Katy Trail 3
02-08-19, 09:09 PM
#1
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Katy Trail 3
I知 thinking about riding the Katy Trail this summer for the third year in a row. But this time east to west starting in St. Charles. I知 only concerned about been there done that feeling if I ride this trail 3 years in a row. The feeling I have now is 50/50, maybe when June rolls around I will be all crazy about driving to Missouri and riding the Katy again.
02-09-19, 07:10 AM
#2
Every day a winding road
One year @robow and I were going to do it in June. Forecast got to the 90s. OK no big deal just make sure we had plenty of water and salt tablets. Then high 90s. OK still no big deal just an early start. But when it got to 110F we decided to cancel. I called a warmshowers member that was going to host me. She said good move. She hosted a different rider the one day and she said she rode with him maybe an hour or so, when she got back home, she had leg cramps for 4 hours. She said it was so hot, it was impossible to stay hydrated no matter how much water she dranks.
The Katy can be brutal in the summertime from my understanding. But maybe you have done it in June before?
The Katy can be brutal in the summertime from my understanding. But maybe you have done it in June before?
02-09-19, 07:23 AM
#3
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life is short, try something new.
drive to albuquerque or take the train to deming.
drive to albuquerque or take the train to deming.
02-09-19, 07:42 AM
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That happened to be an exceptionally hot summer and those were record breaking temps in St. Louis, but that being said, I'm sure most know that late June, July, and August can get you in the mid 90's frequently with high humidity. I rode it over the 4th of July many years ago and the heat plus the humidity made it miserable to camp at night.
To the OP, yea, ride it in the other direction and try to stay overnight in different locations and you'll probably be surprised how different it might look. Also, when you get to Windsor if heading west, consider at that time getting off the Katy and ride the new section of the Rock Island Trail that has been completed to Pleasant Hill, MO. From there it's a short ride to Lee's Summit where you can catch the Amtrak to take you back if desired.
To the OP, yea, ride it in the other direction and try to stay overnight in different locations and you'll probably be surprised how different it might look. Also, when you get to Windsor if heading west, consider at that time getting off the Katy and ride the new section of the Rock Island Trail that has been completed to Pleasant Hill, MO. From there it's a short ride to Lee's Summit where you can catch the Amtrak to take you back if desired.
02-09-19, 09:12 AM
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I rode the Katy Trail in late June 2017. I remember being wet the whole time, often cold on top of that. How is it possible to be cold in summer?!? It gets hot where I'm from, but at least it doesn't get hot in the middle of winter.
Even then, it was still some of the most fun I've had on a bike.
So based on others' experience and mine combined, I suppose summer is the best time, because it can be either hot or cold and wet, but maybe you'll get lucky and get something in between. I suppose nine months of the year, it's guaranteed to be cold.
Even then, it was still some of the most fun I've had on a bike.
So based on others' experience and mine combined, I suppose summer is the best time, because it can be either hot or cold and wet, but maybe you'll get lucky and get something in between. I suppose nine months of the year, it's guaranteed to be cold.
02-09-19, 09:44 AM
#6
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I’m planning to ride it in early May this year. Hopefully the weather will be good for camping. Taking the train from St. Louis to Sedalia and riding back. Am I missing anything by not riding to Clinton and back to Sedalia?
02-09-19, 01:22 PM
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One year @robow
The Katy can be brutal in the summertime from my understanding. But maybe you have done it in June before?
The Katy can be brutal in the summertime from my understanding. But maybe you have done it in June before?
02-09-19, 05:09 PM
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02-09-19, 09:36 PM
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Ah, the Tunnel Hill Trail, now we're talking closer to home. Have run the trail countless times. If you are not familiar with the Tunnel Hill and have questions, contact me and I should be able to answer most of your questions or offer advice.
Last edited by robow; 02-10-19 at 04:52 PM.
02-09-19, 09:45 PM
#12
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Katy Trail 2 last June is was a scorcher the locals said 15 degrees above normal it was about 95 but with that humidity. I started in Pleasant Grove and cruised to Windsor. The day before after visiting Truman Lake I took a short ride from Clinton to Windsor. Then stayed at the casino in Booneville and road to Windsor again for the 3rd time. I got to know Windsor well 
Booneville to Portland then Portland to St.Charles. Ran into a festival and St. Charles I will not say what kind of festival because I don’t want to be offensive 
Anyway the normal high was suppose to be around 83 which is pleasant.
Booneville to Portland then Portland to St.Charles. Ran into a festival and St. Charles I will not say what kind of festival because I don’t want to be offensive Anyway the normal high was suppose to be around 83 which is pleasant.
02-11-19, 07:46 PM
#13
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This will be my 9th year in a row unless I have to have knee surgery. (Running is evil). I just ordered a Breezer Doppler Team gravel bike. It's overkill for the Katy, but better than my touring bike which I will give to my son.
I'll be going west to east with this group in June:
https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride
I'll be going west to east with this group in June:
https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride
02-11-19, 08:36 PM
#14
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[QUOTE=JerrySTL;20790317]This will be my 9th year in a row unless I have to have knee surgery. (Running is evil). I just ordered a Breezer Doppler Team gravel bike. It's overkill for the Katy, but better than my touring bike which I will give to my son.
I'll be going west to east with this group in June:
https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride[/QUOTE
I was a week ahead of this group last year or a similar group. The bike mechanic was getting ready for the group at The Sedalia Depot. This thread is going to make me ride The Katy again this summer 2019.
I'll be going west to east with this group in June:
https://mostateparks.com/2019ktride[/QUOTE
I was a week ahead of this group last year or a similar group. The bike mechanic was getting ready for the group at The Sedalia Depot. This thread is going to make me ride The Katy again this summer 2019.
02-11-19, 08:56 PM
#15
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02-13-19, 06:14 AM
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A friend and I will be doing the KATY this summer from St Charles to Clinton
Honestly, I look at is as just a necessary ride linking up the Mississippi River Trail (our starting point is the Twin Cities) and the Flint Hills in Kansas (on the way to Questa, NM, Yellowstone, then home), while also allowing us to stop off in Columbia, where I grew up, to see some old friends. I don't see the appeal as a destination trail.
02-13-19, 08:30 PM
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I will also be doin KATY TRAIL in June with the Missouri Parks group. Looking forward to meeting some of you.
02-22-19, 11:29 PM
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02-25-19, 07:19 AM
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July/August
We did the Clinton to St Charles direction starting July 28, 2018. Yes it was hot. Middle of the trail loses shade at midday. It got to 97. Take water. The trailheads had working water until the town where the Globe B&B is located. From then on it was either non existent or not functional. To boot many shops are closed.
03-06-19, 08:20 PM
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Trip is set in stone now. Bought an Amtrak ticket from STL to Sedalia. Taking the afternoon train which should get in around sunset. Planning overnights in Sedalia, Hartsburg and Marthasville, then riding back to the station in STL. Then driving to Karnak, IL to ride an out and back day trip on the Tunnel Hill Trail. Looking forward to this trip, and hoping for good weather.
03-06-19, 10:04 PM
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don't try this at home.
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Eldorado to Stonefort was a mix of trail types. I liked it. But the best part was riding from Stonefort to the tunnel. (It's under Tunnel Hill Road, of course.) A quiet, scenic ride through the woods, very nice. A bit uphill to the tunnel.
The next day, driving, I stopped at Heron Pond Preserve, a remnant of the huge Bald Cypress wetland forest that covered a lot of this area. That was great.
03-07-19, 12:51 AM
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Agree with rm -rf, Stonefort south is the better part of the trail. Vienna is a great place to stop and have lunch and if you plan on spending the night around Karnak,consider staying at the New Grand Chain Lodge/campground right on the Ohio River. I've spent many a night there right along the river while watching the barges go up and down the Ohio.
03-07-19, 07:54 AM
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Is the Katy the most popular bike trail in the country? Any idea how many people ride it per season?
03-07-19, 09:55 AM
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The locals always told me that when the Katy first opened up, it received a ton of bike traffic and people were opening up small businesses along the Katy left and right. But over time, the numbers decreased as a lot of people that rode it were one and done. Consequently a lot of those small businesses directly on the trail dried up. That being said, there are several organized touring companies that offer multiple supported tours a year on the Katy so it still gets used.
03-07-19, 10:24 AM
#25
