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Katy Trail Journals and Trip Reports
The next best thing to riding, hiking, or running the Katy Trail, is reading about the experiences
of others who have. There's something to learn from each one.
Reports are listed in chronological order based on time of trip, most recent first.
New indicates reports added within the past 60 days.
Share your story! Please contact us if you have a
report, essay, or journal about your Katy Trail experience, that you'd like to see listed here.
These links will open in a new browser window.
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Susan & Mark''s Katy Trail Adventure
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Author: Susan
When: May 2010
Where: Clinton to St Charles
Nice blog, excellent photos. |
http://www.loveofbikes.com/?p=739
Blue''s Katy Tour and Train Ride
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Author: Blue Tapp Scheffer
When: October 2008
Where: Entire trail, plus Amtrak
St Louis to Warrensburg by Amtrak, and back by bike. Great photos, and nice use of maps. |
http://www.bluetapp.com/KatyTrail2008/
Let''s Do It!
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Author: Ann Ruger
When: July 2008
Where: Clinton to St Charles
This is a must-read, especially if you have ever wondered whether you are capable of doing the whole trail end to end. |
rraruger.aspx
Great Katy Trail Experience
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Author: Jerry Dusterhoff
When: May 2008
Where: Clinton to St Charles
Having fun on the Katy Trail, by the author of Bicycle Journeys with Jerry. |
rrDusterhoff.aspx
Endless Wildflowers and Plants Seen
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Author: Jaye Dee
When: Early May 2008
Where: Clinton to St Charles
Photo-essay of plants and flowers along the Katy Trail. (2.6 MB, may take a few minutes to download) |
ridereport/KTWildPlants.pdf
Katy Trail Shelter story
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Author: Jay Delms
When: October 2007
Everything you need to know about the Shelter in Tebbetts. |
ridereport/shelter.pdf
Henry & Daisy’s 2007 Tour de Katy
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Author: Henry & Daisy
When: June 2007
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A must-read for advice on trip planning and preparation, and lots of good advice along the trail too. |
rrhenrydaisy.aspx
Preparing to Hike the Katy
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Author: Douglas Knox
When: June 2007
Where: Clinton to Machens
Follow along in the author''''s blog as he prepares to hike the Katy Trail in June 2007, and as he accomplishes it. |
http://www.dougknox.blogspot.com/
Trailing the Kids
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Author: Ligaya Figueras
When: Spring 2006
Where: Matson to Treloar
Facing the challenges and rewards of hitting the trail with kids. |
http://www.railtrails.org/newsandpubs/features/20072307_trailingkids.html
The Return of the Geezers (Geezer Jocks part 2)
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Author: Bruce Thompson
When: April 2007
Where: Boonville to St Charles
The Geezers return to finish their quest. |
rrthompson-p2.aspx
Geezer Jocks on the Katy Trail - Part 1
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Author: Bruce Thompson
When: October 2006
Where: Clinton to Boonville
These riders make a wise decision at the end of this ride. |
rrthompson.aspx
A Fall Tour of the Katy
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Author: Kim
When: September, 2006
Where: Clinton to St Charles
Two friends enjoy the scenery and overcome flat tires on an end-to-end tour. Includes photos and discussion of businesses along the trail. |
rrkim.aspx
Hiking the Katy
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Author: Greg
When: Late summer 2006
Where: Clinton to McKittrick
Greg set out to walk the Katy, recording his thoughts and experiences in this blog. It's a fascinating narrative that will make you want to experience the trail from the intimate perspective of a hiker. |
http://gregwalk2006.blogspot.com/
Two Weeks With Lewis And Clark
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Author: Moni
When: May 2006
Where: St Louis to Boonville & beyond
As part of a longer tour with "Lewis & Clark", the author followed the original L&C route up the Missouri River using the Katy Trail. See days 2-5 for Katy Trail. |
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/twoweekswithlewisandclark
Jerry and Jeanette's Tandem Katy Tour
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Author: Jerry and Jeanette
When: October 15-23, 2005
Where: Clinton to St Louis Airport
The authors came up with a unique transportation solution for their tandem bike, using a U-haul trailer. Lots of photos and helpful recommendations. |
http://www.touringonbikes.us/katy_trail_1.htm
The Not so Dangerous Dangers of Biking Across Missouri
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Author: Jennifer Popham
When: October 10-14 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A 70 year old dad and 28 year old daughter ride end to end, discovering that dangers of the trail are not so dangerous after all |
rrjennifer.aspx
Lewis & Clark Marathon comments
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When: September 18, 2005
Where: St Charles
Comments from various runners about the Lewis & Clark Marathon, which is partially run on the Katy Trail in St Charles. |
http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2023040919
The Metal Cowboy on the Katy Trail
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Author: Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie
When: Summer 2005
Where: Entire trail... and (far) beyond
The famed author rode the Katy during a coast-to-coast tour with his two young sons... and found it to be one of his all-time favorite rides! |
metalcowboy.aspx
Hot Days and Comfortable Nights
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Author: Sarah McGregor
When: June 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A pair of Colorado natives endured the summer heat by day, and enjoyed some of Missouri's finest B&Bs by night. Some great advice from all aspects of their tour. |
rrsarah.aspx
Speaker Jetton's Fitness Challenge
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When: June 20-27, 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
MO House Speaker Rod Jetton rode end-to-end to promote the Katy Trail, and the health and fitness of Missourians. This page offers a collection of articles about the ride. |
http://www.mobikefed.org/2005/06/speakers-fitness-challenge-katy-trail.html
2005 DNR Ride
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Author: MO Dept of Natural Resources
When: June 20-24, 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
Photos and day-by-day description of the big (300+ riders) annual end-to-end ride, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. |
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/2005ride.htm
Tips, Impressions, and Photos from Two Californians
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Author: Marty & Joe, Los Gatos, CA
When: May 29-June 4, 2005
Where: St Charles to Clinton
Marty & Joe share helpful tips and their impressions of businesses along the way. |
rrmarty.aspx
Sylvan, dusty, rural, and always pedaling
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Author: Tom Gibb
When: October 3-7, 2004
Where: End to end: Clinton to St Charles
Tom gives lots of excellent tips on the businesses and services along the trail. |
rr.aspx
A tour of the Missouri KATY Trail
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Author: Troy Ratliff
When: April 2004, with Sept & Nov followup
Where: Cinton to Hermann, with later ride to Weldon Spring
The author's first multiday trip. He encounters interesting people and animals, and works out the logistics of taking the train and shuttle. |
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/?o=as&doc_id=500&v=g
Lewis & Clark Trail: Iowa to Illinois section
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Author: Denis Kertz
When: Fall 2003
Where: Cross-country
Denis rode the 3000 mile Lewis & Clark Trail, a portion of which runs along the Katy Trail. |
http://www.cyclingaway.com/home/LCtour/LCinkmi.htm
Seven Days on the Katy Trail
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Author: Larry Plumlee
When: September 2003
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A solo ride on America's Longest "Rails-to-Trails" bike trail |
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/2094
Rediscovering the Katy
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Author: Laurie Allshouse
When: September 2003
Where: Clinton to St Charles to Clinton round trip
A round trip on the trail, with LOTS of pictures. Good info on B&Bs. |
http://www.wyokies.com/katy03.htm
Adventures With Bill
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Author: Ann Abeles
When: June 23-27, 2003
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A rider's experiences on the MO DNR 2003 end-to-end trip. The DNR offers this trip every year. |
http://www.frederickpedalers.org/bill2004_01-02.html
Fools On a Mission
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Author: Coll & Ted
When: June 2003
Where: Jefferson City to St Charles (& beyond)
Actually a cross-country bike tour, the riders spent four days on the Katy Trail. You'll enjoy the reading about rest of the trip too. |
http://www.garringer.net/foam/archives/2003_06_18.html
Jen & Andy's Katy Trail Adventure 2003
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Author: Andy
When: Summer 2003
Where: Hermann to St Charles
Their 2002 adventure was so great (see ride report below) that they came back for more! More interesting places, more interesting people ("Blue Eyes" was a bit too interesting). |
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/katytrailbikers/Publish/index.html
Rails-to-trails touring in America's Midwest
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Author: Norman D. Ford
When: October 2002
Where: End to end (east-west)
[Katy Trail report starts halfway down the page]
Norm's commentary has many useful hints and warnings. Browse his website for extensive information on bike touring in Germany. |
http://www.tourvelo.org/rails.html#trails
Walking the Katy Trail across rural Missouri
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Author: Phebe Novic
When: Fall 2002
Rural America, best experienced up-close and on foot. |
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/railtrails/WalkKaty.html
Katy Trail Freedom Ride
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When: July 4, 2002
Where: Entire trail
Three endurance fanatics tackle the entire trail in one day, making emergency repairs and enjoying Fourth of July fireworks along the way. |
http://www.triathletepro.com/katyfreedom.html
Katy (& Amtrak) Ride 2002
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Author: Marilyn Hedges and Mike Sorensen
When: May 23 - June 1, 2002
Where: St Charles-Clinton-Sedalia-Amtrak-Washington-St Charles
How do seasoned bike tourists follow up a cross-country expedition? By riding a round-trip on the Katy Trail, including Sedalia to Washington on the train. |
http://www.biketrip2001.com/KatyTrail/KatyTrailHome.htm
Jen and Andy's Katy Trail Adventure 2002
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Author: Jenny Dabbs
When: 2002 Memorial Day weekend
Where: Boonville to McKittrick
Two old friends hit the trail and meet interesting people. |
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/gdabber1/index.html
Bill Keaggy's Trip Photos
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Author: Bill Keaggy
When: May 1 - 5, 2002
Where: Sedalia to St Charles
The author presents 100 photos, with commentary that is entertaining, informative, and somewhat irreverant. |
http://keaggy.com/katytrail/2002/
Sam and the Smoking Tire
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Author: Raymond Scott
When: March 2002
Where: Clinton
This day trip had an interesting start, with a couple of big surprises. |
samreport.aspx
The Trowers Explore the Trail
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Author: John Trower
When: Spring 2001
Where: Sedalia to St Charles
After spending five days on the trail with his father, John Trower wrote a series of articles about their experience for the St Charles Journal. |
rrtrower.aspx
On the Trail with Amy
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Author: Mark Smith
When: June 2000
Where: Clinton to Jefferson City & back
Father & daughter encounter heat, humidity, flats, and lots of fun. |
http://www.oklahomabicyclesociety.com/kt2000/kt2000.htm
1999 Katy Trail Memories
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Author: Laurie Allshouse
When: Fall 1999
Where: Sedalia - St Charles - Marthasville - Amtrak back to Sedalia
The intrepid duo from Oklahoma don't let a litte rain dampen their spirits. |
http://www.wyokies.com/memories1999.htm
Cycling from St. Louis to Kansas City
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Author: Charles Hansen
When: 1999
Where: St Louis to KC, using Katy Trail from St Charles to Boonville
A Bostonian navigates the streets of St Louis, the Katy Trail, and back roads from Boonville to Kansas City. Nice pictures. |
http://www.crw.org/tours/Katy_trail/
A leisurely conquering of the Katy Trail
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Author: Joline Groot
When: Fall 1998
Where: Sedalia to St Charles
Two seniors, aged 71 and 67, came all the way from Florida to tackle the Katy Trail. |
http://www.cccyclists.org/article.php?this_id=93
1998 Katy Trail Memories
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Author: Laurie Allshouse
When: Spring 1998
Where: Columbia to St Charles
This tour started it all for this couple from Oklahoma, who have since come back for two more tours, each longer than the last. |
http://www.wyokies.com/memories1998.htm
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