The northern trailhead of the Madison County Transit Confluence Trail opens just under the beautiful Clark Bridge in Alton, Illinois.
After a quick climb to the top of the levy, it runs along a mostly level trail parallel to the river and the highway.
Modern traffic and timeless riverways converge on the early miles of the trail. It’s not quiet. The sites and sounds of the highway are a continuous backdrop to the historical sites and river views for the first several miles.
Access trails lead off to multiple sites worthy of their own visits; the National Great Rivers Museum and the Price Locks and Dam,
the Confluence tower, with its viewing platforms, picnic areas, and native plant gardens;
and the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site and reconstructed Dubois Camp.
Shortly past the tower, the trail curves off into a quiet meadow behind the Lewis and Clark site, packed with summer wildflowers.
A gravel trail and rapidly deflating rear tire end my ramble today, but I’ll definitely be back to explore the museums and cross the levee trail.
Rambling ... 