In August 2013, I finished out the Frisco Highline Trail near home as I said I would in my previous blog about Bicycling the Katy Trail - One Way Or Another (June and July). You can easily find the updated version by using the 'Search This Blog' tool on the left side of the page; key word 'Katy Trail.'
As I mentioned, the weather was getting hotter and the gas prices were up to $3.50/ gallon so staying closer to home was the smartest option. In August and September, the weather was still hot but I got up earlier and rode before the hottest part of the day. The daylight was longer for driving the two hours plus one way and the gas prices started to come down to about $3.12-$3.25/gallon. It was time to get back on the Katy Trail.
Rocheport to Easley - 15.8 miles
The Mid-West Management Section began in Booneville and ends in Portland. This section is considered by many to be the most scenic with the most open views of the Missouri River and river bluffs.
The state champion bur oak is nearby but I just thought this bur oak was good enough for a picture as it was close enough. Other interesting things along this section were Native American pictographs on a bluff and the Edward "Ted" Jones Jr. Memorial which commemorates the financial contributions and support of Ted and Pat Jones. Yes, THAT Edward Jones, the St. Louis-based financial services firm. It was their efforts that secured the right-of-way land that was donated in 1987. Also of note is the spur that goes off to the city of Columbia. This was the first portion of the MKT Trail completed in 1990 and went to Rocheport from Columbia.
Missouri River on one side...
...bluffs on the other side
...and caves and more caves!
And then the wine country begins about Interstate 70 where it crosses just east of Rocheport. There's a great winery with access from the interstate by car. It is called Les Bourgeois Vineyards. I would highly recommend the American Red Collector's Series. It is 34% 2009 Zinfandel, 34% 2010 Merlot, and 32% 2009 Syrah. For more information: www.missouriwine.com
Elderberry on the trail
Wildflowers are few and far between now with limited areas between the bluffs and river. It is also the end of summer and only the roughest wildflowers can thrive during Missouri's annual draught in August.
North Jefferson to Easley - 19.3 miles
I am now traveling by car on Highway 54 to Jefferson City for the shortest distance. I am biking northwest to turn around where I left off at Easley. This is a familiar route in many ways. I lived in Jefferson City during the week and went home on weekends in early 2006 to late 2007. Biking the Katy Trail from North Jefferson to Hartsburg was a regular routine.
This is my Chevy Impala and my Giant bicycle at the North Jefferson Trailhead. Nearby is also the Central Missouri Master Gardeners greenhouses and project areas. I would spend much time here and was originally inspired to join the Master Gardeners in my home county.
This 10-mile and return bike ride on the Katy Trail is most familiar to me.
I would stop and have dinner at this cafe many times. It had a 1950's theme with many fun and interesting antiques. There was also a winery and bike shop close by that have since closed.
Missouri River
This was to be the bike trip that I read ALL the information boards along the way! Most of them told the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804 through Missouri.
When the trail got farther away from the Missouri River, I saw much corn and beans on the bottom land.
Butterfly on a thistle
So much of the trail area is covered with dense vines that reach high up into the trees choking out many other wild plants. It does make for interesting canopies but does seem out of control.
North Jefferson to Mokane - 18.2 miles
This was one of those days that I considered staying home because the weather the night before was rainy and the forecast was not as good as I had experienced previously this year. I left home in the rain and it stopped about 30 minutes before I got to Jefferson City. I was lucky that half my bike trip was dry and I was going in the right direction with the wind to my back.
This trip was the least fun mainly because as soon as I turned around at Mokane to bike back to my car parked at North Jefferson, it rained constantly and the temperature dropped and wind picked up. It is that time of year now with change of seasons surprises. It was all good as I thought it better on the way back instead of on the way out. I was prepared for the worse.
The most beautiful thing I saw on this trip were the golden soybean fields.
The cold rain and wind weren't the only obstacles to overcome.
Again the drive on Highway 54 to Jefferson City is the shortest mileage from home. Now I am biking east into the Mid-East Management Section of the Katy Trail. This section which goes from Portland to Matson has the highest bluffs and the most magnificent views of the Missouri River. Much of this section is through the heart of "Missouri's Rhineland," known for the number of German settlements from the mid-1800's. There are countless vineyards and wineries; many accessible from the trail.
My turn around is here and then back to Mokane where my car is parked. I found that I enjoy the trips best when I ride at my top speed (12-14 miles per hour) to my turn around destination. I only stop for water sips. Then I ride at a more comfortable speed of about 8-10 miles per hour on the way back stopping frequently for pictures, stretches, and rest. Usually I have a light lunch that I packed with me at the turn around place.
This is the highest bluff at Bluffton. It is about 200 feet in height. The trail runs between huge rock bluffs and the Missouri River for most of the trail between Booneville and the Mississippi River. That's about 200 miles along the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Missouri River sandbars
Many old iron bridges and tunnels all along the Katy Trail. The oldest tunnel (1893) is just outside of Rocheport which is 243 feet long. I still love to hear the echoes as I ring my bell through them all :)
Always have to watch out for unexpected trail conditions! This center split could catch a tire and put the rider down pretty quick. Just a couple short sections are like this. I'm betting it was repaired by the next weekend as it looked fresh and it was not posted with a warning.
Standing Rock - a sandstone column carries markings of flood water levels have been made for the past 150 years. It has been wondered why a railroad would build all along a flood area which is about 200 miles from St. Louis to Booneville. It was said that the railroad officials believed the straight, below 2% grade of the land was still more cost efficient to build and maintain than locating in the higher hilly, rocky grounds. It flooded somewhere along it every year. Definitely worth checking the Katy Trail website for trail conditions before leaving home. www.bikekatytrail.com
Historic German-built church at Rhineland. This town was relocated to higher ground after the 1993 flood. It is the oldest German community in Missouri (1836). I am inspired to make the theme of my next Katy Trail experience one of photographing and visiting all the historic churches and graveyards close to the trail. Maybe next year?
Blackfoote Mushroom
The remaining trip and summary will be in the next blog - Bicycling the Katy Trail - One Way Or Another (October). This will include more winery activities and fall colors and will be the Grand Finale of my Katy Trail 2013 experience.
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