Reply to Closed trail

Are there any sections of the trail between St. Charles and Hermann that are closed? As we approach our trip, what's the best way to get updates on closed sections of the trail?

We are about to start the last leg of the trail, heading East (Monday April 18 I think thus is!) We encountered only two closed sections and they seem both to have been closed since 2019 flood.

Heading west to east, the first is the washed out bridge at Salt Creek, about 178.5. What's left of the trail there is a steep, muddy ravine with some gravel put down by a farmer part of the way. It's a mess. It had rained fairly recently and the creek looked maybe 6 inches deep and maybe 15 feet across. All that mud was too much for us; we went back to where we could get on the main highway and go around. Cars are going 60 and 70, steep hills and curves, no paved shoulder - we waited for breaks in the cars, did short spurts, waited again - it wasnt too bad. People have mentioned a gravel road or two, we werent sure of them. The highway took us to Rocheport for a great lunch at a spot beside the rejoining of the trail.

Second was aboyt milf market 117-118, a rockslide took out that bridge and the state has fenced off all access. We backtracked a little and took the highway around, I think 94, this highway is flatter and has a bit of a shoulder including thankfully on the bridge. Easier than the other detour and not too bad.

I never found one great place to find this info although the Facebook page for Friends of Katy Trail is mentionned alot - I joined but cant seem to find such posts in one place, good luck.

The state park website has a trail conditions page, with a link to a MAP of closings and warnings:

https://mostateparks.com/page/84206/katy-trail-state-park-advisory-map

They list the two that Marjorie mentions, which I think are the only two closings on the trail now. You should be fine between St. Charles and Hermann. There is always a slight chance for flooding, so check the map, or this comment board, or the facebook group for last minute updates.

PS the first closure is between New Franklin and Rocheport. The second is between Tebbetts and Hermann (closer to Hermann). It woyld be great if this forum or this website had a section specifically about closures and detours, with pins in the map and a chance for prople to post updates. In planning this trip, this topic was the thing I most wanted to know mote about, but thanks for all the other great info!!!!

This link is on the Home page:

Trail Conditions
Recent Trail Conditions as reported by trail users

It doesn't look like it is used often though.

Searching "trail conditions" using the Forum search is a good option.

Marjorie, you still had a good time on our KT, not knowing if all the trail was passable. That's part of cycling rail trails, not knowing everything. I hope you come back!

Another option for info. Includes a link to State of Missouri Parks website/map.
https://katytrailmo.com/katy-trail-conditions-spring-2021/

I knew there was the "conditions" section of the forum and also saw the state's posts of trail closures and conditions. The challenge with both is that major, enduring closures (the two current ones have lasted two years) are lost in the jumble of other reports and one can't sort out the current status. I agree that in general, the unexpected is part of the fun. I am not sure this applies to huge gaps in the trail that force you onto busy, dangerous highways with no idea of which ones to take. Seems to me if a section is closed indefinitely due to a major problem, it would be in the interest of rider safety and peace of mind to post just those closures in a separate, prominent spot with pins, regular updates and potential detours.

But anyway, great job in general and many thanks to all who maintain this massive info.

Marjorie

Regarding the "Recent Trail Conditions as reported by trail users" link mentioned above by Anonymous on 4/19 (https://bikekatytrail.com/trail-condition-report.aspx):

I have updated the web page and removed the old trail conditions; now it just shows the Salt Creek (Rocheport) and Portland problems. I also updated the link to the state's web page where they have a similar map (the one mentioned above by Dave on 4/19).

I built that web page during the big floods two years ago, when trail conditions were constantly changing on a daily basis. This allowed trail users to report and quickly visualize the overall condition of the trail. Things are not changing so rapidly these days, but I'll leave the resource out there for now.

Happy trails and good luck.

You east coast seriously urbanized, cooped up covid cured types don't worry about the so called "trail closures" and "really steep" elevation changes. I realize from our online social media controlled, eliminate all surprises world, you've taken the first big step to get off the east coast and venture out into the heartland, even though you may think heartland is PA. I can set your mind at ease and honestly tell you from many days on the KT end to end from both directions, if you have some prior trail (and road if going off trail) riding experience, you will find the KT and MO people the most friendly, extremely fun and sometimes challenging (in a good way), and very enlightening, if you bring your legitimate vaccine cards and masks since we recently instituted the FP (Fauci Patrol), kidding. See you on the trail!