North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout and back

Out      Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail (S) > service road (NW) 50 meters > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (NE) > Cougar Lookout       6.1 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > Javalina > River Bend (NW) 100 meters > service road (NE) > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Rocky Creek > service road (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead    3.9 miles

Temp started at 67, ended at 76.  Sunny with a 15mph steady westerly wind.

Very pleasant day for a hike.  Yesterday, the temp tied the record high at 99 degrees, today it was 76 due to a cold front that moved in last night. 

The yellow flowers are back!  Large portions of the park have yellow and purple flowers in abundance.  There were numerous butterflies, including a few Monarchs, but not many bees.  There were many birds  and I saw my "first for this year" Western Bluebird as well as a Kingbird. 

The native vegetation is growing and some portions of the trails are shaggy.  Nonetheless, the trails are easy to see and hike on.

NOTES

Water available at the campsites near Bell's Trailhead.  I advise you to have plenty of water before hiking.

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

    IMPORTANT - Although there is a water faucet here that has provided water in the past, there has been NO WATER AVAILABLE for at least three weeks (or more).  Don't know when, if ever, the water will be available.

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp. 

    CAUTION is advised if you use the toilets due to insects, reptiles and possibly no TP available.