Rock Island Trail Forum

Hi, everyone. It seems that many people are seeking information, and that many people have information. It also seems like there's not a good matchup between the two.

Locals are a great source of information. You guys get out and ride sections of the trail on a weekly or even daily basis. You know the trail like the back of your hand.

Without you, the trail would die, because you are THE ONLY up to date source of info! THANK YOU!!!

To those of us who don't know the trail well, we generally think of the trail in terms of the little yellow dots with blue text on the map up above.

So for non-locals, something like the following is really helpful, just as an fictitious example:
Sedalia to Pilot Grove is basically fully rideable.
Bridge washout near Pilot Grove has been repaired, but I had to lift my bike over a four foot plastic fence.
A large tree is down approximately 2 miles west of Pilot Grove, but we were able to easily walk through.
Very close to Pilot Grove, there was a 300 foot section of silt that was dry enough to ride on, but it might turn to mud in a hurry if it rains. There’s an obvious ridearound on a local road, though.

But something like this doesn’t mean a lot to us:
Rode from the old Kiwani’s boat ramp at the Clear Creek Bend to the closed Taylor’s Bait Shop. The parking lot of the bait shop flooded, but the store didn't. We made it, but it was a little dicey. Some gravel and some mud. Watch out where the highway crosses.

We just don’t even know where those places are, or what dicey means to you, or how strong of a rider you are, or what highway, or why a flooded parking lot is significant. Because we only know the little yellow dots and the blue text.

So maybe as you awesome, helpful locals get out and ride, you could make a post with the name of the little yellow dot you started at, and the little dot you rode to, and describe what you saw in a way that makes sense to us poor out-of-towners who don’t get to live next to the greatest bike trail in the world.

The locals are really what makes the trail great. There are plenty of 200 mile gravel roads we could ride on. They just don’t have the amazing support that the Katy does! Our favorite parts of the trail were the beautiful, peaceful scenery, and the great locals we met in the little towns along the way.

Thanks for your help as we all try to figure out our plans!!!

Has any one been on the section leaving from Jefferson City then on to Portland and from Portland to Mckendrick?

Well said Bill, most eloquently stated. We really do appreciate the updates from those of you lucky enough to be around the Trail (lucky unless you got flooded).
I also wish that out-of-towners would stop asking the same questions which have already been asked a hundred times: "can we cycle the whole trail?", and "will it be ok by X date?". The answer seems to be come back loud and clear: "We just don't know; watch this space; stay positive".
And a very big thanks to all those working to get the Trail back in shape.
We have booked 26 September to 1 October 2019 (definitely 2019 - I love the thread of reincarnated posts from 2013) and come hell or high water will be cycling somewhere on the KATY.

Good on ya both, Bill and Michael. I've had similar thoughts. All of the repetition in questions when people won't read the forum is crazy. And the ramble that often doesn't really clarify where a problem is just doesn't help sometimes.

Perhaps Ray could help with a page to report trail conditions/closures. A form perhaps that allowed the same format of report each time. Tic boxes to select specific locations and conditions encountered that would generate reports in chronological order could be of benefit.

Thanks for the input - you guys are offering some great ideas!

Especially this year, there's a real need for making the most current trail condition info readily available and easy to digest. I've been struggling with how to effectively do this beyond the forum posts, and the ideas above provide a good framework.

I'm thinking of a page where you would enter:
- the date
- Point A
- Point B
- a scale where you could assess that section from 1 (impassible) to 5 (perfect condition)
- a free-form text box to add details

Then there would be a reporting page where you could see all the trail condition entries, with the ability to filter and sort by date and/or location.

It would still take a little effort to digest the info, due to overlapping entries - for example, rider #1 reports on Augusta-Jeff City on Monday, and Rider 2 reports on Portland - Hartsburg on Wednesday. But still, it would be way more organized and understandable than trying to sort through the text of all the forum entries.

I'll work on this over the next few days, and hopefully have a handy trail conditions reporting tool within a week or so.

Thanks for the input, and happy trails!

That would be fantastic Ray.

Is there anyway that locations could be pinpointed on a map to readily see where the issues are?

Again, thank you again for all that you do for the Katy community. This website is top notch and all that you do is very appreciated.

Ray, that sounds like it would be super helpful. Thanks for the work you do for us.

Yes, Ray - that information would be super helpful.

I recently printed maps of the Katy and highlighted the sections that the Missouri State Parks Website said were closed. Then I scoured this site for any information related to those closed areas and marked those up on the same map. I then utilized Google Maps to research highway detours, even went as far as going to street level view to understand what the highway would look like for riding. All of this took about 2 hours to put together. My Clinton to Machens trip is scheduled for the end of August. From what I've learned, my trip is a go. We have a car that will be traveling with our group, so we'll just have them pick us up if we get into a detour situation that we don't feel comfortable with. Sounds like there will be some rough sections, but there are many sections that are still rideable - and as other posters mentioned, those stores/restaurants could use our business. I'd like to continue to update my maps as we get closer to the date, so any organized way that there is to be able to share information would be super helpful.

And thank you to everyone who has posted information on here related to the trail conditions. It's been super helpful.

I like the map idea. MODOT does it with road conditions, but still has problems with keeping it updated. For instance, HWY94 shows flooded between our house and Wainwright yet the water finally went down a few days ago. Then there is the problem of inaccurate input especially with multiple people providing the information. If those problems could be overcome, the map would be an excellent source for a quick trip planning tool.

Best campgrounds we have found on all of the trail. Super clean and quiet. Very good prices and very convenient to the trail and town. The owner was very nice and helpful. Let's you lock your bikes in the building there.

Whut is the usual amount of time needed to get the trail repaired from flood damage? I positively have GOT to ride the trail this autumn from Clinton to St. Charles. It is on my bucket list to actually ride even to Machens, but don't know if that will EVER be possible, due to trail conditions

I don't think anyone knows how long these repairs will take, and the last major flood like this was from before the Katy trail was a bike trail so no past history to draw on. Truly, unprecedented. However, there is already large parts open to ride. I expect you will be able to ride most by fall with just a few detours, but that is just an uneducated guess. Worth every penny you paid for it.

According to a Missouri State Parks spokesperson quoted in a KRCG-TV report on Thursday, it could take a year for them to repair all the trail and bridge damage. They cannot even see how much damage there is yet.

Based on pictures I have seen, the damage to the Train between Rocheport and New Franklin is extensive and I wouldn't count on it being repaired by this fall. The good news is that it appears the Highway 40 is open again between Rocheport and Boonville so there is an alternate route (not the most pleasant ride, but doable) - unless the water comes up again, which it might.

I expect there will also be major damage to the Trail on both sides of Jefferson City - again - I wouldn't count on it being open by fall. Most of the trail east of Jefferson City follows Highway 94 which should be open - and, again, unpleasant but possible.

I wouldn't count on being able to ride completely on the trail from St. Charles to Clinton by fall. Stay flexible - maybe catch the train in Hermann and hop off in Jeff City - if the Trail west of Jeff City is open - or ride to Sedalia and backtrack.

No way to know at this point.

Sharon

Grateful for everyone's input, and hoping it continues as the repair process progresses. Mebbe I buy a drone and have it piloted up n down the trail weekly to monitor the situation.??

It sounds like our trip planned in October to go from Clinton to St. Charles should be a no go. I don't really want to do work arounds and not enjoy the actual trail itself. The trail condition doesn't sound like it's going to be corrected by October. I think I have until mid Aug to cancel the trip and get a full refund. Comments?

If it were me, I would come and make it work. October is usually a gorgeous time to bike on the Trail. It has been a hard year for businesses along the trail - I would want to come and support them to help ensure they will be there next year when you can come back and ride the whole thing ...or the next year. If you have to shuttle around some places, then do that. Spend an extra day in Windsor and ride out and back on the Rock Island Trail - or ride to Pleasant Hill and stay there and ride back the next day. Come and enjoy the bike ride and the trails and if you don't get the whole thing in, well, that is a good reason to come back again!

Sharon

If there is really a need for a drone to check on the trail my son in law has one and can do it. Let us know if its necessary. there may be some cost for doing this

I see where McKittrick is ok for riding east, l am wanting to ride from Portland going east to McKittrick!

Hi "Big Mike"! No question in my mind how beneficial it would be to have the trail investigated by drone! How can we make that happen?

KATY is closed at the ROCHEPORT tunnel for west bound rides. Trail conditions from ROCHEPORT to McBaine are good. Katfish Katies at Huntsdale remains closed, but the actual building did not flood and they are cleaning up the parking lot.

Trail repairs to the south/east to at least Coopers Landing have been done, but I have not ridden it yet.

DOES ANYONE HAVE UPDATES ON SECTIONS TO THE EAST TO ST. CHARLES??????????? What is good and what is not.

I rode south on the KATY today from McBaine to Easley, a 7 mile stretch. The first 6 miles south of McBaine was in good shape, much of it appeared as though it had not been underwater. A section immediately south of McBaine had been flooded, but repairs were made. It had a few bumps and a little excess gravel, but nothing bad. The conditions deteriorate at the bridge over Little Bonne Femme creek
(At boat henge just north of coopers Landing. Trail surface turns to a scraped dried mud surface with a couple of short stretches of 4-6 inches of sand along the section in front of Coopers Landing. The final mile south to Easley had for a time been used as a replacement for the county road along the trail side. Most of it had patches of road gravel but was very bumpy with constant potholes and a short section with sand about 4-6 inches deep. Upon reaching Easley the trail surface is partially scraped dried mud, very rutted and nothing I wanted to ride. I don't think the state park folks have done any work in that area.

Further south/east of Easley I have no information to share, but may try to dry down to Wilton and see how far I can ride north and south from there.

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.

Planning a trip from Clinton to Machens. I'm taking the train from Kirkwood to Sedalia, but not sure how to get from Sedalia to Clinton. Any ideas? Maybe an Uber?

A couple of years back we took a local bike shuttle from Sedalia to Clinton
Very nice man
But make sure you tell any of them all the gear you have
He was not prepared for our tow trailer
Sorry I can’t remember his name but am sure someone will offer a suggestion
Be safe have fun and pls report back on trail conditions

If you can extend your trip by one day just ride to Clinton. The morning train gets in early enough to get to Clinton before dark.

The Inn is no longer an operating B&B. It closed in May 2018.

I rode the KATY Trail this morning from McKittrick (mm101) to Marthasville (mm76). This section of the trail is dry, debris has been removed and the surface is what you would typically find. There is a small detour of approximately 300 feet by Case (mm97) that is easily bypassed by taking the road just to the north of the trail.

7/13/19-
Chesterfield levee entry point (Boone Bridge) to Hermann- no flooding.
- 1 detour around a washed out bridge west of Augusta.
- Another washed out bridge at Case, no detour, but you can hop off your bike and detour around the bridge on a side road. It does say "trail closed" but it is very manageable.

It appears that the trail could be open from Boonville to Rocheport. Does anyone know that for sure (with NO detours)?

No way -- here is what that section looked like last week. The tree line next to the grain elevator is the Katy. Maybe put your bike in a canoe?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2776023682425908&set=gm.2420460434663513&type=3&theater

Anyone know if the Katy Roudhouse campground (near old town of Franklin) is open?

I don't know - but I seriously doubt it. I would guess they are still under water. The road between Boonville and New Franklin is still closed due to flooding and the part of the Trail that goes by the campground is still closed due to flooding as well.


Sharon

Is this the pepper mill near new Franklin?

Yes, it is the "peppermill" elevator.

The floodwaters have generally receded, U.S. 40 has reopened. However, the trail is currently closed west of ROCHEPORT. I do not have any info on the trail conditions/repairs needed, but the trail is physically fenced off at the Moniteau Creek bridge on the west side of ROCHEPORT as of yesterday (7-12).

Does anyone know if the Katy Trail is closed between Defiance and Augusta due to flooding?

Hi Diane,
From what I understand that section is open, however the bridge was "washed out" right at the section preceding the park forcing trail users to go in to Klondike Park and getting back on the trail on the other side. Which wouldn't be bad except that hill going into the park is BIG...

The bridge wasn't washed out. They were in the process of replacing it before the flooding.

Can anyone suggest a safe place to lock our bikes overnight in Green Ridge? (We have a support vehicle to drive us back to our motel in Sedalia) Thanks!

Soooo, it's 10.2 miles. Ride your bike back?

Excellent stay! Was quiet and relaxing and the gatden area was lush and beautiful. The bikes were ready for us, complete with water bottles and helmets! Loved it and will come again!

Does anyone know the current conditions of the trail from Rocheport to McKittrick? I'm planning a mid-August bike ride for my birthday! Thanks for any info!

If I had a crystal ball, I would predict you may still encounter areas of flood damage and places where the DNR crews will be working on repairing. There is a link on the DNR website where you can donate to the Missouri Katy Trail Foundation to help in the repair costs.

I don't know what August will look like, but now here in Jeff City you'll need to bring you Kayak with you.

I'm assuming there is still a detour through Klondike Park, but can I make it to Marthasville?

I make that trek and a bit more a few weeks ago and it good they whole way.

Can you use a electric bike?

Yes, as long as you limit the max speed as posted on the DNR web site. I think it is around 18-20 mph, but you should check out the official DNR Katy Trail website to be sure. Probably wouldn't hurt to also check out the other rules while you are there.

just returned our chicken for a refund. Inside the juices still ran pink. did not feel that the shift supervisor was appropriately concerned about this culinary hazard. Will not return!

Get the grilled next time.

Or better yet, got to Fitters on 5th street.

Or even better, quit whining about something that has nothing to do with the Katy Trail here.

I have one better than that, quit responding to a post from 2004!