
Matson to Augusta - Matson, MO
Posted by:
YoSam.
N 38° 36.522 W 090° 47.691
15S E 692005 N 4275661
Points of Interest -----> See photo gallery for text on photos
Waymark Code: WMYNYC
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 07/05/2018
Views: 1
County of marker: St. Charles County
Location of marker: Lucille Ave. & MO-94, Katy Trailhead, Matson
Erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Date Erected: 2000
Katy Trail State Park runs for 5.70 miles from Matson to Augusta. Tavern Bluffs, seen across the river, were the scene of a dramatic episode from the Lewis and Clark Expedition: on May 23, 1804, Capt. Meriwether Lewis fell 20 feet before stopping his fall with his knife.
Along this stretch of river bluffs, Jefferson City dolomite -- which will tower over the Katy Trail for the next 100 miles -- is topped by thick layers of St. Peter sandstone. Trail users come alongside the Missouri River shortly after milepost 62, and reach a Lewis and Clark Expedition historical marker and public boat launch after another mile. Nearby, a hiking and biking trail intersects the Katy and leads to Klondike Park, an old quarry now owned by St. Charles County.
Benches offer a rest spot to enjoy the view including at a natural shelter of St. Peter sandstone at milepost 63.3. Still-standing concrete silos at the former railroad stop of Klondike, at milepost 64.1, held silica from this high-grade sandstone. Another trail climbs to the blufftop area of Klondike Park, the former quarry site, from an intersection with the Katy here.
The last four miles to Augusta are away from roads, and trail users can enjoy the farm landscape and bottomland forest of the Missouri River floodplain lined by bluffs. Sometimes visible through openings to the left, the Labadie coal-burning power plant is located on the opposite side of the river.