my thru hike of the katy trail

I can see why cyclist like the katy. I was droped off at 11:30 and made it to St. Charles by 4. I took some pictures and even had some nice breaks. So fare the towns dont look like they are set up for hikers. I will live. Post moor tomorrow.

Not Bavaria, Mein z.

I lived in Bavaria for 6 years, and absolutely LOVED it! Even thought about and looked into staying over there permanantly. I am thankful that the KT is not Bavaria; at my current age and fitness level, I need the flatness of KT over the beautiful hills of Bavaria.

Now, If there were some great Bavarian style places to stay, eat and drink (true Bavarian beer, not that downstream stuff made locally), that would be nice.

27 miles today. Wlaked past a few area that I could have/should have camped. It was only at 7:45 PM that a b&b person point out where it was leagle. I owe her a big thanks. Short day tomarrow befor another big day. Cool and cloudy all day
Some sprinkels. Ok day though.

18 miles in the rain. Camping tonight. Hot lunch and hot dinner so another night in a ten is fine. 18 miles is when I called it quites. I saw a few bikers today due to a event that was going on. They were curtous to and I to them. Good day for having it raining. My legs may be coming back.

Figs, I just returned from Bavaria and around Frankfurt from a 3 week business trip. Cold snowy winter up until a few weeks ago. Spring has sprung with the biergartens going strong. I met 3 gentlemen who biked over the Alps in 4 days and they are not young by far, mid 50's. I'll stick with the midwest too but KT could have some better beer and food. I agree.

In the summer of 86, while a young 23 year old soldier, a group of 3 of us rode our bikes from Augsburg, Germany to Insbruck, Austria. We intended to ride round trip, but it was more than we had anticipated, so we loaded the bikes onto a train for the trip home and enjoyed soft seats and good beer.

16 miles to day. Had black lab keep me company for 14. He had no tags but a blue collor. Very friendly. If its you dog he is going to make it to clinton before me.

24 miles. It was a wam day. I sarted with three leaters of water and needed one more. Hit town over haeted and in need of water very badly. I did get some great pic today.

Be careful out there. Tues & Wed are supposed to be even hotter - mid 80's. Cooler again by Thurs.

Good luck!

Z, looks like you made it thru the dry section east of Jeff city? Now as Ray said its getting warmer so you need to be hiking but filling up at most watering holes, trailheads and even private businesses, even if you have water left. Stay hydrated and safe and have a great time.

I made it to jeff-city. I did better on water. Hike into town for food. The truman confrance center has katy trail rates for hike/bikers. Plus pick up snd drop off at trail head. So I am fed, things are hand eashed as I am. Lol I am loving a bed for a night.

Welcome to Jefferson City Mr. Z! I would try and talk you into spending an extra day here, but it looks like rain is in the forecast for Thurs. and beyond, so I suspect you will want to get back on the trail and make whatever progress you can before bad weather hits. But, if you end up in Jefferson City tomorrow or beyond, I suggest the following: See the Capitol! They do tours hourly (maybe every 30 minutes, from about 9 am to 4 pm daily. The art in the building is fantastic, be sure to see the Thomas Hart Benton Mural in one of the lounges (Senate or House of Reps, I never remember which). With legislation in session the Capitol is somewhat disfunctional, and interesting at the same time. The statues of Lewis and Clark are close by the Capitol, so you could walk and see those. There is an exhibit at Jefferson Landing, again, walking distance from the Capitol, I haven't been yet, but it may be worthwhile. our downtown is quaint, you may enjoy walking on High St. and enjoying it, again walking distance from the Capitol. And be sure to have ice cream at Central Dairy. They close at 5, so get in before then. I don't know what your budget is, but since you are on foot, it will require a cab from the Truman Hotel to the Capitol complex.

Glad to hear your journey is going ok so far.

Thanks dor the info but I did leave this morning. I did gat some good pic's of the capital building. I mad around 28 miles to huntsdale to day. Consumed more than 4 litters of fluids to day and still not a nough. I am sunburned. Even the funny little hat I were did little from the reflextion off tje trail its self. Plane on walk rain or sine to get ahead of flood possibly. Night .

In Boonville. 20 or so miles in rain, some frezing, but mostly over cast skys. Got a room so hiked two miles to supper8. I stop and shoped at wally world too. Yahoo to be a cosumer again. I will be done monday or tuesday if my feet jold up. The katy is a hard surface.

It is a short day, I will be in pilot grove to night. In three days I should have the whole trail behind me. So? How about this crazy weather?

You will be covering my favorite section of the trail tomorrow. Downhill too from Pilot Grove. I love to imagine the old steam engines going throughout that rural country. Also, be sure to see old downtown Sedalia. It's only a few blocks west of the old train station: It looks like a Hollywood movie set from the 1920s.

Sorry about this weather. It is crummy, even for MO. We do get cool weather in May once in a whil, but not as much and more or less continuous like this year, with a few patches of decent weather. I'm enjoying your updates Mr. Z, and glad to know you are plowing ahead.

34 miles left. I am going to do it in two days and enjoy it. Wimping out and got a hotel for to night.

Good stuff Mr. Z...

Bitter sweet last night in the katy this trip. Thank, but the weather just made my trip more exciting. I hope to arive in clinton around 3. I had hoped to have tahen more photos but got caught up in the milige each day. I do have some good shots. Oh. The four bickers that I met at the high point congrates. The three that were complaining about thins go and nurce your selves back to helth. You did it.

That it. I have finished the trail. 12 days to walk 238 miles.

Congrats Mr,Z! You have conquered the Katy in something less than ideal conditions, unless you like hiking and camping in the cold and rain. Thanks for the reports, its been interesting to read.

Like Darrell said, congratulations. I too have enjoyed your reports. And others who are considering hiking the Katy Trail will have access to them on this forum. Basically, I don't know how you did it with the bad weather. And don't be a stranger Mr. Z, get back on this forum once in awhile and let us know how you are doing.

Very cool. CONGRATULATIONS MR. Z!!

Congrats Mr Z! It seems I just missed you. I rode the Clinton end of the trail yesterday. I talked to a rider that said he had met you on the trail, so you are famous now! I hope you take away many positive memories. I liked your reports along the way. Next time, bike it, and I'll ride with you!

Any way I could chat with Mr. Z? I'm trying to plan a thru hike to begin in a couple of weeks, (and it's proving harder than I thought--ok, i'm getting scared); I'm impressed Mr. Z did it on a light budget, and camped as much as he did!! Wow!! At any rate, THANK YOU!!

I have an email you can send questions to or my facebook. with face book a chat is possible. Masterzelenka@netscape.net or mrz coachz on facebook.