Uvas Canyon County Park, Santa Clara County, CA, 3/12/2011
The winter of 2011 was especially rainy in California and so the streams and falls of Uvas Canyon were flowing steadily on this late winter afternoon. Here are two small sister waterfalls I found on Swanson Creek as I walked along Waterfall Loop Trail. In this canyon, I love how the softness and smoothness of the falls contrasts with their rugged rocky surroundings. Barely 18 inches high, these two dainty waterfalls and the pool they spill into form a complete intimate landscape. Swanson Creek is a year-round stream and supports a wide variety of of plant and animal life. The creek is named after the Swanson family who settled here in the late 19th century, planting vineyards and orchards. Swanson Creek flows into Uvas Creek, which flows from the Santa Cruz Mountains through Uvas Canyon County Park into Uvas Reservoir. They are named after the 1842 Rancho Las Uvas Mexican land grant. "Uvas" is the Spanish word for grapes, and refers to the abundance of wild grapes (Vitis californica) that could once be found along the area's main watercourses. The peace and quiet, cool fresh slightly damp air, calming waterways, and lush forest make this park's 1,133 acres a delight to explore.
