Riverfront Trail, MO and Eagle Points Trail, IL via Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Riverfront Trail - Great Rivers Greenway

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 38.63508, -90.18116

Parking at 1 Biddle Street, St. Louis, MO

TRAIL MAP:

BIKE DISTANCE:  41.6 miles

THE BIKE:

From the parking lot turning left to head south towards the Gateway Arch and the beginning of the Riverfront Trail.

This area would be very busy later in the day but it's quiet at 7:30 AM.

Lewis and Clark statue on the left with the Gateway Arch.

At the beginning of the trail.

Heading back at the start of the Riverfront Trail at the Mural Mile. 

Passing by where I parked.  Here the bike path becomes paved roads for a while that sometimes look confusing to follow as the trail winds through industrial areas.

First the trail goes through two open gates.

Then turns right under a low bridge.

The painted trail name is confirmation that it is the trail.

There are painted arches showing the way to the Gateway Arch also.

The trail ascends to the top of levees and back down again a few times along the way.

Once out of the industrial area the path becomes a distinct bike path again.

That light colored Canada goose caught my eye sticking out among the regular ones.

There are only two road crossings throughout the entire trail.  The trail crosses to the other side of Riverview Drive ...

... up a steep hill through a shady wooded section then back down again.

The trail crosses back over Riverview Drive just before ...

... the entrance to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge which is now a dedicated pedestrian/bike path with no cars.

The City of St. Louis from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.

The Mississippi River

At the other side of the bridge in Illinois ...

... I continued straight on a road that has no traffic at the moment because ...

... the bridge over the canal is closed for construction.

I turned right at the closed sign ...

... to the Eagle Points Trail, a 6-mile each way mostly paved trail along the top of a levee.

The trail follows along the Chain of Rocks Canal.

There is a short gravel section before the trail becomes paved again.

The end of the trail with ...

... views of the City of St. Louis.  

Heading back.

Lock and Dam 27

My little coyote friend!  We were playing a game of cat and mouse.  He would pop up and look at me then I would stop to take his picture and he would duck away.  I'd start cycling and he'd pop up again.  We did this back and forth for a while before he finally let me get his picture then I cycled and he ran parallel to me until I passed him.  I think he was having as much fun as I was.

Then two bald eagles flew over but this was the best shot I could get.

Then a flock of pelicans!

If the canal bridge were open, this parking lot would be full so the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was much less populated that it would have been.

I heard chattering overhead and saw to American Kestrels.

I stopped for a break at this rest area that has a pollinator garden.

There was a lot of pollinating happening.

Two cars passed me on the bike path where cars are not allowed.  Saw them both backed into the trees by the river when I passed by.  Unbelievable!

Back through those two open gates ...

... to the parking lot on the left.