North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to River Bend Campground

Leg 1 -  North Parking > Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailheaad (S) > Rocky Creek > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Campground Road > River Bend Campground   3.5 miles

Leg 2 -  River Bend Campground > North Slick Rock > Upper Big Hill (N) > Park Fire Break Road (WNW) > Dinosaur Trail (N) > Bell's Trailhead > Park road to North Parking    3.1 miles

Temp started at 76, ended at 91.  Partly cloudy, SW breeze 7-15 mph, somewhat humid.

Improved trails from my last visit although one in particular (Lower Ghost Camp) is still not do-able.

All trails that I hiked on were dry and easy to traverse.  Park personnel have cleaned up Shady Trail so it is very nice to hike.  Animal activity was minimal although I saw two armadillos on the north side of the river where I had to park.  There are two entrances to the North SHore - one is on the south side of the river and is the where equestrians enter to the campground designed for them and their horses.  The other gate is on the north sideof the river and is the "main" gate.  Both gates are locked and to enter you need the current gate combo which should open both gate locks.  For whatever reason, this morning the combo did not open the equestrian gate I normally use so I had to use the other gate and park in a different area so I could cross over the dried river bed to access the northern trails.

Put a bit of a damper on the hike but it was do-able so no complaints.  BUT because of the damper, I did not go as far as planned and didn't go the route I intended so major trails have not been checked.

NOTES -

Water, shade info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are at or near Bell's Trailhead.

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

SPECIAL NOTICE - CURRENTLY, NO HORSES ARE ALLOWED AT THE PARK DUE TO SCREW FLY INFESTATION.  CHECK WITH PARK PERSONNEL IF YOU DESIRED TO RIDE THE TRAILS WITH YOUR HORSE.