My first hike of 2013, I returned to a trail I've done before, over in the Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area, just north of PIckens, SC. The Raven Rock Trail was the first hike I posted about on Quercus Ilicifolia. The entrance and exit for the Raven Rock Trail is on the Natural Bridge Trail. This is a relatively short hike to start the year, taking just under an hour to hike. The main feature, as you would expect, is the Natural Bridge, a rock bridge that crosses the creek along which the trail travels.
Not far into the trail, these caught my eye. 
One day, we'll see which is stronger, the tree or the boulders. 
Near a small cascade, the boulders are covered with a beautiful blanket of green moss. 
Due to a recent rainfall, the cascades around the middle of the trail were rather impressive 
More of the cascade 
The roots of this tree crawled all over a boulder. 
This fallen branch was covered with small white shelf mushrooms. 
I was taken by the color and texture of this broken tree stump. 
Even in the dead of winter, the trail was very green. 
Beautiful blue sky, wonderful day
