North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Outlook

Out     Bell's Trailhead > service road (N then SW) > Dinosaur Trail > Big Hill > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (S) > Cougar Outlook      4.8 miles

Return Cougar Outlook > service road (W) > River Bend Trail > Badlands Trail > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (NE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead   4.2 miles

Partly cloudy to start, mild temps and a light breeze made this a good day to hike.  Less than 30 minutes after we started, I spotted the first of three snakes, a non-rattler, who was trying to warm up.  After a little gentle prodding with a weed stalk, he slithered away.  Walking along  further the second snake made an appearance, a black/dark grey snake that had a light orange/red collar and looked like an overgrown worm.  Got a picture of his head before he disappeared.  The final snake was a brother to the second but longer - no rattles, no worries!

Saw a few mountain bikers otherwise the trails were ours.  Picked up a bit more trail trash than usual but otherwise, another great day to hike at the park.

NOTES

IMPORTANT - Bring your own water to start and make sure you drink as much water as you can when you get to the Dinosaur track area - it is the ONLY place water is available on this hike.

Water, shade and info kiosk available on Dinosaur Trail near the dinosaur tracks - about a mile or more from Bell's Trailhead/parking area - this is the ONLY water available on this route.

Shade, info kiosk, dry toilets and water FOR HORSES ONLY at the Upper Ghost Camp.  The park has capped off the water fountain - unknown why they did this.

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Outlook.