MAY 201 5 SUNRAYS | 63
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a scouting expedition up the limestone
riverbed, where tracks can be spotted
during low-water conditions. Signs
of past habitation around the lake
can be found. Alert hikers will notice
plaques identifying historic burn rock
middens and water crossings, and may
even observe a modern-day rancher’s
Longhorn cattle and horses grazing amid
the remains of an old stone springhouse
and corral.
Identifying Trail Segments
Cedar Breaks Park is the most common
starting point for the Good Water Loop,
but there are multiple trailheads to
choose from.
In order to identify short routes suitable
for day hikes, the Sun City Hiking Club
divided the Loop into nine segments of
varying distances. Segments range from
four miles to eight miles round trip. All
segments of the trail, except for the first
segment, are categorized as moderately
difficult due to the rocky and occasionally
steep terrain. Trail segments five and six
can easily be shortened, if desired.
Access to the south side of Lake
Georgetown is possible at both Cedar
Breaks Park and Lost River, with two
access points also available on the lake’s
north side at JimHogg Park and Russell
Park. In addition, trailheads are located
on the Loop’s east end at Overlook Park
and on the west end at Tejas Camp.
The Sun City Hiking Club offers at
least 20 hikes along the Good Water
Loop annually. Each segment is offered
twice, and specialty hikes are scheduled
in January and March. The hiking club’s
members who hike all nine segments
are dubbed “Loopers” and receive a
laminated trail map to mark their
achievement. Currently 23 club members
have earned the Looper title.
Then there are the Marathoners, an
especially hardy group. Each spring
since 2009, highly motivated and
physically fit members have tackled
the daunting challenge of hiking the
entire circumference of the lake in one
day, making them Marathoners. The
determined hikers complete the route
in 10 to 14 hours, averaging a brisk
pace of 3 mph. Wearing headlamps,
Marathoners hit the trail in the pre-
dawn hours, departing from Overlook
Park. So far 18 club members, male
and female, have achieved Marathoner
status.
Venturing Forth!
There is no charge to hike the Good
Water Loop, but common sense and
good judgment are required! An ample
supply of drinking water is essential,
and hiking boots and trekking poles are
highly recommended for the Good Water
Loop’s trail segments two through nine.
Bill Corbett and Paul Mack are among
those hiking up a steep hillside out of
one of the hollows which characterize
the rugged terrain on the southern half
of the Good Water Loop.
Continued on the next page
Lake Manager Scott Blank confers with
Rangers Brad Arldt and David Drain
at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s
Project Office at Lake Georgetown.
The USACE staff works regularly with
Sun City volunteer groups, such as the
Hiking Club and the Hunting & Fishing
Club, to bring about improvements to
recreational facilities which it manages.
