North Shore - Short 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 > service road       4.5 miles

Leg 2 -  service road (NE) > 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   2.6 miles

Temp started at 77, ended at 95.  Sunny with steady 5-10mph SSW breeze.

Trails were dry, easy to see and traverse but there were a few areas on Dinosaur Trail that could use some grooming due to high vegetation.

I stopped at Shady Trail's watering hole before hiking and saw a porcupine (photo attached), a raccoon and a beaver.  Also saw a gar which was the first time I saw one in this area.  Rain has not fallen in a long time and I hope we get some to replenish the watering hole otherwise there will be a serious dying off of fish and turtles.

A few of the cattle tanks and horse troughs are still around so when I see one that needs water, I fill it if the water is still on.  The drought continues!

NOTES -

Water and shade available at nearby campsites by Bell's Trailhead.

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead.

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

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