Machens
- + We are biking the trail at the end of May starting in St. Charles. We were thinking about having our ride drop us at the Machens trailhead and then ride to St. Charles where we're staying. But how do ...
Discussion started 04/11/2007 05:16 PM by kim - 9 replies (last reply by Sue at 04/14/2007 11:08 PM)kim from independence, mo on 04/11/2007 05:16 PM
We are biking the trail at the end of May starting in St. Charles. We were thinking about having our ride drop us at the Machens trailhead and then ride to St. Charles where we're staying. But how do you get to the Machens trailhead? Is there an address? Anyone know.
J&K from Drexel MO on 04/11/2007 07:12 PM
I'm not sure where, but someone has posted a lengthy comment as to how to find the Machens trailhead. You'll have to look back through the old comments. Happy hunting!
Ray (webmaster) on 04/11/2007 10:20 PM
kim from independence, mo on 04/11/2007 11:11 PM
I thought surely there was a road or (even better) an intersection near the trail head. Hoping it was not just sitting in a field... Not looking for a parking lot, just a spot to be dropped off and start biking to St. Charles.
Thanks for the posted links. They provide some help. Now need to find myself a map that shows the streets. If anyone has more recent or specific info, please add! Thanks!
kim from independence, mo on 04/11/2007 11:23 PM
Seriously needing some help here. The "Salle" Road mentioned in one of these links cannot be found in Machens, MO. At least not in Google maps or Mapquest...
missouri resident on 04/12/2007 07:08 PM
kim, from independence.
i just pulled machens on microsoft streets and trips. it looks on here like you go north or east on 94 out of st. charles. should take you right to it. it's near the intersection of machens road and 94. where you get on the trail, no idear. hope this helps and happy bikin.
DougK from Troy on 04/12/2007 08:58 PM
Kim,
Head east from St. Charles on Hwy 94. Stay on 94 East until you get to the town of Machens (don't blink or you'll miss it). Turn right at Salle, the second right after the green Machens sign. Follow that road to the railroad tracks. You should be able to see the trail and/or trailhead through the trees. There's no parking there so Black Walnut might be a better option if you plan on parking a vehicle.
Unlike Dutzow, they don't serve people on a plate at Machens, sorry Ray, couldn't resist.
kim from independence, mo on 04/12/2007 09:08 PM
Awesome, really appreciat the help! We're doing a slow tour (east to west) of the Katy at the end of May to beginning of June. We did the west to east last fall in 5 days, and this time we are taking 7 days so we can spend some time taking pictures, and seeing the towns along the way.
Arkie on 04/13/2007 08:47 AM
When I was last at Machens the farmer on the south side of the BNSF track had a steel cable that he had stretched across the road to prevent anyone from crossing the RR. When I was there prior to that trip the cable had been down. There is enough space at the kiosk to park several cars but unless the access is aboslutely certain you could run the risk of being "locked" in
Sue from DesPlaines, IL on 04/14/2007 11:08 PM
I would not recomend trying to park at the Machens kiosk. There is no official parking area and if you are one the trail you will get a ticket. If you are off the trail, you are on private property. Therefore there really should be no vehicles in or around the Machens kiosk other than the farmers vehicles who have a lease agreement to cross the trail just east of the squeeze gates. As for the cable that stretches across the road, that was put up by the Railroad company after the local farmer pointed out that the county road ends just before the tracks and that the Railroad company owns the road as it crosses the tracks.
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Tandem tour on the Katy Trail - National Federation for the Blind
- + Several members of the National Federation for the Blind have organized a west-to-east tandem tour of the Katy Trail. There will be 7 blind riders serving as "stokers" on the tandems, and 7 sighted ...
Discussion started 04/14/2007 08:27 PM by Ray (webmaster) - 0 repliesRay (webmaster) on 04/14/2007 08:27 PM
Several members of the National Federation for the Blind have organized a west-to-east tandem tour of the Katy Trail. There will be 7 blind riders serving as "stokers" on the tandems, and 7 sighted "captains" in the forward position of the tandems.
They are planning to cover the trail in five or six days, between June 16-23. They are still looking for one more sighted rider to serve as a captain of one of the tandems - is anyone out there interested? You would need to pay for the food, lodging, and support, but the tandem is provided. If you're interested in this opportunity, which sounds like a lot of fun and even a life-changing experience, you can contact James Grass at 209-296-8096 or jrg@waterfallsusa.com
Claysville Store
- + Here is the website for the Claysville Store. http://www.digitaltalk.com/ClaysvilleCafe/claysville_strore_and_cafe.htm
They are only open on Saturdays and Sunday and it is well worth your while. ...
Discussion started 04/13/2007 04:23 PM by Mary Weeks - 0 repliesMary Weeks from Ashland/Columbia Area on 04/13/2007 04:23 PM
Here is the website for the Claysville Store. http://www.digitaltalk.com/ClaysvilleCafe/claysville_strore_and_cafe.htm
They are only open on Saturdays and Sunday and it is well worth your while. My husband and I have been there on numerous ocassions and the food is wonderful.
Mary and Lloyd Weeks
Hours:
Saturday: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Season:
From February 1 to Mid-December
Store keepers:
Mark and Laura Hooibrink
573-636-8443 (to make reservations)
Directions:
US-63 N toward COLUMBIA 6.9 miles
Turn LEFT onto E CLAYSVILLE RD
E CLAYSVILLE RD becomes E GARDNER RD
End at Claysville MO
Side Trails
- + I need to know how to get from the Katty Trail to Kansas City.
Discussion started 11/06/2005 09:45 PM by Chris - 2 replies (last reply by J&K at 04/13/2007 03:47 PM)Chris from St. Louis on 11/06/2005 09:45 PM
I need to know how to get from the Katty Trail to Kansas City.
Dave from Blue Springs on 04/13/2007 09:25 AM
Take the train from Sedalia, to Lee's summit, Independence, or go into Downtown KC.
J&K from Drexel MO on 04/13/2007 03:47 PM
I'm assuming you mean by bike. At this time there are no "side trails" into KC,(after Clinton,west end of trail) but riding the shoulder of 7 hwy into Harrisonville is possible. It is now four lane divided highway with the exception of a 6 mile stretch just east of Urich. You could then ride the shoulder of 71 hwy into Grandview. Anything north of 150 hwy & 71 looks pretty risky to me! Hope this helps.
H. H. Fortmann & Co. (Marthasville)
- + There is only 1 word for that restaraunt AMAZING. Justin and Cindy are great people. oh ya WHEN you go request michael, or zeke.
Discussion started 04/12/2007 04:20 PM by Chris - 0 repliesChris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:20 PM
There is only 1 word for that restaraunt AMAZING. Justin and Cindy are great people. oh ya WHEN you go request michael, or zeke.
Chris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:20 PM
There is only 1 word for that restaraunt AMAZING. Justin and Cindy are great people. oh ya WHEN you go request michael, or zeke.
H. H. Fortmann & Co. (Marthasville)
- + we parked our bikes outside and went in. me and my family got greetings from about 4 people the service was great, the food was excellent and and price was a bargin- (if you go in request Michael) Cin...
Discussion started 04/12/2007 04:17 PM by Chris - 0 repliesChris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:17 PM
we parked our bikes outside and went in. me and my family got greetings from about 4 people the service was great, the food was excellent and and price was a bargin- (if you go in request Michael) Cindy and justin are great people- we will be back.
Chris from Arkansas on 04/12/2007 04:17 PM
we parked our bikes outside and went in. me and my family got greetings from about 4 people the service was great, the food was excellent and and price was a bargin- (if you go in request Michael) Cindy and justin are great people- we will be back.
Clinton To Rocheport
- + Hi! I plan to ride the Katy from Clinton to Rocheport. What's this stretch like? I've been from
Rocheport to St. Chuckie. Thanks, FP
Discussion started 04/11/2007 03:50 PM by Flip Putthoff - 5 replies (last reply by MAH at 04/12/2007 11:22 AM)Flip Putthoff from Rogers, Arkansas on 04/11/2007 03:50 PM
Hi! I plan to ride the Katy from Clinton to Rocheport. What's this stretch like? I've been from
Rocheport to St. Chuckie. Thanks, FP
Jason from Huntsville, AL on 04/11/2007 04:46 PM
Clinton to Rocheport is not quite as scenic as the eastern end. There are a lot of long stretches through fields. I still think it is nice, just not quite as nice as the eastern end.
J&K from Drexel MO on 04/11/2007 07:06 PM
I agree with Jason for the most part,but I find the stretch between Sedalia and Boonville interesting. The trail winds along and over the Lamine river with some scenic views. The trail is the most "hilly"(for a rail trail!)in this are as well. The grades are not bad, just long and steady. New Franklin to Rocheport....very straight...very flat. But your trip will end going through the only earth tunnel on the trail! Have fun.
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 04/11/2007 09:17 PM
I've seen quite a bit of wildlife along this stretch.....deer and turkey. In fact, north of Pilot Grove last spring my cell phone rang....spooked a deer out of the brush and I came within a couple of feet of hitting her. Her hind feet went out from under her as she hit the trail right in front of me.
Also, Whiteman Air Force Base is close enough to see a B-2 Stealth bomber fly over if you're lucky.
GC from Columbia, Mo. on 04/12/2007 07:09 AM
I agree. I found the western end of the trail scenic as well. You don't have the river flowing on one side of the trail through this stretch, but there are plenty of sections of the eastern half where the river is a mile or two away from the path and you are walking through the farm fields.
At any rate, I like farm fields. :-)
I have also seen lots of wildlife. I think the most interesting was a bobcat that I saw somewhere between Sedalia and Pilot Grove, if memory serves.
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 04/12/2007 11:22 AM
I also think the western end of the trail is scenic in its' own way. Lots of wildlife (I saw a bobcat a few miles out of Clinton early one morning), deeply wooded areas, lots of creeks/streams to pass over, fields, I watched an Amish farmer plow his field by horse and plow west of Windsor one afteroon. All sections of the trail are secenic in their own way!
Although....those occasional long slow low grades on the western end aren't steep by any means...they just seem to go on forever some times!
Birk's Gasthaus (Hermann)
- + We just returned from a stay at Birk's Gasthaus. What a great B&B! Comfortable beds, immaculate, pleasant rooms, charming setting, reasonable pricing, wonderful hosts and breakfasts the gods would giv...
Discussion started 04/12/2007 11:18 AM by D Heitkamp - 0 repliesD Heitkamp from Glen Carbon, IL on 04/12/2007 11:18 AM
We just returned from a stay at Birk's Gasthaus. What a great B&B! Comfortable beds, immaculate, pleasant rooms, charming setting, reasonable pricing, wonderful hosts and breakfasts the gods would give up their ambrosia for. We highly recommend Birk's.
D Heitkamp from Glen Carbon, IL on 04/12/2007 11:18 AM
We just returned from a stay at Birk's Gasthaus. What a great B&B! Comfortable beds, immaculate, pleasant rooms, charming setting, reasonable pricing, wonderful hosts and breakfasts the gods would give up their ambrosia for. We highly recommend Birk's.
Missouri State Fairgrounds
- + Does anyone know when the campground opens at the fairgrounds? I tried calling at 2, 3, and 5 but just get a recording saying they're open from 1 to 5.
Discussion started 04/10/2007 07:13 PM by DougK - 2 replies (last reply by DougK at 04/11/2007 06:03 PM)DougK from Troy on 04/10/2007 07:13 PM
Does anyone know when the campground opens at the fairgrounds? I tried calling at 2, 3, and 5 but just get a recording saying they're open from 1 to 5.
Ray (webmaster) on 04/10/2007 10:34 PM
Weird coincidence - just today I got an email from the Sedalia Fairgrounds people informing me of a new phone number. Maybe you'll have better luck with this number: 660-827-8150
DougK from Troy on 04/11/2007 06:03 PM
Thanks Ray, you da man.
Katfish Katy's (Huntsdale)
- + We camped here July 11, 2006. Nice campsite next to the river with port-a-potty nearby. Quiet for us since there was only one other tenter besides us. For a nice place to tent camp, I would recomme...
Discussion started 02/28/2007 12:31 PM by Tim and Laurell Brown - 3 replies (last reply by Jason at 04/11/2007 04:47 PM)Tim and Laurell Brown from Santa Maria, CA on 02/28/2007 12:31 PM
We camped here July 11, 2006. Nice campsite next to the river with port-a-potty nearby. Quiet for us since there was only one other tenter besides us. For a nice place to tent camp, I would recommend it. Not a busy congested amusement park like a KOA, just a great place to camp next to the Missouri River. Showers were up the road at the store.
Tim and Laurell Brown from Santa Maria, CA on 02/28/2007 12:31 PM
We camped here July 11, 2006. Nice campsite next to the river with port-a-potty nearby. Quiet for us since there was only one other tenter besides us. For a nice place to tent camp, I would recommend it. Not a busy congested amusement park like a KOA, just a great place to camp next to the Missouri River. Showers were up the road at the store.
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 03/01/2007 09:59 AM
I stopped at Katfish Katy's on a ride last year and the lady(owner?) in the store said they will even rent a tent and a blow up air mattress. Good to know if you want to do an overnighter there and don't want to haul a lot of gear
MAH from Blue Springs, MO on 03/01/2007 09:59 AM
I stopped at Katfish Katy's on a ride last year and the lady(owner?) in the store said they will even rent a tent and a blow up air mattress. Good to know if you want to do an overnighter there and don't want to haul a lot of gear
Anonymous from Olathe, KS on 04/10/2007 03:55 PM
Did anyone have a problem with mosquitos since the camp sites are along the river? We're planning on staying @ Katfish Katy's in May this year. Thanks!
Anonymous from Olathe, KS on 04/10/2007 03:55 PM
Did anyone have a problem with mosquitos since the camp sites are along the river? We're planning on staying @ Katfish Katy's in May this year. Thanks!
Jason from Huntsville, AL on 04/11/2007 04:47 PM
We stayed there in October and the bugs were pretty bad...not just mosquitos. There were LOTS of spiders, gnats, mosquitos...you name it. It didn't make it miserable, but a good supply of bug spray would be recommended!
Jason from Huntsville, AL on 04/11/2007 04:47 PM
We stayed there in October and the bugs were pretty bad...not just mosquitos. There were LOTS of spiders, gnats, mosquitos...you name it. It didn't make it miserable, but a good supply of bug spray would be recommended!
Missouri Oktoberfest 10 Mile Run
- + This was a GREAT run!!! Loved running on the trail and thru the park. Hope you do it again this year!
Discussion started 04/10/2007 10:44 AM by Patti - 0 repliesPatti from Imperial on 04/10/2007 10:44 AM
This was a GREAT run!!! Loved running on the trail and thru the park. Hope you do it again this year!
Patti from Imperial on 04/10/2007 10:44 AM
This was a GREAT run!!! Loved running on the trail and thru the park. Hope you do it again this year!
Les Bourgeois Winery & Bistro (Rocheport)
- + My husband and I have visited Les Bourgeois many times, including when we rode the KATY Trail in May 2005. This May, we are planning another camping/biking trip with friends and defintely plan on havi...
Discussion started 04/09/2007 04:45 PM - 0 repliesAnonymous from Olathe, KS on 04/09/2007 04:45 PM
My husband and I have visited Les Bourgeois many times, including when we rode the KATY Trail in May 2005. This May, we are planning another camping/biking trip with friends and defintely plan on having some wine at the A-Frame. Exquisite views and delicious wines...life doesn't get any better...
Anonymous from Olathe, KS on 04/09/2007 04:45 PM
My husband and I have visited Les Bourgeois many times, including when we rode the KATY Trail in May 2005. This May, we are planning another camping/biking trip with friends and defintely plan on having some wine at the A-Frame. Exquisite views and delicious wines...life doesn't get any better...