Katy Trail Forum

We stayed at the Jefferson Inn in early May 2006 and had a great time. The rooms are really, really nice and comfortable and the breakfast is fantastic. The Inn is only a few blocks away from the downtown area and the Missouri capitol building.



And while the Inn is on the other side of the river from the Katy trail, it really was not that hard to get to. Just take the Katy Jefferson spur trail south until it just about ends, where you will see a highway overpass off to your left. Get off the trail and using the obvious nearby road conections, take the overpass to the other side and go down the exit ramp for traffic that is exiting northbound. Yes, you are going against traffic, but there is a wide shoulder on the exit and once you reach the highway itself, there is a 6 foot bike lane that on our visit was clear of debris (the highway people only put a bike lane on the northbound bridge segment).



Go across the bridge and then take the first exit. When you come to a cross road, look across the street and you will see Clay Street. Take that a few blocks till it goes down the hill and the Jefferson Inn is on the right.



Going back to the Katy trail the day after our stay was even easier as once you get on the bridge, you are pretty much going downhill to the first exit that you take to get back on the trail. The total distance from the Katy to the Inn is around 2 miles.



Highly recommended!

We stayed at the Jefferson Inn in early May 2006 and had a great time. The rooms are really, really nice and comfortable and the breakfast is fantastic. The Inn is only a few blocks away from the downtown area and the Missouri capitol building.



And while the Inn is on the other side of the river from the Katy trail, it really was not that hard to get to. Just take the Katy Jefferson spur trail south until it just about ends, where you will see a highway overpass off to your left. Get off the trail and using the obvious nearby road conections, take the overpass to the other side and go down the exit ramp for traffic that is exiting northbound. Yes, you are going against traffic, but there is a wide shoulder on the exit and once you reach the highway itself, there is a 6 foot bike lane that on our visit was clear of debris (the highway people only put a bike lane on the northbound bridge segment).



Go across the bridge and then take the first exit. When you come to a cross road, look across the street and you will see Clay Street. Take that a few blocks till it goes down the hill and the Jefferson Inn is on the right.



Going back to the Katy trail the day after our stay was even easier as once you get on the bridge, you are pretty much going downhill to the first exit that you take to get back on the trail. The total distance from the Katy to the Inn is around 2 miles.



Highly recommended!

We had the whole place to ourselves. It is a very nice house. I lost my copy of Bob's directions on how to ride the bridge and we let the challenge get the best of us and had Rachel haul us across.

We had the whole place to ourselves. It is a very nice house. I lost my copy of Bob's directions on how to ride the bridge and we let the challenge get the best of us and had Rachel haul us across.

A friend and I stayed at the Jefferson B&B as part of our tour of the Katy. Lorenzo Picked us up with his Suburban at the trailhead. I was glad since there is no shoulder on the bridge going into Jeff. City and traffic was heavy. The Jefferson is very clean and comfortable B&B. The breakfast was excellent! I would certainly stay here again!

A friend and I stayed at the Jefferson B&B as part of our tour of the Katy. Lorenzo Picked us up with his Suburban at the trailhead. I was glad since there is no shoulder on the bridge going into Jeff. City and traffic was heavy. The Jefferson is very clean and comfortable B&B. The breakfast was excellent! I would certainly stay here again!

Very nice place. Let them take you over the bridge in their Suburban. East to walk to places for supper. Breakfast was very nice. We were so bushed from a long ride we didn't hear the highway traffic outside the window.

Very nice place. Let them take you over the bridge in their Suburban. East to walk to places for supper. Breakfast was very nice. We were so bushed from a long ride we didn't hear the highway traffic outside the window.

I hate to be a party pooper but CAUTION ! We reserved a room for Jefferson Inn. On arrival, after a full day on the trail, we were told that a group who had reserved three of the five rooms decided they wanted all five and they gave them our"Reserved room". They did offer to let us pay to stay in the basement wich looks like a colledge kids apartment. We declined and were offered no further assistance in getting a room anywhere else in town. We ended up riding an additional 7 miles(we only had our bikes) in the darkening city to get a place we finally found with an available room.Yes we are mad a recommend to anyone brave enought o take a chance on this place to make sure you are reserving all the rooms or you might get bumped.

I hate to be a party pooper but CAUTION ! We reserved a room for Jefferson Inn. On arrival, after a full day on the trail, we were told that a group who had reserved three of the five rooms decided they wanted all five and they gave them our"Reserved room". They did offer to let us pay to stay in the basement wich looks like a colledge kids apartment. We declined and were offered no further assistance in getting a room anywhere else in town. We ended up riding an additional 7 miles(we only had our bikes) in the darkening city to get a place we finally found with an available room.Yes we are mad a recommend to anyone brave enought o take a chance on this place to make sure you are reserving all the rooms or you might get bumped.

My stay last week was very enjoyable. I called from the trailhead and was picked up by the innkeeper - she was prompt, friendly, & helpful, even tho it was dinnertime. The house & room were delightful - clean, tidy, and full of neat antiques and charm. My bed was *very* comfortable and a welcome respite from the trail. Breakfast was prompt, tasty, & filling, though not overly memorable. The house has a keypad entry lock system that seemed to provide good security. My room had a separate (but private) bath with a roomy, hot shower. My only wish was for a sink in the bathroom -- it was instead located in the bedroom. Overall, a great experience.

My stay last week was very enjoyable. I called from the trailhead and was picked up by the innkeeper - she was prompt, friendly, & helpful, even tho it was dinnertime. The house & room were delightful - clean, tidy, and full of neat antiques and charm. My bed was *very* comfortable and a welcome respite from the trail. Breakfast was prompt, tasty, & filling, though not overly memorable. The house has a keypad entry lock system that seemed to provide good security. My room had a separate (but private) bath with a roomy, hot shower. My only wish was for a sink in the bathroom -- it was instead located in the bedroom. Overall, a great experience.

While the rooms were very clean and nice, and it is very convenient to downtown, don't expect much for breakfast.

While the rooms were very clean and nice, and it is very convenient to downtown, don't expect much for breakfast.

We are planning a ride from Jefferson City to Washington. Are there any trails from the stations to the trailheads? I am a trail rider and not fond of 2 lane roads with vehicles in both directions! Also, does anyone have any 'have to see' spots along that section?

thanks, karen

We are planning a ride from Jefferson City to Washington. Are there any trails from the stations to the trailheads? I am a trail rider and not fond of 2 lane roads with vehicles in both directions! Also, does anyone have any 'have to see' spots along that section?

thanks, karen

We are planning a ride from Jefferson City to Washington. Are there any trails from the stations to the trailheads? I am a trail rider and not fond of 2 lane roads with vehicles in both directions! Also, does anyone have any 'have to see' spots along that section?

thanks, karen

Getting from the N. Jefferson trailhead to Jeff City is do-able, but you will be next to highway traffic. There's a shoulder on the bridge that cyclists use all the time. It might not be pleasant, if you don't like riding next to traffic, but it can be done.



Washington is a bit more difficult. The highway shoulders from Dutzow to Washington are not suited for bikes, and the Missouri River bridge is only wide enough for one car in each direction. An experienced cyclist could do it, but it's not recommended.



One alternative is to use a shuttle service. Mainly they shuttle riders from one point to another along the trail. But if you call ahead of time, you might be able to find one to take you from trailhead to train station.



Another option: some of the B&Bs in Washington and Jeff City (and Hermann too) offer a ride for their guests from the trail to the inn. So if you're going to overnight in one or both towns, ask your innkeeper.



Good luck, and have fun!

Getting from the N. Jefferson trailhead to Jeff City is do-able, but you will be next to highway traffic. There's a shoulder on the bridge that cyclists use all the time. It might not be pleasant, if you don't like riding next to traffic, but it can be done.



Washington is a bit more difficult. The highway shoulders from Dutzow to Washington are not suited for bikes, and the Missouri River bridge is only wide enough for one car in each direction. An experienced cyclist could do it, but it's not recommended.



One alternative is to use a shuttle service. Mainly they shuttle riders from one point to another along the trail. But if you call ahead of time, you might be able to find one to take you from trailhead to train station.



Another option: some of the B&Bs in Washington and Jeff City (and Hermann too) offer a ride for their guests from the trail to the inn. So if you're going to overnight in one or both towns, ask your innkeeper.



Good luck, and have fun!

Getting from the N. Jefferson trailhead to Jeff City is do-able, but you will be next to highway traffic. There's a shoulder on the bridge that cyclists use all the time. It might not be pleasant, if you don't like riding next to traffic, but it can be done.



Washington is a bit more difficult. The highway shoulders from Dutzow to Washington are not suited for bikes, and the Missouri River bridge is only wide enough for one car in each direction. An experienced cyclist could do it, but it's not recommended.



One alternative is to use a shuttle service. Mainly they shuttle riders from one point to another along the trail. But if you call ahead of time, you might be able to find one to take you from trailhead to train station.



Another option: some of the B&Bs in Washington and Jeff City (and Hermann too) offer a ride for their guests from the trail to the inn. So if you're going to overnight in one or both towns, ask your innkeeper.



Good luck, and have fun!

Campground was great. Close to scenic river and trails. Good RV accomodations and the would be comfortable using tent as well. We found Linda Lou to be very accomodating to our needs. Even found us steak on short notice. She was also very knowledgable of the town and surrounding towns. Enjoyed the campground and hope to be brining the entire clan next Spring. This would be about 40+ people including kids.

Campground was great. Close to scenic river and trails. Good RV accomodations and the would be comfortable using tent as well. We found Linda Lou to be very accomodating to our needs. Even found us steak on short notice. She was also very knowledgable of the town and surrounding towns. Enjoyed the campground and hope to be brining the entire clan next Spring. This would be about 40+ people including kids.

We're from the KC area and we think we know GOOD bbq...try it out at Cooper's landing. He makes great brisket and tender bbq pork. We were so hungry and the portions were YUM. I think the sides are store bought, but the red potato salad and coleslaw balanced out the huge meat portions just right.

We're from the KC area and we think we know GOOD bbq...try it out at Cooper's landing. He makes great brisket and tender bbq pork. We were so hungry and the portions were YUM. I think the sides are store bought, but the red potato salad and coleslaw balanced out the huge meat portions just right.

If they are out of brisket (this happened to us) the brats are superb and the baked beans

are terrific (usually with pieces of brisket embedded).

If they are out of brisket (this happened to us) the brats are superb and the baked beans

are terrific (usually with pieces of brisket embedded).

My wife and I just completed the Katy Trail from Clinton to St.Charles. We began on Oct.1,2006 at Clinton and arrived in St. Charles on Oct. 6th. We had a great time, met some terrific bikers from all over the United States. We left our vehicle at the Community Center in Clinton and took AmTrak back from Kirkwood after our ride.The first 4 days was very hot, in the 90s every day, it cooled off for our final 2 days.Thanks Missouri Parks for a great trail and well maintained. We did 36 to 44 miles per day and enjoyed the scenery and the fall colors.This year we biked with our mountain bikes, last year we used road bikes.We carried everything we needed for the 6 day journey so we were loaded down. We stayed at Hampton Inn,Clinton:Hotel Bothwell,Sedalia: River Veiw Suites,Boonville: Globe Hotel B&B,Hartsburg: Rendleman B&B,Bluffton:

The Inn at Cinagro Farms, Dutzow:and with our son in St. Charles. We are 65 and 63 years old and had no problems on the ride, good health and no flat tires. Thanks again Missouri for a great week in your state.

That's great! Hubby and I are 51 and 53 and are doing the full Katy next week. It will be my 3rd time and his first. We're almost doing the same schedule as you, but will stay at Rhineland and then Augusta on the eastern end. I just love it that so many riders are 50+. In 10 years I still want to be posting that we're in our 60's and still packing a bag and running away from home on our bikes every year to bike the katy!

If you were in Hartsburg on a Tuesday, did you go to the Hitchin' Post for supper? How was it?

james pearson, so glad ya'll had fun and especially a safe trip.





mah, blue springs; good luck on the katy, have fun, be safe, let us know how it went.

My children, ages 12 and 15, and I did the Clinton to St. Charles trip from Oct 1-5, and it was great (although hotter than we anticipated). The only physical pain was inflicted on our bums, as none of us were really prepared for 4-6 hours in one day on a bike - much less for five straight days. We met some great folks along the trail and it was a fine experience for the kids in this age of instant messaging and TV overload - I highly recommend to all families that want share new adventures and strengthen family ties!

Three of us, ages 53,59 & 60, did Clinton to St Charles the first week of October with stops at Sedalia Depot, Rocheport, Tebbets and Treloar with a two vehicle shuttle. We were not the oldest group on the trail. We met only very freindly people. Ebby of Pro-Velo Bike Shop in Sedalia was exceptionally freindly and helpful and we were especially well treated at Dotty's in Harstburg, The Riverfront Bar and Grill in Portland and the Peers Store. Even the clerk who objected to the trail and wouldn't concede any economic benefit from the Katy was freindly in his opposition, even as he took in our 100+ dollars for gas and supplies. I let it slide. We, the users of the trail, are also it's ambassadors. The KATY Trail is a delight just as it is. Those concerned about water availability need to carry more or cache water. Long live the KATY and kudos to the State of Missouri for providing and maintaining such a treasure.

We arranged with Leo and Rhona Lococo to provide us with a place to park our truck at their B&B in Saint Charles and haul the two of us - and our fully loaded touring bikes - all the way to Clinton. Five days later we rode back into Saint Charles and spent the night with them at the Lococo House B&B. They're the friendliest people you'll ever meet and breakfast was fantastic!

I have been a frequent guest at Birk's in Hermann, Missouri. The owners are friendly and very willing to extend their hospitality to those biking the Katy Trail. The accomodations are comfortable, the service is good and the breakfasts are tasty. Birk's has a large covered porch where guests can visit and enjoy the town.

Rick and Nancy are very friendly and hospitable. Rick cooks a great breakfast! We slept well. Thanks Nancy & Rick!

We recently (October 19) stayed with Rick and Dianne (two American kids in the heartland?) at Birk's. The place is friendly, the breakfast was epic and Rick picks up and delivers bikies from the McKittrick trailhead so you don't need to hassle with the super narrow bridge into Hermann. Price was decent too!

We recently (October 19) got lucky and stumbled upon an excellent new eatery in Marthasville. The H.H. Fortman & Co. Restaurant on Depot St. has really good food, a varied menu, and is open 6 AM to 10 PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. Check it out...

Ok, so I am curious. What things would you change or improve about the trail?

For me, it would be:

1.) Having potable water available at every trailhead.

2.) Have more camping available adjacent to the trail.

3.) Finally getting the trail extended to Machens and getting it extended into the Kansas City area.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

How about a sign on the trail at Hwy 19 that tells you to exit if you want to go to Hermann. Anybody else miss this turn? The route up the steep back to the highway looks like it could be a real mess when wet. Something like the MKT trail that hooks up Columbia would be sweet and would also benefit Hermann.



Paulie

I would bet that when the new bridge is finished at Hermann, they will have better signage or even an improved exit off the trail at Route 19. Anyone listening at MoDOT? LOL

We just returned from biking from Clinton to St Charles and back in 7 days. Our suggestions

1) water at all stops (good idea)

2) work on trail surface conditions--some places had too much crushed limestone and others had tire-grabbing cracks in the center of the trail

3) it would be nice if each business in each little town catering to bikers would describe themselves and give directions from the trailhead to their business;

4) the brochure/map is incorrect about trail grade. The trail is flat after Booneville and hilly between Booneville and Sedalia.

5) some of the bars across the trail (put there to slow you down at intersections) are a little snug and might cause an accident.

IMHO, I'd prefer the state to only spend money on maintaining and extending the trail.



With regard to the trail grade, I believe the state is trying to pinpoint where wheelchairs may be impacted by "steep" grades (little levees), not marking hills.

pretty much what gc and rfc said.

Family of three - Oct 1-5. I REALLY wish there was water at every station! I think the trail is in great shape - almost boringly so. Too much maintenance activity is going to scare away the black snakes and other critters who call the adjacent areas home.



And although we did see three volunteer patrol-people, we also saw a wierdo who made me nervous in the Clinton area - a little more security presence (maybe sheriff patrols stopping by the stations periodically?) would be great.

I'd like there to be a connecting trail from Clinton south to Bolivar, where the Frisco Trail connects to Springfield.

I'd like for the whole trail to be down hill both ways, so I never have to peddle and if the trail was covered so I woulodn't get wet from the rain or snow that would be nice to.

The restrooms at trailheads need cleaned more often. We were on the trail the weekend of October 13th and most of the restrooms between Jefferson City and McKittrick stunk beyond the point of use. My group had to find businesses with restroom facilities.

My wife agrees with the down hill both ways!! crazy!

The proprietor picked us up at the trailhead as promised and delivered us back the next morning bright and early. I offered a tip and he declined - a really nice guy. The place was economical, clean and close to several places to eat - including a pizza hut that delivered right to our hotel door. Highly recommend as an alternative to traveling across the bridge into downtown Jeff City.

Yes, I would also recommend Best Value. Very clean, and the pick-up service was very prompt. Bikers please note the spur trail noted in the Katy Trail book is not recommended. The trail is actually a crossing of a crop field to a gravel road and then an uphill ride on Summit Drive.

Great people, service, prices, and selection here. Best place we found anywhere along the trail.

Great people, service, prices, and selection here. Best place we found anywhere along the trail.

I recently viewed an elevation map of the Katy Trail. It show sort of a side view (ups and downs) of the elevation from Clinton to St. Charles. I don't remember where I found it and it may have even been on THIS website. Does anyone know?

The elevation chart was not on this website, but I will definitely add links to it if anyone knows where to find it.

rl - I wanted the same information when my brothers and I rode the KATY and all I did was type Missouri Geological Dept in the Search box and got it. BTW the difference from West to East is only about 800'. enjoy the voyage....Mark of the Dalton Boys

rl...this was driving me nutty just 2 nights ago as well. We finished our end to end ride and I came home to find that I forgot where this interesting map was located . I found it, and it IS accessible from this GREAT web site. Click on Maps above. Then click on, Katy Trail route mapped on Google maps, under the heading Entire Trail. Wait for map to finish loading,and it should come up. I bet this is what you saw earlier. Enjoy!

Thanks to you both!!!! This is very helpful.

Absolutly adore these paintings. They show the small town of Tebbetts so realisticly. Would be very interested in purchasing some of these to hang in my home in Tebbets. Thanks for such beautiful paintings.

Kim, if you want to purchase Linda's paintings, go to the page of her paintings and click on her name under any of the images where it says "Painting: Linda Jacobs". This will take you to Linda's website, where there is a catalog of available paintings, and you can also find her email address.

Buffet is very bad. Price is expensive for a very poor selection. The salad bar had almost nothing on it and when I asked for some tomatoes I was told they didn't have any -- no tomatoes on a salad bar? Of course there wasn't any vegetables except for some peas that had all sorts of stuff "mixed" in with them that had fallen in.



The other food was of such poor quality that my wife and I finally had enough and asked to see a manager. After waiting for about 15 minutes we got our money back, but it wasn't easy.

I agree with you completely. The food was not good at all. The funny thing is, the Isle of Capri in Kansas City is exactly the same, they also have the same yukky food.