Katy Trail Forum

Has the state issued any guidance on when or if this bridge will ever be rebuilt
Thank you

How many years ago was that? And they haven't said anything? I think that's your guidance, unfortunately.

Salt Creek bridge west of Rocheport was destroyed by flooding late spring of 2019. Considering the magnitude of the damage, it will likely be 2-3-4 years before a replacement is designed, funded, and installed. Hard to imagine it won't be replaced as the DNR recommended on-road detour along U S. 40 is dangerous in the extreme!

Where can I find a map of that Salt Creek Bridge detour?

Google earth
From Roachport follow trail west apx 1 mile.
You will see hwy 40 cross over trail at same spot trail crosses Salt creek

If it hasn't been raining lately, it's easy to walk across the creek. Just about 100 feet south of the trail there's path used by farmers to cross the creek. It's concrete and when I crossed it last September, it was almost completely dry. Of course if it's been raining, it could be unpassable. The hardest part was pushing a tandem up the levee.

Here is a link to a short video I took crossing Salt Creek (West to East) in Oct 2020. When the water is low, crossing is not an issue.

https://youtu.be/8j9WKNrIkzo

OK - that previous video resolution was miserable. I re-rendered that segment and here is a better clip of the Katy Trail Salt Creek unofficial crossing:

https://youtu.be/1yk1wDzYNnA

I also walked my bike across a little south of the Bridge last May. On the return trip a week later the water level was too high (rain).

To T. Milligan: Thanks for posting the video of the Salt Creek detour. I always worry about making a wrong turn on a detour & getting lost, your video was a big help.

Is there a safe road option to get around the creek?

Here's a link to the official detour. Safe is a relative word. I haven't heard of anyone being injured taking this detour but I also wouldn't want to be the first. I've ridden on worse roads over the years and would take this detour if the "unofficial" detour wasn't available.

https://mostateparks.com/advisory/79936/temporary-trail-detours-katy-trail-state-park

LOL! I was using Google maps and streetview to check out the official detour. There is a guy digging up ditch weed along the highway. I was able to create a link. And the truck he's in has a company name on it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9878351,-92.5711977,3a,26.8y,185.95h,79.37t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siigdOTKTHSg7rVuzvFfohw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I always wondered if this would be a better ridearound. https://goo.gl/maps/aHVkZbzme6LL4Sy4A

Bill: Distance wise is nearly the same as the detour that puts riders on 40 Hwy. It does add a few hundred feet of elevation. Me personally I would investigate the low water crossing and utilize it to cross, but only if safe to do so. There is a video link posted above to that unauthorized
option.

After seeing the video, the low water crossing looks safely wadeable even in a couple feet of water. Far preferable to riding on the highway.

Just a couple feet of water of water? Be seeing you as you float by in the Missouri River :-)

I ran the trail last fall in about 3 1/2 days. The salt creek bridge (lack thereof) was no issue. I barely got my feet wet. If heavy rain might be different. The rock slide before Rocheport going east is actually a boulder slide. I was able to climb over it but impossible with a bike. Interesting factoid: no one knows where Machens is ??

Re : boulder slide. In early comment i said it was west of Rocheport. I meant Portland. ??

I'm looking to plan our first bike packing trip on the KT in May. Would like to start somewhere on the West (maybe Sedalia) and ride East and then catch the Amtrak back to our starting point. Not sure yet how many days we want to be out, but can someone suggest a good starting point and end point with Amtrak stations?

We are from Topeka so we'll drive to wherever we start rather than taking the train from KC to a start point. Hope this makes sense.

Thanks

It's hard to suggest a good start and end point when you don't know how long you want to be on the trail.

Perhaps go to Amtrak's site to see where the stations are, their schedule, etc. to determine how many days and where to start and end?

great route and lots of options, not sure of your skill level or desires for hotel/BNB or camping. You are at the right place for all info KT! Some thoughts to consider, others will chime in.

Drive to Sedalia, park. Somewhere on this Forum is info on how/where to do this.

Ride Sedalia to Rocheport, 50mi, lodging available.
Ride Rocheport to Jeff City, 35mi, lodging or camping available, can take train back to Sedalia in Jeff City.
Ride Jeff City to McKittrick/Hermann, 42mi, lodging or camping available, can take train back to Sedalia in Hermann.
See below for rest of route.

OR
Ride Sedalia to Easley, 66mi, camp at Coopers Landing, very fun place and great food, under new ownership.
Ride Easley to McKittrick/Hermann, 63mi, lodging or camping available, can take train back to Sedalia in Hermann.
Ride McKittrick/Hermann to Dutzow, 27mi, somehow ride to Washington and take train back to Sedalia. Am sure the Forum has this route described.
OR ride on to STL, 50mi plus street rides and pick up the train at Kirkwood Station, this Forum has the route, all road rides within St. Louis and not very close to the KT trail.

Amtrak has a limit of bikes on each train route, plan ahead.

Missouri River Runner route on the link below. Plan ahead for weather and available food stops along the way using this Forum and the site.

Ride safe and will look for you on the trail!

https://www.amtrak.com/routes/missouri-river-runner-train.html

Sedalia would be the only train stop right on the trail at the west end, but towards the east you will have good train stops available in Jefferson City, Hermann, and Washington. All three of these Amtrak stops have access to bicycle separated bridge crossings so you can get from the south side of the Missouri River (where Amtrak runs) to the north side of the river (where the Katy Trail runs). The Washington connection does require about 2 miles of highway shoulder riding along Hwy. 47 and then Hwy. 94 in order to reach the Katy Trail while the Jefferson City and Hermann connections are much shorter and easier.

Thanks for the comments. I think I have a better idea of what we are looking for now.

We're planning to drive to Sedalia and ride East to Hermann and then take the train back to Sedalia to our car. Thinking we'll drive to Sedalia on a Thursday morning and hope to be on the trail by noon. Would like to arrive in Hermann on Saturday evening, spend the night there and have the day on Sunday to explore Hermann and wineries before hopping the train back to Sedalia in the late afternoon.

We're looking to camp most nights but not opposed to a B&B if that's necessary to split up the riding days more evenly.

Can you recommend stopping points with this in mind?
I'm thinking riding to New Franklin the 1st day and staying at Katy Roundhouse. Then hitting Meriweather's for breakfast the next morning but having trouble figuring out the next overnight.

I'm seeing that camping in North Jeff City might not be safe? Thoughts/suggestions? I'm thinking 40-50 miles per day is probably max so we have time to stop off at towns/sites in between. Again, open to all of your experience as this will be a first time bike paking like this - have done touring on the road though.

If you’re willing to do a little under 60 miles the second day you could stay in Tebbetts at the Turner Shelter. It’s nothing fancy but for $6 you get a bed with a foam mattress, hot showers and flush toilets. The latter get rare west of Jefferson City. It would also leave you with just over 30 miles for your last leg into Herman

Can anyone confirm if this place is back open? From their FB post it looks like they were open in January but had to close down for cleaning. Just wondering if they are back open and how the food is?

We ate there when we rode the trail a couple of years back. It was good. They still allow smoking inside.

I'd call them to see if they are open. (660) 834-3838 is the number I see.

Per my findings the Houndstooth Eatery is out of business.

Does anyone know much about the Portland trailhead area? Is it safe to leave a car there or unattended during an overnight ride? Thanks!

There are no designated campsites or facilities. Cars pulled in all hours of the night.

In early-mid June, over two days we’re going from Jefferson City to Sedalia and deciding whether to stay overnight in either Rocheport at The Schoolhouse B & B or in Booneville at The Frederick. Open to any other places to stay in those two towns as well as place to eat/drink.

Either is a good stay, although I’d recommend the Frederick. It has an ambiance that is often not found. Abigails or the winery in Rocheport are both worth the visit.

Either would be fine. It it was me though, I would reverse your trip and ride from Sedalia to Jefferson City and stay in Boonville. That way you get the hardest part of your ride done on the first day.

Thanks for the recommendations! Our preference was to do your suggested route and my husband planned the itinerary starting in St. Louis via Amtrak to Jeff City. After re-thinking the itinerary, my husband is going to re-arrange a few reservations and Amtrak to Sedalia, bike to Clinton and then bike back to Jeff City where we’ll Amtrak back to St. Louis. Appreciate the suggestion and glad to be biking downhill some on the way back:-)

Did you add another day to your trip? That’s a pretty aggressive schedule for a 2-day ride.

Looks like the Brewery has been sold. Someone is doing some major work on it. I know some individuals have purchased a lot of property in Augusta with some major plans for wineries and even plans to put in a hotel. I don't know what the plans are for the brewery put they took down the tank that was near the entrance.

Does anyone know if this part of the Katy trail is still closed from the rockslide from last year please?

Yes it is. However it's a very short bypass on a nice enough road that you don't have to worry about it.

Steamboat junction is closed until an unspecified time in april. there is no water or snacks available. as a note, you can camp in the park in rhineland, which is six miles to the east.

So you got free water from me at Bluffton Barn, make this post but don't mention that or that I am open and have camping as well as rooms and food. What a remarkable human being.

incredibly good friend chicken and pies. blazing fast wifi too.

Yes, we have the friendliest chicken in the world here in Missouri.

Sorry, could not resist. :-)

I've never been so close to a chicken that I could call it a good friend. Guess you're pretty lucky Craig. Will look for you two next time I'm on the Katy.

Does anyone know if the Haysler House in Clinton still open? If not, any other places to recommend staying in Clinton? We’re thinking of adding Clinton from Sedalia to complete the KT in mid-June?

I believe Haysler House has new owners and great FB page with info

We also have several nice motels in Clinton! Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn.Westbridge Motel!!

Google Map says its permanently closed

I can see that the Katy and Rock Island intersect one another in Windsor. The satellite view is obstructed by trees, but I can see that the Katy crosses over/above the Rock Island Trail by a bridge. I can't tell if you can turn from one trail to the other from some sort of access trail or do you have to ride into Windsor and access the other trail from a trailhead?

Easy transition and good trail signage at Windsor to jump on the Rock Island to head to Pleasant Hill. Coming from Sedalia you'll cross the bridge of the Katy looking down on the Rock Island, go less than a quarter mile, and signs will point you to take a left down the connector to the Rock Island. If you need a drink or snack Caseys and restaurants right there in Windsor. Many staying overnight in Windsor as you can ride 3 directions. My cabins at the connector. Glad to help if you need anything at this end.

There is an access trail near where they cross.

Yes, there is an "on ramp" trail from the KATY to the Rock Island at that crossover/intersection.

Thanks Kim! You'll be hearing from me. Hot shower, cozy bed and maybe a clothesline.
Thanks John!
Thanks Gerald! I live near Zona Rosa and I ride through Riverside frequently.

I'm looking to do a ride along the full length of the trail, from Machens to Kansas City this year. On this site, the Rock Island trail is listed as "future trail" but if I map the ride on Google, it shows the Katy Trail the entire way (minus a select few sections). I haven't been on this trail before but have wanted to ride it for many years. Can anyone tell me if this is possible? Thanks ahead of time for insight into this!

The Rock Island Spur runs from the Katy Trail (in Windsor) to Pleasant Hill (which is a town just southeast of Kansas City). There is a 10 mile gap that has not been built from Pleasant Hill to Lee's Summit (you have to ride on two lane county roads) in order to reach Lee's Summit, then the Rock Island Trail picks up again and you can ride it for 12 miles into Kansas City where it dead-ends right near the Royals and Chiefs stadiums. As far as the 10 mile gap goes between Pleasant Hill and Lee's Summit, you can go several different routes...I prefer about a 14 mile route that links several county roads to some of the sidewalk bike trails/shoulders that run through Lee's Summit. I am not a big fan of the busier 2 lane roads that don't have shoulders.

The Rock Island Spur runs from the Katy Trail (in Windsor) to Pleasant Hill (which is a town just southeast of Kansas City). There is a 10 mile gap that has not been built from Pleasant Hill to Lee's Summit (you have to ride on two lane county roads) in order to reach Lee's Summit, then the Rock Island Trail picks up again and you can ride it for 12 miles into Kansas City where it dead-ends right near the Royals and Chiefs stadiums. As far as the 10 mile gap goes between Pleasant Hill and Lee's Summit, you can go several different routes...I prefer about a 14 mile route that links several county roads to some of the sidewalk bike trails/shoulders that run through Lee's Summit. I am not a big fan of the busier 2 lane roads that don't have shoulders.

Thanks, Mark! Your local knowledge is really helpful. I'm not a fan of riding on roads with no shoulders either. Are those two lane roads pretty busy?

I’m also considering riding the Katy from St Louis to KC, however I want to ride from Illinois to Kansas....it’s not that much more. I’m thinking of riding Amtrak from KC to St Louis. Initially I looked into public transportation from there to Alton, but I think I will just ride my bike after stopping at the arch. This will be a warm up for the trek across the state. From Alton, across the Mississippi to Machens is about an hour ride and onto the Katy. I plan to make a right turn onto the Rock Island trail....which appears to be possible. I am still deciding how to get to kansas from Pleasant Hill. County roads west to 175th and State Line or possibly meandering up to Lee’s summit and picking up the Rock Island again. By the time my trip is going to happen I should be able to take it to Arrowhead stadium. From there possibly ride to The Plaza and into Westwood Kansas. Perhaps five full days of riding and 60+ miles/day at 10-12 mph to not over exert. I usually ride paved trails so probably need to get on gravel more. Still trying to figure out where to stay that’s not $150+ per night.

MapMedic: If you are planning to use the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, it's sometimes unexpectedly closed. You can use the McKinley Bridge which is closer to the Arch but will have to ride on some roads. Follow the MCT Confluence Trail. Also you will have to ride on Hwy 3 in Illinois north of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge as the levee is being rebuild in places and the bike path is on the levee. Hwy 3 has very wide shoulder so that part is OK; however, there's often a lot of broken glass and other debris on it.

For lodging consider white Wolf Inn apartment in Rhineland Mo.
I mile from katy trail. Weeknights = $75

Mapmedic, if you haven’t already done so, I recommend expanding your lodging search to airbnb.

Thanks all

We love the KT and this forum!

We’re looking to bike another section of the KT this June as we’ve biked 3 years ago from St. Charles to Marthasville in October ( it got a bit hot) and 2 years ago from St. Charles to Jeff City in April ((and it was super windy and snowed)

What’s the weather like in June?

We’re going to Amtrack from St. Louis to Jeff City overnight . Should we bike to Rocheport and stay overnight there ( any recommendations?) or Booneville and stay at Hotel Frederick? Rocheport would be closer but then we’re biking the next day to Sedalia which would be a longer rider. I read not to miss Rocheport and is there a lot to see in Sedalia before we head back on Amtrack the next morning to St. Louis.

We’re trying to split up the rides evenly so we don’t have 50+miles one day - Jeff City to Rocheport to Sedalia and 35+ miles the other day vs. it being more even Jeff City to Booneville and Booneville to Sedalia.

Also - where can I get the KT 237 magnet for my car which I’ve been looking forward to getting soon!