North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Organized hunt last week left these two without a buck.

User: MikeHikes - 11/2/2020

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars

Difficulty: halfstar

Solitude:

Miles Hiked: 10.20 Miles Elapsed Time: 4 hours, 40 minutes

Comments:

Out - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road (SW) > Rocky Creek Trail > service road (S) > North Scenic Loop > service road (S) > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (ENE) > Cougar Overlook 4.9 miles

Return - Cougar Overlook > Javalina > River Bend (NW) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > service road (NE) > Bell's Trailhead 5.3 miles

Temp started at 38, ended at 68. Sunny, very light breeze.

Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. Some deer out at the beginning of the hike but they disappeared quickly and no other animals seen until the end of the hike when I saw a grey fox on the Big Hill. Bird activity was not too busy although I saw a Rufous Sided Towhee as well as a Loggerhead Shrike and a Kingfisher.

A good hike but nothing exciting happened.

NOTES

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at campsites nearby.

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

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

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

Log Photos

A Widow and Orphan after the Last Hunt

Area around San Angelo State Park

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Recommended Item

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Since it was first published in 1996, Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites has become Texans’ one-stop source for information on great places to camp, fish, hike, backpack, swim, ride horseback, go rock climbing, view scenic landscapes, tour historical sites, and enjoy almost any other outdoor recreation.