Reply to Biking on the katy

How is the trail in the communities around the Missouri River. Wanting to plan bike trip that way, and was curious about all the rain we've had.

Missouri DNR has information on their website: https://mostateparks.com/page/58843/potential-flood-locations

On the right-hand side of the page there are links for advisories, including trail closures that are a result of the flooding. (https://mostateparks.com/advisory/68156/sections-park-temporarily-closed-katy-trail-state-park)

Lots of places are wet or flooded... we are drying out in Hartsburg fairly quickly... so if you have trail tires... you might be good by Saturday or short ride Friday night in our area...

Sarah, We are planning on riding from Clinton to St. Charles starting Monday, May 8th-13th. The weather looks dry for the western section over to Jeff City for most of next week but we are concerned about the areas close to the river east of Jeff City, like Portland, Herrmann, Augusta, St. Charles. Even if the waters recede, do you think that the damage to the trail in those areas would be fixed and open in time for our ride the end of next week? Or would it be better to postpone our trip for 2 weeks later? I know you can't say for sure, but I have begun to realize that even if the river is down that doesn't mean that we can get through if DNR hasn't had an opportunity to repair it.

I, too, was planning on riding the Katy starting on Mon., the 8th, from Clinton. Am flying in from Washington, DC. Decided to rent a car and just ride whatever sections, if any, are good. Guess I'll find out when I get there! I didn't want to cancel my vacation time off. I'm going to use car to drive and bike elsewhere also, to sightsee, as I've never been to Missouri before. Guess I'll have to come back another time to bike the rest of the Katy.

Good news is that it looks like we are in for at least 3 days with no rain and with lots of sunshine. The next 3 days after those only have a 50% or less chance of rain. The Missouri River at St. Charles crested this morning (Boonville crested a couple of days ago). So the water will be off the trail soon and it will dry quickly. It's just a matter of MO DNR needing to repair any sites. In my experience, even if repairs are needed, there is usually an obvious way around the damage.

I don't think there is much rain in the forecast next couple of days or more at least... so as long as your tires are not the mega thin ones... most of the trail should be ride/walk a bit/rideable... we are drying out in Hartsburg quickly... much past Jefferson city... I would just watch the website ... this web page will help you keep up with improvements... Ray is awesome!

What about these places "Close to all access" on DNR's website Sarah?

The following areas are currently affected by flooding and not accessible to trail users.

Closed to all access
-- MM 34 - 35 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 38.1 - 40 (effective May 4, 2017)
-- MM 44.2 at Duckett Creek (effective May 4, 2017)
-- MM 39, Frontier Park (effective May 2, 2017)
?-- MM 48.3 to MM 56, Weldon Spring - trailhead is open but cannot travel east or west on the trail (effective May 3, 2017)
-- MM 67 - 71, west of the Augusta trailhead (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 72 - 73 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 79 - 80 Charrette Creek Basin (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 98 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 98.7 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 102.3 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 103.3 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 111.3 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 114.1(effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 115.9, Portland trailhead (effective May 1, 2017)
-- MM 117 - 120.5 (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 149.8 to 153.6 between Claysville and Hartsburg. Users in this area can use East Hartsburg Bottom Road to detour around flood areas. (effective April 30, 2017)
-- MM 157.4 near Wilton (effective April 30, 2017)