Why is the Katy Trail famous?

Its inaugural roll into Denison, Texas, on Christmas Day in 1872 launched a decades-long role as a major interstate route for commerce. The MKT was quickly known as “the Katy” by all–its stock also traded as K-T. MKT symbols to mark the railroad line during its heyday.

What is the prettiest part of the Katy Trail?

The most scenic portions of the trail are around Rocheport and then run up to St. Charles. You’ll follow the Missouri River from Boonville eastward; you are in woods/fields on the western end. A portion of the trail between N Jefferson and Augusta is fairly open in places and travels alongside fields.

How did the Katy Trail in Missouri get its name?

The nickname “Katy” comes from the phonetic pronunciation of “KT”, a short form of the railroad’s abbreviated name, MKT. Sections of the Katy are also part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the American Discovery Trail.

How flat is the Katy Trail?

The trail was built on former railroad tracks and closely follows the Missouri River (east of Boonville), so for the most part it’s exceptionally flat, as you might expect. However, you will find some long gradual slopes between Boonville and Clinton.

Who created Katy Trail?

The Katy Trail, as most locals know it, began in 2000, but the history of the Katy Trail stretches back nearly a hundred years to the age of railroads. Union Pacific Railroad built the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and established the network in 1865 as the Southern Branch.

Is a Katy a train?

The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, affectionately referred to as the Katy, was created in 1865. By the time it joined Union Pacific, the Katy served six midwestern states with more than 3,377 miles of track. It was an important north-south link between the Midwest and Texas, especially for the growing coal business.

What type of bike is best for Katy Trail?

The trail is crushed limestone and very well maintained. There were only a handful of sections that were “rough,” and those were clearly marked with signage. I’d recommend a cross or hybrid bike, but certainly a road (minimum 25mm tires), MTB, or a fat tire bike would work, too.

Who owns the Katy Trail in Missouri?

As Dan Burkhardt puts it, “The more we act like things are getting behind us regarding the hurt feelings of 30 years ago, the more they will get behind us.” The Peers Store, alongside the Katy Trail in Marthasville, is owned by Katy Land Trust founder Dan Burkhardt.

Is Katy Trail paved or gravel?

The Katy Trail surface is generally hard-packed but has some loose gravel on top. He recommends hybrid bikes with good tread to handle the fine limestone gravel surface of the path. Although it’s hard-packed in most places there is some loose sand on top and we found it a bit more challenging than riding on pavement.

How long is the Katy Trail in Mo?

240 miles
Park Information The park, built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy), is 240 miles long and runs between Clinton and Machens with 26 trailheads and four fully restored railroad depots along the way. The section of trail between Cooper County and St.

Where did the Katy railroad run?

The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, better known as The Katy, was a large granger that maintained an unconventional north-south network within a region dominated by the Santa Fe, Missouri Pacific, and Southern Pacific/St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt). It was also forced to compete against the Rock Island and St.