Reply to Gravel Road option for Rocheport Detour

I'm wondering if anyone has taken the gravel road 442 through the Dale Conservation Area as an option to US40 detour between Booneville and Rocheport. If so, what is the road surface/condition like? https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30955310

I am familiar with a couple of the roads next to 442, and the gravel is larger than the "chat" gravel on the Katy. I am likely heading that way on Saturday and will drive it to see if it's passable. Since it goes up the river bluffs, there are frequent washouts after rains, which makes it more difficult. I will try to post back here on Sunday.

Thanks BikerBoy. I will be riding a gravel bike with 37mm tires

Susan, I hope you see this post. I may repeat it in its own thread.

I drove around the Salt Creek bridge detour today. First, the bridge and surrounding area is exactly as it was the first of May -- levee repaired but no work on fixing the bridge yet.

I drove the gravel road detour you listed on the link above. I think this would be a very difficult ride for most people. These are poorly maintained country roads. They were muddy, hilly and with limited view. The detour listed above adds about 4.5 miles and to me is no safer than riding Hwy 40.

However, I think I found a good compromise: If going East, continue on the Katy past the "barricade" at Pearson (where Katy intersects CR 467, next to the "Peppermill" silo. Ride exactly 3 miles and that will put you under the Hwy 40 bridge and at the site of the washout. Walk your bike up the small levee and go just past the bridge. Turn right, walk down the levee and onto the gravel service road. Then turn right on the shoulder of Hwy 40 and go up the bridge. Ride exactly 1.5 miles until you get to CR 440. Turn right. This road is still a little rough, but you will only be on it for 1.45 miles. Then turn right onto US 240, which does not have a lot of traffic. Ride 240 down to the Katy, about 2/3 mile.

The reason I like this route better is that it keeps you off of Hwy 40 more (about 1.25 miles less).

When riding Hwy 40, I would strongly suggest that the rider with the brightest colored shirt should be the last in line. Note that there is a shoulder, but it has rumble strips, so that makes it almost useless. You may consider walking your bikes up the Hwy 40 bridge or even the whole way, so you could bail if some driver is not paying attention. The walk on 40 should take about 30 minutes, whereas riding would be less than 10 minutes.

Thanks BikerBoy for the detailed information. I did not get a chance to look at the site until today. I will plot out your suggested route and let you know if I have any more questions.
Safe riding. Susan

Here is a map of BikerBoy's alternate route as described above:

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/3184192711

Thanks for the map Ray. It agrees with what I had plotted out from BikerBoy's description and it's great to get confirmation! I'll be biking the route on June 22nd and will update after that. Appreciate all the input from you and BikerBoy.

Is there still a detour from Boonville to Rocheport. Riding tomorrow, any tips??

Going Boonville to Rocheport.... Actually got to the detour sign which makes you go right a few hundred feet to Hwy 40. Then left on Hwy 40 up a bridge overlooking the washed out bridge. I went about 200 ft up the Hwy 40 bridge and looked down and saw below just a small stream near the washout. I went back down the Hwy 40 bridge, took a left and another immediate left onto a farm access road to the washed out bridge area. I walked my bike down a short embankment to the small 2 inch high stream. Got a bit muddy going down the short embankment because it was raining that morning (I would suggest taking your shoes off), but washed shoes and tires in the stream. Came out right on the trail, put my shoes back on and went on my way. The detour route is about 4.5 miles with lots of elevation I was told. I cut that 4.5 miles detour out by going by way of the stream. I was ecstatic! Probably not for the casual rider, more for the adventurous rider not afraid to go unconventional.