Trailhead to Trailhead - Burkett Park to Bell's Trailhead

Out    Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > River Bend > Badlands > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (N) > Bell's Trailhead      10.4 miles

Return  Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road (SE) > Scenic Loop > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (SE) > Flintstone > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park    8.2 miles

Started the hike with temps in the mid-80's, steady breeze and mostly cloudy, ended the hike with temp of 104, variable speed wind and most sunny.  Reminder to self - do NOT do this during Summer!!

Today seemed to be "small day" meaning I saw small lizards, small birds and small rodents.  The rodents appeared to be field rats, not as large as a Norwegian rat yet larger than a mouse.  What is unusual is that I've NEVER seen them in the park before except for this year which happens to be wetter than normal (although we are still in a drought). 

I also have not seen as many raptors nor snakes so perhaps that is another reason for the rodent population explosion.

The park personnel have worked on some of the trails but there are still sections that need to be mowed and some sections that have been mowed, need another cut.  There is some kind of weed that when cut becomes stiff and it's like walking through a bunch of small spears that stab your feet and legs - not fun, hence the 4 star rating.

Last thing - WASPS.  At most of the watering or shade areas listed below in "Notes", there are at least two large active wasp nests on the underhang of the roof.  Be careful!

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.

Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction (where Turkey Creek, River Bend and Flintstone trails meet).  You will visit this area twice if you follow my route.

Water, shade, info kiosk available at Dinosaur tracks area - this is the ONLY water in the northern part of the park.  HYDRATE!!!!

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Overlook (where the southern end of Javalina and northen end of Flintstone trails meet).

Water and shade available at Bell's Point (about .25 - .50 mile from the northen end of Playground Trail on the return leg).  LAST PLACE FOR WATER on the return leg.