Keowee-Toxaway State Park with Pam

Even though the hiking group has ended their hikes for the summer months, Pam and I are continuing on Tuesday's around the area.  If we get a good early start, we can be on and off the trail by lunch.  Today we visited Keowee-Toxaway State Park just a few miles from my house.  Pam brought Penny again and also her neighbor, Kim.  Kim had hiked alot before she moved here.

Starting at parking area, we headed to the Natural Bridge Trail about .5 miles before we connected with the Raven Rock Trail.  This trail is moderately strenuous and it's a 4.2 mile loop.

Pam checking out the water running under the boulders to the other side.

Kim and I were checking out this guy just a few feet away.  Not sure what kind he is.....couldn't see his tail because of the leaves.  Could it have been a rattler?  He wasn't moving.

Our journey today lead us around McKinney Mountain to a beautful area on the north end of Lake Keowee.  I believe this area is on the route to the "Boathouse" restaurant if you were traveling by boat.   It was a good descent to the lake shore.  We kept hearing noises just before here and found that there were aleast 6 convicts working on part of the trail. 

I was here!

Just a brief break before we start back to re-connect to the Natural Bridge Trail.

Another break for a picnic just at the junction.  Very peaceful spot!  It was a good day for hiking.