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Goodwater Trail at Lake Georgetown (North of Austin)
15 reviews
3.8 of 5
The Goodwater Trail runs 5.5 mile one way from Russell to Tejas Park and consists of one mile of rocky technical singletrack then easy single and doubletack (4.5 miles.) The extension from Russell to Jim Hogg will consist of rocky singletrack (intermediate level thought I selected All Skills) with lake views, a wet creek crossing, and even a switchback and will run 4.25 miles. IMBA's Trail Care Crew's sustainable trail building techniques are being used to build the extension. In the near future a complete loop around the lake of 28+ miles will potentially host an IMBA epic. NOTICE: The south side of the Goodwater Trail is closed to biking until the loop has been completed.
Take I-35 north to exit 261A, Lake G-town/Williams Dr./2338/Granger/Andice/Del Webb's Sun City. Turn left (west) on Williams/2338. Go about 6-7 miles, pass an HEB on the left and the turn for Cedar Breaks Park, pass Sun City on the right, pass the turn for Jim Hogg Park/Road on the left, and look for a sign on the right pointing left that says, "Russell Park." Turn left onto CR 3405. Look for another sign saying the same thing about a mile down and turn left onto CR 262. This will lead you straight to the park. There is no need to go to the gate attendant. Just park on the right as you enter or in the cove to the right. Trail head starts in the cove. New trail is being added to connect Russell and Jim Hogg Parks adding 4.25 miles. Look for that trailhead (currently unmarked) off the first road on the left as you enter the park.
Summary: I started at Russell Park and took the rocky downhill out towards the lake and then rode the dirt road along the lake for a few miles. The downhill trail isn't very difficult but it is slow, very rocky, and could easily do damage to you or your bike if you aren't careful. Sharp rocks are everywhere -- middle of the trail, some "V's" that you have to ride through, etc. Kind of fun in many places but it will beat up on you and the short sections without rocks are rare and don't offer much in the way of relief. The dirt road section past the downhill is kind of boring but will allow you to get your heart rate up as it's fast and has few obstacles (just a few fallen trees you can pick your way through or over).
Recommended Route: Other reviews mentioned starting a Jim Hogg and riding to Russell -- I may try that route next. If you start at Russell Park the down hill is pretty well marked with "hiking trail" signs. You don't need to enter the park -- just park before the gate and the trail entrance is on the right.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Cameron Park in Waco is tops in Central Texas, in my opinion.
Rocky Hill Ranch is also very fun and offers quite a bit of varied terrain -- not just the usual limerock and cedar trees / roots.
Walnut Park is fun/fast and easy, and it's right here in town.
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Summary: I had been avoiding this trail since the lake flooded and put large sections of the trail underwater. Today I rode from Jim Hogg to Russell and slightly beyond (down the downhill to Mile Marker 15). The trail is in surprisingly good shape. A few grown in spots, but the trail is still followable. If you ride here take extra tubes. Everytime I go here I seem to get a flat from either a thorn, a cactus, or a pinch flat while riding the rocks. Oh yeah, be ready for lots of rocks. There's no big ledges or drop-offs like City Park (though there are some ledges and drop-offs), but it's non-stop rockiness with very little room for recovery or just cruising anywhere along the trail.
Recommended Route: Right now...Jim Hogg to Russell Park and past Russell park to the bottom of the downhill. Overlook to Jim Hogg was underwater more than the part I just mentioned and suffered alot more damage from the water. To tell you the truth I never thought that section of trail was that much fun to begin with.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Drive to Waco and ride Cameron Park. You can thank me later.
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Summary: Alot of hard work has gone into making these trails exist as an option for Austin mountain bikers, and hopefully soon the south side of the Goodwater trail will be opened to mountain biking which will make it over a 25 mile ride (and hopefully be the first designated IMBA epic ride in Texas). The trail is rocky for a good portion of the trail, and technical but not unrideable. There are some climbs. Mostly of the short and sweet variety, but they add up over the course of the ride. I normally ride from Overlook Park to Russell Park. Past Russell Park to Tejas there is a short technical section of singletrack before dropping down a steep hill full of loose rocks that brings you out close to the lake and turns into something more resembling a dirtroad. The best section of singletrack is between Jim Hogg Park and Russell Park. It was built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers andit shows. The section between Overlook and Jim Hogg has less shade so can be hot. It also doesn't flow quite as nice in my opinion.
Recommended Route: See above.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Cameron Park in Waco is a great trail
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Summary: I rode the 4.25 mile trail between Jim Hogg Park and Russell Park. VERY rocky, highly technical. If you want fast single track, don't go here. This trail beat me up - what a workout! You'll be jumping solid lava-type rock for most of this stretch. I'd recommend a full suspension bike on this one, as my hardtail took a thrashing. One wrong move and you could risk ripping your spokes out of a wheel, as I did just that. (This unfortunate event resulted in a 10 mile ride on paved road to get back to my truck) Other than that, it's a beautiful trail. Put on your no name wheels and go for it. Just don't waste a nice Mavic wheel on your way.
Recommended Route: There's only one.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Walnut Creek. What a blast!
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Summary: No one seems to have updated here in awhile so I guess I'll add my two cents worth. I rode these trails for the first time today. I started at overlook,and rode to russell park and back. it's about a 15 mile round trip. the trail is very rocky and almost all singletrack. there's not alot of climbing,but there's enough to get your heart going. the trails are technical,but not impossible. i'd rate them at an intermediate level. meaning,beginners probably shouldn't ride here just yet. intermediate level riders can survive and hone their skills,and expert riders should be able to rip this trail.
Recommended Route: next time i'll be starting at jim hogg because the part from overlook isn't well-traveled(or maintained),and the part between jim hogg and russell is just so much more fun. it has a great flow to it,and just seems made for bikes. overlook to jim hogg seems like a hiking trail that they decided to let bikes on. yes,there is a BIG difference.
Other recommended trails in the same area: the only other trail i've ridden in the area so far is walnut creek. it's an entirely different animal,but still a fun,playable place.
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