Originally Posted by
JerrySTL
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is a great way to cross the Mississippi River - when it's open. It's often locked.
The easiest way from the Katy Trail into Illinois is the Clark Bridge in Alton, IL. RAAM uses it. The Clark Bridge has very wide shoulders and is part of a bike path system.
Thanks. I've been looking at TrailLink.com So far, I have a tentative route to Chicago Heights to pick up Thorne Creek Trail-->Old Plank Road Trail (ends just east of Joliet)-->then pick up Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail, which should get me within a few miles of the Mississippi. Have a few more sections to fill in on the way to Katy Trail, though.