North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > Service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook     6.3 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Javalina Trail > River Bend Trail (N) > service road (NNE) > Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Camp Area > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead    3.5 miles

Temp started at 69, ended at 80.  Sunny with no breeze gradually became partly cloudy with a little breeze.

A ncie hike along the North Shore!  Recent rains have brought some water to the previously dry North Concho River and made the trails slightly wet in some places and dry in others.  Vegetation growth has slowed a little and almost all the wildflowers and cactus blooms are gone; however, I saw a few beebush starting to come out.  There were lots of male Cardinals singing and I saw a grey fox on the Badlands trail.  Grasshoppers of all colors and sizes were abundant and it seemed every step I took meant a handful or more flew off in front of me.

More importantly, there is actually some flowing water (photo attached) where it has been dry for way too long.  A good hike overall!

NOTES

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station 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 available at Cougar Overlook.

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