Katy Trail Home  The Katy Trail and Rock Island Trail Rock Island Trail Home

Reply to Machens Shuttle/Amtrak Options


Cancel and Return to Forum
Scroll down to see the discussion
All submissions are reviewed for appropriateness. We reserve the right to remove or edit any comment that we consider incorrect, misleading, or inappropriate, at our sole discretion. Please remember that this is a family-friendly website.
Subject:
Reply to Machens Shuttle/Amtrak Options
Your Name:

This does not have to be your real name. It could be a "screen name", your initials, or just leave blank.
Your Hometown:

Optional - it's just interesting to know where people are from
Email Address
Comment:
So we know you are a human, please answer this easy math quiz:
3 + 2 =
Ashley from Jefferson City, MO on 5/31/2018 7:12:41 AM:
We will be riding the entire trail from Clinton to Machens. We live in Jefferson City so was wondering the best option to take when we reach Machens since we will not have a vehicle. Can a shuttle pick us up from Machens trail end and take us either to the closest Amtrak or to Jefferson City? Thanks for your help!

 
Anonymous on 5/31/2018 7:21:05 AM:
Sure sounds like a classic definition of a shuttle service. Pick someone up and transport them from one place to another. Perhaps if you contact a shuttle service in the area they can let you know if they are available at the time you need the service.

 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville Il on 5/31/2018 11:35:07 AM:
Unless the shuttle service is very experienced, they may have trouble finding the Machens trailhead. It's out in the boonies.

Also the Katy is often closed around Mile Marker 35 which is between Machens and St. Charles. Sometimes you can walk through it if the closed portion is not flooded.

I think that your best bet would be to get a shuttle service in St. Charles instead of Machens for the two above reasons. You could still ride out to Machen (if the trail is open) then ride back. It would add another 12 miles to the ride (25 mile round trip). If the trail is impassible, then you could turn back to St. Charles a few miles sooner.

 
BikerBoy from Maryville, IL on 5/31/2018 3:06:11 PM:
I agree 100% with Jerry's suggestion. Give yourself a little more time, but just ride to Machens and back. That would be much easier for all parties.

Someday when I retire, I would like to volunteer to pick up and drop off cyclists at Machens just so they could say they did the whole trail.

 
CurtM from Fort Worth on 6/19/2018 5:58:18 PM:
I stayed in St Charles the first day of my east-to-west trip on the KT in May '18. I arrived early afternoon and after checking in (Frenchtown Inn), biked out to Machens with a detour to Portage des Sioux. About 30 miles round trip but plenty of time if you're staying in St Charles. It's true that's there isn't much in Machens (well, actually nothing more than the kiosk and latrine), but just go through the gate at the end and around to the gravel road that parallels the live rail if you want to explore the country a bit. So, consider staying in St Charles and making Machens and back a half-day trip. BTW, the Frenchtown did offer a shuttle service to the Kirkwood Amtrak, and it is a very nice B&B. Thanks for you time.