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No Water Stations - N Jefferson-Treloar

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jr on 8/31/2012 1:07:26 PM:

My friend and I rode our bikes last week. The high temperature made it very hard, plus no water along the way from N Jefferson through Treloar - it's shame. Although we're carrying bottled of water w us, it got too hot and we kept with for the next town hoping it'd be a water fountain... nothing... Make sure to carry lots of water with you.

Anonymous on 8/31/2012 2:14:02 PM:

Mckittrick has water sometimes at that big brick building on the North side; but only if someone is there. He is a real nice guy and gives water away especially on weekends: Mile 100.8

ArkyKenny on 8/31/2012 2:37:50 PM:

I really don't understand all these people that complain about no water. I have not found that to be true. There are a bunch of places to get fluids, and you don't need inside information to find them. But you may have to go 1/4 mile off the trail. City Parks, C-Stores, locals, and farmers are always around, and open. Buying a coke from a machine, or a family having a picnic is also usually an option.

For that matter, I always ride with a 70 oz. CamelBak and 2 24oz water bottles. I keep the water bottles topped off in case I need them, drinking primarily out of the CamelBak. Sometimes, like between McKittrick and Marthasville, I need the water in the bottles.

Even under extreme circustances, there is no way that 100+ ounces of water wont get you 30-40 miles down the trail. On the Katy, that is A LONG WAY. If that is not enough, throw a quart of Gatorade in your bag.

Come on people! The Katy is not some urban trail with an ice cream stand on every corner. But it is not the Tour Divide either. Anyone who rides it needs to carry a good amount of fluid and some snacks, and they will be fine. Anyone who doesn't do that, doesn't need to be on the trail.

Bike Rider from Kansas City on 8/31/2012 3:44:41 PM:

I think because it is the Katy Trail STATE PARK people expect to find some basic provisions, like WATER at the trailheads. Why even have a trailhead if you can't provide water? Its more than just a trail, its a STATE PARK. Seriously, the State of Missouri should be able to provide water at all the trailheads. It's a matter of safety.

RN from Ozarks on 8/31/2012 4:21:01 PM:

OMG- no water for 16 miles !!! Come on people, you need to be better prepared than that

Anonymous on 8/31/2012 4:28:42 PM:

From N Jeff to Marthasville is 66-miles. However, water can be found at the shelter in Tebbetts, the market in Mokane, the campsite in Portland, the ballfield & cafe in Rhineland, the convenience store near McKittrick, and the trailhead restrooms in Marthasville. Not always convenient, but its there. :)

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 8/31/2012 4:31:27 PM:

I've rode my bike for hundreds of miles inside Yellowstone NATIONAL PARK without even seeing a pit toilet, let alone a water fountain. Its more than just a trail, its a NATIONAL PARK. Seriously, the United States of America should be able to provide water at all the trailheads. It's a matter of safety.

Doug from Bluffton on 8/31/2012 4:35:10 PM:

No, it's a matter of MONEY. Running water lines to every trail head would cost more than the trail itself. Why have a trail head? So that people have access to the trail. I totally do not agree that it is up to THE STATE to indemnify every single person from lack of preparation. Be prepared to care for yourself. Carrying enough water to make your next stop is not a daunting task nor is it more than should be expected of someone that ventures out. It is not realistic to expect the Taxpayers to foot the bill for every unprepared person that sets foot out of their door. Let Darwin Work

Haank from New Haven MO on 8/31/2012 5:50:01 PM:

I feel that in a town that has a public water system (like Augusta) then there should be a water fountain at the trail head. It is not a huge expense and yes it is a safety issue.

If no public water is available then I agree, no sense for DNR to drill a well.

Those of us who love the Katy should support its further development. Water, when readily available, is a minimum.

Trek on 8/31/2012 6:03:03 PM:

I'd think you all would pony up some cash then. Earmark it with the DNR and when there is enough to put water in, see to it that they spend your money installing the water. The monthly bill could be paid out of your continued donations or sent to your home.

Mid South makes a good point. We've spent some time in several National Parks with no available water. I felt like I should have carried some in though. Instead of expecting someone to have provided it in the remote locations.

Doug is right on track. Personally responsibility is the key!

ArkyKenny on 8/31/2012 6:45:21 PM:

Camping is not readily available on Katy Trail State Park. They don't provide showers either. The State doesn't provide or even sell food for the trail. I have never seen a bike shop owned by the State of Missouri on the Katy. Phones are not provided by The Park. Emergency transportation is not provided. They did not put up this website. I could go on.

I personally think the State of Missouri's primary responsibility is caring for the trail. Anything past that, is gravy. Where there is water, I'm happy to use it. But I don't expect it. I am prepared to handle, or deal with situations beyond that and provide for myself. That is how I found this website once upon a time.

My Katy wish list includes more camping spots with showers, more hostels, Peddler's Jamboree 4x a year, and better food a Casey's: I don't expect Katy Trail State Park to provide anything but opportunites to ride my bike in a unique place.

You might not guess this, but I'm a Republican :)

SteveK from Saint Louis, MO on 8/31/2012 6:57:00 PM:

I am okay on the water situation on the Katy, but DNR could also be more involved on raising funds using the Katy. On the Frisco Highline trail, OMRR had 500+ runners for a single day back in April to run races from 8K to 50 mi. I'd say the average entry fee was $60/runner. That was in Willard, MO. The Wabash Trace in Shenandoah, IA is having a marathon and half marathon in a couple of weeks at about $50/runner and they have 180+ entrants. Proceeds from these races go towards maintenance/improvements to the respective trails. They Katy has no such similar event. DNR, which has far greater resources than either of these organizations, has the one week Katy Trail ride every year, which I suspect is lucky to break even if they count ALL of their expenses. Beyond that they really don't do a lot themselves to raise funds that I have seen.

Rich Lauer from McKittrick on 8/31/2012 7:05:59 PM:

Just a note; a public well at a trailhead would cost about twenty eight thousand dollars and would still cost for monitoring and insurance. City water would be more probable.

Trek on 8/31/2012 8:04:33 PM:

Several Iowa trails are funded by private organizations and not the state tax payers. The Wabash Trace is a very poorly maintained trail compared to all of the others that I've ridden. Their first annual marathon revenue won't make a dent on what needs done to upgrade that trail.

The Katy has the huge advantage of state maintenance. I wouldn't disagree that there could be fundraising events, but according to Dawn with the DNR a year or so ago there were repairs that the trail needs in the tune of several million dollars. Which would put running water near the bottom of the list.

Jerry from Union, MO on 8/31/2012 8:23:05 PM:

Replublican? I thought this was about the Katy trail, not politics. Anyway, the republicans are the reason the states and this country don't have any money. No need to reply. Just keep your politics and religion to yourself please.

As far as the water situation, I agree you should carry your own water.

Anonymous on 9/1/2012 3:13:12 AM:

Wow - you all had a lot to say defending the trail but the TRUTH IS THE TRUTH - there's no water in the bike stations from Jefferson - Treloar.
The purpose of my post is to alert the new riders "don't count on find water along the way as easier as some of these people say - you won't !

Anonymous on 9/1/2012 4:23:14 AM:

And...the truth is that if you're willing to look off the trail less than a mile (1/2 mile in some places) you can in fact find water...

ENJOY!

Looks like you'll find lots of water out there today.

Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 9/1/2012 5:18:48 AM:

You are right Jerry, this forum is and should be about the Katy Trail. I must say though, not saying something about carrying water and being a republican is killing me!

Haank from New Haven MO on 9/1/2012 8:04:41 AM:

Gee, ArkyKenny, I'm surprised you tolerate DNR expense to maintain the trail at all. You say earlier in this thread: "Anyone who rides it needs to carry a good amount of fluid and some snacks, and they will be fine. Anyone who doesn't do that, doesn't need to be on the trail."

Oh really? So my three young children in their Wal-Mart bikes aren't welcome? I need to equip them with 100 oz water and some Cheetos or else they don't qualify? Not everyone is as cool and badass as you.

You have to be kidding me. Take responsibility. Absolutely. If there's public water at or near the trailhead then the state needs to bring in a backhoe, a length of PVC pipe, a couple fittings and a water spigot.

Oh, I guess that makes me a Democrat.

DSD on 9/1/2012 10:34:03 AM:

Lively discussion with some politics. Is MO a swing state this year? I see many private landowners have direct access to the trail. They use the trail for there businesses and farms. I realize the state parks are funded by the parks-and-soils sales tax. Probably not much these days. But could additional funds be raised or matched if trail use fees be charged for larger businesses? It would then be used to run water lines to the trailheads. Or some tax waiver or water use reduction fee be provided to local businesses close to the trailheads to run water lines from their businesses to the trailheads. Or a 501(c)(3) company may be formed with the specific safety charter to run water lines to the trailhead in local communities. Funding could be matched by many organizations. Trailheads are seasonal opened Apr. to Nov. only. Just some ideas.

Jerry from Union, MO on 9/1/2012 11:10:02 AM:

I forget sometimes that people from all over the world and USA come to ride our beautiful Katy. In 3 weeks riding on the Katy I met people from: Germany, France, Italy, England, and South Africa. Also from 5-6 different states. So I, and I am sure, the people from afar appreciate all the great information on this forum. Let us keep it that way.

Give out info and experiences...not wise cracks and political beliefs.

I hope everyone from around the world peace and welcome you to MO and the Katy.

Jerry

Anonymous on 9/1/2012 2:37:12 PM:

All I know is that I'm growing weary of having to weave around all of the bodies on the trail of those folks who have died of thirst in the wilderness that is the Katy Trail..........

DSD on 9/3/2012 9:20:38 AM:

There are many anonymous signed people on this forum. I had read one anonymous telling others not to be so sarcastic and judgmental. Are any of these posting on this subject? Hope not.

kevin from Jeff City on 9/4/2012 1:07:20 PM:

While I agree it would be nice to have a spigot at more trailheads, I wouldn't want DNR to have to drill a well to do it. If there is city water, then run a line, but there aren't that many places on the KATY with access to municipal water.

I'd like to see more signage at the trailheads to show where water or food can be found. Even if it is just an arrow that indicates that food and water in Mokane are in town a couple of blocks up. I think that many travelers don't understand that food and water are not provided by DNR or a contractor, but by local businesses. A flyer with a map on the bulletin board would be lovely.

DSD on 9/7/2012 6:48:51 AM:

I believe the map grid shows which water is provided by DNR trailhead and which water is provided by private locations.

Anonymous on 9/7/2012 8:37:54 AM:

The map grid? What map gid? Where do we find it?

If we could only find the map grid.

MidSouth from Rogersville, MO on 9/7/2012 10:55:38 AM:

Maybe this services grid from the MO State Parks website:

http://mostateparks.com/page/57745/trail-services

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