North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Outlook

Feral Hogs
I'm aware of the feral hog problem in Texas but this is the first time I've seen feral hogs at the park. Photo taken at Cougar Overlook at 1:15 10/8/14.
User: MikeHikes - 10/8/2014

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 5stars
Difficulty: 2stars  Solitude: 4point5stars
Miles Hiked: 9.00 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours, 45 minutes

Comments:

Out     Bell's Trailhead > service road (N then SW) > Dinosaur Trail > Big Hill > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (S) > Cougar Outlook      4.8 miles

Return Cougar Outlook > service road (W) > River Bend Trail > Badlands Trail > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (NE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead   4.2 miles

Partly cloudy to start, mild temps and a light breeze made this a good day to hike.  Less than 30 minutes after we started, I spotted the first of three snakes, a non-rattler, who was trying to warm up.  After a little gentle prodding with a weed stalk, he slithered away.  Walking along  further the second snake made an appearance, a black/dark grey snake that had a light orange/red collar and looked like an overgrown worm.  Got a picture of his head before he disappeared.  The final snake was a brother to the second but longer - no rattles, no worries!

Saw a few mountain bikers otherwise the trails were ours.  Picked up a bit more trail trash than usual but otherwise, another great day to hike at the park.

NOTES

IMPORTANT - Bring your own water to start and make sure you drink as much water as you can when you get to the Dinosaur track area - it is the ONLY place water is available on this hike.

Water, shade and info kiosk available on Dinosaur Trail near the dinosaur tracks - about a mile or more from Bell's Trailhead/parking area - this is the ONLY water available on this route.

Shade, info kiosk, dry toilets and water FOR HORSES ONLY at the Upper Ghost Camp.  The park has capped off the water fountain - unknown why they did this.

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Outlook.



Log Photos
Feral Hogs
Area around San Angelo State Park
Recommended Item
Recommended Item Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites: New Edition
Laurence Parent
List Price: $27.95 Your price: $24.27 Buy Now
Since it was first published in 1996, Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites has become Texans’ one-stop source for information on great places to camp, fish, hike, backpack, swim, ride horseback, go rock climbing, view scenic landscapes, tour historical sites, and enjoy almost any other outdoor recreation.