Steve from St. Louis on 7/11/2014 12:37:54 AM:
There are some sunny stretches on the eastern part of that stretch, mostly shady as you get farther west.
I also notice your post is tagged horseback. Horses are only allowed on 2 sections of the trail (Portland to Tebbetts) in the middle of the trail east of Jefferson City and the western end from Sedalia (fairgrounds) west.