North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook     6.1 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Javelina > River Bend Spur > service road (NE) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead     3.6 miles

Temp started at 53, ended at 65.  Sunny with clouds, steadily rising 5-15mph SW wind.

A pleasant hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. I wanted to get a hike in with the pleasant weather before another cold front moved in with freezing temperatures and possibly some ice.  Some small blue/purple flowers have appeared which is not good with the cold front moving in followed by multiple days of freezing temps.  More birds are being seen, especially Cardinals.  I also saw a large feral hog (photo attached).  The photo doesn't give a good sense of scale but the hog was at least 4-5 feet long and had to have weighed at least 100-150 pounds - it was large and solid!  It didn't see me at first so I had to make noise to get it's attention and leave rather than be startled and charge.  He saw me, ran a few steps then walked away.

NOTES

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

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

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

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