Reply to Amtrak to katy Trail

Hey all,

I'm thinking about taking an Amtrak from St Louis to the Kansas City, then biking back St Charles. Any recommendations for getting from the Kansas City amtrak to the katy Trail. Or other options to consider? Thanks!

I recommend taking Amtrak to Sedalia Missouri instead. You would be minutes from the Katy Trail. Hermann or Jefferson City Missouri would be an even shorter options.

I agree - ride the train to Sedalia. Amtrak goes right by the depot in Pleasant Hill, but the train does not stop there. Also - not sure when you are planning to go, but the flooding has meant Amtrak hasn't always been running. The tracks have been flooded and when that happens, they put people on a bus - don't think they will allow bikes on the chartered bus. The train was running again last week, but I saw today that service was suspended again.

Sharon

Missouri native here and have done the Amtrak from STL to Sedalia and spent a week riding the trail back, staying at BnBs at the wine towns along the way. Have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the additional trail from KC as well so I can officially ride from one end of the state to the other. Planning to do this in September. Any thoughts from the locals in the know about the outlook for when the trail will be restored from the flooding this year? Also looking for someone's input who has traversed from KC Amtrak station to trail head.

Hi Amber
When in September are you riding? We plan to start 26 September from Sedalia to St Charles over six days. All the posts here and the information available indicate that no-one is sure what the conditions will be. I've spoken to a couple of the guys who rent out bikes and who also organise tours. They are optimistic and are planning for their tours to go ahead in mid-September. I guess they would say that, wouldn't they? But then, they think the trail will get fixed quickly - but that quickly? I see from a news site that the water levels went UP again recently at Jefferson City. We are holding our nerve and sticking with our bookings, but also have a plan B to cycle the trail west of Boonville and up to KC on the Rock Island. Michael
(ps sorry, can't help with your question about a route from KC Station to trailhead; but last year we cycled east out through suburban and central Syracuse on the Erie Canal Trail and back westwards. Lots of sites said how difficult it was, but we found it just took some navigation. I have also seen references to routes from KC Station to trailhead on this site; good luck!).

There is an Amtrak station in Lee's Summit which is closer to the Rock Island Connection to the Katy Trail, but there is also an Amtrak station near Downtown Kansas City which would get you closer to the Kansas state line if that is a big goal. People have mapped out the shortest routes if you don't mind driving in traffic or I have even mapped out the routes that use mostly trails and bike lanes. If you give more specifics on what you are looking for, I would be happy to give you some options. I also mapped out a scenic route from the Katy Trail into Downtown St. Louis that used mostly trails and bike lanes because I enjoy combining the city riding with the more rural Katy Trail in the middle.

The dams upriver are going to continue to release lots of water through August so you will just have to check on conditions through the summer. The trail will get fixed quickly and businesses will continue to offer shuttles around the closed areas if needed.

Michael and Mark, Thanks for your insights. I'll just keep my eye on this sight, but won't hold my breath. Might just be a ride for next year. Might work better anyway since I'll be turning the big 5-0 and will be looking forward to the challenge.

Dear Amber

The big 5-0! I vaguely remember it. I'm passing the big 7-0 this summer so I need to cycle to keep old bones moving.

As you say, it's 'watch this space' for updates on the Trail.

Michael

Looking for safe route from Lees Summit Amtrak to Pleasant Hill trailhead

A friend gave me this to tell folks...

Take the 13.6 mile route through Greenwood Missouri. BUT stay south on Allendale Rd. Follow that road till 175th St. It will change names a few times. Turn left or East on 175th. That will take you straight to Pleasant Hill. Cross the tracks and turn right onto the trail. That will take you to Pleasant Hill and on your way East to Windsor.

I've rode this route 100s of times. I feel it is the safest way there

If you are looking for the least amount of traffic, then I would use this route (it uses the most trails and roads where Lee's Summit has striped off a 3' shoulder area...it isn't really a full bike lane, but it helps and lots of people bike these striped routes): Leave the Amtrak station by going NORTH on Main Street. Main Street curves to the left and becomes O'Brien Road. Take O'Brien for about a mile over the highway and then turn left onto Murray Road where the road ends. Take Murray Road for 1 mile south across 3rd Street to where it ends at Longview Road (ride the striped shoulder or use the sidewalk), and then cross Longview Road and turn left onto the wide sidewalk trail on the other (south) side of the street. Take the trail for 1/4 mile east on Longview and then turn right as the wide paved trail continues south along Ward Road. Take the trail south along Ward for 3.5 miles until you reach MO 150 where you will cross the road and turn left along the sidewalk. Go east along the MO 150 south side sidewalk for about 1.25 miles where eventually you will have to use the wide shoulder to get across the 291 Highway interchange.
Now you have to make a choice to either ride for 1/2 mile along the busy two lane 150 Hwy. with no shoulders or turn right and take the east 291 outer road which has almost no traffic. If you take the outer road, you will add another mile because of all the looping back that you will have to do inside the subdivisions.
If you look on a map, you will see that you are trying to get to Doc Henry Road/Cherokee Drive/20th Avenue/Allendale Drive and finally South Allendale Lake Road. The key is to weave through the subdivisions to get to South Allendale Lake Road which has a nice paved trail heading south.
You will take South Allendale Lake Road for 2 miles south where you will turn left onto County Road which eventually weaves around becoming 167th Street, Groll Road, 171st Street, and then South Gray Drive (1 mile total)...finally turn left (eastward) onto 175th Street for 3 miles until you reach the trail which is right past the railroad tracks. Turn right onto the trail and into Pleasant Hill.

Thank you both for the information.

Thank you both for the information.

Driving from Lincoln, NE to Pilot Grove trailhead to begin our 1/2 day riding for our 1st time on the Katy trail. Plans are to ride 2 1/2 days heading east then make return in 1 1/2 days. Suggestions as to where to stop and tent after the first 1/2 day ride? We would like to make it to Jefferson City but maybe that's not realistic before we start heading back.
Open to suggestions. We are super excited to do the trail.
Appreciate the information from this forum. It's great!
Thanks!
S.

You should probably start a separate thread for your questions but since you’re here your first half day could be Pilot Grove to New Franklin. That’s around 15 miles and you can camp at the Katy Roundhouse. That will leave you just under 45 miles left to get to Jeff City. Assuming you’re in reasonable shape that should be an easy ride to do in 2 days. Not sure what the status is for Cooper’s Landing but if they’re open you could camp there your second night. You could camp at the Roundhouse again on your way back.

Thanks Jim.
Appreciate info.

*After I submitted I scrolled back to the top and saw --to start a new thread.

Beware that the trail from Sedalia to Jefferson City has a large closed section East of Rocheport because of flooding. Check the Katy Trail State Park Trail advisory Map. https://mostateparks.com/page/84206/katy-trail-state-park-advisory-map