Goodwater Loop Trail, Lake Georgetown, Texas

Tina looking happy and eager to start hiking

On March 23, 2013 we discovered the Goodwater Loop at Lake Georgetown after living in Georgetown, Texas for over ten years. In an effort to begin a healthier lifestyle we are going to attempt to hike more frequently starting with some short section hikes around Lake Georgetown. Having never been to the trail before, we looked at some information on-line including a .pdf map of the loop and decided to give it a go with a simple out and back hike starting at the Overlook Trailhead.

 The facilities here are nice with good parking, a sheltered bulletin board and a sheltered bench area. Just a few yards down the trail from the here there are restrooms. Once passed the restrooms you will make your decision to turn left or right. On this day we chose left and proceeded down a paved path until we came to the bridge over the dam. On the bright side you have an excellent view of the Lake from the top of the dam. On the down side you're hiking for more than a mile over paved surfaces.

Marker near the parking lot at the Overlook Trailhead

 My skills with the panoramic feature need improvement. The trails shown are actually at right angles to each other.


First glimpse of the Lake

View from the dam

 

Eventually the sun came out

Once you enter the Cedar Breaks Trailhead area you get off the paved roads after having passed two mile marker signs (25 & 26) coming across the dam.

Not a lot of traffic on the trail itself. On this Saturday we passed about maybe a half a dozen distinct groups, mostly in twos or threes, about half with a dog present.

 

 There are definitely some rocks to be careful of when hiking here. As nice as the scenery is you will spend plenty of time with your eyes on your feet.

The road taken.

  

 The trail ascends as you approach Mile Marker 1. Well above the lake as you can see.

 

Watching her step!

 

 There is a nice mix of trail along the lake and trail through the woods.

I may be biased but the picture is always better and my day is always brighter with her in it.

 

 

We finished our hike in about three and a half hours having covered about 4.5 miles. This includes a few rest breaks along the way and about a 20 minute sit down while we shared a dozen or so figs at the half way point. We were just the right amount of tired at the end and coming back across the dam in the afternoon sun was drudgery but in all a good first effort.