Rock Island Trail Forum

This is a great place to stay coming off the trail in Marthasville. Our host came and picked us up in downtown Marthasville since it is about 4 miles to the cabin. The cabin is a beautiful, modern log home high on a hill overlooking a farming valley. All of the rooms were clean and well appointed, and the guests have access to the entire house. Breakfast the next morning was a great quiche served in a stoneware cup like a small souffle. We also had fruit parfaits and sticky buns. We are considering taking the whole family back and renting the whole cabin.

Monettes Cabin is a true gem! It was perfect for our weekend getaway. Sitting on the porch and relaxing in the hot tub were a nice finish to a day of bike-riding on the Katy Trail. The hosts couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating - they provided robes, snacks, Katy Trail pick-up, and a delicious breakfast. They definitely exceeded all of our expectations! If you stay in Marthasville, check out the pizza shop right off the trail and the ice cream shop in an old train caboose right down the road. We recommend Monette's Cabin to anyone looking for a relaxing, quiet escape.

Just got back riding from Clinton to Machens. Great trip. Trail is in good shape. No closures, some people reported that there were some "washed out" areas, but I did not notice any, but I'm accustomed to riding packed gravel trails like this, so my expectations may be less than if I rode pavement all the time. Some trees have came down on the trail, but it seems that the park is clearing them as quick as they are found. I thought the MO DNR is doing a great job keeping the park maintained and safe, while not spoiling it.

Things to know:

1. The popular KATY trail book is useful for trail knowledge, but unreliable for any food, water, camping information. Period. Bring a couple of meals with you.
2. Water. Real problem east of Boonville area. Between Clinton and around Boonville, the water at the trail-heads is good and dependable. After that, water at the trail heads become less frequent to non-existent. The town signs at the trail-heads shows water is available, but no details to where.

Through bikers we met were having the same problem, and resorted to "begging" for water from the town merchants. It's hot, and you need a lot. You easily find yourself going through a couple of water bottles between towns. If there are public water supplies in these areas, it would be good to identify where they are. ie. Marthasville has a faucet in the city park, etc.

3. We did about 50-miles per day. Stopped at the markers, rode through many of the towns, talked to other riders and park employees. Not rushed, but had full days on the trail.

4. You got to stop at the KATY Depot in Sedalia. The woman there (Linda?) keeps up with the trail conditions from other riders, knows so much about the history, and is just a good person to talk with.

Happy trails, and be sure to stop at the KT Caboose in Marthasville!

Thanks for the update and advice. It is very useful. Congratulations on a good ride. Glad you enjoyed it. Can't wait to get back over to the KATY. Thanks again.

Ditto, good report. Linda has some really good looking katy trail shirts.

Tonight my friend and I were riding from Hwy.370 to Machens. When riding back, a red car full of teens came traveling down the trail at a fast pace. Last week my daughter and I were riding the same trail and the same thing happened only it was a young guy in a white car. Someone is going to be seriously hurt soon unless they are caught. Please be careful everyone.

Good news http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/19/2961795/katy-trail-getting-closer-to-kc.html

Looking for feedback. We are planning a 3 day trip and are taking the train from Sedalia to Hermann and riding back to Sedalia. I am worried about day 1, we get to Hermann at noon and planned to ride 43 miles to N Jefferson. I am riding with my wife and age 14 daughter who are beginner level bike riders. Is it reasonable to make this distance before dark?

Thanks!

It depends when you are planning for this trip. The one thing I didn't realize on my trip was that with the tree canopy "dark" can come about an hour or two before actual sundown. So fudge down a bit when you find out the projected sundown time.

Your wife and daughter will need to train a little anyway to handle the proposed distances. Keep in mind the actual distance will be a little farther than 43 miles in getting to the trail and getting from N Jefferson to any food/camping/hotel/motels you have in mind there.

That said, starting in Hermann at noon and hitting N Jefferson at about 5 or 6pm shouldn't be too much of a stretch, given time to rest and sight-see, etc.

Sky guy makes some good points. Also, if you are doing your trip from now until it stops being hot, think twice about biking from noon until 4 pm. I see you are in AUstin so you know what heat is like. It's no cake walk in Missouri either.

If I were pinning this trip for myself during summer I would only go 20 or so miles the first day just to get on the trail, then start bright and early the second day.

Good luck.

Keep in mind the trailheads along that stretch don't have water. You'll need to stock-up first or stop at the bar-grills in Rhineland, Portland, Steedman, or Mokane, or at the campgrounds/B&B in Bluffton for it. Mokane also has a daytime market for bottled water.

Tebbetts (13-miles east of N Jefferson) has a hostel shelter with running water, showers, fridge, air conditioning, and roof. It's kind of a dump, but it could be a good place to cool down if need be. Its front-door key is kept outside on a utility pole. Tebbetts also has a daytime convenience store just west of town. 43-miles could be a big bite for new riders if it's hot.

Like Skyguy says, start real early the next day and ride while it's fairly cool. You can make up a lot of miles and time then. Enjoy and be careful.

I have no personal experience with the train, but I have heard that you can plan on it running behind schedule due to the fact they share the tracks.

With regard to JD's suggestion concerning water. I always carry 2 LARGE water bottles filled to the brim at the start. (I drink very diluted juice or gatorade if available. The juice trick may help sustain your riders. I know that it helps me tremendously to maintain energy.) Still, I may have to refill. Point being, one small water bottle per rider empties out quickly. Of course, you may be very well aware of this. Just a thought.

You might want to take the train from Hermann to Sedalia and bike back to Hermann. Also if you are planning your trip within the next few weeks, be alert to the river levels since they are going to release water up north and are predicting flooding in certain areas along the trail from around Rocheport through Bluffton. Also, the DNR Katy Trail Ride (hundreds of bikes) starts at Clinton June 20th and goes to St Charles on June 24th.

I agree with all the above. Remember that riding on pea gravel/chat takes more energy than riding on pavement. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Pace yourself and you will be fine.

Riding from early afternoon to North Jefferson is feasible before dark, even with tree cover. However, for beginning level bike riders, this may be a difficut ride starting in the afternoon, especially if you want to go at an enjoyable pace. I rode the trail yesterday, and specically noted that this section was in the poorest condtion due to a lot of debris, branches, larger stones, and uneven surfaces.

The convenience store on west side of Tebbets has closed.

We just completed a 3 day trip from Sedalia to Hermann on June 8-10 and we had a beginner in our group. We ride very leisurely. We left Jefferson City around 10 AM and got into Hermann around 4.

Just wondering if the trail is marked north of the trailhead along E. 3rd, N. Engineer, E. Boonville, Olive Branch, Randall and Griesen streets?

Yes the trail is marked on the road. It is not difficult to follow between the rail bed and the depot on the street.....seemed iffy to me the first time, but it's easy to follow.

The trail is well marked it is 1 1/2 miles of city streets. It goes out the DNR parking lot on the east side of the Katy Depot straight down 4th street. It will indicate that you turn left onto Emmet. This gives you a safe controlled crossing at the Railroad tracks. Continue on to Boonville road and again there will be indications to turn right. You will see the connection to the trail about 100 yards down on the left. The entire 1 1/2 miles has a bike lane well marked and is easy to follow.

Yes there is a bike lane. But it seemed to be hazardous as it was full of glass and trash and other stuff and several pot holes too. Be careful when riding in the bike lane there. And the neighborhood is very casual.

Looking for white male mid 40's red/graying hair, red/graying facial hair, blue Kansas City Royals ball cap, glasses. Left home Friday June 17th. May be on foot or just purchased a new bicycle. Needs to call home immediately.

Last known to be in Boonville Missouri on Saturday and may be headed on trail toward Hermann or Jefferson City area.

Family is still looking for him. If anyone sees him or has seen him, please call 660-619-2745.

Last seen in Hermann. Please contact the Mo. Hwy Patrol if you see him. Thanks from his family.

We just recently stayed here with a group of 12 friends biking on the Katy Trail. What a wonderful place to stay. The back courtyard and deck was a fun place to all hang out. The staff is friendly and attentive. Sonja took great care of us! The rooms were all amazing and the jetted tubs offered welcome relief after 2 days riding the Katy Trail. We can't wait to book another trip.

Where's here??

Sorry! Wine Valley Inn in Hermann, MO. We loved it and had a great time.

We stayed here in the house in mid-October of 2010 and found the accommodations very charming. And you can't beat the location. We are pleased that you are still open, as we plan to come back.

We stayed here with a group of 12 riding the Katy Trail. What a great place to stay! The back courtyard was a wonderful place to hang out together. They let us lock our bikes on the railing of their back building. The staff is friendly and very attentive. The rooms were all amazing and the jetted tubs a welcome relief after bike riding all day. We can't wait to book another trip!

The bridge is amazing! It is fun to ride and makes getting into Jeff City very easy. Follow the Jefferson City Greenway from the Trailhead. Thanks to all those that made this bridge possible!! Katy Trail riders love it!

I'm planning this trip for my venture crew (Which is an organization under the Boy Scouts) and I wanted know the following:

How hilly is the trip? Are there parts that would be considered very steep for a regular bike compared to a mountain bike?

There are no steep grades on the Katy. As has been said many times before, the Katy basically computes as "flat" when it comes to riding. No ascents, no descents. As long as everyone can pedal in the group, they'll survive.

Numerous youth groups of all kinds have used the Katy both for biking and hiking. Enjoy.

The vast majority of the trail is flat as a pancake. The Osage Hills, located between Sedalia and Booneville, has some minor (but long) grades. It is nothing to worry about, and I think the Osage Hills may be the prettiest stretch of the trail. Any bike in good mechanical condition, including road bikes, will do just fine on the Katy.

I hope you all have a fabulous trip on the KATY. I think it is the perfect venue for what you are planning. Having observed lots of Scout groups on the KATY, my observation is that some are having a great time and others are miserable. A couple pieces of advice if I might. 1. Try to make sure the kids bikes fit them as much as possible. 2. Properly inflate their tires. 3. Teach them a bit of trail etiquette (like stay to the right except when passing, what "passing on the left means", pull off the trail when stopping).
Have a fabulous adventure! The KATY is an wonderful resource!

We took our Girl Scouts (12 thirteen yr olds & 3 sixteen yr olds) biking last weekend (June 10th) on the katy. We did 20+ miles on Saturday and they all did great! Besides what the previous post put, make sure you are aware of the heat and how humid it is. Electrolyte replacement is very important as well as water. It is a great time!

Are there any RV sites? Thanks!

We are planning on biking from Boonville to Rocheport this weekend, is flooding going to be an issue?

I will be rideing the trail from Sedalia to Rocheport this weekend as well and I have been told that trail will be ok to Rocheport but after that it will be iffy :)

I rode this section yesterday, and there was no indication of flooding. Trial is in good condition and dry between Sedalia and Rocheport.

There is a huge tree down west of Rocheport a few miles that has the whole trail blocked. There has been a path wore down in the weeds to the south of the trail. It is passable, but you must take the path off the trail.

I was wondering if you travel West from Treloar, but you don't think you want the full 16 miles to McKittrick, was looking for more like an 8 mile ride, where could you stop? Is there anywhere to park?

Tailheads with parking exist at Treloar and McKittrick. But none in-between. One can always turn around at the halfway point for a 16-mile ride.Good luck.

I am planning to sign up for an organized family bike tour from St. Charles to Sedalia, June 25-July 1(traveling with two kids, 7 and 13). I got concerned about the potential flooding. Can anyone comment on whether the flooding is a real threat to the trail at this point? Thanks!

On 6-8-11, the news stated that major flooding would be at Saint Charles on the Missouri River. So, there might be parts of the trail affected. Historically, the MKT railroad had many problems with flooding on the railbed and had to rebuild several times in it's history. That's why they abandoned the railway. So, there are a few areas that probably will be flooded over, as they are right on the river and have a history of doing so when the water is high.

I should have said major flooding in Saint Charles within one week of today. So, by June 15th, major flooding. Sorry for the mistake in my first post.

If you click on "trail advisories..." on this site's homepage, then "caution advised...", there is good information on flooding conditions on the path and predictions for possible flood conditions on the path.

The organizers of the KATY Trail ride won't let you get wet. In years past they have bussed riders around unsafe or flooded parts of the trail. I believe we have had word that they will probably do so from Rocheport to Hartsburg. Its still a great experience.

Does anyone know how high the water has to get to stop the amtrak train? I am going to ride the train Saturday 6/18/11 to Sedalia from Kansas City and ride the trail east from there if I can I may have to ride the roads part of the way.

I don't think Amtrak gets anywhere close to river before Sedalia.

Yes I know the the Amtrak track are ok up to Sedalia but if the tracks on down by the water flood the train will stop and and I will not be able to get back from St. Louis

Greg, you can look at NOAA's projections for the Missouri river levels for early next week and they are showing no flooding for any parts of the Katy Trail. If the trail is not flooded, then the Amtrak tracks on the south side of the river are not going to be flooded either(as they are a good 5 feet higher than the Katy Trail). However, always good to have a plan B when traveling on the Katy trail and there are a lot of shuttle services out there that will take you back to KC if Amtrack can't.

Thank you for all the help