I’ve missed two Watchful Wednesdays in a row, but I have a very good excuse…I was out watching. So take that, Watchful Wednesday!

I spent yesterday hiking Raven Cliff Falls trail in Caesars Head State Park with some ladies of Trail Dames. If you haven’t hiked the Blue Ridge Mountains, then strap on your hikin’ boots and get out there! And if you need a preview, then I’ll share my Watchful Wednesday with you.

While there are several trails at Raven Cliff Falls, we hiked to the overlook and back. We took our time to enjoy the cooler temps and wonderful scenery. It did seem like the green was greener than it should be for this time of year. There were signs of fall, but the greens were very bright.

There was plenty of great plants to see, many of which I am still unfamiliar. In sunnier spots, there were a few flowers still out, but most plants were moving into the berry stage. I’m probably a pain to hike with since I am constantly stopping to snap photos and poke around.

The ferns were plentiful! In fact, I do believe that we found fern gully! ?

The fungi was plentiful in all colors and shapes. Fungus is pretty amazing stuff, and I know virtually nothing about it! So if you are the curious sort, here is a good post by Lisa Gustavson over at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. She seems to know a lot more than I do or will take the time to research! Everything I know about fungus is compliments of Miss Frizzle of Magic School Bus.  “To the bus…!” (If your kids don’t know who Miss Frizzle is, then shame on you!)

If only we could hear the stories of the trees…

As with many shady spots, the moss grew everywhere. I was particularly taken by these little mossy ball-like structures.

The turnaround point of our hike was the Raven Cliff Falls observation deck. I’m quite sure we would have continued to the suspension bridge over the falls had the trails not be closed. ? That will be a hike for another day.

Raven Cliff Falls is the highest waterfall in South Carolina boasting a (debatable) 400 foot drop.

South Carolina and Western North Carolina are full of fabulous hiking spots. For more information about mountain trails in South Carolina click here. Click here for information about hiking in Western North Carolina.

See ya on the trails!