Uvas Canyon County Park, Santa Clara County, CA, 2/23/2011
The winter of 2011 brought unusually heavy rain to California and so the creeks and waterfalls of Uvas Canyon were flowing fast on this February afternoon. This particular spot along Swanson Creek caught my eye because of the bright boulder strewn clearing and the tiny waterfall coming down the hillside at left. The creek is named after the Swanson family who settled here in the late 19th century, planting vineyards and orchards. The 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 in this case refers to the abundance of wild grapes (Vitis californica) that were once found along the area's main watercourses. Uvas Canyon County Park lies on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mountains on the Sargent Fault zone. The cold wet winters and the hot dry summers here contribute to a diverse and interesting mix of vegetation and wildlife. The peace and quiet, cool fresh slightly damp air, calming waterways, and beautiful forest make this little known park a delightful place to explore.
