North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout

Taking Flight
A Scissortail Flycatcher just lifted off from the branch. Nice to see them back in the park.
User: MikeHikes - 5/7/2017

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: 1star  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 9.10 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours

Comments:

Out     Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Lower Big Hill > service road (S then NW) > Badlands > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Lookout       5.8 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > North Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead   3.3 miles

Temps 70 to start and 87 at end, sunny, no clouds with steady South wind.

A good hike that would have been better if the trails had been groomed.  The vegetation is covering major portions of Dinosaur Trail resulting in a slower pace as I had to constantly be aware of where the trail was and watch for snakes.  The vegetation is so dense on Lower Big Hill Trail I recommend you stay off unless you are familiar with the trail and have to use it - use Upper Big Hill instead.

Saw two snakes today - one about 8-10 inches long, very thin and dark grey/black in color.  The second was a 2-3 foot water snake in a pond - unknown what type.

The sun was shining, there was a steady breeze to keep pesty bugs off, the wildflowers were blooming, bugs pollinating and bird singing with quite a few lizards sunning - it was a very good hike!

NOTES

Water and shade available at Bell's Trailhead - water in the campground/picnic areas.

Shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area - NO WATER AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Shade, info kiosk and a Bicycle Repair Station (!) available at Cougar Lookout.  The repair station is legit and contains attached tools and an air pump.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Ghost Camp. CAUTION WHEN USING THE TOILETS DUE TO INSECTS/SNAKES.



Log Photos
Taking Flight
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.