Local Rides
There are 3 parks, Lost Valley, Matson Hill and Klondike, all connected by about 15 or so miles of Katy trail. We've created Adobe PDF maps of all the local trails. Download Adobe Reader if you currently can't view Adobe Acrobat PDF documents.
Klondike Park - St. Charles County
DIRECTIONS
From the Highway 40/94 interchange: Take Highway 94 South approximately
14 miles, past Defiance and Matson. The park entrance is on the left side
of Highway 94.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
Hogsback Trail (Located on east side of park) - narrow ridge-riding with
tight switchbacks. Powerline Trail - technical, rocky, more tight switchbacks.
Strip Mine Loop - very rocky & technical. Donkey Kong Loop - 2 steep
sections will test your skills. (Located on west side of park) You can ride
all of the trails here and the fire-roads that connect them (about 5.5 miles)
or pick your favorites and ride them several times.
AREA INFORMATION
Located in southwestern St. Charles County, Klondike Park is a 250-acre
park, acquired by the County in 1999. This park lies adjacent to Highway
94, the Katy Trail and the Missouri River. In the Klondike Park site has
been heavily disturbed by quarry operations and is a study of nature's resiliency.
The park includes: camper cabins, the Curt Loupe Conference Center, a fishing
lake, boat ramp to the Missouri River, natural areas, basic and primitive
campsites, biking and hiking trails, access to the Katy Trail, picnic areas,
a playground area, and observation areas with tremendous views of the Missouri
River, surrounding forests and farmland in St. Louis and Franklin counties.
View Full Size Map (200KB Adobe PDF)
CONTACT INFO & LAND STATUS
St. Charles County Parks, (636) 949-7535, St. Charles County Parks and Recreation
RIDING TIME & RATING
1 hour, Moderate to Expert
Lost Valley - St. Charles County
DIRECTIONS
Take Hwy 94 south past Hwy 40/64 about 5 miles. Just before the one-lane
bridge, slow down and turn right into the large gravel parking lot, just
before the Little Femme Osage Creek Lost Valley can also be accessed by
going 7.2 miles east on the Katy Trail from Klondike Park.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
This is an 8-mile loop. The first three miles are mainly flat double and single
track. There's a short climb followed by a downhill and rolling hills. Half
of the trail is a flat wide country road closed to auto traffic, the second
half winds through forest and meadows and along ridges and many streams.
GORC has increased the fun factor of Lost Valley in 2004 & 2005 by adding
two 1+ mile singletrack sections that will leave a smile on the face.
AREA INFORMATION
The total contiguous acreage of Weldon Spring, Howell Island and the Busch
Conservation Area is 16,918 acres, 7,356 of which comprise Weldon Spring.
The area was named for John Weldon, who received a Spanish land grant in
1796 for 425 acres. Nearly 150 years later, during World War 11, the government
acquired 17,000 acres here for the construction of a munitions plant. It
was then owned by the University of Missouri and in 1978, the Conservation
Department acquired this property. Along the road, you'll notice a fine
chart trail that looks like the Katy Trail, except that it has WARNING signs
posted on all sides. The government has cleaned up the old munitions plant
where atom-bomb research was done during World War I. You can see the result
and learn the history of the area at the Interpretive Center located at
the Mound, located approximately two miles down highway 94 from I-40.
View Full Size Map (128KB Adobe PDF)
CONTACT INFO & LAND STATUS
Weldon Spring Conservation Area, (636) 441-4554, Missouri Department of
Conservation
RIDING & TIME RATING
1 - 3 hours, Easy to Moderate
Matson Hill - St. Charles County
DIRECTIONS
Take highway 94 south from I-70 or US-40 to Matson, the next town south
of Defiance. At the south end of the Katy Trail parking lot is Matson Hill
Road, which you follow 1.8 miles to the park, on the left. Follow the signs
for Matson Hill Park. The trail can also be accessed by riding 2.8 miles
east on the Katy Trail from Klondike Park and turning left on Matson Hill
Road.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
It’s a short and sweet 2-3/4 mile loop designed for hike and bike
use only. This is some fairly unique terrain, heavily wooded, very dark
and shady, with several rock-bottom creek crossings. The trail has a ton
of elevation change and great natural beauty. Stop and look around when
you reach the bottom of the 'valley' it's great. The trail should be ridden
clockwise and counter-clockwise; each direction offers it’s own pleasures.
AREA INFORMATION
Located in Southwestern St. Charles County Matson Hill Park is a 68.5-acre
park. Acquired by the County in 1975, this park's topography is rugged wooded
hills with intermittent draws or valleys. Located within the Daniel Boone
Historic District, the park is reminiscent of the area during Boone's life.
In fact, it is possible that Daniel Boone walked within the park's boundaries
during some of his many journeys. This park provides a unique recreational
opportunity for nature lovers or those wanting to escape into a heavily
forested landscape.
View Hi-Res Adobe Acrobat PDF (72KB)
CONTACT INFO & LAND STATUS
St. Charles County Parks, (636) 949-7535 St. Charles County Parks and Recreation
RIDING TIME RATING
1 hour (2) loops Easy to Moderate
Overview Linking Parks Together via Katy Trail
Overall St. Charles County Park View - High Res Map (128KB)
