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Georgetown - San Gabriel Trail

Type: Trail

Length: 8.10 Miles

Elevation Gain: N/A

Cost: N/A

Rating:

(3.33)25

Difficulty: 1point5stars

(1.54)

Solitude:

(2.26)

ADA Accessible: N/A

Bikes Allowed: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Interpretive Guide: No

City: Georgetown

County: Williamson

More Information: More Info

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Map

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Getting there: From I-35 in central Georgetown, exit onto Hwy 29 (also known as University Avenue) and head east. Turn left onto Rock Street and park along the road near the entrance to Blue Hole Park as the road turns to the left. Alternatively, access the trail from San Gabriel Park by exiting I-35 and heading east on Williams Drive, turning north onto Austin Ave. and looking for the park on the right.

The Hike: Georgetown features a network of trails along the San Gabriel River, with many folks starting at the trailhead at Blue Hole Park. You can continue east from Blue Hole on a cement path along the side of the South San Gabriel for about half a mile where you have the option of crossing the San Gabriel River just below where the two forks of the San Gabriel join (at least you will when they get around to repairing the bridge).? For now continue east until you get to the road crossing.? I've found, that unlike Austin, cars will actually stop for you to cross here.? Head on down until the trail runs out and continue on along the roadway for the last 100 yards before you cross the river.

The San Gabriel Trail is partly paved, making it suitable for walking or biking.

What's that you say?? There's no pedestrian crossing!? Just trust me!? Keep going straight towards the gate ahead of you and after you pass the turn to the bridge, look to the left; you'll see a path down to a foot crossing on the east side of the bridge.? Now you have two choices; You can go either direction.? The path turns into cinders here and makes a 1.5 -2 mile loop around San Gabriel Park.? The left path is a shortcut back to the crossing.? There is a set of 3 springs just past the pavilion area to the left.? Look for the cypress trees. You'll see many ducks and geese in this area.? If you go to the right, you'll pass a 9 hole Frisbee Golf course.

When you get to the aforementioned crossing, the path becomes cement again and goes along the North San Gabriel for another mile or so.? We got to a flooded crossing underneath IH 35 and turned back.? From here you're just yards away from Lion's Head Springs.? After the 4th IH 35 bridge, go up to the right and take the dirt jeep trail into the woods.? Stay next to the cliff to your right and you can't miss it.? It should be the first place you see with water dripping along with ferns growing there.

Photos

just a creek feeding into the river (Photo by jimmy peace)

just some moss on a rock (Photo by jimmy peace)

one of the crossings (Photo by jimmy peace)

The majority of the trail surface is pavement, like this portion passing under a roadway. This certainly makes it easier for families with small kids. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

The San Gabriel Park Loop portion of the trail consists of crushed granite and circumnavigates the park. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

These short, but vertical rock faces stand over the San Gabriel River. (Photo by Centex Trekker)

The trail loops around San Gabriel Park, follows the river and branches out to some neighborhoods. (Photo by Centex Trekker)

Crossing the San Gabriel River. (Photo by Centex Trekker)

(Photo by Eveline)

a wonderful resting spot... (Photo by NewHiker)

Log Entries

finally open all the way
By jimmy peace on 3/15/2019
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Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes

last time i hit this trail it was flooded in several spots

hiked it from the lake eastward this time
By jimmy peace on 1/16/2016
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Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A

just more of a running and biking trail since all concrete
By jimmy peace on 11/22/2015
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Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A

By Jessica.Preston on 11/9/2014
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Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Finishing up San Gabriel Trail Mapping
By Austin Explorer on 6/22/2013
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Distance: 7.89 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 38 minutes

Coppertone and I completed two separate sections of the trail today to complete our mapping of the entirety of the trail. Despite hitting the trail on two opposite ends we still ran into a park employee on a cart who must have wondered how we managed to get to both sides of the trail so quickly.

The track file here includes both the sections hiked today as well as those hiked back in May.

Mileage and steps
By Austin Explorer on 5/27/2013
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Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 54 minutes

Started off at Booty's Road Park and headed towards Georgetown, did the loop around San Gabriel Park and doubled back to the car. Coppertone got a new pedometer and is now competing against others at work, so she was keen on getting some mileage in, even if she was breaking in new footwear.

We noted a number of large snails high up on mileage posts or street lights. I'm not sure why they seem inclined to make that much of an effort.

The partly cloudy skies helped hold down the temperatures. We were thankful for that.

Finishing out at 10 miles just feet from our car we could not have planned the distance any better!

Decided that we'd come back to do the remainder of the trail to Overlook Park on a different day. We also need to come back and map the South San Gabriel River Trail segment.

Took the West Hike from the Blue Hole
By Kat Person on 1/20/2013
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Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

Just behind the restrooms, I took a hike that ran along the side of much of Scenic Drive. It does not appear to be the same hike as is described below as it wound along the river and there were sharp incline and declines with breathtaking views of the river. Really a great hike. The only drawback was the constant sound of I-35. I would have ranked some of the difficulty higher but didn't want to skew the rating away from the east directional hike that wraps around the city park. This hike was foot only and only for the steady footed hiker in some places. Made me think of Hobits! I will return!

Bike paths
By texaskdog on 4/25/2010
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Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Hiked from Pickett along South Side (was hard to follow directions from here) and crossed to San Gabriel Park and walked around it and then along the north side (to the west) and crossed over on South Austin back to the car. Someday will return on bikes to finish the path.

By MaCtAzTx on 4/11/2010
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Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Cool Hike
By mgialusis on 4/10/2010
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

I chose to get off the beaten path and found myself climbing along the side of a cliff along the river. I discovered the coolest site. There was a very old, rusted pick-up truck in the river and a huge tree grew right through it. It was pretty awesome.

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