Uvas Canyon 2007
Saturday April 28th
      by Ed Martin              Click for:   Photos by Ed   Photos by Ursula
Georgiana led us on yet another fun trek Saturday April 28, this time to Uvas Canyon County Park. It’s difficult to find words to make this report sound fresh, how can I keep repeating Georgian’s expert knowledge of flora to educate us and Georgiana and Rich’s superb choice of venue for a relaxed Saturday afternoon.

Uvas Canyon could be called Waterfall Park; in particular Waterfall Trail has dozens of cute mini waterfalls and includes the larger Upper Falls. Trails off to tributaries include Basin Falls and Black Rock Falls.

Our hike began at the first parking lot and the seven of us quickly picked up the Waterfall Loop Trail. For me the first thing I noticed were the smells of the forest, they seemed more intense than most parks and reminded me too much of my favorite backpacking areas.
Ed, Anna, Joyce, Georgiana, Rich, Ursula, Mikki (front)
Backpacking enthusiasts will be pleased to note I plan to lead a couple of backpack trips for Après this summer, stay tuned. The Waterfall Trail climbs along side Swanson Creek with lots of opportunity to get close up views of the cascades and the trail holds ones interest with wild flowers and really well constructed bridges. As usual Georgiana was kept busy identifying flowers, plants and trees and was happy to make repeat identifications for us with poor memories.

Another characteristic of this park is shade, almost all the trails are favored with heavy foliage and even on a hot day like this, common as we know in south San Jose, the hike was mild.

At the top of Waterfall Loop most of us took the steep 0.2-mile spur to Black Rock Falls that tumbles into a pool large enough for wading waist deep. A couple of guys were doing just that but our group had no takers. Back from the spur we took the even steeper hike up Knobcone to Knobcone Point. There we rested at a picnic table but were not allowed to start lunch, the boss said 11:30 was too early. Down from Knobcone we found a nice spot for lunch among the rocks surrounding the creek, it now being 11:55 we were permitted to attack our sandwiches.

Following lunch we visited Basin Falls and then climbed Contour Trail past an old Hot House Site with a still intact heating coil set amongst a ruined stone furnace. Contour Trail crosses Swanson Creek then roughly follows the contour finally back to the parking lot. Just before returning some of the party took the 1.4-mile detour to visit Triple Falls, which I’m sure was well worthwhile.

Thanks again Georgiana and Rich, if you missed this hike, don’t let it become a habit, watch for Georgiana’s next escapade and combine exercise with pleasure.