Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Badlands > River Bend > service road (E) > Cougar Lookout 5.6 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > North Slick Rock > service road (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.5 miles
Temps in the mid-70's, very humid, cloudy, rain.
The trails had been mowed but were wet and mud due to recent rains. As I was hiking the rains started and continued for some time. Shelter was obtained at Cougar Lookout as I waited until the rains abated. On the return hike, the trails were even wetter and muddier than before, in one case a stream was gushing down a portion of a trail (photo attached). On the return leg, I had to use the service roads that had been recently scraped. On numerous sections, I was walking through ankle to calf deep water.
Prior to the rains I saw a rattlesnake lying by the trail as I rounded a bend - startled me as well as the snake but he slid sideways into the brush watching me all the time with a few rattles given. Also saw a Horned Toad and a few birds. The sagebrush and beebrush were blooming as well.
NOTESWater, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Trailhead.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Tracks viewing area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend ghost camp.
WATER AVAILABILITY AT THE RIVER BEND GHOST CAMP IS FAIRLY RECENT. There had been water but about 2-3 years ago, it was shut off, now it is back on. This is significant because it is one of two water spots in the North Shore area.
