Scout Trip
- + I am a leader of a Boy Scout troop and am making some preliminary plans for a bike trip for the scouts on the Katy Trail. My interest would be to find a camping spot we could spend Friday night, then...
Discussion started 01/19/2007 11:58 AM by Tom - 6 replies (last reply by Tom at 01/22/2007 03:49 PM)Tom from Overland Park on 01/19/2007 11:58 AM
I am a leader of a Boy Scout troop and am making some preliminary plans for a bike trip for the scouts on the Katy Trail. My interest would be to find a camping spot we could spend Friday night, then do an out and back trip on Saturday, returning to the same campground. I am guessing 20-30 miles reound trip would be about right. Thinking about early March but I have some concerns about facilities being open that time of year. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Robert from Columbia on 01/19/2007 12:52 PM
Im not trying to be negative but there is one thing I have against the boy scouts on the
katy trail.
Virtually everytime I see a large group of scouts on the katy they are allowing the boys to
trespass on other peoples property. One example is the bluffs between rocheport and
mcbaine. That is all private property yet I see scout leaders watching proudly as boys
roam and climb and have fun all over the bluffs.
Rule of thumb...the katy trail state park extends to the width of the trail and that is it. The
only time that you can roam the countryside is if there are signs saying "missouri
department of conservation."
You might want to pass this information on to other scout leaders. Im sure its more fun to
let them off the trail but I doubt you want to teach these boys to trespass. Its also the very
reason why so many landowners hate the trail.
Jim from St. Thomas on 01/19/2007 02:26 PM
Tom, I would recommend riding somewhere in the Rocheport - Hartsburg section of the trail. For my money it's the prettiest part of the whole trail and I think there are several places to camp along that stretch. If you haven't already looked, go to the "Towns & Services" link at the top of the page for camping options. Good luck and have fun.........usually when we pass a group of scouts at the end of a ride it looks like the scoutmasters have spent the whole day herding cats.
savage24 from KC,MO on 01/20/2007 05:16 AM
These places come to mind as being ideal for scout troops, ie: owned by the city or civic groups, have shelter house, picnic tables, etc. Call the appropriate contacts listed on this sight to see if facilities will be available that early.
Closer to home: Farrington Park in Windsor
Middle of the trail: American Legion Park in Hartsburg
Far from home: Community Club Park in Marthasville
Speaking of herding cats - I would avoid Sedalia due to the trail crossing several streets and part of the route being on city streets.
sbikes from Kansas City on 01/20/2007 10:33 AM
Rocheport to Hartsburg, camp overnight in Hartsburg as savage24 suggests, then back to
Rocheport the next day...or go on to Jefferson City the next day.
I have a couple of friends who have taken their boy scout troops on the Trail and have had
good luck with this route. In fact, last time one of them did it, they encountered other
troops camping at Hartsburg who had come from the other direction and so it was not
only a great bike ride, but they met some new friends as well.
Make sure the boys know the rules of the road, that their bikes are in good working order,
everyone has a water bottle and drinks from it, and carry some extra tubes and a tire
pump. This could be a great opportunity to call your local bike shop and arrange for a
lesson in bike maintenance for your troop.
Have fun!
ET from Columbia on 01/21/2007 09:48 PM
Two nice mid-trail campgrounds that would put you within easy riding distance of the pretty stretch around Rocheport are the Katy Roundhouse in Franklin and Katfish Katy's in Huntsdale.
Tom from Overland Park on 01/22/2007 03:49 PM
Thanks to everyone for your comments. Robert, I don't take your comments as negative, in fact, I appreciate the heads up. You can be assured that this troop WILL understand the limits of our welcome.
El Sambre Restaurante (Clinton)
- + food sucks
Discussion started 04/05/2006 02:24 PM by nikki perron - 2 replies (last reply by Robert at 01/22/2007 09:10 AM)nikki perron from clinton on 04/05/2006 02:24 PM
food sucks
nikki perron from clinton on 04/05/2006 02:24 PM
food sucks
Everett & Susan Helms on 01/21/2007 02:02 PM
We love to eat there it is our favorite restaurant.
Everett & Susan Helms on 01/21/2007 02:02 PM
We love to eat there it is our favorite restaurant.
Robert from Columbia on 01/22/2007 09:10 AM
I have eaten there before and thought it was awesome.
Robert from Columbia on 01/22/2007 09:10 AM
I have eaten there before and thought it was awesome.
sedalia break in trail and railbanking
- + Hi everyone,
I understand that people are nervous about the booneville bridge because it could break
the rail bank and put the entire tail in danger. What about the break in the trail in S...
Discussion started 01/18/2007 10:24 AM by Robert - 1 reply (last reply by GC at 01/18/2007 12:18 PM)Robert from Columbia on 01/18/2007 10:24 AM
Hi everyone,
I understand that people are nervous about the booneville bridge because it could break
the rail bank and put the entire tail in danger. What about the break in the trail in Sedalia?
Is that section still in use as a railroad? Is that the difference?
GC from Columbia, Mo. on 01/18/2007 12:18 PM
yes, I believe the Union Pacific still uses that section.
riding in March — what's open?
- + My two high school age sons and I are planning on riding (camping) Sedalia to St. Charles
in mid-March, when they have their spring break. I'm finding that campgrounds are either
closed or at ...
Discussion started 01/10/2007 11:44 AM by Doug - 3 replies (last reply by Robert at 01/16/2007 03:24 PM)Doug from St. Louis on 01/10/2007 11:44 AM
My two high school age sons and I are planning on riding (camping) Sedalia to St. Charles
in mid-March, when they have their spring break. I'm finding that campgrounds are either
closed or at least, showers are closed. I'm thinking of a 4-day ride. Any current info on
campgrounds, or anything else being opened or closed would be appreciated.
Also, planning on taking Amtrak from Kirkwood to Sedalia to begin the trip. Any hints?
thanks a lot, Doug
Anonymous on 01/10/2007 03:00 PM
doug, best thing to do is get the katy trail guide book from brett defur at peeble publishing, and use this web site. good luck, have fun, be safe, happy bikin.
savage24 from KC,MO on 01/11/2007 07:30 AM
Doug, Don't count on Amtrak arriving in Sedalia on schedule. Check with the city of Pilot Grove about camping in the city park. It is only 25 miles from Sedalia, but if the train is really late that may be where you end up the first night. If the train is more or less on time you should be able to make it to New Franklin the first night. I don't know about showers at either place in March. If showers are a must you may have to stay in motels. I would definately check out the Turner Katy Trail Shelter in Tebbetts (should work out for your second night). Hot showers and being indoors might feel pretty good in March!
Robert from Columbia on 01/16/2007 03:24 PM
Quite a few of the DNR trailhead bathrooms may not be open that time of year either.
MIght sound gross but I would pack some toilet paper and be prepared.
Cruce's Cabooses (Calhoun)
- + I would wager that the phone number that is listed is incorrect. Most of the towns and cities around Windsor/Calhoun have a 660 area code now~ the area code was 816 several years ago.
Discussion started 10/28/2006 09:27 AM by DownRiverDan - 3 replies (last reply by Rick Fosnow at 01/08/2007 09:29 PM)DownRiverDan from Topeka, KS on 10/28/2006 09:27 AM
I would wager that the phone number that is listed is incorrect. Most of the towns and cities around Windsor/Calhoun have a 660 area code now~ the area code was 816 several years ago.
DownRiverDan from Topeka, KS on 10/28/2006 09:27 AM
I would wager that the phone number that is listed is incorrect. Most of the towns and cities around Windsor/Calhoun have a 660 area code now~ the area code was 816 several years ago.
Ray (Webmaster) on 10/28/2006 11:51 PM
Actually that is the correct number. The Cruces divide their time between the Kansas City area and the train car B&B near Windsor - that is their KC number. Or maybe it's their cell phone, I'm not sure... Anyway, they have either answered the phone or returned calls pretty quickly on the couple of occasions when I've called that number a few months ago.
Ray (Webmaster) on 10/28/2006 11:51 PM
Actually that is the correct number. The Cruces divide their time between the Kansas City area and the train car B&B near Windsor - that is their KC number. Or maybe it's their cell phone, I'm not sure... Anyway, they have either answered the phone or returned calls pretty quickly on the couple of occasions when I've called that number a few months ago.
Doug K. from Troy on 10/29/2006 05:33 PM
I drove down to Calhoun today to "scope out the lay of the land". I found Cruce's on at 781 (train said 811) NE 901st. It looked unkept and drab. Are you sure they're still in business??
Doug K. from Troy on 10/29/2006 05:33 PM
I drove down to Calhoun today to "scope out the lay of the land". I found Cruce's on at 781 (train said 811) NE 901st. It looked unkept and drab. Are you sure they're still in business??
Rick Fosnow from Calhoun on 01/08/2007 09:29 PM
The Cabooses are closed for the winter. All of Missouri looks drab in the winter. You should be here just after a fresh snow. The 811 is the orginal train number on the Caboose.
Rick Fosnow from Calhoun on 01/08/2007 09:29 PM
The Cabooses are closed for the winter. All of Missouri looks drab in the winter. You should be here just after a fresh snow. The 811 is the orginal train number on the Caboose.
Safety on the Katy Trail
- + Next week, I will be riding the full length of the Katy Trail by myself. I am just wondering as to the safety of a woman riding the trail by herself. Have there been any incidence of problems as a r...
Discussion started 11/03/2006 09:21 AM by ma - 3 replies (last reply by janet at 01/07/2007 10:25 AM)ma from Tulsa on 11/03/2006 09:21 AM
Next week, I will be riding the full length of the Katy Trail by myself. I am just wondering as to the safety of a woman riding the trail by herself. Have there been any incidence of problems as a result of this, over the years? Of course, the ride will be during daytime hours and I will have a cell phone. Thanks for any comments.
Ray (webmaster) on 11/03/2006 09:54 AM
Jason from Huntsville, AL on 11/03/2006 10:17 AM
We rode 290 miles on the trail last month and, for the most part, felt very safe. There are a lot of areas that are very desolate, but it wasn't too bad. As with anything nowadays, anything can happen. I think that during the daytime, the odds of something happening are very low. We were a little concerned some nights that we camped. I think you will be fine though. Just pay attention and definitely carry your cell phone. Have fun!
janet from lawrence kansas on 01/07/2007 10:25 AM
The third week in October, I rode by myself from Sedalia to Hermann, taking four days, and hardly saw another soul the whole way. I missed lunch one day because several of the places mentioned in the Katy Trail book were no longer open, and there were few "signs of life" in many of the very small communities. I was more aware of the isolation of the ride than worried about being bothered by anyone.
I had my cellphone and wore a spray on my wrist.
Dave & Jacquie's (Defiance)
- + Where the hoosiers of St. Charles go. Or where the wannabe bikers roar into the area, drinking, fighting, urinating, and whatever else hoosiers do.. good food, horrendous crowd, most of whom are NOT l...
Discussion started 01/15/2006 05:11 PM by Blah - 4 replies (last reply by White Bread at 01/05/2007 10:05 AM)Blah from St. Charles on 01/15/2006 05:11 PM
Where the hoosiers of St. Charles go. Or where the wannabe bikers roar into the area, drinking, fighting, urinating, and whatever else hoosiers do.. good food, horrendous crowd, most of whom are NOT local on the weekends. A dive comparable to Fast Eddies, but without the upscale IL clientelle... and that's saying something.
Blah from St. Charles on 01/15/2006 05:11 PM
Where the hoosiers of St. Charles go. Or where the wannabe bikers roar into the area, drinking, fighting, urinating, and whatever else hoosiers do.. good food, horrendous crowd, most of whom are NOT local on the weekends. A dive comparable to Fast Eddies, but without the upscale IL clientelle... and that's saying something.
Jim on 02/09/2006 01:11 PM
Been to both Fast Eddie's and Dave and Jacquies.....I'll take Dave and Jacquies! It's probably my age showing but I've had my fill of noisy, crowded, overhyped and overpriced bars. Plus....you've gotta love the stuffed squirrel collection.
Jim on 02/09/2006 01:11 PM
Been to both Fast Eddie's and Dave and Jacquies.....I'll take Dave and Jacquies! It's probably my age showing but I've had my fill of noisy, crowded, overhyped and overpriced bars. Plus....you've gotta love the stuffed squirrel collection.
Blah from St. Charles on 03/10/2006 01:01 PM
I concur this place is nicer than Fast Eddie's. The local people there are great. However, wannabe suburban bikers riding Harleys who invade the area during spring and summer ruin the place. And their bikes are way too loud to enjoy anything. I figure the smaller a certain body part on a male biker, the louder the bike..
Blah from St. Charles on 03/10/2006 01:01 PM
I concur this place is nicer than Fast Eddie's. The local people there are great. However, wannabe suburban bikers riding Harleys who invade the area during spring and summer ruin the place. And their bikes are way too loud to enjoy anything. I figure the smaller a certain body part on a male biker, the louder the bike..
Anonymous on 12/29/2006 11:46 AM
Hey Blah! Learn to spell.
Anonymous on 12/29/2006 11:46 AM
Hey Blah! Learn to spell.
White Bread from Affton on 01/05/2007 10:05 AM
Sound like Blah has a serious case of Harley envy!
White Bread from Affton on 01/05/2007 10:05 AM
Sound like Blah has a serious case of Harley envy!
shuttle cost
- + Can someone who has done the shuttle service let me know the approximate cost? There are two of us and we'll need the shuttle from St. Charles to either Clinton or Sedalia
Discussion started 11/22/2006 09:13 PM by FloridaGirl - 11 replies (last reply by Nails at 01/04/2007 06:36 AM)FloridaGirl from Melbourne, FL on 11/22/2006 09:13 PM
Can someone who has done the shuttle service let me know the approximate cost? There are two of us and we'll need the shuttle from St. Charles to either Clinton or Sedalia
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 11/23/2006 03:01 AM
Did you consider Amtrak? The only catch is getting from St. Charles to the Amtrak station in St. Louis or Kirkwood. If your not comfortable with city traffic this route may not be good for you.
Paulie
Rhona Lococo from St. Charles Mo. on 11/26/2006 05:13 PM
I have a B&B just three blocks from the trail head in St. Charles, we also do shuttle service for our guests. The cost to Sedalia is $170.00 and the cost to Clinton is $240.00 plus a nights stay at our regular prices ----- for more info call me @636-946-0619 or e-mail me at Rhonaloc@charter.net
MR from Springfield, IL on 12/02/2006 09:54 PM
Where is the Amtrack station on the west end of the trail?
Paulie from Knoxville TN on 12/03/2006 07:22 PM
The Amtrak can take you as far as Sedalia.
Paulie
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 12/03/2006 09:15 PM
There is an AP article in the morning (12-3-06) St. Joseph NewsPress titled.....Amtrak will off discounts. That report states....."Amtrak will will begin offering passengers discounted rates through April in an attempt to lure riders back to its Missouri line. Company spokesman Marc Magliari said a 50 percent discount on a second adult fare for each ticket purchased is intended to boost ridership after the biggest decline in ridership of any short-distance route in the country. The drop in passengers is blamed on track construction between Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, which resulted in the use of tour buses for part of the trip."
If an early Spring ride is in order....it may be prudent to check with Amtrak about this discount.
FloridaGirl from Melbourne, FL on 12/05/2006 08:24 PM
Thanks for the Amtrak discount info! I think Amtrak is our best (cheapest) bet to get us to Sedalia from Kirkwood. The price before discount is around $100 for two people.
Paulie from Knoxville on 12/06/2006 03:01 AM
100 bucks even sounds kinda steep. I made the trip (STL to Sedalia)a few months ago and it was only $23 +$10 for my bike. Just remember, Amtrak doesnt have the best rep for being on time.
Paulie
FloridaGirl from Melbourne, FL on 12/06/2006 05:18 PM
Yes $100 is wrong. It will be about half that for two people with bikes. I was putting in a fare for 2 on the Amtrak site but was taking the cost in multiplying by 2, which they already did for me. Amtrak seems like the way to go!
Gimmie2 from Saint Louis on 01/03/2007 08:30 PM
Once on Amtrak, getting off in Sedalia. Is there some sort of service from there to Clinton? Really hoped to start the ride in Clinton (36 miles ) Any suggestions? besides riding the trail.
savage24 from KC,MO on 01/04/2007 02:52 AM
Gimmie, I know you are looking for suggestions besides riding the trail to Clinton, but, if you hire a shuttle to Clinton it will easily be mid afternoon before you get started on your ride. I do not know anything about shuttle costs, but you may find the cost of the shuttle to be about the same as a motel room in Clinton. If that is the case, I would enjoy the ride from Sedalia to Clinton and spend my money on a motel room instead of the shuttle. If you are on a tight schedule, I would just ride from Sedalia.
Nails on 01/04/2007 06:36 AM
You could stay on the train to Warrensburg. From there, it's only 29 miles to Clinton on Hwy 13. You probably have a good chance hitching a ride in someone's pickup. DISCLAIMER (since I know a lawyer is prowling this site): Hitchhiking is illegal in MO and I cannot represent that it is safe to ride a bike on this highway.