Monday, May 23, we took our very first trail trek since Fall 2021.
Our destination was Raven Rock State Park in Lillington, NC.
We stopped at the loo first. I got a chuckle out of this sign posted outside.
About one hour from home. First let me tell you the trail is all gravel, tree roots and stumps. It took lots of concentration on our feet. The trail goes thru beautiful dense green forest. I took some pictures on the trail and more after we actually arrived at our destination the ROCK.
We decided to take the Raven Rock Loop Trail which was 2.6 miles.
Here is a photo from trail head. Saw (only) one slippery slithery critter. It was a small brown snake (not poisonous) ...moving so fast I hardly realized it was a snake** before he disappeared. The tree roots you see on the bottom right of this photo were just a hint of the ones we saw later on hills and sloops and in the middle of the trail. Many were several feet high.
Most of the trail was so narrow we walked single file.
First Stop Overlook down to Cape Fear River
We continued on down the twisting, winding, root filled trial 'til we came to
a set of the longest stairs that lead down to Raven Rock
So long and winding I could not get a picture of the entire stair case.
From the top of the stairs to the bottom it is 131'.
**On the WAY BACK up the Stairs to heaven we saw two young whippersnappers coming down.
They advised they had seen a snake. As we were entering the park parking lot, we saw the whippersnappers again. They told us they saw 2 more snakes. We probably will not hike that trail again due to the rough terrain. So thankful we started our trek early, when it was still cool which might have kept the slithery critters hiding.
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Raven Rock State Park sits along the fall zone, an area where the hard, resistant rocks of the foothills give way to the softer rocks and sediments of the coastal plain. The underlying rocks of the area were formed more than 400 million years ago by intense heat and pressure.
This immense crystalline structure rises to 150 feet (46 m) and stretches for more than a mile along the Cape Fear River. There was no way I could get one picture of the entire Rock.
Through the ages, flowing waters and swirling winds gradually eroded the land, carving and sculpting Raven Rock. The rock was originally called Patterson's Rock for an early settler who found refuge there when his canoe capsized nearby. In 1854, its name was changed to Raven Rock, inspired by the sight of ravens that formerly roosted on rock ledges.
The rock is just feet from Cape Fear River
Raven Rock State Park sits along the fall zone, an area where the hard, resistant rocks of the foothills give way to the softer rocks and sediments of the coastal plain. The underlying rocks of the area were formed more than 400 million years ago by intense heat and pressure.
After snapping the pictures from the bottom of the rock...we had to muster up the courage to climb back up the 131' of steps then walk about 1 1/2 miles to the trail head~~~
We two older than the Raven Rock codgers completed the 2.6 mile loop in 90 minutes.
We were tired but the journey and the destination were worth it.
Thankfully we were not even sore the next day.
Next trail trek will be closer to home, Turnip Seed State Park. Not as much of a challenge either.
Here is a map of the park (just a bit on the edges didn't scan.
What a wonderful hike, and well done for completing the 2.6 miles safely despite all those perilous looking tree roots. Truly, you clearly do not yet belong to the 'Old Codger' category. Bertie would have loved all the geological information!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
I'm sure the brown snake would've had me stop and sit in the safety of the car while you hikers completed the trek ...Raven Rock is a pretty area!!!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trek and I am so very impressed you took all those steps - not once, but twice! YAM xx
It's just gorgeous and wonderful exercise!
ReplyDeleteNow I know where they made the movies Cape Fear. it was on the Cape Fear River and i do fee fear looking at those steps. no way i could go down them all or back up them.. wild clapping just for that feat... it is gorgeous and wow on those ROCKS
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place for a nice hike. I wish I could have come along. I think I could have kept up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Big hug. ♥
What a beautiful place for a hike but we wouldn't like all those stairs either.
ReplyDelete❌⭕❌⭕
ReplyDeleteYou two are true hikers. I would have never made it to the steps much less traveled the gravel trail. Gravel likes to twist ankles, I am glad you are safe and sound. It is a beautiful park.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful hike C, I'm so happy you and B are out and about on the trails again!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Beth
Wonderful photo hike in a lovely place with you ~ thanks, Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Great place to explore. lol...why don't they have a "do not use - cleaning in progress" sign for the loo instead
ReplyDeleteYou two are like Super Woman and Super Man! That was some hike! Is the fall zone the area where bits of rock fall off and onto your head?
ReplyDeleteoh em cod C how totally cool is this….WAY better and far more interesting than the trek I take each day
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing😺‼️
What a lovely hike- thanks for all the photos! !!!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed! I could never walk that far on such tough terrain. XO
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely walk, and well done to both of you in doing it in an impressive time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your terrific walk with us.
ReplyDeleteWOW, that was some nice trek, hope it was cool there!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks like a pretty hike!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful place to take a hike! Thanks for taking us along. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful post, Cecilia. Your photos and descriptions are fantastic, too. Dad says he and mom hiked there some years ago (he thinks it was when they lived in Wilmington) and loved it. These past few weekends have found them at a few closer, not-too-difficult trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Asheville. Monday dad didn't have to work, so they went to Graveyard Fields for a fairly easy, albeit quite muddy, squishy hike to the upper and lower falls there. Anyhoo, again- an excellent post, my dear almost sort of but not quite North Carolina neighbor!
ReplyDeleteTHAT is the bestest coolest and most interesting trail I know of thanks to you. Oh we have trails of course in the Smokeys (some have half killed me trying to get up them) and all around but some are just memorable as is the one you just showed us..I LOVED the pics and so glad that you took the time to show us and write the blog!
ReplyDeleteXX
You two adventurers are keeping in shape with your hikes that's for sure - all those stairs? SNAKES? EEEK! That one photo of the tree roots looks like a big tangle of snakes to me......gives me the "willies" (whatever those are!).
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam