Primitive campsite
Campbell Creek, a tributary of the Cape Fear River, flows through Raven Rock State Park. The park has had trails on in the area for as long as I have been visiting the park. I recall being able to cross the creek where it enters the Cape Fear. A newer bridge is now located about a mile upcreek. Today's hike begins at the relatively new Visitors Center. The trail travels through mature forest down to the creek. On our hike, we headed to the primitive campsites first. Having camped here once before about 35 or more years ago, I didn't recognize anything. The sites now have a concrete pad with metal fire ring and places to sit. There is even a permanent outhouse.
Next stop is the big attraction, Lanier Falls. It is a line of rock across the Cape Fear, with river right being the biggest drop. Hardly a waterfall, but a nice class 2 rapid. We managed to sit on a flat rock right beside this noisy spot, for a quick lunch.
The trail follows the Cape Frear for a short way. You are up high on a bluff. Further, this bluff continues into the rock formation from which the park gets its name. When you reach Capbell Creek there is no way to cross without swimming. Along this sections there are huge Ironwood trees, Loblollies, River birch and American holly. The Ironwood or American Hormbeam are the largest I have ever seen. The Loblollies are giants as well.
I don't know much about geology. These stones are found along the trail in great abundance. I did not split these apart, I found them like this.
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