Natural Bridges Trail - Calaveras County

Earlier this year, the youngest daughter and a friend took a sunny winter day hike to a spot where a local Gold Country creek has cut a tunnel through a dike of soft limestone rock.

The trail down to the creek is classic foothill scenery.

Coyote Creek enters the cave.  Be careful girls, there may be dragons!

Where the creek comes out the other side, the daughter couldn't resist wading in as far as she dared.

Perfect early winter scenery in the foothills.

The play of light and water.

This reminds me of a hobbit's trail.

A hoary old Entish oak.