Near St Louis?

[Float05]

Hello fellow pilgrims-

While waiting to return for my third Spanish pilgrimage next summer, I’m planning a three week walk on the Katy trail near St Louis Dec 6-23. If you live nearby and would like to walk a day with me, or meet up for a coffee, or if you can recommend lodging/services, please send me a message! I’m aware of the cold (I’m from Vermont!) and I know I’ll need to walk quite a bit off trail to get to a bed. I have it 80% figured out and I’m hopeful to have it solidified in the next week or so.

Peace,
Colleen

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hello @Float05, I have biked a large section of the Katy Trail several years ago. We started in St. Charles, which is near St. Louis, in the fall and it was beautiful with the cliffs on one side of the trail and the river on the other.
Last year we drove our car there in the spring, parking intermittently at various stages, walking a few miles forward and back from our lodgings.
I had seriously considered walking the eastern half of the Katy Trail during Covid, but found it difficult to plan some of the stages to my liking and a few were going to be off trail, so I gave up the idea. The majority using this trail are on bicycles and it has no "camino feel".
December would not be my choice of time to walk, but as you say, you are used to colder weather.
Good luck planning the remaining 20% of your trip and I hope it all falls into place nicely for you.

 

[Float05]

Hello @Float05, I have biked a large section of the Katy Trail several years ago. We started in St. Charles, which is near St. Louis, in the fall and it was beautiful with the cliffs on one side of the trail and the river on the other.
Last year we drove our car there in the spring, parking intermittently at various stages, walking a few miles forward and back from our lodgings.
I had seriously considered walking the eastern half of the Katy Trail during Covid, but found it difficult to plan some of the stages to my liking and a few were going to be off trail, so I gave up the idea. The majority using this trail are on bicycles and it has no "camino feel".
December would not be my choice of time to walk, but as you say, you are used to colder weather.
Good luck planning the remaining 20% of your trip and I hope it all falls into place nicely for you.

Definitely not expecting a Camino feel. I’ll have to wait til next June for that! I just want to unplug and walk with my thoughts. Thanks for the information and well wishes!

 

[HoosierOldLady]

Hi, @Float05, I live in Columbia, MO; not on the trail but close. One way of returning to the St. Louis area when you are finished (or in other places along the way) is by train. I'd love to join you for a day, and I do have some suggestions for places to stop. Ill send you a personal message.

 

[tominrm]

Hmm. Interesting idea. I biked the part of the trail twice but never thought about walking it. I will have to see if there is enough infrastructure (food and lodging) to support the walk without having to walk more off the trail looking for one. Also need to know if the area is warm enough to walk during that time of the year.