Working field plan · July 2026
Machens to Carlyle Expedition Route
Roads • Rivers • Recovery
A working route plan for the next leg of Enzo The Great — An American Expedition, built with AI support to help identify safer walking routes, resupply points, shelters, and story stops.
Route overview
105-110 miles east
- Machens, MO
- St. Charles
- Chain of Rocks Bridge
- Madison County Trails
- Edwardsville / O'Fallon / Lebanon
- Carlyle, IL
- Estimated total
- 105-110 miles
- Daily target
- 15-20 miles
- Route priority
- Paved trails and safer shoulders; avoid dirt roads where possible
Six working legs
Daily route plan
Tap a day to see route, resupply, and overnight notes. Mileage is approximate until each leg is walked.
01Machens to St. Charles12-14 miles · Katy Trail
- Start / End
- Machens trailhead to St. Charles riverfront
- Route notes
- Follow the Katy Trail south. The Machens end can be soft or muddy; check conditions after rain.
- Resupply
- Carry water and food from the start. Services are limited until the St. Charles area.
- Rest / overnight
- St. Charles parks and lodging are planning leads only. Obtain permission before camping anywhere.
02St. Charles to Chain of Rocks19-22 miles · River corridor
- Start / End
- St. Charles riverfront to Old Chain of Rocks Bridge area
- Route notes
- This is the most uncertain transition. Confirm a legal, walkable connection the same day; do not assume a continuous off-road trail.
- Resupply
- Stock up in St. Charles. Mark gas stations and public water before leaving the populated corridor.
- Rest / overnight
- Identify a permitted stop before departure. Riverfront and bridge areas do not automatically allow camping.
03Chain of Rocks to Edwardsville17-20 miles · MCT network
- Start / End
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge area to Edwardsville
- Route notes
- Use the MCT Confluence corridor and connecting Madison County trails where open. Verify the current MCT closure list first.
- Resupply
- Granite City, South Roxana, and Edwardsville provide the strongest service options.
- Rest / overnight
- Gateway Pet Guardians is a possible story stop. Contact organizations before arriving; shelter visits are not overnight stays.
04Edwardsville to O'Fallon18-21 miles · Paved trail priority
- Start / End
- Edwardsville to O'Fallon
- Route notes
- Favor MCT Goshen and paved connectors through Glen Carbon, Maryville, and Troy where they fit the eastbound line.
- Resupply
- Frequent services in Edwardsville and the I-55 communities; refill before longer trail stretches.
- Rest / overnight
- Metro East Humane Society is a planned Shelter Spotlight lead. Parks and churches require advance permission for any overnight stay.
05O'Fallon to Lebanon14-17 miles · Local-road transition
- Start / End
- O'Fallon to Lebanon
- Route notes
- Choose paved local roads only after checking shoulders, traffic speed, and construction. Reroute rather than force a bad road.
- Resupply
- O'Fallon is the major stock-up point; Lebanon has food, fuel, and water options.
- Rest / overnight
- Contact local churches, parks, or campgrounds directly. Belleville Area Humane Society is a regional story lead, not directly on this line.
06Lebanon to Carlyle18-22 miles · Final approach
- Start / End
- Lebanon via the Trenton area to Carlyle
- Route notes
- Local-road leg with limited trail coverage. Verify every shoulder and use Trenton as a possible midpoint.
- Resupply
- Top off in Lebanon, check Trenton services, and carry enough water for exposed road miles.
- Rest / overnight
- Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area has camping north of Carlyle; confirm availability and dog rules. Clinton County shelters are planned story contacts.
Editable field checklist
Key stops to verify
Food & supplies
- Dollar General searches in route towns
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Dog food and paw-care supplies
Water & rest
- Public parks and trailheads
- Public water and refill points
- Shade and heat-rest locations
Overnight leads
- Campgrounds with dog policies
- Churches contacted in advance
- Legal campsites with permission
Story stops
- Humane societies and shelters
- Trail and river communities
- Local history and bridge stories
Enzo's Shelter Spotlight
Helping local dogs be seen
Enzo's Shelter Spotlight introduces adoptable dogs and the people serving them along the expedition. Every visit is arranged with the shelter first.
Built on the road
Built With AI Expedition Planning
This page demonstrates how AI can support a real expedition: comparing route options, organizing resupply and shelter leads, surfacing safety questions, shaping public storytelling, improving search visibility, and building a fast website from the trail. AI helps assemble the plan; Robert makes the final calls on the ground.
Verify before walking
Primary route sources
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