North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook - Short loop

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook    3.1 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Javelina Trail > River Bend (N) > Badlands > Upper Big Hill > service road (NW) > Rocky Creek > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead    4.0 miles

Temp started at 58, ended at 68.  Low, overcast clouds, steady 5-10mph Southerly breeze.

An upcoming hunt made today's hike shorter than usual.  The trails were damp to muddy but easy to see and traverse - just got a lot of sticky mud on my shoes!

A Kingfisher was spotted along Shady Trail watering hole and further up along the very dry riverbend as I headed South.  A few deer were seen which I hope moved much further South for sanctuary from the hunt that would start the next morning.  One interesting observation - I saw a Robin at Cougar Overlook that stayed for a few minutes before flying North.  Perhaps there will be another permanent colony of Robins at the campground by Bell's Trailhead.

Otherwise, not much was going on but I was glad I was able to get a hike in before they shut the park down.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at or near Bell's Trailhead.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.