Tag: Lake Georgetown hike

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Field Trip: Native Plant Hike at Russell Park

— by Gary Bowers

  • What:   Native Plant Hike at Russell Park
  • When:  8:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 11, 2024
    • Please plan on arriving 10-15 mins early. Once we have everyone signed in we’ll start hiking at 8:30 AM.
  • Where:  Good Water Loop Trailhead Parking at 2101 County Road 262, Georgetown, TX, 78633

Our field trip is free and open to the public.

This hike is a great opportunity to learn about some great native plants around Lake Georgetown while getting a bit of exercise. This hike will be an out and back with a total length of 3 miles. The expected duration is between 2 and 2.5 hours. We will start at the trailhead for the Good Water Loop and hike down to the small picnic/camping area southwest.

DistanceClimbing ElevationDifficultyTrail SurfaceNotes
3.0 mi266 ftModerateOut and back; natural path with rocks and rootsShady trail to start while navigating through cedar grove. Some inclines and declines before transitioning to a gravel path along lake.
Trail Summary

Who is this hike for?

If you enjoy a moderately paced hike with a few brief stops to learn more about native plants, this is the hike for you.

How difficult is this hike?

We will descend down to the lake and then back up. Most ascents and descents are fairly gradual but there are numerous limestone outcroppings and roots along the first half of the trail. We will be moving at a steady pace between stopping points and stops will be brief.

What should I bring on this hike?

Be prepared for exertion along a trail with unsure footing. We recommend the following for this hike:

  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Hiking poles
  • Water
  • Insect spray
  • Sun protection
  • Snacks
Trailhead parking
Route for this hike


See photos from other field trips in our album=>

Field Trip Photo Album
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Nov 25th’s Field Trip Report: No mall? No problem.

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image of flowers
Prairie Fleabane

— by Cindy Chrisler

Ten intrepid NPSOT-Wilco members assembled at the parking lot outside Cedar Breaks Park for a Black Friday Opt-Out walk on the Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail.

image of a fern

In spite of the gloom and chill, there were flowers, grasses, and lovely fall foliage along the trail.  Recent rains gave native plants a late season boost, and gum weed, palafoxia, and snakeweed were abundant.  We also observed fleabane, buffalo bur, prairie clover, and goldenrod.  This area will be positively covered with bluebonnets next spring!  A surprise in the spillway meadow included an established stand of cenizo.

Left: Maiden Fern

Hike leader Anne Adams saved the best for last along the 1.5 mile trail, taking us to a cliff where we found sevenleaf creeper, black maidenhair fern, and maiden fern (Pelazoneruon spp).  The leisurely walk culminated back at the parking lot, a little later than expected, as we enjoyed the company as well as the flora on the trail.

image of plant
Sevenleaf Creeper

Photos by Cindy Chrisler

(Click here for information about the trail we walked.)

image of red oak leaves
Red Oak

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Field Trip: Friday, November 25, 2022, 1:00pm, Black Friday Opt-Outside, Seek Nature not the Mall

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— from Kathy Galloway

  • What: Black Friday Opt-Outside, Seek Nature not the Mall
  • When: Saturday, November 25, 2022, 1:00pm-3:30pm
  • Where: Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail. Starting from a parking lot across from Cedar Breaks Park, 2100 Cedar Breaks Rd, Georgetown, TX. See detailed directions below.  Note: the trail is outside the park.

Click on the image to enlarge the trail map.

satellite image of hiking trail area
Directions to Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail
  • Turn west on Cedar Breaks Road from D. B. Wood Road:
    • Access D. B. Wood Road from the north by Williams Dr. From Williams Dr. turn south for approximately 1.9 miles, at water tower turn west (right) on Cedar Breaks Rd.
    • Access D. B. Wood Road from the south by University (US 29). From University turn north on D. B. Wood Road and turn west (left) on Cedar Breaks Rd. at the water tower. There is a sign to Cedar Breaks Park.
  • Go about 1.4 miles on Cedar Breaks Rd. Instead of turning left into the park entrance, turn right to a parking lot. The hike will start from the parking lot.
  • It’s helpful if you can carpool. The parking lot is small at this popular hiking trail, so we might have to find overflow parking.

The hike is approximately 1.5 miles. Some parts of the trail are rocky and a little steep.  Come dressed appropriately for the weather and terrain. Bring your own water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat and walking stick.

Our field trips are free and open to the public.

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