North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout and Back

Out     Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (N) > Cougar Lookout      6.6 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > Javalina > River Bend (about .25 mile) > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (NW) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead     4.5 miles

Temps started at 55 and ended at 67.  Overcast and gloomy at first then partly cloudy.  Steady 10-15 mph SW wind.

Most of the trails in the middle and north sections of the park, have a hiker/horse trail running somewhat parallel to the hiker/bike trail.  Today was "hiker/horse trail" day and I stayed on them as much as possible.  These trails, for the most part, were dry or slightly damp and rougher than the hiker/bike trails due to the horse's hooves impacting the trail; especially when the trail was wet and muddy.  Nonetheless, it was good to hike slightly different trails while I observed the birds and conducted minor trail maintenance/trash pick-up. 

NOTES

Water available at the campsites by Bell's Trailhead.

Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station at Cougar Lookout.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp.