Decent, but not spectacular

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User: bolilloradio - 3/4/2006

Location: Government Canyon State Natural Area

Rating: 3stars
Difficulty: 2stars  Solitude: 2stars
Miles Hiked: 9.10 Miles  Elapsed Time: N/A

Comments: Went with a buddy this past weekend to see as much of the park as possible. Some comments: Not a spectacular park as there was no water in the creek (and doesn't look like there ever is except for rainstorms) and the high canyon walls were infrequent and way off the trail (we didn't go by the overlook though). It's close enough to San Antonio for mountain bikers to make an afternoon of it. We probably saw 30 of them in 5 hours. But most of them were courteous (i.e. didn't try to run you over and thanked you for stepping to the side). We took the Joe Johnston Route up the canyon, then went up Caroline's Loop, so we missed the overlook, which for all I know is pretty neat. Caroline's Loop was much less traveled, but that's about all it had going for it. Even the climb up was gradual and easy. We hit Wildcat Canyon on the way back, which didn't feel like much of a canyon at all and had more bikers on it. We hiked over 9 hard miles on rock half the time and enjoyed it, but my favorites will continue to be Lost Maples and Pedernales Falls, mostly due to the presence of water. I would recommend visiting on a weekday when there are fewer people around. Thanks to all the people that worked to get it open though.

Area around Government Canyon State Natural Area
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