Family fun can be a pain in the behind, but Grandma's still itching to go.
Written: Jun 21 '05
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Pros: Scenic, flat bike riding trail
Cons: Grandma fell in the poison ivy
The Bottom Line: Find your way to the Katy Trail and take a hike or a ride through this scenic 'park'
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| clubber63366's Full Review: Katy Trail State Park |
We have found a place where three generations of our family can spend time together, get exercise and enjoy nature, all the while inducing first numbness, then soreness to one's backside. From my 70 yr-old mother to my 7 yr-old daughter, my family bikes what is known as Katy Trail State Park.
Katy Trail State Park is the longest rail-to-trail conversion in the United States. On an old abandoned Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (nicknamed Katy) route through mid-Missouri, the state has created a 225 mile long linear park for biking, hiking and, on a small portion on the eastern end, horseback riding. The trail runs from just outside of St. Louis in St. Charles, along the Missouri River to the west, terminating in Clinton, Mo.
We are familiar with the first 40 miles from east to west. Within about twenty miles of home, we can chose from about 7 trailheads to park and begin our weekend rides. The biggest of these is in the city of St. Charles around the refurbished 'old town' where Lewis and Clark began their own journey west.
Once you leave the shadow of the multi-tiered parking garage of the city's riverboat casino in St. Charles, you begin a transition to the rural atmosphere that envelopes the path almost the whole length of the trail. Soon you're riding in what has been termed a "tunnel of trees".
Because it was once used for rail traffic, there is very little rise and fall. The lack of hills on the crushed limestone trail makes it easy for even the youngest and oldest of us to ride for miles.
Another vestige from it's early days as a rail line is the presence of small villages every 10-15 miles, once "booming" rail stops. Defiance, Augusta, Dutzow, and Marthasville now would qualify as quaint rural towns that make their living off of two things - the Katy Trail and the area's wineries.
In between towns the scenery changes from the tunnel of trees, to cave-filled limestone bluffs bordering on one side of the path, to farm fields stretching to the horizon, to the Missouri River. You may chance to see deer, turtles, snakes, turkey vultures, blue birds and more.
Then another town, another opportunity to get a drink and something to eat. And for those making the long journey end-to-end, most of these towns have at least one B&B. For the more adventurous there are some campgrounds that offer anything from primitive campsites to cabins sleeping 8.
Klondike Park, just off the trail west of Augusta, is a county facility in our area that once served as a quarry. There is a scenic overlook high up on the bluffs, catch-and-release fishing lakes and camping starting at $7/night tent sites.
Our family has come to enjoy riding the Katy Trail. The biking is easy enough that your butt gets tired long before your legs do. There are enough choices of places to begin your ride that each weekend seems like a new adventure. Refreshments and facilities are located at convenient distances. It's a wonderful way to get in touch with nature and in touch with each other.
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Hiking & Trails
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Epinions.com ID:
clubber63366
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Member: Mike
Location: Ofallon, Missouri
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 33 members
About Me:
Hard_to_please 's brother .... Miss you bro!
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