Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina Trail > service road (NE then at the bend W) > River Bend (N) > Badlands > Upper Big Hill > service road (NW) > Rocky Creek Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 4.1 miles
Temp started at 54, ended at 74. Sunny with a light breeze.
A cool start on morning dew damp trails. The North Concho River is practically dry along Shady Trail but there are a few water holes left. I went to the largest and waited to see what showed up - nothing. Next, I looked for migrating Monarch butterflies which in past years had been somewhat numerous. I saw a grand total of two Monarchs resting in the pecan trees (photo attached). Continued to hike to Cougar Overlook on now dry trails. Although the trails were in good condition, there was nothng to see and what I did see with regard to water was poor. Numerous areas that had always contained some water were now bone dry. The last couple of years starting with the exceptionally brutal Winter storm in Feb 2021 and the on-going drought, has really hit the park hard in all aspects - vegetation, insects, reptiles, birds and animals. Rain is predicted in a few days which is good but it will take vast amounts of rain and time to bring this area back to what it was.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available in nearby campground.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
