NATIONAL TRAILS DAY TO DRAW HIKERS, BICYCLISTS AND RIDERS

ALTO PASS, Ill. -- People who hike, people who trail ride and people who mountain bike will converge on Alto Pass Saturday to help celebrate National Trails Day.

All three groups will follow parts of Southern Illinois' River-To-River Trail to reach the log cabin area in downtown Alto Pass at about 2 p.m. Saturday, when the celebration is to begin.

The 175-mile River-To-River Trail Society was established in 1991 to help the U.S. Forest Service maintain the 60-year-old trail. Battery Rock north of Cave-in-Rock on the Ohio River is the eastern boundary, and Devil's Backbone Park near Grand Tower on the Mississippi River is the western boundary.

The River-To-River Trail is part of the National Discovery Trail that stretches across the U.S. from Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California to Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware. After leaving Devil's Backbone Park, the trail continues north in Illinois along levees to the Eades Bridge, where it crosses into St. Louis.

"It's a real unique way to do it. Here it's a wilderness trail but you cross the Mississippi River on a train," says John O'Dell, the River-To-River Trail Society's chairman.

The River-To-River Trail passes through cypress swamps, plains and rocky wilderness areas. It runs through the Lusk Creek Canyon National Scenic Area, the Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area, Clear Springs Wilderness Area and Panther Den Wilderness Area. It also passes through Giant City and Ferne Cliffe State parks.

The River-To-River Trail is an equestrian hiking trail. Mountain bikes are not allowed in some of the natural areas.

The River-To-River Trail Society has placed wooden diamonds painted white overlaid with a blue "i" to mark the trail. The "i" may be painted on trees In some areas. When the trail turns, the diamond will be pointed in the appropriate direction. A white diamond alone designates a side trail.

The National Trails Day celebration Saturday will provide demonstrations of walking-stick carving, hiking information and displays of hiking equipment by local businesses. At 3 p.m., River-To-River Trail Society representatives will present a short program. Refreshments will be available.

O'Dell said Saturday's hike will not be arduous.

Afterward, participants are invited to the fourth annual Crawfish Festival at the Alto Vineyard on Highway 127 in Alto Pass. That event from 4-8 p.m. will offer Cajun music by the Brown Baggers, crawfish dishes and wine by the glass.

For information about the hike, phone (618) 833-6694. For information about the bike ride, phone (618) 252-3577. For information about the trail ride, phone the Union County Saddle Club at (618) 893-2753.