North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout and back

Out      Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Lookout     5.9 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > Javalina > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > North Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead   3.7 miles

Temps started at 65 and ended at 82, sunny with a few wispy clouds, strong steady winds.

A good hike on the North Shore trails.  All trails had been groomed and for the most part, were easy to traverse.  Last week, it rained and the cattle wandered along some of the wet, muddy trails leaving deep hoof prints.  As the moisture evaporated, the prints hardened and what was mud, is now like concrete changing the trail from smooth to very rough.  As time passes, the trails will even out again but in the meantime, caution is advised because it is easy to twist an ankle if you're not paying attention.

Lots of folks on the trail today - equestrians, bikers and hikers.  Because of the strong winds, most of the smaller birds stayed low if they flew at all.  The only birds flying were turkey vultures at higher altitudes.  I saw this season's first Scissortail Flycatcher but didn't get a photo.

NOTES

Water is available at the campsite near Bell's Trailhead.

Water, shade and an info kiosk is available at the Dinosaur Tracking Viewing Area.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station is available at Cougar Lookout.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp.  CAUTION - if you use the dry toilets be aware they are not serviced on a regular basis (bring your own TP!)