North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook

Out      Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road (South) > Scenic Loop > service road (South) > Upper Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (West) > River Bend (South) > Javalina Trail > Cougar Overlook     3.8 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > service road (West) > River Bend (North) > Badlands > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail > service road (North) > Bell's Trailhead     6.1 miles

Temps in the upper 70's to mid 80's, partly cloudy and a constant 10-15 mph South wind.

Haven't been to the North Shore in a few weeks and I'm sorry to report, it may be awhile before I return - the trails are OVERGROWN to an unprecedented degree.  The above avaerage rains coupled with the normal growing season has seen an explosion in vegetation growth.  So much so, that vast parts of the trails are totally overgrown and IMO, not safe to walk on due to the presence of snakes (rattlers).

On the positive side, there was hardly any trash to pick up and the one rattler we did encounter, was seen in a clear part of the trail so there was no danger. 

I don't plan to go back to the North Shore for at least a month in the hope the park personnel will have time to run a brush hog on the trails and/or the vegetation will die back some.

I recommend that hikers stick to the park's South and Mid sections for hiking.

NOTES

Info kiosk available at Bell's Trailhead.  STRONGLY Recommend you have plenty of water prior to your hike - there is ONE location for potable water on all these trails (see below).

Shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Ghost Camp (at the north end of the Lower Ghost camp Trail). WATER FOR ANIMALS ONLY is available.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.

Shade, info kiosk and water available at the Dinosaur Track area.  This is the ONLY potable water available on the North Shore trails.