Katy Trail Forum

Cliff Manor is a great place for a Katy Trail cyclist. Our Riverview Suite included complimentary snacks and cold drinks and a very, very comfortable bed. Hospitality and service are first rate and not

intrusive.



We took advantage of the Deluxe Katy Trail package, including a cyclist's "goody bag" in the room (including some Aleve) and a sack lunch as we rode away.



Thom doesn't seem to be a cyclist himself but he has certainly done his homework about what a cyclist wants and needs. Bikes are well cared for and the frozen water bottles keep you thinking fondly of his hospitality far down the trail.



Breakfast was good enough to ask Thom where he got his sausage and what was the recipe for the wonderful "sauce" on the pancakes. We also had Thom prepare dinner for us at the B&B, so after our long day of riding we just walked down the steps to a fine dinner and then back up the stairs to bed. Perfect. Thom cares a lot about food.



By the way, we came over the bridge with no particular difficulty. From the North Jefferson trailhead take the spur off to the right until you get to the parking lot. Ahead of you is a overpass as you look toward the Capitol. Head off to your right a bit then back over the overpass to the "wrong" side of the busy highway, then head down the offramp and onto the bridge. The bike lane is six feet wide but you are riding against the traffic. An experienced road cyclist should have no problems but Thom is very happy to ferry people to and from the trailhead. On the other side of the bridge keep left at the first street then turn left and head back up the short hill. Cliff Manor is the large white house just ahead on your right.



We were looking for a base for future Katy Trail rides, in both directions, and are happy to have found this place. The Amtrak station is just a few blocks away. We've already discussed the logistics of bookending a multi-day ride with two stays at Cliff Manor.

We were at Cliff Manor a couple weeks ago, and would certainly second the positive comments about staying there. Thom definitely tries to anticipate and satisfy cyclist needs with "automatic" services like freezing your water bottles overnight. We passed up the option for dinner there for our one night's lodging, but (1) the restaurants near by weren't that good and Thom's breakfast was great, so we have to recommend taking the dinner option.

Definetly the best looking tree in the state. This tree has seen many things throughout history. I can't believe it is over 300 years old! If you visit this Burr Oak you won't regret it and it's graceful image will stick in your mind for many months to follow. We should throw it a birthday party for its 350th birthday.

Definetly the best looking tree in the state. This tree has seen many things throughout history. I can't believe it is over 300 years old! If you visit this Burr Oak you won't regret it and it's graceful image will stick in your mind for many months to follow. We should throw it a birthday party for its 350th birthday.

I actually have a load of hi-res photos of this tree... It's amazing to look at, and be around. I spent many nights thinking under this tree when I was in college at MU. I am 30 now, and have framed pictures of this tree all throughout my house.



This Burr Oak used to have a 'sister' Oak just ~ 75 yards away from it, but it was struck by lightning, and was used for firewood, I believe. This 'sister' tree was only marginally smaller than the tree with the placard. Feel free to email me if you would like some more hi-res pics, or if you have comments or questions about "The Big Tree".

I actually have a load of hi-res photos of this tree... It's amazing to look at, and be around. I spent many nights thinking under this tree when I was in college at MU. I am 30 now, and have framed pictures of this tree all throughout my house.



This Burr Oak used to have a 'sister' Oak just ~ 75 yards away from it, but it was struck by lightning, and was used for firewood, I believe. This 'sister' tree was only marginally smaller than the tree with the placard. Feel free to email me if you would like some more hi-res pics, or if you have comments or questions about "The Big Tree".

I see no place to stall horses overnight. Ideally it would be close to the half way point of the ride between Calhoun and Sedalia. Or is there any in Calhoun or Sedalia?

Here's a link to a recent discission of overnight spots for horses along the Katy Trail. Looks like the only options are Cruces in Calhoun/Windsor, and a few different places in Sedalia. You can click the town names in the map at the top of the web page, to get phone numbers for the businesses in that town.



Good luck and have fun!

The Sedalia House Bed and Breakfast is a country B&B that offers overnight horse boarding. Please visit our website listed under Towns & Services, Sedalia.

I understand that horses are allowed on the Clinton to Sedalia portion of the trial. Are there any overnight accomodations along that part of the trail that accomodates riders with horses? Lodging, restaurants, etc.

NO...

I rent room's in my home, we live on the east side of Sedalia. The equestrian trail stops at the State Fair grounds, we are 2 miles past that. We can provide transportation for you and you horse to our home. We have barn and pasture land. Check out Maxine's rooms for rent. Fischers stable connects to the trail if you would rather stay on that end of town. They boards horses.

Cruce's Cabooses has a horse corral, and you get to spend the night in a real train car. They're listed on the Calhoun page.

The Sedalia House Bed and Breakfast is a country B&B that offers overnight horse boarding. Please visit our website listed under Towns & Services, Sedalia.

Trail Riders,



We would love to hear from you regarding why you ride the trail - or if you took your first ride recently, why you chose to do so. We would be very grateful if you would take a moment to fill a survey. Just copy and paste the link below into your browser. Thank you very much for your assistance!



http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qL9YrsoJ7Vh6eTB1JbGR9Q_3d_3d

Are you just curious? With an agency? Doing a master's thesis?

Are there any other camping options besides the Bobber in Boonvile?

Cross the Boonville Bridge and follow the trail to mm 188 and the Katy Roundhouse campground. You won't regret camping here. It has showers and is overall a nice, clean, friendly place to lay your head.

Yes the Katy Roundhouse is a very good choice, as it is right on the trail.It is at New Franklin. There is also a new campground behind McDonals on Int 70. Me and my 12 year old grandson rode the entire trail with state of MO organized ride in 2002. If you would like to look at some photos of Katy Trail ride: http://community.webshots.com/user/carlmyers

I plan on biking from St. Charles to Clinton over 5 days. Here's my questions:



1)Where can I leave my car for 5-6 days in St. Charles?

2)How do I get back from Clinton to St. Charles? (without biking)



Thanks!

call ----636-946-0619 ---- Lococo House ll ----- you can leave your car in our parking lot ---- and we can shuttle you back from Clinton ---- I will give you all the details

Park at the St. Charles trailhead, if city traffic doesnt bother you, ride your bike to Kirkwood and catch the $33 w/bike AMTRAK to Sedalia.(I'd leave out the Clinton to Sedalia unless you really want to ride the entire route.)Stay at motels and B & B's on your ride back to St. Charles. Plan for the unexpected(like flat tires, lack of water, rain, things closed on Mondays, ect.) Most of all, HAVE FUN !



Paulie

If you go with Paulie's suggestion, here's a web page that will help you get from St Charles to Kirkwood, and more info on riding Amtrak along the Katy Trail. Also, here's a full list of shuttle services that operate along the Katy Trail, including Lococo House's service mentioned above.



Have fun!

Be sure when you book your Amtrak return you do it for you and your bike. Especially on a weekend. I learned the hard way. "we have your reservation, but none for your bike,sorry we have seats but no space for your bike".

The Katy Trail is a Mo state park, and in the month of June they sponsor a ride that goes all the way. They haul your luggage and furnish you with some meal. They haul your bike back to where you started and bus the riders back. They take about 300 riders. I think they start at St. Charles, then the next year they start at Clinton. I did it with my 12 year old grandson about 6 years ago. It is a lot of fun. Check out some of my photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/carlmyers

Did anyone lose a pair of gloves and warmup-pants between Rhineland and Herman last Saturday? I have them if you did.

We both want to thank all the members of the Harvest Committee for all their hard work in planning the festival. We felt honored to be able to take part in the King and Queen Event.

We both want to thank all the members of the Harvest Committee for all their hard work in planning the festival. We felt honored to be able to take part in the King and Queen Event.

is the trail to machens open yet? if not, does anyone know when it will open? is there any food/water there. thanks.

I road the trail 2 weeks ago and it did not go more than 5 miles east of the St. Charles railhead. The trail turned from hardpack base to tall weeds.

The trail IS there, but not officially open. I walked it back in July. After a mile or two of the weeds, the trail that we all know and love resumes all the way to Black Walnut and on to Machens. There are no services available, at least when I was on it. The Machens trailhead is a little difficult to get to, but that part of the trail can be done.

They have restrooms but no water.

For what it's worth, The trail currently "ends" at mile 36.91 which is 0.68 miles Northeast of MO-370.

I live in St. Louis County and have never visited the Katy Trail. I'm taking off work on Friday 10/12 to take my grandson bike riding. However I don't know where to go to start biking. Can someone give me some idea's please.



Thank you

There are so many places to start, and they're all good!



If you're just looking for a convenient location near St Louis, check out the Parking and Riding Suggestions page. St Charles trailhead and the Page Extension lot are the easiest spots to reach from St Louis.



On that end of the trail, you might start at St Charles if you want to be near businesses and services. You might head north from Weldon Spring if you want to see the river and remote wooded areas. You might go to Augusta if you're interested in wineries and visiting a charming and quaint town. If you want to see river bluffs, your best bet is to go farther west, heading west from McKittrick or east from Rocheport (to name just a few of the many options).



You can ride on the Katy many many times and experience different surroundings each time. Have fun!

hey terry, a nice place to start would be st. charles or defiance. my wife and i rode from st. charles out bouts 10 miles the back. also started at defiance, rode to agusta and back to defiance. both easy rides, and the defiance ride a little more scenic, personal opinion only. either which way, enjoy the ride, and have fun.

Hello,



My grandson and I started in Old Town St. Charles and rode south for quite a ways. We didn't go real far, beings it was our first time. But it was soooo nice. I would like to take him to Weldon Springs in a couple of weeks. We packed a lunch and just had a really nice outing. o:)



Terry

hey terry, thanx for letting us know how your trip went. glad you both had fun, and your back safely.

Back in the early '90s, I saw a group (herd?) of wild-looking, shaggy goats with long, stringy fur and longish horns, peering out at me from the rocky hill on my left as I was biking from Rocheport to Easley.



I was reminded of it recently as I participated in the Wild on the Katy ride last week, and I mentioned it to my dad, who said he recollected something about feral goats being decimated by farmers who had a problem with them.



Anyone know anything about this?

I saw a goat right on the trail one time. I actually thought it might be some type of wild mountain goat living on the mountain-like bluffs, but I asked a local and he said it was some farmer's goat that got loose. I don't know about wild feral goats. Maybe.

Was it shaggy? My dad was saying that yes, they were formerly domesticated but turned feral.



Then again, he's pulled my chain before, pun intended.

all goats are shaggy.

There is a farmer that has a field of goats on the east side of the trail maybe a mile before Huntsdale which would be maybe midway between Rocheport and Easly. Maybe he had some get loose.

FYI: You can see one of these goats if you go to Klondike Park in Augusta. Follow the road to the scenic overview behind the conference center, he's usually up there grazing in the field.

Did I say "shaggy?" These had long strands of fur, practically touching the ground. The long hair was matted with leaves, twigs, etc. stuck in it. They were in a herd, about 15 feet from the trail with no fence in sight.

Guess I was dreaming it. I've seen farm goats before, and these weren't it.

the one I saw had pretty healthy looking white hair. It's entirely possible imho, that a herd of feral goats could survive in that area. plenty of food and water.

Last year (the last week of September), I was behind the Conference Center in Klondike Park, and I, too, have seen this goat. He's definitely not an escapee from a farmer. This thing has long shaggy grey hair, curled "Ram's horns", and a temper! I did manage to get a couple pictures of him before he bluffed me by pawing the ground, shaking his head - and running right up the side of the bluff. This week, I went further up the mountain (the back trail), and I could definitely smell him - the greasy, musky wild smell. I could smell him in a couple different areas. I also saw goat droppings. He's more than Klondike legend - he's very real! This is "winery weather", and the park was busy. I heard several people from various groups talking about the "billy goat".

If by ill luck you get into the McKittrick trailhead after dark and you have not arrainged a shuttle across the Mo19 bridge into Hermann, I recommend you consider camping out on the McKittrick side.



I have been riding a long time on streets, roads, and highways and never had a more harrowing, less enjoyable experience.



During the day I have generally not had bad experiences, but at night, something changes in the character of the drivers on that bridge.



It desperately needs to be replaced.

If by ill luck you get into the McKittrick trailhead after dark and you have not arrainged a shuttle across the Mo19 bridge into Hermann, I recommend you consider camping out on the McKittrick side.



I have been riding a long time on streets, roads, and highways and never had a more harrowing, less enjoyable experience.



During the day I have generally not had bad experiences, but at night, something changes in the character of the drivers on that bridge.



It desperately needs to be replaced.

Glory be! This weekend we rode the new bridge. so nice and easy!

Glory be! This weekend we rode the new bridge. so nice and easy!

The new bridge is a piece of cake in the day light. The old bridge plan scary. I think the trail is offically closed after dark. Not safe to be on any trail or bridge after dark.

The new bridge is a piece of cake in the day light. The old bridge plan scary. I think the trail is offically closed after dark. Not safe to be on any trail or bridge after dark.

The new bridge is open with a lit bike path. I have not ridden it in the dark but it shouldn't be any trouble as you are seperated from traffic by a wide shoulder as well as a wall.

The new bridge is open with a lit bike path. I have not ridden it in the dark but it shouldn't be any trouble as you are seperated from traffic by a wide shoulder as well as a wall.