First, the annual Christmas Eve hike. (It was actually on the eve of the eve of Christmas Eve this year, but whatever. The tradition continues, even if my days are a little off this time.)

It was ridiculously foggy at the top of the gorge that day, but it cleared up quite a bit down low. It was chilly and damp, and the water was flowing everywhere.



This was a tight squeeze:





Looking down and up the creek from a swinging bridge:





A few minutes after crossing the bridge and hopping over a small, wet-weather feeder creek, I heard some water splashing a ways off trail. About 20 minutes later at a different place on the trail, I heard the same sound again. It's always a wise move to follow your ears:





The second of two great swinging bridges on this trail:



And the obligatory "Merry Christmas" American holly pic: