Looks interesting. Did you get more pics? Close ups of the "arrows"? Are you in coastal Carolina? Or Western? You say deep in the woods, but was it off a trail or stream? Any other unique elements around? Looks somewhat old as the rock fungus is growing over the cross. Take a super close up of the "paint". Looks like a marker rock, but could be Boy Scouts 10 years ago or a colonial party 300 years ago.
I would agree with you Tom if not for being really deep into the woods. I can't imagine folks "randomly" setting out into the woods to mark a stone but, who knows? I'd still detect the spot for curiosities sake.
I'm guessing it's painted somehow. I'll have to adventure back and take better pictures. It was off a trail in the woods. There's a river and lake a couple of miles away. There is also huge rock outcrops dotting the countryside. I'll attach a couple of photos. I'm definitely going to go back and metal detect. The nearby town is a very small community outside of Camden South Carolina. So a lot of history around there.
Looked online a little bit. And a confederate cross looks awfully similar and Sherman marched through that area. Not sure on exact history but from what I've read he was definitely in the area. I'm going to go back and detect and check it out asap.
There is probably more in the area that an untrained eye does not see. Have you been studying the treasure signs and symbols sub-forum? I would if I were you.