North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > DInosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook       6.3 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Javelina > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead    3.8 miles

Temps started at a cold 51, ended at a warm 80.  Light wind increased to a steady 5-10mph SW breeze.  Mostly sunny with some thin clouds.

A good hike that started with a sweatshirt and ended in short sleeves.  All trails were dry, easy to see and traverse.  There were deer spotted when I arrived but none on the trails.  A hawk (photo attached) graciously held still long enough for me to take his picture but most of the other birds and animals were nowhere to be seen, except for a few Robin at Bell's Trailhead and neat the North Scenic Loop.

The agarita are blooming in various places and the scent was easy to pick up.  Bees and a few moths and butterflies were attracted to the plants as well.

NOTES -

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead.  Water and shade availble in teh nearby campground.

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

Shade, info kiosk anda bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.

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