Government Canyon Outer Loop – Mountain Bike Trail

The Government Canyon outer loop is a combination of several trails, i.e., the Joe Johnston, Caroline’s Loop, Sendero Balcones, etc. It also combines rocky terrain with steep climbs making it a high-difficulty ride, although given that there are no branches to duck under and hairpin turns to be wary of, it may not be as technical as others in its class.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

As a looped trail, the Government Canyon outer loop starts and ends at the Back Country trailhead and can be ridden clockwise or counterclockwise. That said, we noticed that if you want to make the ride a little easier, clockwise is the way to go since you’ll be going down rock shelves rather than climbing them.

If you prefer much more of a challenge, then counterclockwise is the way to go. Naturally, we recommend the easy route for your first time.

The Back Country trailhead connects to the Joe Johnston trail and then to Caroline’s loop. Caroline’s loop gives you a preview of what to expect at the Sendero Balcones trail, which is mostly rock gardens and shelves. A dual-suspension mountain bike may be ideal in these sections since you’ll feel like you’re operating a jackhammer. However, before you get to the Sendero Balcones, there’s another section of the Joe Johnston to go through.

The Sendero Balcones trail connects to the Far Reaches trail, which is less rocky, but you get a rolling singletrack. Finally, there’s the recharge trail before you find yourself back on the Joe Johnston, and you can then ride back to the starting point.

As implied by the name, it offers several outs and shortcuts to riders. For instance, you can forego Caroline’s loop, instead using the Joe Johnston to cut across directly to the Sendero Balcones.

Other trails that offer you an out include the Twin Oaks and Wildcat Canyon trails that cut across from the Joe Johnston to different sections of the Sendero Balcones. There are also the Lytle’s and Savannah Loops that sit outside the Government Canyon Outer loop.

Some areas aren’t shaded, and given the distance, you might want to carry plenty of water. Also, there are several overlook locations on the trail, giving you a comprehensive view of the landscape in the area.

You can even take a bathroom break somewhere off the Joe Johnston trail.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

The dinosaur tracks are a huge interest point, although you’ll be exiting the main trail to see them. Also, there are different overlook points that give you a great view of the scenery that you might want to make a stop at.

Recommendations and Precautions

• Carry plenty of water and a repair kit in case you need one.
• Given how rocky some sections of the trail are, a dual-suspension mountain bike might be a good idea.
• Avoid this trail during the rainy season.