Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (N) > Cougar Overlook 6.1 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina Trail > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > South SLick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 54. Sunny, few clouds. SW wind at 10mph, shifted to N wind at 20+mph with gusts.
Breezy, cold hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails with one major exception - Lower Ghost Camp (next parapgraph). Numerous whitetail deer survived the recent hunt that ended yesterday. In addition, I spotted an Axis deer buck and doe! Most birds were low to the ground and stayed in shrubbery due to the steady and cold winds. No photos taken for this hike.
Lower Ghost Camp Trail - at the southern-most end of the trail, the caution tape had been removed as well as any "Trail Closed" signs. All was good until I got to the river bend area where it was apparent the trail was gone and animals and/or humans had made an improvised trail of sorts. Followed the "new" trail until it came to the River Bend Campground where the tape and sign was back in place. Don't know if hooligans removed the other signage or if the park personnel did. In either case, cauition is advised if you choose to use this trail.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at campsites nearby.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 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 River Bend Campground.