A view of NoCo from the Confluence
Shannon Howard | Oct 17, 2009 | Comments 6
The great Missouri River, flowing swiftly past the northeastern border of North County. Breathtaking even on a cloudy day.
In my opinion, St. Louis has done a dreadful job of showcasing one of its finest features: the mighty Mississippi River. Approach the river on 90% of the local shoreline and you’ll find a dismal, dirty view of factories and other commercial operations. That’s if you can even get near the water.
St. Louis has this amazing natural wonder right at its doorstep and you’d barely even know it’s there. That’s why I think we NoCo residents should count our lucky stars, because North County is the best place in St. Louis to experience the Mississippi.
It also offers a front row seat to the Missouri River and one of nature’s most awesome displays – the confluence of two of the grandest rivers in North America. As if that’s not cool enough, you can view the Mississippi/Missouri confluence either from NoCo, at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, or looking at NoCo, from the Ted & Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park in West Alton.
This week, I chose the looking at option, and boy, what a trip. Drive a few minutes north on 367, turn right just before the Alton bridge (at the migratory bird sanctuary) and prepare to be wowed.
An electric display of natural colors at the confluence
No need to hurry. Just soak it up. The first thing you’ll notice is the water, nearly everywhere you look, then flocks of swooping birds and lounging egrets. Follow the winding road until it turns to gravel, then take that another 4.3 miles, through sprawling farm fields and a symphony of fall color.
The confluence is your destination. Just a short walk through the woods (on a path) and you’ll emerge at the meeting of the rivers, where you can actually stand right on the water. It’s an amazing sight.
Illinois and the Mississippi are to your left. North County and the Missouri are to your right. If you look closely, you can see the seam where the two rivers converge, and as the waters churn and splash, you will probably feel like a tiny speck in awe of Mother Nature’s immense power. At least I did.
But what a quick, easy, beautiful way to decompress after a stressful week. So close to home and yet so magnificent. And a perfect place to walk your dogs, your kids or just yourself.
If you haven’t seen the confluence yet, GO! It’s truly a marvel of nature and just one more reason to have North County pride!
On the far shore: the observation deck at Columbia Bottom in NoCo
Filed Under: Outdoor Fun
Question: How near this point is the area under proposal for rezoning for a casino???
See the observation deck. The casino would be just around that bend, adjacent to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
When I planned my wedding, We wanted to use Ted & Pat Jones Confluence Point as our ceremony spot.. The meeting of two great forces on the earth would have made the ultimate spot to join two people in marriage..
It would have been great, but due to the state of the roads getting down there and the threat of rain kept us away from getting our friends and family stuck in the mud! lol
Ooh, that would have been a great place for a wedding! The NoCo side is definitely more easily accessible than the West Alton confluence.
I can barely get certain members of my family to visit North County, much less drive down a 4-mile gravel road then hike through the woods!
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