Mountain - Plains - Seeking information on route from the Katy Trail to Prairie Spirit Trail.

Working on the best route to ride from the Katy Trail in Clinton, Mo., to the Prairie Spirit Trail, Garnett Kansas, or possibly to Ottawa or Iola. Looking for information on a possible route from someone who is familiar with this area, central western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Considering the usual aspects, amount of traffic, road shoulder, and terrain, flat or hilly. Have seen some routes on Crazy Guy, but no actual report on the roads and terrain. Just thought I would check here for a route someone may have ridden, any info would be appreciated.

Here's a quick route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/367326

I can't vouch for the road from Clinton to Merwin, but everything west of there I've ridden, and they're generally low-traffic roads. No shoulder. Not too hilly.

The route picks up the Flint Hills Nature Trail at Osawatomie and takes that into Ottawa, the northern terminus of the Prairie Spirit Trail. This is a particularly nice section of the trail, as it runs along the Marais des Cygnes river for a good ways.

http://www.kansascyclist.com/

Thanks for the info KC! I will keep that link and hope to ride it sometime in the not too distant future, it sounds and looks pretty good. I had actually roughed out much of that route or close to it, but didn't have any real information on it, and didn't know about the Flint Hills Nature Trail, very interesting, makes it even more appealling. Originally planned to ride over to the Prairie Spirit Trail next week via Katy to Clinton then to Kansas but have nixed that for now, but still plan to sometime. If weather and time cooperate next week I may drive over and ride the PST.

The Kansas Cyclist website is well done, lots of interesting information there, spent some time looking around. It is too bad the opportunity for the Katy in Kansas has passed, that would have been and still would be nice to have.

Thanks again for the route, well done!