North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout

New Stream at North Slick Rock.
Recent rains provided some run-off down a portion of the North Slick Rock trail.
User: MikeHikes - 9/1/2016

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: 1point5stars  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 9.10 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours

Comments:

Out      Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Badlands > River Bend > service road (E) > Cougar Lookout       5.6 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > North Slick Rock > service road (N) > Bell's Trailhead        3.5 miles

Temps in the mid-70's, very humid, cloudy, rain.

The trails had been mowed but were wet and mud due to recent rains. As I was hiking the rains started and continued for some time.  Shelter was obtained at Cougar Lookout as I waited until the rains abated.  On the return hike, the trails were even wetter and muddier than before, in one case a stream was gushing down a portion of a trail (photo attached).  On the return leg, I had to use the service roads that had been recently scraped.  On numerous sections, I was walking through ankle to calf deep water.

Prior to the rains I saw a rattlesnake lying by the trail as I rounded a bend - startled me as well as the snake but he slid sideways into the brush watching me all the time with a few rattles given.  Also saw a Horned Toad and a few birds.  The sagebrush and beebrush were blooming as well.

NOTES

Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Trailhead.

Water, shade and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Tracks viewing area.

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

WATER AVAILABILITY AT THE RIVER BEND GHOST CAMP IS FAIRLY RECENT.  There had been water but about 2-3 years ago, it was shut off, now it is back on.  This is significant because it is one of two water spots in the North Shore area.



Log Photos
New Stream at North Slick Rock.
Area around San Angelo State Park
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