The problem with Machens is that, when you get there, there isn't any there there. You are twelve miles from nowhere in either direction, and there is no signage in Machens to get you to the nearby road over the railroad tracks to Hwy 94. I imagine that the railroad probably owns that little gravel access road and doesn't want you on it.

The KATY is ok if it is frozen in the morning, but gets messy (as sknhgy noted) as it warms up.