North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Out   -  Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Scenic Loop > North Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook      3.7 miles

Return -  Cougar Overlook > service road (WSW) > River Bend > Badlands > service road (E) > Upper Big Hill > Rocky Creek > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead     4.7 miles

Temp started at 68, ended at 78.  Sunny very light breeze.

All trails were easy to see and traverse except for portions of North Slick Rock which could use some vegetation cutting.  For many years, along the Shady Trail bordering the North Concho River, there have been trees felled by beavers but I never saw a beaver ... until today.  As I hiked along the trail, I saw a "V" cutting along the pool of water in the riverbed (the water has not been flowing for some time now).  I watched and saw a fairly large beaver glide along back and forth, seemingly unconcerned I was watching and taking photos. After three minutes of swimming back and forth, he decided he had enough and disappeared under the water.  A bit further down the trail, I saw a Summer Tanager - not considered "rare" but definitely uncommon.  

The rest of the hike was simply  hiking along, listening to the birds and seeing deer bound away.  A good hike!

NOTES

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are at Bell's Trailhead.  Water and shade are available in the nearby campground.

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

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