Reply to trail conditions

I have been using the trail a lot these past few days and conditions are perfect. Trail is dry, relatively rut-free. In my opinion, this is one of the best times to be using the Katy. No people, no insects, all the foliage is gone so you get to see the ancient bluffs that lie back from the trail that you ordinarily do not get to see. Also, wildlife viewing opportunities are numerous. Deer are plentiful and the bottoms Northwest of the tunnel in Rocheport are partially flooded and are packed with waterfowl. Lots and lots of ducks of all kinds, and geese, of course. There are several red-tail hawks hanging around and even a couple bald eagles. If you go to the bluffs downstream of Rocheport you will notice that the geese are actually in the bluffs. Doing what you may ask. The Canadas nest in the same spots every year in the little ledges and have been doing so forever I assume (or at least since 1993 when we moved here.) When it starts to warm up, you will see snakes. DO NOT KILL THE SNAKES! They were there, first. You are in their home. Occasionally you will see a copperhead but if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Don't poke them with a stick because they will try to bite you. The other snakes will head the other way, but a copperhead will defend itself. Have fun on the Katy!

Uhhhhhhh.........scratch that. What a difference a day makes.

Today was FANTASTIC out there! Nice and quiet. Birds flitting around looking for seeds. The crunch of your tires in the snow being the loudest sound. Absolutely gorgeous. Makes coming back in by the fire even more fun.

I've never snowbiked, so I can't say for sure, but wouldn't it be difficult to stay upright? Do you have to use a different rig (say for tires)? Wouldn't this cause a degree of wear on the trail if the tires get down into the mud?

Like I said, I don't know for sure, but the only way I'm going to learn is ask.

Not hard to stay up at least in a wet heavy snow like this, I ride with knobby tires, The bridges can be a bit of a challenge and with the snow absorbing some of the footprint you don't even see the tracks once it melts. Your tires cut more groove during or after a rain and don't seem to leave any lasting imprint on the trail. You do have to watch for icy patches and maybe walk the bridges but it is worth it to see the woods like this.

Hows the trail from Jeff City east these days with the snow? Any bike tire tracks or cc blade tracks or even footprints? I'm looking at possibly Apr 2-3 timeframe for a 2 day ride back to St. Charles from Jeff City.

The Katy is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.