Uvas Canyon-Waterfalls

Uvas Canyon

Let's meet at this Star Bucks location at 10:00AM to carpool and to make sure we all arrived on time for the hike and to save on parking fee of $6.00 per car.

Starbucks
251 Vineyard Town Center Way
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Directions from Star Bucks in Morgan Hill:

http://maps.google.co... (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=251+Vineyard+Town+Center+Way+Morgan+Hill,+CA+95037&daddr=37.067475,-121.660375+to:8220+Croy+Rd,+Morgan+Hill,+CA+95037,+us&geocode=FbhENgIdt-K_-CmZYaBZbiCOgDEsX3EYHCW0oQ%3BFdOaNQIdKZy_-Cl3oN75kB-OgDFNjDpfPdbVcA%3BFaHgNQId5aW9-Cljs_kbIiOOgDGUK4TB7HatyA&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=37.10092,-121.725769&sspn=0.143758,0.242729&ie=UTF8&ll=37.09736,-121.716156&spn=0.143765,0.242729&z=12&via=1)

I strongly suggested that you take a right out of the Star Bucks(our meeting location) onto Monterey Road and drive down the block and turn right on Watsonville Road (0.4 mi –about 47 secs). Drive 4.8 miles(about 7minutes) to Uvas Road(Co.Hwy G8) and turn right. Drive 5.9 miles(10 minutes) and turn LEFT(too many right turns already....lol) on Croy Road. No, You are not there yet... Now drive another 4.2 miles and don't be afraid to go to the END of the road. Park before the gate(if you can find a spot for FREE(I know you like that-after all of that RIGHT turns and not a WRONG turn, left!)

(Most of the navigation would show the other directions which have a lot of turns to get there)......the easiest thing to do is to follow the leader...THAT'S ME!

Uvas Canyon (https://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Hiking-Group/venue/1204179/?eventId=16040365&popup=true)

8229 Croy Road. Morgan Hill, California 95037

Distance: approx. 5miles
Difficulty: moderate
Duration: ~ 2-2.5 hours
Departure: 11:00AM SHARP!

More info: http://www.bahiker.co... (http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/uvas.html)
Dog friendly: Yes
Entrance fee: $6.00 if there are no free spots available.

http://www.sccgov.org... (http://www.sccgov.org/SCC/docs%2FParks%20and%20Recreation%2C%20Department%20of%20%28DEP%29%2Fattachments%2F332557uvas%20both.pdf)
3.2 mile loop visits a series of waterfalls in this secluded canyon park.

Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 3.2 mile loop hike is easy, although there are a few short moderately steep sections. Trailhead elevation is about 1100 feet. This hike's highest point is about 1800 feet. Total elevation change is about 700 feet.

Uvas Canyon Falls Hike:
3.2 miles (+.5/1miles) (+.8 miles)

1).Start at the day use parking lot and walk on the paved park road uphill. When the road forks, bear left. Pass through a group picnic area, following the sign to the Waterfall Loop Trail. At about 0.2 mile a gate marks the start of the hiking trail. On the right side of the path, check the wooden box for maps and a nature trail guide to the waterfall loop. At about 0.3 mile, at a signed junction, Waterfall Loop Trail sets out on the right. Keep going straight, on Alec Canyon Trail.

2). Alec Canyon Trail continues ascending to about 0.7 mile, where at a signed junction, Contour Trail begins. If you want to visit Triple Falls, continue straight another 0.6 mile, then backtrack to here. Or, walk out and back to Manzanita Point, just 0.25 mile from this junction. Turn right on Contour Trail. (This means we go to a spot ahead and come back. To and from one of these spots adds 1 mile or .5 miles)

3). As you hike on, the sounds of rushing water becomes louder, until, at about 1.9 miles, the trail bends right at a signed junction on the shores of Swanson Creek. It's a wonderful spot for a rest break. Swanson Creek, a year-round stream, flows downhill via a series of small waterfalls (other branches of the creek feed into the main channel further downstream).

4). When you're ready to continue, walk downhill on the side of the stream, carefully descending through some rocks that can be slippery with water and moss. The path crosses through the creek, then widens on the opposite side (there's a trail sign with an arrow that's not obvious unless you're headed in the other direction). At an unmarked junction, a trail to the left visits the Hot House Site (plumbing remnants jut out on the side of the path). Stay to the right.

5). At about 2.2 miles, at a signed junction, the short trail to Basin Falls departs on the left. Trudge uphill on the path for a pretty view of Basin Falls, then return to the main trail and continue to the left.
6). Just downhill from this junction, there's another junction, with the trail to Knobcone Point. (Add .4 miles/more strenuous/ Total .8 miles)
Waterfall Loop Trail reaches the turnaround point here. If you want to walk on the south side of the creek, on the narrow Waterfall Loop Trail, it starts near the picnic tables. This segment of trail features more bridge crossings of the creek, and a more intimate hiking experience. On the other hand, from the Waterfall Loop Fire Road which runs along the north side of the creek, you can see both sides of the creek, and the Waterfall Loop Trail, and the trail is more stable. Continue downhill on the fire road

7). Another short spur, this one to Black Rock Falls, breaks off on the left side of the trail. The signpost was missing its face plate on my last hike, but the path is easy enough to find. Head back to Waterfall Fire Road and turn left.

8). A sturdy set of steps descends to meet up with Waterfall Loop Trail. Continue straight on Waterfall Fire Road, which crosses the creek one last time. The trail forks; bear right. You'll return to the previously encountered junction with Alec Canyon Trail. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Welcome

Welcome to Uvas Canyon County Park. This lushly wooded park of 1,133 acres, is nestled in upper Uvas Canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. This mountain park offers hiking, camping and picnicking opportunities throughout most of the year. Enjoy your visit today and return often to experience the many features of Uvas Canyon County Park.

Uvas Canyon County Park is located at the end of Croy Road in Uvas Canyon.

RESPONSIBILITY:
Please be aware that we expect you to take responsibility for your safety while we are out on the trails. This means being prepared with adequate hiking gear and making sure the difficulty level of the event IS NOT beyond the limits of your health & conditioning. We understand that your "Yes" RSVP to this event means you accept this.

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By joining us for this event you hereby RELEASE and DISCHARGE it's owners, principals, affiliates, presenters, organizer, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice or information contained herein. You further agree that if you or someone under your supervision uses the information on this website you assume all risks of injury, damage, and economic loss, without limitation, and release providers from all liability therefore.