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The Katy Trail State Park in
Missouri extends some 238 miles across the state from Clinton to St. Louis. It was
created from the
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad corridor
which ceased operating in
1986. The trail is one of the longest rails-to-trails conversion projects
in the nation and is operated as a state park by the Missouri Department
of Natural Resources. |
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The trail was created to give people a place to walk and
to bicycle. The trail is relatively flat and has many scenic
views. The bluffs along the trail are particularly beautiful,
especially in the fall when the trees are quite colorful. |
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The Katy Trail includes many
bridges which go over
creeks and waterways
extending from the nearby
Missouri River. |
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In many places the Katy Trail runs between the Missouri
River on one side and tall limestone bluffs on the other
side. The bluffs south of Rocheport are especially scenic.
The limestone of these bluffs was formed from the
skeletons of millions of sea animals that settled to the
bottom of ancient seas. The area was explored by Lewis
and Clark. Indian tribes regarded the bluffs as a sacred
place and were called the Manitou Bluffs, which is the
Indian name for the Great Spirit.
The trail is open only during daylight hours. Information about the
Katy Trail can be obtained at
1-800-334-6946.
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