Uvas Canyon County Park

Uvas Canyon County Park

Swanson Creek in Uvas Canyon
Type County park
Location 8515 Croy Rd Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Area 1.79 sq mi (4.6 km2)
Operated by Santa Clara County Parks
Status Open daily

Uvas Canyon County Park is a 1,147-acre (464 ha) natural park located in upper Uvas Canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, California. The park has several small waterfalls, some of which flow perennially, that feed into tributaries confluent with Uvas Creek. The park is part of the Santa Clara County Parks System[1], and facilitates picnics, hiking and overnight camping. It is one of the few parks in the area that allows dogs in the campgrounds.

Access to Uvas Canyon County Park is via Croy Road, a two-lane paved secondary road off Uvas Road with no outlet that narrows to a single lane within the small private community of Sveadal, just before the park entrance.

History

In 2017, heavy rains damaged parts of Croy Road as well as much of the park's trail system. The park is currently closed for repairs.[1]

Flora

A partial list of trees and plants found in the park is described in the park's Waterfall Loop Nature Trail Guide. Some are non-native species, brought in by early settlers.

Fauna

Some animals native to the area include:

Fauna in Uvas Canyon County Park
Convergent Lady Beetles near waterfall trail. Lady Bugs gather in the mountain valleys when they enter their overwintering diapause stage. 
Red-tailed Hawk sitting on the banks of Uvas Creek near Sveadal. The hawks prey on steelhead trout that periodically appear in the creek. 

Waterfalls

The park has seven small waterfalls, five of which are named on park maps and identified with signposts:

The streams are rain and spring fed. Even though the streams are perennial, the best time to visit these waterfalls is after recent rains.

Waterfalls of Uvas Canyon County Park
Basin Falls is around 20 feet tall, and is at an elevation of about 1100 ft. 
Black Rock Falls 
Granuja Falls 
Triple Falls is around 35 feet tall. 
Upper Falls 

References

  1. 1 2 "Uvas Canyon County Park. Parks and Recreation. County of Santa Clara". County of Santa Clara. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
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