Keowee-Toxaway State Park

My hike today took me on another trail I have been on with the group except for the park service has re-routed the trail for a much better hike and with more assessability to lake views. This moderately strenuous, well-marked 4.2-mile loop provided us with a link to the past as we hiked on land that Cherokee Indians once traversed. We begin the hike on the Natural Bridge Trail and shortly afterwards we crossed Poe Creek on the Natural Bridge, and then we turned right onto the Raven Rock Trail. We ascended and descended around McKinney Mountain to a rocky area near the top where we were treated to a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west while surrounded by mountain laurel. Continuing, we came to another vista that overlooks Lake Keowee, then begin a steep descent to the lakeshore. From here we begin a steep ascent over stone ridges with excellent views of the lake, then descend to Poe Creek. Boulders in the creek provided us a way to cross Poe Creek where we rejoin the Natural Bridge Trail for our return.



At top of Raven Rock
Just below is another level of rocks where you can jump off into the lake





Refreshing waterfall along the way



Largest fungus I've ever seen