The Bluffs
    The bluffs along this part of the Missouri River are fairly "small" compared to the bluffs along Rocheport, Columbia, MO, etc.  However - take note of my touring bicycle in the very lower right-hand corner of this picture.  For reference, this is a fully loaded touring bicycle, just for comparison of size.  Along the other areas of the Katy Trail, the size of these huge bluffs are merely where the others start - and they continue for several stories higher.

The Conference Center
This place is booked almost every weekend for weddings.  I can't convey with words nor pictures the view of the park and valley from this building.  There is a hill behind this building that goes up to what is easily the highest point in the park.  The view goes for many miles from this bluff.  Great photo opportunities here.  For weddings, there is a kitchen and both an upstairs and downstairs in this building.  The Park Ranger's office is located in this building.  He drives throug the park once an hour to check on the saftey of campers.  If a cabin is rented, he will call you earlier in the day on a cell phone (or you can call him) to get the pass code to your cabin.  Camping site rentals do not require this call, but all rentals (camp sites and cabins) do require reservations.  I recommend these reservations be made at LEAST one month in advance.  Nice weekends are almost always full booked.  I have always camped later or earlier in the season, to avoid hot weather and crowds.

 

View of the Lake
    This view was taken later in the afternoon, facing east.  The lake is formed in the quarry.  Those rocks / cliffs are as white - snow white - as they appear in this photograph. (More on the rocks later...)

The Cabins    
If camping under the stars in a tent is "not your thing", these cabins are a great option.  They have electricity, celing fans, windows / screens, porch lights, and locking doors with keypads and passcodes.  They sleep 8 people, have a built-in indoor table, a private bedroom, and a loft that sleeps 2.  They do not have: heat or air conditioning or running water or a bathroom.  There is a very modern outhouse within a short walking distance, as well as a full shelter house with bathrooms (hot showers and a camp kitchen with sinks and a hotplate for cooking).  Each cabin has it's own private fire pit, outdoor picnic table and BBQ grill.  This particular cabin is the most secluded and private.  It is site B3 (like the organ I play!), located on a small bluff with a view over a portion of the park.  There are other nearby cabins that have good views, as well.

If you'd rather camp in a tent, there are basic ($7 / night) camping sites that iinclude their own fire pit, or upgraded sites ($10 / night) that have a covered picnic table, firepit and a concrete privacy wall between sites.  All camp sites and cabins are located within a very short walking distance to the camp kitchen and hot showers / restrooms.

Horsetail / Rush
These grow by the millions along the Katy Trail and in Klondike County Park.  Florists use it as a substitute "Bamboo", and Baisch / DWF / LaSalle sells it by the bunch.  I enjoyed seeing it grow in a natural habitat.




Fence Lizards
In the fall, these lizards scatter like grasshoppers by the hundreds, especially along the western portion of the trail.  They're kinda cute!  They're friendly and very curious.

The lake is extremely reflective when the water is calm.



This is a panoramic view.  There is no way for a picture to convey the size of this bluff.  The view from the top is breath taking!



This is the suspended / floating bridge that links one side of the lake to the other.  The views from this bridge (and the fish and turtles visible from it) are wonderful.



"Sumac Summer"
This shot was taken in the Weldon Springs Conservation Area.  Once again, this was an area that was virtually destrpoyed by man that has been reclaimed by nature in a magnificent way.  The Katy Trail runs about a mile and a half through this area.  The wildlife and views are worth the trip.



At the main shelter house, complete with a lot of physical activities for children - and bigger children! It was after Labor Day, when all the kids were back in school, so I pretty much had the park to myself.  I have shared the park with other campers, also.



This photo looks like the first step on the moon.  It is to illustrate how white the sand and stone is in this area.  Some of the "rocks" can be broken with bare hands, or crushed easily under your heel. It is almost like breaking sugar cubes.


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