Recent Rider from Memphis, TN on 7/15/2019 9:22:11 AM:
I benefited from watching this forum as I planned my trip, so I thought I’d share some trail info. I just finished riding from St. Charles to Jefferson City. The trail is in good shape between St. Charles and Hermann, with a couple easy detours for bridge closures.
The trail is closed at two points just west of the Portland trailhead, no detours posted. At the first closure I hopped on 94, which runs nearby. Giant hills, but a pretty view from the top. The second closure is at a section where 94 is also closed and, according to a couple in an SUV, the water gets to be knee high on the highway. I didn’t see that water. I rode, going west, past the barricade on 94 on dry road until gravel road 464. If you follow 464 for a 1/2 mile or so it intersects with the Katy and it’s open all the way to Jeff City from there. There’s one washout near Wainright at MM 137, but you can just walk around it.
The pedestrian/bike access over the bridge into Jeff City is under water and doesn’t look like it will be accessible for quite some time. I was lucky that someone at the trailhead offered me a ride into the city because none of the taxi companies would take a bike and I couldn’t find a hotel shuttle who would pick me up.
The trail is rideable but really rough between Portland and Mokane.