Great River Greenway, MO - Grant's Trail and River des Peres Greenway

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Grant's Trail - Great Rivers Greenway

River des Peres Greenway - Great Rivers Greenway

DIRECTIONS: 

GPS Coordinates 38.57239, -90.39182

Kirkwood Trailhead Parking - the end of Grant's Trail.  Since I was staying in a neighborhood only 1.3 miles away, I rode my bike through residential streets to start here.

TRAIL MAPS:

Grant's Trail Map - Great Rivers Greenway

River des Peres Greenway Map - Great Rivers Greenway

BIKE DISTANCE:  30.4 miles

THE BIKE:

I wanted to get in one last ride before heading back home to NJ and these trails led to my old neighborhood where I lived over 30 years ago.  There was a 30% chance of rain at 2:00 PM, no reason not to go.  Or so I thought.

Starting from the end of the Grant's Trail at mile 9.9, I believe.

Over I-44.

The Sappington Road trailhead seems to be the busiest.

Passing by Grant's Farm where the Clydesdales reside.  But those horses must have had insider info on the weather because they were not out.

Look at those clouds breaking up and blue skies peeking out.

There is a long stretch where Grant's Trail follows right next to I-55.

Crossing over River des Peres, more of a storm drainage than a river.  If you recall the Great Flood of 1993, it was River des Peres that flooded my house just as I was in the process of moving to New Jersey. They have since installed pumps to prevent that from happening again.

I was going to take the River des Peres Greenway to the right to Jefferson Barracks to where my father is buried but decided to head left into my old neighborhood first.

Crossing back over River des Peres.

From this parking lot ...

... zooming in to the house I used to live in which isn't visible from this angle but it would be directly behind that garage with the white door to the left of the beige 2-story house.

Continuing on...

... just look at that beautiful sky.  What rain?

Dark clouds up ahead?

I used to go to the shopping center on the left frequently but it was much busier back in the 80's.  The large store on the right was a GrandPa Pidgeon's and to the left of that was an aerobics studio where I took step aerobics classes.  My memory of GrandPa Pidgeon's was purchasing paint for my son's room - paint that ran down the walls and would never dry.  Ah, the memories.

The River des Peres Greenway continues beyond this very busy, multiple crossing intersection but this would be my turn around point.

Heading back.  And within minutes, the wind kicked up and it started raining.  I was already wet by the time I got my rain gear on.  It poured.  Camera was packed away.  

In between bursts of pouring rain, a few cell phone shots.

It would stop raining, the sun would come out, and it would pour again.

I waited under this overpass for a while until the rain subsided some.

I was able to make it back the rest of the way with very little rain using the camera but then it continued to rain for hours after I was back home.  So much for a 30% chance of rain at 2:00 PM.

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 than it would have been.

I heard chattering overhead and saw two 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.  I later 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.