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Kathy from Kirkwood on 8/25/2020 2:58:11 PM:
Has anyone here ridden from the terminus at Machens to Portage des Sioux? Sounds like an interesting town.

And how weird is it that the trail just unceremoniously ends there? There's not really even parking.
 
Mark from Lee's Summit on 8/26/2020 12:49:39 AM:
The Katy Railroad ended at Machens because that is where it merged with a longer active rail line that still operates today. As far as Portage des Sioux goes, there are a few things to see in that town, but for me, it is a fun passage/route over to the Grafton Ferry where you can pay $4 to get your bike ferried over to Grafton. The Great River Road and the other paved Illinois/Madison County trails are the best way to loop around back south to Downtown St. Louis if you have already traveled to Machens and want to keep going. Sure, you can take 94 Highway to the 67 river bridge and up and over to Alton, but traffic is a little heavier on that route and there is always something fun about taking the Grafton ferry across the Mississippi.
 
Connie from St Charles on 8/27/2020 9:18:03 AM:
We have parked at the Black Walnut trailhead and ridden out to Portage. In the town you can ride down to the river and see the shrine. I think there's a restaurant/bar there but we haven't eaten there. It's a nice ride on a not too windy day considering how flat it is.
I agree with riding on out to the ferry. We did that and while it wasn't open, it was still a nice ride.
 
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