Katy Trail - McKittrick
Posted by: 
Tollybrew
N 38° 44.036 W 091° 26.670
15S E 635200 N 4288399
Katy Trail State Park is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad (better known as the Katy).
Waymark Code: WMXRJ
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 11/05/2006
Views: 45
When the railroad decided to cease operation on its route from Machens in St. Charles County to Sedalia in Pettis County in 1986, it presented the chance to create an extraordinary recreational opportunity -- a long-distance hiking and bicycling trail that would run almost 200 miles across the state.
McKittrick was another railroad town along the MKT. The remains of the depot are still there and a grain elevator is nearby. The 16 mile stretch east to Treloar has spectacular views of the Missouri River and towering bluffs. To the west lies Rhineland and Portland. Just across the Missouri River is the beautiful town of Hermann.
The opportunity for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to acquire the right-of-way was made possible by the National Trails System Act, which provides that railroad corridors no longer needed for active rail service can be banked for future transportation needs and used on an interim basis for recreational trails. Because of a generous donation by the late Edward D. "Ted" Jones, the department was able to secure the right-of-way and construct the trail. In 1991, the Union Pacific Railroad donated to the state an additional 33 miles of rail corridor from Sedalia to east of Clinton. Additional purchases and donations have been added. Today, Katy Trail state park is open for 225 miles from St. Charles to Clinton and is operated by the Department of Natural Resources as part of the state park system.
Country: USA
State/Province/etc.: Missouri
Trail Start (town): Machens
Trail Finish (town): Clinton
Trail Length: 225
Trail Surface: Gravel/Stone
Pack Animals Allowed: no
Fees: no
Internet Link(s):
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail/index.html
Rail-to-Trail Sign: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
A Trail Review
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