DNR
Home PageDay 1 Facts
| Date: | Monday, June 18 |
| Breakfast: | Bagels, muffins, biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, cereal, coffee, orange juice, milk |
| Start: | Clinton, MO |
| Finish: | Pilot Grove, MO |
| Mileage: | 61 miles |
| Supper: | Smoked brisket, baked chicken and rice, parsley potatoes, carrots, green beans, rolls, homemade cake, tea, and lemonade |
| Activities: | Historic Building Tour and Free Swimming at the Pilot Grove Pool |
Trail Features (Taken from the rider's daily map booklet.) |
|
| Clinton to Calhoun: |
Clinton (1837) is the Henry County seat and home to the largest town square in Missouri. From Clinton, the trail is within site of Hwy. 52 for 5.5 miles to Lewis - a once thriving export center for coal. There are no services in Lewis. Next is Calhoun, the oldest town in Henry Co., founded in 1835. Pottery factories once operated here, thus the nickname Jugtown. Calhoun is home to the annual Colt Show, and a side trip to the town's square is of interest. Services are limited, but a SAG stop is provided at the trail head, located a short distance up a secondary trail on the right at 255.5. From here, Windsor, the trail is generally wooded as it briefly leaves prairie and enters the western limits of the Ozark hills. |
| Calhoun
to Sedalia: |
Windsor (1855), named for the castle in England, has many services. Visit the info depot at the trail head for history and a guide to the town. The high point (243.8) of Katy Trail is just beyond the SAG at Bryson, once called Kansas City Junction. Only an old schoolhouse and a few homes remain. Much of this stretch is undergoing prairie restoration. Green Ridge (1870) was built as a railroad town between the Osage River and Lamine River watersheds. A convenience store and bank are located north at the crossing of Hwy. 125. A great place to take a break can be found at Clover Dell Park and lake. Look for the spur trail on your left at 231.8. The equestrian parking area (229.9) on the outskirts of Sedalia is the next SAG stop. There you will find directions to the area restaurants along Hwy. 65 N and Hwy., 50 W, as well as downtown west of the depot (SAG stop). |
| Sedalia
to Pilot Grove: |
Sedalia (1857) remains an important rail town. Amtrak maintains a station here, and the Katy Depot (1896) was recently restored by the Department of Natural Resources. Sedalia is best known for the Missouri State Fair and one-time home of Scott Joplin, who composed the "Maple Leaf Rag" here. Beyond Beaman, the trail enters an alternating series of deep road cuts and fills, revealing the rugged landscape. A SAG stop is provided at Clifton City (1873). Take time to view the old buildings just up from the trail head. Just out of town (214.2), note the old through-truss railroad bridge and the Mount Moriah vehicle bridge (1913) to the left (down river). Don't miss the only remaining signal light on the trail at 213.2. As the trail comes along side the Lamine River, watch for the Sweeny Quarry on your right at 212.7, For a quick side trip to historic Pleasant Green, take a left at the 210.9 road crossing and follow the dirt road 1/3-mile to Hwy. 135. The 1825 Methodist Church is on the right, and on the left you will encounter the cemetery. Some distance away is the century-old hexagonal barn. Nearby is the c. 1820s plantation home. Turn right on Hwy. 135 and return 3/4 mile to the trail. |
Day 1 Highlights |
|
| Kick off Ceremony at the Benson Convention Center, Clinton, MO. |  |
 |
Ribbon-cutting ceremony of new 2.5 mile section of trail through Sedalia and new restroom facility |
| Tour of recently restored Katy Railroad Depot |  |
 |
SAG stops in Clifton City and Pleasant Green offered welcome relief from 90 degree temperatures and 20 mph wind. |
| Pilot Grove City Park: swimming, shower truck and shaded camping area |  |
 |
History of the Katy Trail interpretive program presented by Wallace Keck, District Interpreter |
