Mid Rivers Mall because of the hills. If you take the Katy to the end of Greens Bottom Rd. you can get to Mid Rivers Mall by following Greens Bottom to the right up a very steep and curvy hill. Greens Bottom turns into Pitman Hill. If you continue straight on Pitman Hill, it will turn into Mid Rivers Mall Dr once you cross HWY 94. This would be the easiest and fastest way if you are unfamiliar with the area. The safer way is to follow Greens Bottom up to the top of the hill and then turn right onto Kisker Rd. Kisker Rd. will take you across HWY 94 where you will cross, and then Kisker ends at Central School Rd. Make a left onto Central School Rd. and follow it down to Mid Rivers Mall Dr. Turn right on Mid Rivers to go to the mall. From the St. Charles trail head it will probably take you a long time to get to the mall because the Katy trail itself goes in the wrong direction away from the mall. It would probably take me 2 hours or more from the St. Charles trail head. It may be easier for you to ride the service rd. or possibly other side streets to the Mid Rivers Mall area if you live close to I-70. It would definitely be faster too, but the Katy trail would be much more fun.

Awesome directions, thanks Matt. I'll do a trial run on an off day to see how long that will take me.

Let us know how it goes, as you might get others to consider riding to work and saving gas, money, and their health! I have a friend that rides trails to work in Chicago area and says it doesn't take any longer other than changing clothes. The best benefit to him is he arrives in good spirits rather that white knuckled.

I see that there a number of towns along the trail with commercial or municipal camping facilities, but I was wondering about other options. Are there places where I can just pull off the trail (outside of any town) and just set up my tent? Thanks!

It's my understanding the trail itself is a MO State Park, but the land surrounding it (off the trail) for the most part is private, and you would be considered tresspassing.

Cliff,

As the above poster said, if you get just a few feet off the trail, you are generally on private property and run the risk of trespassing. HOWEVER, there are some property owners who allow people to camp on their land, with permission, of course. The bar in Steedman allows camping, the Davisdale Conservation Area between Rocheport and New Franklin has primitive camping. I am sure there are other areas, too. The best bet is to make a few phone calls and scout out various sites.

Yes it is a MO State Park, but open hours are daylight only. That would eleminate night time activity.....such as camping.

I think the longest I hiked between campgrounds was 20 (give or take) miles. Are you hiking or biking??

I found a black and pink breast cancer awareness cooler by the Family Arena (Between the 364 bridge and downtown St. Charles) 2 weeks ago. Please contact me at (636) 579-0647.



Thanks!

Wow, I really hope it was empty and there weren't any organ transplants inside!

I highly recommend a stay at The High Street Victorian Bed and Breakfast. The innkeepers are welcoming and gracious hosts. The home itself is gorgeous and beautifully decorated. The Innkeeper Kriss makes the most fantastic breakfasts that will leave you happy and satisfied to go about your day.



This B&B is in a perfect location to walk to restaurants and quaint shops downtown. If you prefer outdoor adventures they are right there (1/2 block)for the senic KATY TRAIL - bicycling trail.



Room rates are more than reasonable. If you want a romantic relaxing getaway - or a place to rest after a good ride, go see The High Street Victorian, you will be as impressed as I was! They are above average lodging in Boonville without the hefty price tag.



Rocky Mount, Virginia

Does anyone know what the Creve Coeur trail is going to look like in the current Maryland Heights Expressway construction area when it's all finished? Will there be some type of overpass, bridge, etc.?

I asked Maryland Heights this question last spring and was told it would be an overpass and WOULD be open by mid-August. (Everyone can stop laughing now). I asked if that was August in 2009 or 2010 but got the politically correct THIS August. Hmmmm.

I Rode through there today, and the overpass is indeed taking shape. The ramp for the east side is up along with the pier that will support the overpass between the two directions of traffic. It looks like it will be pretty nice.

The accomodations and food were superb. The biggest hill climb along the trail was reaching the b&b (quite doable).

The accomodations and food were superb. The biggest hill climb along the trail was reaching the b&b (quite doable).

My friend and I ride the Katy trail very frequently, and we have noticed that whenever we ride an area of the trail that one of us has never been to before, something mildly inconvenient occurs (loosing keys, loosing cell phone, rain, flat tires). This most recently occurred to me on Monday when I went to check out the short stretch that is now open between Machens and St. Charles. Right as we got to the Machens trail head, my back tire went flat. I hope no one else shares this curse with me, but I am curious to know what everyone thinks.

Bad JooJoo dude. Get 5 locusts and tape them inside your seatpost tube. and only ride to the east for one month.

I'm not sure about others, but I DO NOT share this curse with you. I had at one time shared it with someone else and strange as it seems the cure was very similar to Dougs. I only used 4 locusts, but think in your case the 5th may be what it takes to snap you out of it.

Everybody knows Cicadas work better than Locust.



Paulie

Too late in the season for cicadas. Have to make do with what's available. Of course if you only rode east for a month you could use fresh shrimp in the shell.

I tried the locust thing, but hell I lost them too while riding through Weldon Springs, startled by the sound of rapid gunfire, which caused me to drop and run over my cell phone, which caused a massive blow out of my back tire, ending upside down in the ditch.



Definitely should have used Cicadas.

Proving once again the safety value of the hands free feature. Maybe we could get a law passed.......

How many mosquitos equal five locusts? And if I shoot my cellphone and drop it into "horse waste" while trying to cross the Missouri River on the Katy bridge, will I know what type of bike to use on the trail? ;-)

1786. Yes. Everyone else will be quite lost tho.

does it count that i had the same bad luck when riding the virginia creeper trail last august. 17 miles, pouring down rain, 3 flat tires, and had to walk the final 3 miles due to all tubes ripped and the cell phones didn't work in damascus, va.



by the way, never no problem on the katy, but i always tape at least 10 cicadas to the handle bars.



it's gettin real deep here folks, real quick.

That's the ticket; preventive maintenance. One reason I ALWAYS have my manure shovel handy when on the Katy............................. Website

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm still laughing.

There is no curse on the Machens leg, just people that aren't cut out to handle the task (hee hee).

I'm pretty sure I can handle a 10 mile stretch of the Katy trail, haha.

Know it is a bit off the trail...but anyone ever stayed here? We are looking at options for a girls weekend...

Thanks!

We heard they were moving to Columbia,but we don't know where or when!

We heard they were moving to Columbia,but we don't know where or when!

They have moved to Columbia, MO, they are open and the food is great! Have your appetite ready when you go!

They have moved to Columbia, MO, they are open and the food is great! Have your appetite ready when you go!

They are on Broadway in downtown Columbia. Not far from the Katy spur and easy if driving. I'm not sure of address but closer to the east end of the downtown area.

They are on Broadway in downtown Columbia. Not far from the Katy spur and easy if driving. I'm not sure of address but closer to the east end of the downtown area.

Does anyone know whether you can park over night at this parking area?

I can't believe someone would be upset about this!!! I am from St. Louis and found out about

the trail by accident. My husband and I are going to do an overnight and looking forward to a

great trip.

Does anyone know whether you can park over night at this parking area?

I can't believe someone would be upset about this!!! I am from St. Louis and found out about

the trail by accident. My husband and I are going to do an overnight and looking forward to a

great trip.

why not just park here?



http://www.bikekatytrail.com/site.aspx?sid=1

why not just park here?



http://www.bikekatytrail.com/site.aspx?sid=1

I beleive you are talking about the park and ride lot there. Scout troops meet at those and leave vehicles there for the weekend as well as for the entire week of summer camp. I've seen dozens of cars left at the ones on hwy 70 for days sometimes weeks on end without appearing to move, as long as the plates are current and the tires full of air. St Charles Yellow Cab picks people up at those and takes them to the airport, then returns them to there cars as much as a week later, and I've never seen a ticket on them, nor has the car been missing.

I beleive you are talking about the park and ride lot there. Scout troops meet at those and leave vehicles there for the weekend as well as for the entire week of summer camp. I've seen dozens of cars left at the ones on hwy 70 for days sometimes weeks on end without appearing to move, as long as the plates are current and the tires full of air. St Charles Yellow Cab picks people up at those and takes them to the airport, then returns them to there cars as much as a week later, and I've never seen a ticket on them, nor has the car been missing.