Katy Trail TGO Challenge Practice April 10, 2026

I desperately needed to get in some miles for my upcoming walk across Scotland. It is only 25 days away. Between having some lingering issues with my hip (I am getting another cortisone injection next week) and tweaking my back muscle, which I seem to do a couple times a year, I have not wanted to do much. But today, my back felt better and the forecast was for cloudy and cooler temperatures, so I just wanted to get out and walk. Fortunately for me the Katy Trail, the longest rail to trail path in the US at 240 miles, is only 2 miles from my front door. I wanted to at least get in more miles than I usually do at Daniel Boone Conservation Area. On the Katy Trail, I can just walk and then turn around anytime and return. My plan was to walk around 8-10 miles in one direction and then turn around and return for a fairly long walk. 

I started out at the McKittrick trailhead just across the Missouri River from Hermann and walked West. I did not really have any goal or plan for when to turn around. After starting the walk on the North side of the Missouri River, which is the flood plane, farming side, you can look over and see my side (the South side) and the bluffs that run along that side. I noticed that the bluff seems to peter out in about 7 miles or so. Seemed like a plan presented itself. I would walk until I was ever with the end of bluffs and turn around 

A panorama view of the plan

McKittrick trail head

The tunnel going under Hwy 19

The bridge over the Loutre (Looter = local pronunciation) River

This trail is really a great resource for bikers and walkers. However, I had forgotten that is is hard pack gravel and concrete, so this was going to be rough on my feet. 

I didn't expect to see anyone this early on the trail and I was right, I only saw one biker all day and it looked like he might be bike packing the entire trail. 

Lots of cows though

One farmer has a good sense of humor 

There are some really lovely farms and historic architecture along the path

Bicycle art work along a biking trail 

The bluff is shrinking,. so nearing at the end of my outbound walk, just lots of great farmland next to the River. It started to rain for just a bit, so I turned around just a bit short 

After turning around and walking back toward the small town of Rhineland, I noticed a sign I did not see going out. This area is very close to the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant that went online in 1984

One the way out and back through Rhineland I walked past The Corner Bar, a converted gas station that had just recently reopened after being closed for several years. 

I was walking back, just as they were opening at 11 am. It was impossible not to stop for lunch and a rest 

Salad and a burger. It was delicious and the women that works here was super nice. I was their first customer of the day, but by the time I finished many more people had come in! I hope they succeed, it is a great addition to the town. 

Leaving town, the other end of the Nuclear Planning Zone... I am not sure a few miles would make any difference if you didn't have a plan!.... 

Only a touch of rain, so otherwise a nice walk, I was right, the hard pack didn't do my feet any favors but a couple of Ibuprofen and I will survive.