Rock Island Trail Forum

Planning on a Clinton to St. Charles over the 4th of July weekend. Obviously no guarantee but do you think that will be far enough out that the flooding will have receded and we can complete the trail or should be anticipate there being closures on the trail for months to come?

Same question. We have a week-long trip planned to ride end-to-end going West to East. I'm in the window to cancel and I'm not sure what to do.

What is here now won't be five weeks from now. In order for the river to still be this high it would require a LOT of rain upstream in late June. Not impossible but how likely? Once the river drops the trail is ridable within days.

Thank you, Doug!

I personally would cancel now. I am having a very hard time with refunds from the B&B's and Inns where we have reservations despite the fact that Jefferson City is flooding into the city and the majority of the trail is closed. They seem to think we should still come (I live in Pittsburgh, PA). I don't want to reschedule at this point because I do not know when the trail will back in action. I would like to take my funds and do something else, but many places are saying no to refunds. I am pretty frustrated. I would LOVE to come. I can't help that it flooded.

We have decided to postpone - hopefully in September or October.
I hate it for the tour company we're using - very nice people! I didn't ask for a refund; told them to just hold our deposit and let's work on a reschedule. I really just didn't want to take a chance on missing the most scenic part of the ride and being stuck riding pavement around it.
Al

In addition to massive upstream rain, the amount of water released from the Gavin's Point Dam near Yankton SD is also a huge contributing factor which to many seems about as unpredictable as the rainfall amount.

Prior to the recent flooding between Kansas City and Omaha which displaced many people and destroyed many homes, there was a lot up upstream rain that was coupled with an almost 5 times increase in the amount of water released from the dam at the same time. That water also increases the river levels in central Missouri.

It is impossible to predict the amount of rainfall. The release of water from Gavin's Point seems unpredictable and uncontrolled.

In five weeks, who knows? There could be a very ridable trail or there could still be sections that are closed. Five weeks is just too long of a time frame to predict.

This website, the DNR website and NOAA are good resources to determine trail conditions and river stage closer to time of departure.

I just want to update because I have gotten refunds from all but 2 so far. I am hoping to be able to salvage my vacation and head somewhere dry for now.

I am newish to the Wentzville Area and LOVE the Katy trail. I am off for the summer and looking to explore different parts of the trail. I usually park and get on at the Chesterfield Outlet Mall and ride round trip 20 miles (not too far).

Where are some great places to park and ride the trail where the scenery is the best? I am trying to use the interactive map but for some reason I am just not having luck. Any help/info/locations would be greatly appreciated? Also, are their any meet up groups for people who ride the trails?

THANK YOU!

Hey Kim,

I'd say that the most scenic place to park and ride (without driving TOO far) would be the Weldon Springs Trailhead and head west towards Augusta. But you MAY have already done that part of the trail if you parked at the Chesterfield Outlet Mall and ridden across the Hwy 40 bridge.

I live in St. Charles just minutes from Main Street so I typically start there and head West. But I feel like that part of the trail drags on, and on, and on...until you get a bit past Greens Bottom where the scenery improves.

Hope this helps!

PS. With current flooding affecting the trail, it's not even worth loading the bike onto your car rack with the intent of hitting the Katy Trail. Crossing fingers that conditions improve in a few weeks....

My son and I are thinking about hiking the trail (St Charles - Clinton) late summer this year.
Any of you ever done this? If so, do you have any advice for us?

No I have not walked the Katy Trail from end to end.

Search "hiking" or "walking" on this Forum and you will find many results full of advice from previous trail walkers.

Call ahead to make sure that any business or amenity you are counting on is actually going to be open. Hours and days of operation can be a little random. Don't trust a website or Google maps.

On Sunday, 5/26/17, I went to the Katy Trail depot at Weldon Spring. Mile Marker 56.0. You can only go about 1 mile either way before the trail is closed due to flooding.

Heading east, you can only get to mile marker 55 before you the trail is closed due to flooding.

Heading west, you can only get to mile marker 56.8 before the trail is closed due to flooding. This is where the Hamburg Trail meets the Katy Trail.

Also, where the Hamburg Trail meets the Katy Trail, water was flowing over the trail from the north (opposite side of the river). Must have been an underground spring because the creek to the north was dry.

I'm riding out of pleasant Hill in the morning around 6 or 7am . Hope the rain will let me get out P- Hill. Anyone going east?? I'm out for 4 day taking it easy!!!!

Planning on hitting this part of the trail tomorrow? Is it passable? Any updates?

As of two days ago, you'll get to McKittrick and then to highway 94, but not much further. We saw some cyclists taking 94 towards Gore Rd., but it doesn't have a shoulder, and is pretty serpentine. We backed out before Gore.

I plan on doing a long ride tomorrow starting in Clinton

Anyone try to brave the flooding?

Clinton to Boonville is clear. East of Boonville is closed starting in new franklin. You can make it as far as Rocheport if you want to take 40 into town, but east of Rocheport is a no-go. I’m currently trying to come up with an alternate route from Rocheport to Jeff city, but looks almost impossible. I may just shuttle.

Thank you for the reply. I’m starting in Clinton tomorrow and plan on doing most of the trail but it sounds like I’m going to have to make a change of plans. When you say it’s a no go they have gates up? Or is it just a foot of water across the trail

This is a link to the detour I've built from New Franklin to Columbia. It goes off the one used by the Pedalers Jamboree. I'm going to use it when I head Clinton to CoMO starting Wednesday. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/39.0126097,-92.7411803/420+North+Roby+Farm+Road,+Rocheport,+MO+65279/MKT+and+Mizzou+Trails+Intersection,+M.K.T.+Nature%2FFitness+Trail+(Columbia+to+McBaine),+Columbia,+MO+65203/@38.9194598,-92.4951271,12z/data=!4m45!4m44!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-92.729967!2d39.0023004!3s0x87c33efea0129883:0xe78274c833a8a1ca!3m4!1m2!1d-92.6529166!2d38.9937811!3s0x87c338ff5e9b514d:0xc0cf42c8efd9aa6!3m4!1m2!1d-92.5931405!2d38.997355!3s0x87c337a132636a61:0x102d6425944b980a!1m20!1m1!1s0x87c335f97a6d6dab:0xf6eaf17f2b27295f!2m2!1d-92.5323584!2d38.9650803!3m4!1m2!1d-92.4668595!2d38.9375938!3s0x87c34ac88ebcdff7:0xfeff1c5377c5174d!3m4!1m2!1d-92.4321396!2d38.936354!3s0x87dcb51159fee8d3:0x53b35b03ec5a407e!3m4!1m2!1d-92.3999211!2d38.9186352!3s0x87dcb43537dd77c1:0x111eed00923ee857!1m5!1m1!1s0x87dcb65b13e71c4b:0x1ab40f007d40f9ab!2m2!1d-92.35517!2d38.9309974!3e1!5m1!1e3

Heath- if you’re really wanting to complete the entire trail, you’re going to want to reschedule. We just “completed” our trip yesterday. We started in Sedalia and ended in St Charles. Out of 189.5 miles, only 90.5 of them were rideable and to do that, we drove to pick a dry town, then biked west as far as we could and backtracked the same trail back east as far as we could. The trail closures are not being updated on the website. The trail will be clear to Boonville, but you will have to find a way into Rocheport. From there, the trail is flooded and closed all the way to Portland. We drove into mcKittrick and rode west to the flooding in Portland and back to McKittrick again where we had a place to stay for the night. Unfortunately, the trail is flooded at Gore as well. We tried to detour onto Hay 94, but it’s extremely dangerous: windy, hilly hwy with no shoulder and cars are flying by. We bailed and caught a ride into Augusta. From there, we biked back west to Marthasville, but you can probably get as far as Treloar before you’ll have to turn around again and come back. A mile or two east of Augusta, the trail is impassable due to a tornado from last Tuesday. Also, Weldon Spring is flooded and impassable. We were dropped off in Greens Bottom and road west to the flooding at Weldon Spring then turned around and road all the way to St Charles. Based on what we saw riding back to Weldon Springs, I think a good portion of that trail will be flooded by today and riding into downtown St Charles as well, though you should be able to reroute onto the roads at that point.

Anyone think there is any chance for a Clinton to St Charles in two weeks? I know it’s hard to tell but for those who have been out there on the trail , can that much water dry up in two weeks? I’m driving from Los Angeles with my bike and cart and have a lot of money tied up in coming. I want to do the whole thing. The thought of riding on the main roads sounds deadly. If I have to reschedule I need to cancel my B&Bs so I get some money back. Thoughts? Thanks all.

Anne- It’s hard to tell, but if we stay dry, I think a lot of flooding will go down at least off the trail. The only part that lay be sketchy still (in my mind) is Columbia to Portland. The rest, I would think should go down. There’s some trail damage (wash away) from the flooding already, so you may have small detours around those, but most likely doable. They’ve already started cleaning up the tornado damage just east of Augusta and will probably be done with the time you get there.

I wouldn't rely on the State Park website for updates. They were routinely behind on current conditions. And that, in no way, is criticism. I called a couple days ago to report flooding on a section of the trail and the message on their answering service was that they were out cleaning up debris for the tornado.

This morning I read that riding over flooded portions of the trail can do significant damage. So best to stay out of the water.

Thanks all! Keep the updates coming. We really all appreciate it. I have til Wednesday to make final decision as that is the drop dead date on some of my reservations to recover some money. Sounds encouraging.

The Katy Trail is flooded about 2 miles east of the Weldon Springs trail head. We were also advised that the trail is blocked by trees Near Augusta.

Will- you are going to have to skip the Augusta to Weldon Springs section completely. Yesterday, we were able to get on at Greens Bottom and back track to the flooded trail at Weldon Springs, however, there’s a large section that was nearing flooding, so you may not be able to go all the way back to Weldon Springs anymore. It was close enough that we booked it hard coming back out, fearful the water was rising too quick for a clean way back out to Greens Bottom again.

We rode today starting in Rocheport. The trail is completely impassable at 176 or so. Don’t even attempt it. We took sketchy roads all the way to Fulton. I wouldn’t personally recommend it, but it is possible (blind turns, no shoulder). Planning on taking country roads from Fulton to Rhineland tomorrow to get back on the trail. Say a prayer for me ??

Hello! We have so much planned around our bike trip this week, that I am considering just doing it and seeing how it goes. I will have a car with a bike rack that holds 5 bikes. I need to take 2 bikes. If someone else has a car with bike rack and we can shuttle each other, let me know. We can shuttle around closed sections. Biking clinton to sedalia Thursday the 30th, then to Rocheport the next day and so on. Just post here and I will check. I didn't really want to place personal info here.

Also....anyone who has been out there, what are the chances for hope of flood receding by the weekend or early next week?

It’s hard to say. We just got back yesterday, started in Sedalia and ended in St Charles. Only 90 miles of that was ridable... even less now... but by weekend, some of the shallower flooding may have receded. I’m thinking the entire section of Rocheport to Portland will probably still be unridable, unfortunately. After riding through St Charles, I fear that may be under water still as well. We skimped through, but barely. Frontier Park is completely under water.

From Klondike to Augusta heavy tree damage no easy detour 94 to risky. We love the Katy Trail not complaining just wanting to post current conditions

I've been watching the site for the Katy Trail Ride, and so far I haven't seen any updates. From my recent experience, the sections from Boonville to Weldon Springs will still be under repair for some time and I suspect the ride may be cancelled or postponed. There are going to be several washouts near Columbia and probably more heading east. There are also bridges that will need repair or restoration.

I don't know how the state legislature is going to look at allocating funds to repair, and I'm worried they may look at this as a warning about the cost of maintaining the nascent Rock Island Trail. After the '93 flood, Ted Jones donated $2 million to jump start the trail, and likely saved the Katy. Missouri State Parks has a link for donations (https://icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Customers/Login.aspx). You will have to create an account and log in, but monies can be directed to the Katy. I can't think of a better time to show support for the trail than now, and maybe an increase in donations will convince the state legislature that we will love the Rock Island just as much.

So back to the Katy Trail Ride. If, as I suspect, the ride is affected, wouldn't it be great if the Missouri State Parks would instead have a week or weekend for volunteers to come out and help clean up the trail? I for one would be happy to help in clean up or push some gravel around if it helps bring the Katy back.

What are the conditions today from the summit to Pleasant Hill?

I had my train ticket, but I cancelled it this morning due to fluding. What a crappy rainy time, this was going to be my time to ride, been playing it for the last month. Gave my job 2 weeks notice and taking off a week to ride the back to New job. Rain Rain go away take your flooding to another state Lol. I'm going to ride from Pleasant Hill in the morning 5-28-19 to as far as I can witch looking like to Jeff city then I'll just turn around and come back. I'll still get my mileage in and my 4 days I had planned but not the whole ride I was wanting, Beggars can't be choosers. I'll still have a great time!!!!

What road do I take to access the wainwright trail entrance?

The DNR is listing the section from Mokane to Rocheport (MM 125-180) as temporarily closed due to flooding today. Can anyone confirm this? Is it really that bad for 55 miles?

In their section about flood closures, they give you a link to water level gauges, and they also have a couple of tables what part of the trail floods at what levels. You can look and see if maybe you can narrow down what segment is flooded.

Frank, we’ll of course it is not the entire length of that section but if you are happily biking along and come to a stretch that is under water your choices will be to turn around or take your chances. Smart people will turn around. That being said, you can probably expect flooding on the trail around Rocheport, McBaine, Easley, Hartsburg, Claysville, Mokane, and Portland. In addition, Highway 94 will probably flood around Mokane and Portland so that pretty much makes biking along that section impossible until the flooding recedes and the trail is repaired.

I'm riding the length of the trail starting on Sunday , Any one have any information on transportation to my next lodging should I not be able to ride through a section because of flooding ? Any shuttles out there that will get you to your next stop if needed?

Diana, the easiest way for you find out would be to use the Trip Planner above and filer by shuttles. That will generate a list of shuttle providers by location.

First of all my heart goes out to those affected by last nights tornado in Jefferson Cty, & hope all those on the trail the last few days are safe.
For those not keeping an eagle eye on the gauges, here's the latest from today 5/23:
Boonville Peak: 32 ft. 5/23-24 10ft above flood stage
St. Charles Peak: 35.3 ft 5/25-26 10.3 ft above flood stage
Before heading out, seems to me it would be wise to heed Gary's assessment & contact sources for what this all means locally.
Be wise & safe all!

Kind of a tangent on Diana's question, but on Monday, the wife and I are planning to ride west from Green Ridge or Clifton using a series of out and backs. Curious whether Uber is a viable option should we encounter inclement whether and need a ride back to our starting point?

Trying to leave Jefferson City and wondering if anything east of MM 100 is in a good condition to ride. The Clinton water level looks concerning however im not sure if that will affect the Trail. Thanks!

Woke this morning in Rocheport, and drove (yes, drove to Columbia). We got on the MKT trail (Columbia's fitness trail) and rode to Hindman Junction. Parts of the MKT are flooded, but there are easy detours near the water treatment plant. No indications of closures at Hindman, and we rode towards Rocheport. Trail was blocked at Route K (Burr Oak Road). Turned around and did well heading towards Hartsburg. At McBane there was water over Route K, but no barriers. A little water over the trail but not much. We made it as far as Little Bonne Femme Creek just outside of Cooper's Landing before we ran into water again. Water was up to the bottom of the deck on the bridge. Cooper's is pretty well flooded as of now. Hoping they can make a quick comeback. Returning the water had risen significantly, and we were wading through a couple of feet of water to get back to McBane. No current, but it had risen significantly in the short time it took us to go to Cooper's and back, with a hike up to Eagle's Bluff. So yes, the closures are real, and likely going to get worse. Be careful, the water is still rising in some areas, and it would not take too much carelessness to get stranded. We were lucky.

Diana, which direction are you going? We're headed out Sunday as well to do the entirety of the trail.

Diana & Jake: We are starting from Sedalia on Wednesday morning, riding to St. Charles. Please post here as often as possible to keep us informed about trail conditions. That would be a great help to me and the twenty students I'm leading on the trail. Thank you!

My dad and I set out yesterday to ride from St.Charles to Pilot Grove, hoping to finish in 3 days. At Klondike Park the trail was closed until Augusta due to trees being down from the recent tornado. We had to detour on 94 hwy-which was treacherous, very hilly and curvy with no shoulder. We were able to get back on the trail at Augusta and ride until McKittrick where we stayed for the night. We did have to walk through water at MM 94. It was shallow and we could see the trail, but the water was still rising. We didn’t attempt to go past McKittick as the trail was closed at Portland for a small section but then closed about 10 miles past that until getting to Boonville. We aren’t local to the area and the only detour we could see from a map was riding on 50 hwy. We didn’t feel comfortable doing that as we were pulling a trailer and are new to bike riding. I hope everyone in the trail this weekend stays safe! P.S. We are hoping to attempt our 3 day trek again in the fall. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative. Happy Trails!

Add Jefferson City to the list of flooded areas (today 5/25/2019). We drove into Jeff this morning and Hwy 94 is covered with about 3 inches of water just east of Jeff and the trail next to the Hwy is closed.

Wow. Sorry to hear about all the towns that are affected by the flooding. We started today on a trip to complete the whole trail from west to east. We should be getting into the flooded area tomorrow (new franklin area). Are there any detours? Any ways to get around the closed area? We’re suppose to stay in Rocheport tomorrow night. I’m guessing that is going to be impossible? Any locals have updates?

I "rode" (climbed, crawled and swam!) Weldon Springs to Bluffington. Had to take 94 twice due to out bridges from before Defiance, then again from before Matson Hill and Agusta. The trail was perfect again until I got to Treloir. I waded through water a dozen times until Case. Some was ankle deep, but much was to my thighs and there was a lot of floating debris. The trail was good again until Bluffington. I didn't go further as I was exausted! I got someone to take me back to Weldon.

Is it possible to ride along Highway 94 as an alternative to the Katy trail? Has anyone ever ridden the Lewis and Clark bicycle trail from booneville to Jefferson City? Trying to find an alternate route and don’t know if this is possible and safe. Thanks.

We had to briefly ride on 94 highway on Thursday. It had no shoulder and was very hilly and curvy...the section we rode anyway. 94 was flooded in places between St.Charles and McKittrick.

On Saturday Hwy 94 is closed at Jefferson City; it's underwater.

I would not recommend riding Hwy 94. Way too trafficky for my taste.

This website offers a Google search of the entire website, but unfortunately Google is not always great about indexing Forum discussions.

So to make it a little easier to find Forum discussions on specific topics, I built a Forum Search feature. Near the top of the Forum page, under the "Start a new Discussion" button, you'll see a link to the Forum search.

This is still under development, but hopefully will prove useful.

Hermann South was a great place to stay. Clean, great food and gracious hosts.

Had a GREAT weekend with friends here recently! The house is comfortable, clean, and beautiful!! The host is amazing! The breakfasts were incredible! Will definitely recommend to friends and family! Thank you so much Kathy!!!

Kathy was a great hostess. The rooms were super clean and the breakfast was the best!!! Healthy and delicious.

As mentioned in a separate thread, the trail map now features trail mile marker numbers, i.e. the mile numbers appearing on the signs along the trail.

For example, here's a link to a map centered at Portland, with mile marker numbers every mile.

Previously the map would show distance markers from wherever the map was centered. But now you also have the option to see the mile marker numbers, corresponding to the mile marker signs on the trail.

If the map gets too crowded with all those mile markers on it, you can click edit settings and change Show markers every to a larger number.

You can also use edit settings to select whether you see distance markers, or the trail mile marker numbers.

Rock Island mile markers will come later.

Happy trails!

That’s pretty cool, Ray! It’ll help orient during trips and adds a nostalgia factor, too. The UI is easy and I like how you made everything user-selectable. As always, great work maintaining & improving this fantastic website!!