North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Widows and orphans
I can only assume they escaped from one of the nearby game ranches. No buck was seen with them.
User: MikeHikes - 9/8/2021

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: halfstar  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 9.00 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours, 40 minutes

Comments:

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (W) > River Bend Connector > Javelina > Cougar Overlook    3.2 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > service road (SW) > River Bend (N) > Badlands > service road (NW) > Upper Big Hill > DInosaur > DInosaur Viewing Area > Dinosaur > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead   5.8 miles

Temp started at 70, ended at 86.  Sunny, little to no breeze.

Easy hike along trails that are becoming overgrown with vegetation from the recent rains.  I saw a group of four Axis deer which are not native to the park (photo attached).  Surprisingly, there is still a low stream of water moving into the river near the River Bend campground boatramp.  More purple thistle is coming up and there were a few spots of beebush sltill in bloom.  Otherwise, there was hardly any animal or bird activity seen. 

NOTES

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

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

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

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

 

 



Log Photos
Widows and orphans
Area around San Angelo State Park
Recommended Item
Recommended Item Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites: New Edition
Laurence Parent
List Price: $27.95 Your price: $24.27 Buy Now
Since it was first published in 1996, Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites has become Texans’ one-stop source for information on great places to camp, fish, hike, backpack, swim, ride horseback, go rock climbing, view scenic landscapes, tour historical sites, and enjoy almost any other outdoor recreation.