North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp Trail (S) > service road (W) > Javelina Trail > Cougar Overlook     3.5 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > service road (W) > River Bend Trail (N) > Badlands > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail (N) > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (N) > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead     5.9 miles

Temps started at 67, ended at 83.  Fairly constant SW breeze at 5-10mph.  Sunny w/a few clouds.

A very nice hike!  I saw a beaver at the river by Shady Trail.  I hadn't seen one in quite some time so even though the river is not flowing, the beaver is still there.  Later I saw a juvenile male Summer Tanager, an Axis Doe and fawn, numerous birds, lizards, cottontail rabvbits, white tail deer and lots of BEES! (photo attached).  At two points on Dinosaur Trail (return leg) I had to cross a 30-40 yard long stretch of trail where the bees that lived underground were above ground and locked in battle with other bees.  There were numerous "balls of bees" rolling on the ground fighting, some balls were small and other balls the size of my fist.  I walked quickly through the battlegrounds and avoided the balls of bees and did not get stung. 

NOTES -

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

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

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

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