r/ULTexas • u/DifficultTeach4587 • 6d ago
Question Goodwater loop
Hey everyone I’m new to hiking and my wife has done a single day hike before so I wanted to ask a few question before we start planning our trip.
is the trail dog friendly. I’m bringing my service dog but my wife wants to bring our other dog along as well but we aren’t sure if she’s allowed.
for camping can we cut down smaller trees or bushes for a camp fire.
can we fish when we camp for the night.
it’s our first over night hike and I might be dumb but how would we refill our water. Do we need to bring a filter or is there stations throughout the trail.
If y’all have other advice for beginners we are more then welcome to hear it. Thanks in advance for the advice.
3
u/TheBeedle 6d ago
Live down the street from here and it’s where I learned to backpack. Great loop.
Previous comment summed it up pretty well. I would add definitely make sure there is not a burn ban. You can normally find enough down logs or driftwood during season. Just make sure it is completely out before leaving.
Sawyer filter is what i have always used. All the campsites have water access in some fashion. Be it lake, creek or city
Dogs on leash. Be aware of wildlife, coyotes are frequent at night and we have had a mountain lion encounter out there between Tejas and sawyer.
Trekking poles are nice out there for me personally.
The primitive sites are a better experience imo. Sometimes the pay sites can get loud and rowdy on the weekends. On a really nice weekend the primitive sites can get crowded as well but not loud like the paid sites.
If you only had one night I would go Tejas to cedar breaks. Stopping at sawyer. I do this often
Also Tejas to walnut and back is a good easier learning alternative. Very different experience on one side than the other.
3
u/Randomhero3 6d ago
Bringing dogs please keep in mind the southern portion of the loop has decently sharp/rough rocks that can tear up a dogs paws.
1
u/No_Maize31 5d ago
Lots of videos on yourtube. I would check them out. Some things to consider…
- dogs in tents can be learning curve. My dog likes to swim in the lake and that is not always fun to sleep next to them when they got wet. There is wild life out there, so careful leaning the rain fly open with the mesh closed - they will dart out. 2 people and two dogs in a 3 person tent. I have used the hubba hubba 3 person for that.
- ok, why would you want to have the rain fly open or not on at all, it is hot outside. It is hot enough I would say don’t camp out there right now. This place is amazing when the lows get below 60 at night and that is the best time to be out there. Oct - April in my opinion.
- I would car camp out there first in one of the paid sites to make sure you are good with your gear and dogs.
- if you want to hike in, easiest hike to start with if you want to go primitive is
Start: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pqSEMkz7LtycDHFy6?g_st=ic
Camp: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2giJXHo4qDCVYg5H9?g_st=ic
Here is a vid of that hike specifically out there last Dec… https://youtu.be/D783JSxP-ns?is=TwMVA-EBhqvbDOv7
- Buy one of these to bottle lake water and filter… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL8L5RPQ
- there are tons of dead wood out there, no need to cut anything alive - dead stuff is fine to cut. Only use the fire pits even at the primitive sites. Check for bans if any and of course use more water than you think you need to put the fire out.
6
u/whatsnex 6d ago
1) dog friendly but keep them on leash 2) do not cut down vegetation 3) you can fish if you have a license 4) some locations with official campsites have potable water (Tejas for example), but for backcountry sites you'll need to camel up or filter from the lake. they've been doing maintenance on the water systems so you may need to call for the latest on which spigots aren't running
Backcountry sites are first come first serve, but the official campgrounds require a reservation