Rocheport to New Franklin

Rocheport to New Franklin. . The distance to New Franklin is 9.9 miles. This section of trail is tree- or bluff-lined with views of the agricultural landscape. , Heading west from Rocheport, Katy Trail State Park users cross Moniteau Creek at milepost 178.8. This bridge was built in 1943 after the earlier bridge burned when an ammunition train exploded. After crossing the bridge, take a short detour to the Diana Bend Conservation Area overlook. This area offers visitors an opportunity to visit a wetland along the Katy Trail. , At milepost 178.9 is the one and only tunnel on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas line. The blackened ceiling stands as a reminder of the trains that passed through this tunnel from 1893 to 1986. The tunnel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. , Davisdale Conservation Area (milepost 182.1) offers primitive camping, hiking, picnicking, hunting, fishing, frogging, outdoor photography, nature study and wildlife viewing. At the former site of Pearsons is an expansive view of cropfields. , The trail crosses Bonne Femme Creek at milepost 187.8. Capts. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark camped at the old mouth of this creek on June 7, 1804. Lewis and two men paddled partway up the Bonne Femme. , [Captions] , . Milepost 178.9 This picturesque, cut-stone arched tunnel was built in 1892-93 and is 243 feet long. It was the only tunnel on the MKT line. , . Milepost 178.9-180 Diana Bend Conservation Area borders the trail. , . Milepost 184.5 The town of Pearsons had at least one store during its heyday. Now, just the old clay-tile grain elevator remains, the only one along the Katy. The elevator is on private property. , . Milepost 186.1-186.6 Scenic views are found along this section of trail. , . Milepost 187.8 The bridge over Bonne Femme Creek is about 150 feet long. It was built in 1897.