North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Big Loop

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook     6.4 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Javelina Trail > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead     3.7 miles

Temp started at 60, ended at 74.  Stead 10mph SW wind with slight gusts.  Overcast until last mile then partly cloudy.

A good hike along dry, easy to see and raverse trails.  There were two Great Horned Owls as I drove past the gate and another in the campground by Bell's Trailhead.  A hawk was also spotted a little later and then a few deer were seen running in the distance.  On the return leg, at the North Scenic Loop, I saw about 20-30 Robins (photo attached) - I hope they have returned to establish a new, permanent colony! 

Nothing else to report besides picking up an unusually large amount of trash, old and new, along the trails - the wind and soil erosion will be blamed.

NOTES -

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

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

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

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