BikerBoy from Maryville, IL on 4/23/2020 2:28:24 PM:
Tammy, the section that is causing the detour is east of the grain elevator, just under the Hwy 40 bridge. The trail bridge over Salt Creek was completely washed off its moorings. That bridge was about 200 feet long. The river washed out a huge section of the land and levee, exposing pipelines and all sorts of things. It's a huge repair effort, and I do not know the current progress, but MO State Parks is saying that section is not open. When I visited there last fall, there was no way to ride through that section without risking serious injury.
So, I agree there is no point at starting in Boonville, only to have to take a detour after 7 miles of riding. I intend to get up that way in a few weeks and hopefully provide an update with new pictures.