450 Miles in 6 Days of June?

I NEED SERIOUS ADVICE, FOLKS. How is the Katy Trail looking for a rigorous long-distance trip in Mid-June?

The goal is to do the entire 450 mile KATY (225x2) in 6 nights at a pace of roughly 75-80 miles/day.
Physically and gear-wise, I am in good shape to handle this, but have strong concerns about finding camp sites along the way.

Last year, I did a solo 370 (185x2) mile trip across the dirt-path C&P Canal path in 5 nights, two days of which involved rain and mud. To the good, the Katy is paved in gravel, a bit easier than the conditions of the C&P.

C&P offers free National Park campsites approximately every 5 miles, which is super convenient. In contrast, KATY has fewer camping options, which requires careful planning.

What do you think of this plan - each night stop is a campsite? Is my math OK?

1. Day 1 - St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 to Steedman - Terry's Suds and Grubs / MM 121.4 => 81.9 Miles

2. Day 2 - Terry's Suds + Grubs / MM 121.4 to Boonville - Bobber Rest.+Camp / MM 191.8 => 70.4 Miles

3. Day 3
o Leg 1- Boonville - Bobber Rest.+Camp / MM 191.8 to Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 => 73 Miles
o Leg 2 - (reverse direction) Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 to Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 => 16.8 Miles
o Day 4 Total => 89.8 Miles

4. Day 4 - Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 to Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 => 76.3 Miles

5. Day 5 - Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 to Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 => 61 Miles

6. Day 6 - Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 to St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 => 71.2 Miles

Appreciate any help!

I will be riding it mid-May 6 days west - east. Here all the replies I received. I can let you know after that.
www.bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=3258¬efmt=1&sortby=0&pg=5

Thanks for the pointer to the comments on your May trip. I wish you a good ride, and look forward to getting practical advice from you - as a trail blazer- afterwards. As I see it, where to camp for the night remains the toughest question.

Thanks for the pointer to the comments on your May trip. I wish you a good ride, and look forward to getting practical advice from you - as a trail blazer- afterwards. As I see it, where to camp for the night remains the toughest question.

If you drop me your email I'll sent you an email after my trip with some details.

Jim - my email: geisel@ameritech.net Daytoncapri

Hubby and I will be doing the DNR end to end Katy Trail ride the 3rd week in June (details at the MO State Park web site). When you have your days set for your ride, post them. We'll give you a shout if our paths cross! Another thing to think of is if you end up riding opposite direction of the DNR ride on the same day, be prepared to have lots of riders coming at you....and unfortunately sometimes, the less seasoned riders can ride 2 or 3 abreast without looking out ahead for riders coming the other way. Just a heads up to be aware.
Have fun on your ride. You get 2 thumbs up from us for doing an out and back end to end ride!

Daytoncapri, I am wondering if you have seen that the Bobber Restrnt & campground in Booneville is a bit of a ride from the trail. Just checking. Have a good ride and enjoy the sights.

MAH - Thanks to you two for asking and the thumbs up, I'd love to bump into you. If all goes according to plan, the bicycling is Monday morning June 6 through Saturday June 11, or thereabouts. Still not confident about the camping situation. Looks like my first night stop - Terry's Suds and grubs has gone out of business, per this message board. THAT thread also contains a worried statement about the availability of H20 along the trail. What to do? Put a 5 gal jug in the bike trailer?

Darrell-Thanks. Anyone know if HWY B in Boonvill has a wide shoulder for a bicycle and tow-behind trailer? Is this a safe route?

I just saw the location of Bobbers Restaurant/campground at I-70 and Hwy B with Google maps. It's 2-3 miles from the traihead. I'd want to avoid heavy vehicular traffic. I picked this location per the MM on the website; had no idea it was this far off the trail.

Revised Trip Plans - comments welcome. Changed the first two stops, otherwise the same.

1. Day 1 - St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 to Portland - Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground/ MM 115.9=> 76.4 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0 miles]

2. Day 2 - Portland - Rivers Edge RV Park & Campground / MM 115.9 to Franklin - Katy Roundhouse/ MM 189 => 73.1 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0 miles]

3. Day 3
o Leg 1- Franklin - Katy Roundhouse / MM 189 to Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 => 75.8 Miles
o Leg 2 - (reverse direction) Clinton Trailhead MM 264.8 to Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 => 16.8 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0.9 miles]
o Day 4 Total => 93.5 Miles

4. 8Day 4 - Windsor -Farrington Park MM 248 to Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 => 76.3 Miles [Trail to Campground = 0 miles]

5. Day 5 - Huntsdale - Catfish Katy's MM 171.7 to Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 => 61 Miles [Trail to Campground = abt 200 feet]

6. Day 6 - Bluffton - Steamboat Rentals MM 110.7 to St Charles Trailhead / MM 39.5 => 71.2 Miles

http://bikekatytrail.com/talk.aspx?thid=2781¬efmt=1&sortby=0&pg=9
Here's a link to a thread from last year re water availability at trailheads. Seems the eastern half of the trail has a few sections where water could be a problem. The western half (except for no water at Clifton city), has water at the trailheads. Definitely no fun to run out of water.

MAH - Thanks for researching and validating the water situation - I will pack a container to carry more water in the trailer. I just researched the climate data for for Missouri in June. Hmm. . . 65 to 85 degrees, with good chance of rain. It could get steamy. OK by me.

Steamy is a definite possibility! Last year in June for the DNR ride there was record heat with the heat index reaching up to 115-116 on the 2nd day of the ride. But then it's Missouri, I've also ridden in June and wore a long sleeved shirt all day.