Ned M.
Google
McKitrick trail head is typical for the Katy Trail. There is plenty of parking and OK restroom, but no running water. There are also tools and a self-serve”bike work station” with an air pump. There is a small bed-and-breakfast about 30 yards from the trail( (pic). McKitrick really doesn’t have any food or drink, etc. if you’re desperate for a soda or some groceries…or a bar, go west & under the highway on the Katy and take a left to join the spur + Highway 19 to the north towards Hermann…In less than a mile there’s a grocery and bar on the left. Grocery store has Champs Chicken and deli food. Obviously this turn, west of McKitrick is the turnoff where people leave the trail and ride to Hermann. This is the only bridge to cross the Missouri River between Washington Missouri to the east and Jefferson City Missouri to the west. This bridge has a dedicated bike/pedestrian lane with metal separation rails so you can safely cross this bridge, although there is a portion of the highway between the bridge and trail that you must ride where the dedicated bike lane is not separated from traffic by any physical structure. Hermann is a beautiful German town that sits on the south bank of the Missouri River. You can actually go right down to the river if you go down town and cross the (active) railroad tracks. There are plenty of accommodations in Hermann and a community campground.
The trail is very shady for over a mile in both directions, but after that, for summer rides, expect only small sections of shade until you get past Case to the east, and then you get a tunnel of shade with bluffs on one side and eventually the Missouri River on the other. (See my review of the Trelor Trailhead for what to expect over that direction.) A caution: if you ride from McKitrick to the east, make sure you have all the water and food that you need for at least the next 15 miles. There really isn’t anything available near the trail. Even at Trelor, services are limited or even absent at odd times. There is a pretty reliable restaurant near the Dutzow Trailhead. Case to Trelor is a beautiful, and shady/cool part of the Katy in the summer and even more wonderful in the spring and fall.
To the west, the trail is mostly sunny to and past Rhineland until you get within a few miles of Bluffton. Rhineland is an active small town with an ATM and bank and restaurant. (See my Portland review for the wonderful part of the trail from Bluffton to Portland)
